Last Updated 2 months ago
Definition
Griff, short for Griffolyn, refers to a large, durable fabric material used in film and television lighting to bounce, reflect, or absorb light. Griffolyn is most commonly manufactured with a white reflective surface on one side and a black light-absorbing surface on the other, allowing it to be used flexibly depending on orientation.
Mounted to frames or rigged on stands, griff is a standard grip and lighting tool for shaping light over large areas. It is valued for its strength, weather resistance, and versatility in both studio and exterior environments.
Role in Lighting Control
Griffolyn is primarily used to control existing light rather than generate new light. When the white side faces the source, it acts as a bounce, reflecting light back into a scene to provide fill or soft illumination. When the black side faces the source, it absorbs light, reducing spill and increasing contrast.
Because of its size, griff is especially useful for broad lighting control, such as filling shadows on exterior day scenes, blocking unwanted skylight, or shaping light across large sections of a set. It allows cinematographers and gaffers to make significant lighting adjustments without adding fixtures.
This makes griff particularly valuable when power is limited or when natural light is the primary source.
Common Uses on Set
Griff is commonly used as a bounce source to redirect sunlight or artificial light into shadow areas. The white surface provides a neutral reflection that is softer and less directional than a mirror or hard reflector.
It is also used as a negative fill tool. With the black side facing the subject, griff absorbs ambient light, deepening shadows and adding contrast, especially in exterior or brightly lit environments.
Other uses include acting as a windbreak, visual block, or environmental control tool on location. Its durability allows it to serve multiple functions beyond pure lighting control.
Material Characteristics
Griffolyn is made from a tough, vinyl-like fabric designed to withstand repeated use, outdoor conditions, and handling. Unlike lighter fabrics such as muslin, griff is resistant to tearing, moisture, and dirt, making it suitable for long shoots and rough locations.
The white surface is reflective but not glossy, producing a soft bounce rather than a specular reflection. The black surface is matte and designed to absorb light efficiently without creating reflections.
Because of its weight and stiffness, griff holds its shape well when stretched on a frame, maintaining consistent light behavior.
Rigging and Handling
Griff is typically mounted on frames and supported by stands, speed-rail rigs, or overhead structures. Due to its size and wind resistance, proper rigging and safety practices are critical, especially outdoors.
Grips are responsible for ensuring griff is secured with appropriate stands, sandbags, and tie-downs. In windy conditions, griff can act like a sail, making careful placement and constant monitoring essential.
Despite its durability, griff should be handled with care to avoid creasing or unnecessary stress on grommets and edges.
Griff vs Other Fabrics
Griff is often compared to muslin, ultrabounce, or solids, but each material serves a different purpose.
Compared to muslin, griff is heavier, more durable, and better suited for exterior use. Muslin produces a softer, more natural bounce but is less weather-resistant.
Compared to ultrabounce, griff is simpler and more rugged. Ultrabounce offers higher reflectivity but is typically lighter and more specialized.
Compared to black solids, griff offers the advantage of dual-sided functionality, allowing quick changes between bounce and negative fill without swapping frames.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that griff is interchangeable with all bounce materials. In reality, its reflectivity, weight, and durability give it a distinct look and use case.
Another misconception is that griff is only for large productions. While more common on bigger sets, it is frequently used on smaller shoots because it provides efficient control without power requirements.
It is also incorrect to assume griff is only a lighting tool. Its physical properties make it useful for environmental control as well.
Why Griff Matters
Griffolyn is a workhorse material that enables large-scale light control quickly and reliably. It allows crews to shape natural and artificial light with minimal setup and without relying solely on fixtures.
Understanding griff helps filmmakers make smarter choices about when to add light and when to manipulate what already exists. Its flexibility, durability, and simplicity make it a staple of professional grip and lighting practice.
Though unassuming, griff plays a major role in controlling contrast, shaping environments, and maintaining visual consistency across shots.
Related Terms
[Bounce] Redirecting light using reflective surfaces.
[Negative Fill] Using black material to absorb light and increase contrast.
[Frame] A rigid structure used to hold fabric or diffusion.
[Grip Department] The crew responsible for rigging and shaping light.