Born in 1964, so I’m no longer the youngest grip around. I began my film journey as a grip right after university in the 1990s. Back then, to achieve a camera move, the options were either a heavy platform called a “bobrowska” or a well-worn Elemack dolly. Following the need for camera movement in my projects, I purchased directly from a German factory a dolly—used, but fully modern—along with its equipment. It was meant for the commercials I was shooting at the time. And that’s how it began.
After commercials came my baptism by fire: the first big TVP production, The Good Soldier Švejk Adventures! Then another film, another television theatre production. Over time, I gained experience, faced new challenges, and acquired more equipment. Although Warsaw was tempting at times, I stayed here in Silesia.
Over all these years, many now famous and respected Polish cinematographers shot their first short films on my equipment. I’ve always felt the need to help students with their first film projects. That modest mission of mine has been successful—and I hope it continues!