David Childers
I wanted to acknowledge some of the guys who were mentors and teachers in my earlier years which led me in becoming a key grip. First I wanted to thank Edward Powell who gave me the opportunity to get started in show business. If it wasn’t for him asking me, I know the FBI is where I would have ended up going. He gave me the first start, but like anything in life if you can’t cut the mustard it will never make happen. I worked hard, listened, watched and paid attention to others and how they did the certain skills to achieve a life long career in the film world. I want to thank first and foremost Kenny Phelps who was also a key grip long before myself. He taught so many of us grips about car rigging and mounting cameras on vehicles. We learned how to cut, bend, flatten the ends and drill into conduit for mounting and bolting it to any type of vehicle to build a camera support rig. It was really quite an art. Not only was he a great rigger but just a really great guy. Always a pleasure to work with and learn from. When Ken retired I ending up buying a great majority of his rigging equipment from him. Other guys I learned from, worked with and was a mentor to included: Jon G, Steve C, Dick D, Ted M, Pat F, Dennis P, Joe C, Boomer M, Greg C, Pat F, Orlando O, Rich H, Greg Co, Duane R, Billy B, Hugh B, Don H, Peter T, Frank Jeff G, Steve Co, Mike P, Bobby F, Brook J, Michael W, Jim B, Gary G, Chuck B, Jim H, Gill W, Gabriel B, Frank H, Kjell N, Jani V, Chris C and Robin K.
