If there’s one thing David Childers learned in his 40-plus years working on movie sets, it’s to expect the unexpected. As a key grip on some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, Childers didn’t just help create the lighting or move equipment—he became part of the unpredictable,
behind-the-scenes heartbeat of the film industry. His memoir, Let’s Roll Some Film, captures this chaos with honesty, humor, and the kind of stories that only someone who’s truly been in the
trenches can tell.
One name that stands out in his memories is none other than Robin Williams. David worked on Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993 as the best boy grip. It was one of those projects that had everyone excited—not just because of the big-name cast, but because of the sheer energy Robin brought to every single moment. As Childers shares, Robin was just as magnetic off-camera as he was on. He kept the crew laughing between takes, always improvising, always moving. But behind that humor was a deeply professional actor who respected the crew and made the long days worthwhile.
Working on Mrs. Doubtfire also meant working through a whirlwind of props, chaos, and emotionally charged scenes. Childers and his team were constantly on the move—resetting scenes, re-lighting, re-rigging. But no matter how tense things got, Robin Williams found a way to lighten the mood. David doesn’t dwell on one single moment, but the presence of Robin in his book is a quiet tribute to the joy and humanity that a truly special actor can bring to a set.
Of course, not all surprises on set are as heartwarming.
David recounts many wild and unexpected moments throughout his career, including scenes with fire, water, and even exploding buildings. One standout comes from his time at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), where he helped shoot special effects for Poltergeist. Back before CGI took over, effects had to be real—and that meant building everything from scratch and then blowing it up on cue. In one case, a replica house had to implode right in front of the camera. To get the shot, the team rigged an elaborate system with wires, steel frames, forklifts, air cannons, and
high-speed cameras. The shot took only seconds to complete, but weeks to prepare—and it had to be perfect the first time.
It’s this kind of high-stakes work that defined David’s experience in the industry. Every day was a mix of routine and risk. One minute you’re rigging a light. The next, you’re dodging flying
debris or helping a crew member who just got knocked down by a runaway trolley. (Yes, that really happened on the set of Howard the Duck—a fellow grip held onto a lighting stand just a second too long and went flying across the street.)
But for David, these moments weren’t deterrents. They were memories—some painful, many hilarious, all unforgettable. His book isn’t just about the celebrities or the finished films; it’s about the grit and camaraderie of the crew. It’s about the endless adaptability required to turn chaos into cinema.
Through each story in Let’s Roll Some Film, David offers a unique window into a world most of us never see. He brings us along for the ride—through food fights, practical effects, midnight shoots, and quiet moments between takes. And he reminds us that the true magic of movies isn’t just in the story on screen—it’s in the people behind the scenes who make it happen, surprises and all.
So, whether it’s a joke from Robin Williams or the echo of an exploding set, David Childers’ journey is a testament to the wild, wonderful unpredictability of life in the film business.