C-Stand quick tip – the easy and efficient way to raise any type of light stand or C-Stand
In my first article on the C-Stand I went over the basics including how to properly tighten one. Now it’s time to talk about another quick tip; how to properly raise a C-stand.
I was out on location last week shooting in several different areas and I stumbled upon this startling fact; most people don’t know how to raise a C-Stand. Actually, I was one of those people many years ago, until an old gaffer took me aside and showed me the proper way to do it.
Instead of raising a stand using the bottom riser, it is much easier (and smarter) to start with the top riser first. This way, if you have to go higher than a single stage, you have the ability to do so from the ground.
If you start with the bottom riser first – then find that you need to raise the stand higher you would have to:
- Lower the bottom stage, then raise the top stage, then raise the bottom stage again. This is especially difficult if there are two stands and two people involved – such as when you are securing a 6×6 silk. It’s like watching an old slapstick movie from the 30’s. (I watched this happen twice in one day)
- Or worse yet, climb the C-Stand and put yourself and others at risk. (This is not a joke, I actually saw this happen too – on the same day.)
Starting with the top riser first makes your job much easier and far less dangerous than the above examples.
One thing to note; if the top riser of the stand is a little flimsy (such as a smaller or more compact light stand) use your discretion before putting a great deal of weight on it. Usually in the smaller stands, the top riser has a very small diameter and tends to sway in the wind. If this is the case, you might want to re-think using that stand if you have to go higher than one riser length. It should be common sense – if it starts to sway under a load, change it out for a more robust stand.
The wisdom of the gaffer that taught me this trick (which contained many profanities that I can’t repeat here on this educational site) has been documented in the video that you see below. Please enjoy . . . and tell your friends.
2 Responses
Great video.
I would like to see one that shows the best way to use a grip head – ie make gravity and torque work for you when have to attach a flag, etc. so that it’s weight tightens the knuckle instead of loosen it.
@Peter agreed, this is probably basic info to most, but is extremely helpful and useful to people like myself who never went to school for production specifically. Peter, have you checked out the previous article on C-stands? It covers exactly what you mentioned.