Grip & Rigging Hardware

Buying Guide: Grip and Rigging Essentials

C-Stands and Century Stands

The C-stand (also called a century stand) is the universal workhorse of film and television lighting. Its offset, turtle base design allows multiple stands to nest together and the legs to overlap on set without tripping hazards. C-stands are typically available in 20-inch, 40-inch, and 40-inch max riser heights. The riser column accepts a grip head (also called a gobo head) that secures a boom arm. A properly weighted C-stand with a sandbag can hold a medium-sized softbox, reflector, or flag in virtually any position. The key rule: always run the boom arm over one of the stand legs and extend the arm toward the set rather than over the back of the stand to minimize tip risk.

Magic Arms and Super Clamps

The magic arm (or articulating arm) is a double-jointed arm with a center locking knob that locks both joints simultaneously. They are widely used for mounting monitors, small lights, and accessories to C-stands, rails, or any structure that accepts a clamp. The Manfrotto 244 and Manfrotto 244N magic arms are the most trusted versions on set. The Manfrotto Super Clamp (035) is the industry-standard clamp that attaches to round or square tubing up to 2 inches in diameter and accepts both magic arms and gobo heads. Every working grip department keeps a bag full of super clamps for attaching gear to stands, scaffolding, doorframes, and vehicle rigs.

Light Boom Arms

A boom arm extends from the top of a C-stand to position a light directly overhead or at an extreme angle that the stand itself cannot achieve. This is essential for hair lights, top-down product shots, overhead interview looks, and beauty lighting setups. Boom arms attach to the grip head on a C-stand and are counterbalanced with sandbags or dedicated counterweights hung at the opposite end. Always sandbag any stand carrying a boom arm, as the offset weight dramatically increases tip risk.

Sandbags

Sandbags are one of the most important safety items on any set. Every stand carrying a light, flag, reflector, or any loaded boom arm should have at least one sandbag placed at the base. Standard sandbag sizes run from 10 lbs to 35 lbs. Shot bags and empty bags that you fill on location are a lightweight transport option for traveling productions. Never leave a loaded stand un-sandbagged, even briefly. A falling light can destroy expensive gear or injure people.

Gobo Heads and Essential Hardware

Gobo heads are the grip heads that mount to the top of C-stands and accept boom arms or flags. They use a knuckle-and-pin design that allows 360-degree rotation and adjustment in any direction. For smaller shoots, a set of menace arms and junior pins allows you to hang softboxes and overhead lights from existing architecture without building a full lighting grid. Having a selection of baby pins, junior pins, and 5/8-inch receivers in your kit bag means you can adapt quickly when unexpected rigging challenges arise on location.