A C-stand (Century stand) is a three-legged steel grip stand with a vertical riser, a 2.5" grip head and a horizontal arm, used on film sets and in photo studios to hold flags, scrims, diffusion, bounce boards, backdrops and small lights exactly where you need them. Matthews Studio Equipment introduced the folding-leg C-stand in 1974, and it is still the most-used support tool on any set.
What a C-stand is for
A light stand holds a light. A C-stand holds everything else: the flag that keeps a spill off the wall, the 4x4 diffusion frame softening a key light, the bounce card under an actor's chin, a monitor, a microphone, a backdrop pole. Its job is to put a modifier at a precise point in space and keep it there while people work around it. That is why the arm and grip head matter more than the stand itself.
The parts of a C-stand
- Base. Three legs of three different heights (that is the "staggered" or "turtle" look). The stagger lets several stands nest tightly together on a truck, and lets one stand straddle another's leg on a crowded set. Matthews makes five base styles: sliding leg, spring-loaded folding, turtle base (the column lifts off the base), the low-profile Hollywood Pro, and the 5" Pocket.
- Riser (column). The vertical section. A "20-inch" or "40-inch" C-stand refers to the riser length, not the overall height. A 40" Matthews C-stand reaches about 127" (10 ft 7 in) with the arm up; a 20" reaches about 67".
- Grip head (gobo head). The 2.5" knuckle at the top with two serrated locking discs and 5/8" and 3/8" holes. It clamps round stock, flags and arms in any orientation.
- Arm (gobo arm). A 20" or 40" steel arm with a second grip head on the end and a 5/8" baby pin on the tip. Matthews stands sold "with grip head and arm" are set-ready out of the box.
- Baby pin. The 5/8" pin at the top of the riser and on the arm tip. It is the industry standard mount that Matthews helped formalize, so any baby-pin accessory from any manufacturer fits.
Why it is called a Century stand
Two explanations survive from the early studio era. The one told at Matthews: before electric lighting, stages used large reflectors to bounce sunlight onto the set, and the most common was the 100-inch, or "century," reflector, whose stand became the century stand. The other credits the name to Century Lighting, a New York stage-lighting company that sold an early version of the stand. Either way, the name was shortened to C-stand decades ago, and "C-Stand" and "Century Stand" are registered trademarks of Matthews Studio Equipment.
How much does a C-stand hold?
A standard Matthews 40" C-stand is rated for 22 lb (10 kg). That is plenty for flags, frames, and small fixtures. For a heavy light, use a combo stand with a junior receiver instead. The stand should always be sandbagged, and the load should sit over the tallest leg.
Which C-stand should you buy?
For a first stand, the 40" with a sliding leg or turtle base and a grip head and arm included is the configuration most sets order. The 20" is for low modifiers, tabletop and travel. The Hollywood Pro has a wider, flatter footprint for heavier rigs. The 5" Pocket C-stand is a working replica for product photography and small-fixture rigging. Chrome is traditional and easiest to see on a dark stage; black disappears on camera and in a black studio.
Frequently asked questions
Is a C-stand the same as a light stand?
No. A light stand has a 5/8" pin at the top and is built to hold a fixture straight up. A C-stand adds a grip head and arm so it can hold a modifier out to the side, and its staggered base is built to be sandbagged and nested.
What does the 40 in "40-inch C-stand" mean?
The length of the riser section. Overall height with arm on a Matthews 40" C-stand is about 127".
Who invented the C-stand?
The century stand dates to the silent era. Matthews Studio Equipment introduced the first folding-leg C-stand in 1974, the design every modern C-stand follows.
Do I need a sandbag?
Yes. Every time the arm extends past the base, put a sandbag on the tallest leg, under the load.
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