What You Need to Know About Utilizing C-Stands on Set
Regardless of whether you're working on a professional set with tons of crew or in your backyard with your buddies, chances are you'll utilize a C-stand.
C-stands are such a versatile tool on set. They're primarily used to position light modifiers, like silks, scrims, flags, and reflectors, but you can also utilize them to mount small lights—or pretty much anything for that matter. But there are a few things you need to know about using C-stands, things that will keep you and your team safe and efficient while on set, and Jay P. Morgan from The Slanted Lens provides plenty of tips in the video above.
If you've never used a C-stand before, you'll soon find out that, when used correctly, they'll make shaping light a whole lot easier. (In fact, you'll wonder how you ever did without them.) But these things can be dangerous, especially if you're mounting hot, heavy lights to them. Morgan shows you how to secure the stand by putting sandbags on the large leg to ensure that no tipping is going on. (Also, be sure to keep the large leg under the weight.)
Another crucial lesson from the video—how to soldier these things correctly so storing them away doesn't become a horrible metallic mess.
Source: The Slanted Lens