A C-Stand, short for Century Stand, is a three-legged metal stand commonly used in film, video, and broadcast production to hold lighting fixtures, grip accessories, reflectors, or other equipment in place.
The C-Stand is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in the audiovisual and entertainment industries. Designed with a durable base and adjustable risers, it supports lighting instruments, modifiers, and other gear at varying heights and angles. Its signature three-legged base, often featuring offset leg heights, enables multiple stands to be grouped tightly together to optimize space on set. Most C-Stands include a grip head and extension arm, allowing for precise control and positioning of diffusion frames, flags, scrims, or other accessories. Their reliability and adaptability make them essential for professional lighting and rigging applications.
While C-Stands are not overseen by a dedicated standards organization, their safe use in commercial and industrial production environments typically aligns with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines for workplace and rigging safety in the United States.
The C-Stand originated in early Hollywood during the 20th century and was popularized by the Century Lighting company. Its design evolved from basic lighting supports into today’s industry-standard tool for grip and lighting professionals. Over time, improvements in materials and adjustability have made the C-Stand a staple across studios, broadcast facilities, and on-location production sets.