Light stand with a hand-crank mechanism that raises heavy fixtures to the desired height in a controlled, effort-saving manner.
Technical Details
Modern wind-up stands reach working heights between 1.2 and 4.5 meters with a self-weight of 18-32 kg. The steel cable has a diameter of 3-4 mm and a breaking strength of 800 kg. The crank operates with a worm gear, which is self-locking and prevents unintentional lowering. The lamp head is additionally secured by a safety chain. Standard wind-up stands feature 16 mm pins (Junior Pin) or 28 mm pins (Senior Pin) for fixture mounting. Heavy-duty variants carry up to 45 kg and reach heights of 6 meters, but weigh up to 55 kg.
History & Development
Mole-Richardson introduced the first commercial wind-up stand in 1947, after Gregg Toland used prototypes for "Citizen Kane" (1941) to position his heavy 10K Fresnel lights. Matthews Studio Equipment perfected the cable-driven system in 1952 with the "Century Stand C+", which remained an industry standard for 30 years. In the 1980s, Avenger in Italy developed lighter aluminum variants, reducing the weight by 40%. Modern stands have integrated quick-release mechanisms and improved braking systems since the 2000s.
Practical Use in Film
Roger Deakins extensively used wind-up stands for the prison scenes in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) to precisely position 5K tungsten lights above the cell corridors. During night shoots, they allow for quick adjustment of light direction without readjusting heavy fixtures. Wind-up stands prove particularly useful for 360-degree turns, as their compact base requires little floor space. The disadvantage lies in their high transport weight and longer setup and dismantling time compared to pneumatic alternatives.
Comparison & Alternatives
Pneumatic stands (Air Cushioned Stands) offer faster height adjustment but require regular maintenance of the air cylinders. Hydraulic variants carry higher loads but are 50% heavier. Modern motorized stands with remote control are increasingly replacing wind-up stands in high-end productions, but cost ten times as much. For LED panels under 5 kg, lightweight aluminum stands without mechanical support are sufficient.