❌ Stop using light stands || It's Rigged ep.2
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Light stands are alot of work, take up space, and can make a space mess really fast. I've gotten so tired of tripping all over them in my office and finally did something about them a year ago. I think more filmmakers and youtubers should know about the usefulness of a Varipole, that's why I'm making this video.
Enjoy the It's Rigged series too!
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Varipole is great for temporary setups in spaces with limited floor space or pre-existing furnishing (shooting in a client's home, a venue, etc.), but the weight limit means you are going to need a lot of them for a big shoot of any kind. If you have a dedicated studio or regular filming space, it's faster, easier, and honestly probably cheaper, to build a permanent rigging system. Having worked in theatrical lighting , building a rigging grid with industrial pipe secured to ceiling joists or wall poles anchored to studs will give you far more holding strength, or you could even make gantries for light and camera cranes using unistrut. Varipoles are handy, but their real value is in their portability.
I’ve had two of these for years and used them just for paper background support. I never thought about using this as a railing system. Love all the grip talk.
Glad you enjoyed the video(s) :D
The locking handles are so satisfying to latch down 😁
Haha, yes they are! :D Especially when you finally get it level, haha :D
Another well produced video! I like it A LOT :)
Love to hear that, thank you!
I've also tripped over and bumped my lights a lot. So this looks extremely useful.
Yeah, so annoying to trip over lights! :D
OH MY GAWD. I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE INTRODUCTION TO THE VARIPOLE.
You are most welcome!! :D
Woo! I was *just* researching these yesterday for decluttering my space - glad to see you made a video on these.
Haha, that's funny! They are super great, if you get one I'm sure you'll love it
This system looks like a good investment for the small spaces we all seem to be working in. The would definitely free up a lot of floor space. Which is always at a premium. Having a new video to watch always cheers me up. TY. 😊
Yes! :D I've gotten so much of my limited space back. I'm sad I hadn't done this years ago when I was first doing my studio.
Glad you enjoy the videos, always good to see you Jeff :D
This is super helpful! Definitely considering these since I personally have a small space and hate having to break down setups when I'm done filiming.
Glad I could help!
I can see this being great for rigging a hair light directly behind the subject, where a light stand would normally be located. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, it is! i've got three lights on mine that is a bit behind and overhead of my talking head setup for TH-cam videos. It holds the hair light, rim/back light, and the background light.
I'm from Taiwan and I'm designing small lighting spaces , too .
It took me a month but still working out how to set it up .
This theme is exactly what I want to see, can't wait to watch next video !
Love to hear that! Working on finishing it up :D
This is definitely on the 2023 shopping list for me! C stands are great for jobs but I'm considering setting up a small space studio next year and the footprint a light stand takes up has been a concern! Awesome vid thanks!
Certainly! I wish I had the varipoles when I first made my studio, would have saved me alot of space and aggrevation
Fantastic content. My studio space has about 20 wooden beams with crossbraces for support that I do the exact same thing with. I'll mention after seeing your camera hanging from the varipole is I added a security chain for anything expensive so just incase I incorrectly attached my baby pin or something like that the chain will save my BMCC6k from plummeting to the ground. It might never be needed but it helps me sleep at night. :)
THIS! in my case I use nylon cord, but some form of "if it goes it will dangle instead of crash"
I attached some dyneema rope loops to my camera cage. Dyneema is very strong so the rope can be tiny. It has saved me once so far when my rig slipped of a bridge railing and it dangled nicely over the river
That is an excellent point! :D Always have a safety protocol for important things.
Good to know, thanks for sharing! :D
A video highlighting all the little helpers to keep the lights in place would be great. These are way harder to find than the Varipole itself. Keep up the good work!
I'm working at getting those videos out! They'll be part of my It's Rigged series
I am still a relative newbe to lighting, and your channel has helped me so much. Definitely considering this as something to add to my kit!
So happy to hear I can help! :D
And the Varipoles are super handy. I've got four of them up in my office and I've saved alot of space
I love your rigging videos! There are so many great cameras and lenses to use, but rigging is the gem to make filmmaking more effective.
So happy to hear this! :D
Thanks for this information! I really need this solution, I’m tired of my cstands
Glad it was helpful!
I’ve been looking for this exact thing. Need to get some lights off the floor. Thanks for the video.
You're very welcome! happy to help
THIS IS AMAZING! thanks for making this. Using your link to grab 2! Thank you!
Thanks so much for using the link! Means alot to me. :D
I have a feeling you'll like the rest of the series if you liked this video :D
Had no idea this existed!!! Thank you so much!!! Stoked to see the rest of this series 👍
Love to hear that you learned about this cool and useful tool! :D
This series is gonna be great, got many more to come. Working on the next one right now.
Another Great Video. A lot of filmmakers do not know about Varipoles. Very informative Keep up the good work.
Yes, many folks don't know about these - it's why I'm making the series since I think more people should know the helpful rigging tools that exist. :D
Your work and ideas are genius! 👍🏽
Thank you kindly :)
@@FellowFilmmaker you are just a very kind person yourself...
What's your name?
@@FellowFilmmaker you are just a very kind person yourself...
What's your name?
My name is Heather :)
@@FellowFilmmakeryou're cool Heather..
Here is a short poem I wrote just for you!
Heather Heather Heather,
You're like a beautiful weather!
Whether you wear valvet
Or you wear leather
You're so cool Heather
Stay that way Heather..
🙂👍🏼
Been binging your videos! So polished and very VERY good at keeping retention. Just started my channel not too long ago and am incredibly impressed by all your putting out! 💪🏼
I appreciate that! :D Hope you have success with your channel
Bro same!
Seen some of your other videos. I am excited to see more of the rigged series! 👍
More to come! Working on the edits now
I've always used painter poles this way.. I never knew there was actual real gear for this. LOL! That's cool!
Well, I'm glad I could help! :D Task poles are great too, but not likely best for heavier gear.
She's back!!!!
That I am! :D
@@FellowFilmmaker hi Belinda!! 🤗🤗
When I first heard about these around 10 years ago it was called Autopole. Not sure if it was a brand name or not but it was primarily used as a backdrop stand for photography. I’m excited to see more people using these and that they’re so versatile. This video made me subscribe.
Yeah it might have been a name thing...
Thanks for subscribing :D
Oh nice, appreciate your time !!
of course, hope you enjoyed :D
This is super helpful! I was just trying to figure out how to hang some backdrops in my studio
Awesome! So glad I could help! I'm going to cover the backdrop a bit more indepthly in another video, since I figure folks might want details and options on how to do that.
I definitely need to get me some Varipole's for my next studio update :D
You most certainly do! :D
Hey Heather... 💜💜💜 Great video on Varipole! Love to see all your new videos...
Hey! :D thank you, glad you're enjoying :D
Thank you!
I need to get back on this and idea.
Welcome! It's a great tool for sure :D
thank youuuuuuu I was wondering a better way to use lights
Happy to help! :D
This was a FANTASTIC video! I just got a wall-mounted boom arm and this may have me revisiting my decision!
Nice! :D It's always great to get setups that take stands off the floor
Gosh, I love this channel!
Love to hear that! :D
Love the music in the background.
Thanks :)
A brilliant idea if the room suits
Killed it! Great video
Thank you very much! :D
"It's rigged!" Who doesn't love a good pun?? LOL. I am waiting to see if I am going to be moving or staying longer in my present home before I can know what to do with my studio. In a situation where you know you are not going anywhere, these look like big time space and trips hazard savers.
For sure, they save alot of space! :D I've got four and they help a lot.
Such a useful video! A shame I have fake ceilings in my studio office, might consider a horizontal setup!
Well if you try it I certainly hope it helps you out! :D
I only trip over my stands when I haven't bagged them! 😉😉
Unfortunately these don't appear to be suitable for most of the big lights! Was hoping I could put a grid in with this!
If you were going to put the poles verticallly you could get a decent sized light on there (aputure 300d for example). Not sure a formal grid would be advised. But then again, I've not tested super heavy stuff over period of time on them
@@FellowFilmmaker yeah, I was thinking no more than a 1k. And then not all of them
Yeah, it'd be a lil risky on a horizontal one... maybe ill test it someday haha :D
Planning to use Neewer 180cm extension arms mounted on the roof on basic VESA mounts to give 360 rotation as the side tilt can't hold big softboxes. We don't have cardboard walls here like some countries so no issue with concrete.
Cool! Haha yeah cardboard walls are not helpful
Looking forward to see this serie Heather, look very promising! Here in Canada, varipole are more pricy that in the US, but seems to be worth it!. Keep it up! 👍
Thanks Dave! :D Got more exciting tools to feature in fun ways! Working on the next one.
Maybe some of the future gear will be reasonable in price in Canada.
NEED! 🤩🤩🤩🎥
Yes! :D I find it really helpful in my TH-cam setup
Great video ! Would you feel confident attaching a aputure 120 or 300?
I'd say you def could on a vertical pole, maybe less sure on a horizontal depending on how far the varipole was stretched. The other thing to note is with the varipole horizontal the lights and mics and things you attach can only hang directly down, no real angles unless it's small tube lights.
@@FellowFilmmaker thanks for all the extra info
You're welcome, hope it helps. :D
This looks perfect for my needs! I just have to find a supplier here in China
That's great! I hope you can find one there
I have a few of the Manfrotto ones, they are indeed great. They made it much easier to do overhead shots in situations like cooking demos where the stove is up against a wall.
Nice! :D They are super helpful for sure, I keep finding uses
This is so cool!
Sure are! Very handy
Great addition to any studio. built my own for a fraction of the price
Nice, what did you do?
@@FellowFilmmaker I sent you a message on IG showing you some of the items I used to build mine.. I don't have any gear on the floor
thanks!
@@FellowFilmmaker You are most welcome great video thank you so much for sharing it with us
Of course! Love to share great tips
wow great idea-- I will get a long closet clothes rack and put up by ceiling and use clamp lights
Glad I could help :D
If I wanted to use this instead of my c-stand for my overhead photography and stop motion work, would you recommend two poles vertical and then something horizontal attached to them? And then a clamp system to attach the camera (canon r6 with 24-70 2.8)
Or would you do one pole horizontally and attach to that? It is helpful to be able to raise and lower occasionally which is why I’m thinking maybe vertical poles… if I do that what would be best way to attach a horizontal to the vertical ones to get raising and lowering ability? And what’s your favorite way to then rig the camera from the pole for overhead view?
This is so helpful. Thank you!
Hello Heather,
Thank you for all the informative videos you put out regularly.
I have a question which is not related to this video of yours - it’s about the Godox COB video light.
And it may well be my first ever COB!
I wanted to know what is the difference between the SL150 and the VL150 - is the only major difference between the two series that the SL does not have a battery option?
My work is mainly indoors - would love to know your recommendation between these two lights.
If I recall yes the main difference is battery option. The VL may also be able to connect via an app, I'm not sure if the SL does.
Thanks for this video. I have struggle with a small space/light stands. Can this hold a godox ul150?
I believe it should :D The manual shows it can handle alot when its vertical. Horizontal a bit less.
i just want to out myself as a male to you as a woman in this heavy male dominating buisness.... you are killing it with your quality content vids lady! you are a great woman with lots of knowledge and great ideas! keep it up the way you are doing right now!
I really appreciate that, thank you! :D
did they sell in Europe ..cant find anything close to them ..just an older version ? Can someone help out here ..did you found them in Europe ?
I love that series. So much good idea in it! Can I follow you on an other TH-cam channel. You seam to film a lot of other stuff is it mostly for costumer?
So glad you enjoy the series!
I do film product videos and occasionally stuff for corporate clients and whatnot. I don't have another channel for that right now.
@@FellowFilmmaker I would be curious to see (if your clients agree) one of your shoot with some tips and the final result. I am not so bad at videography (well I hope so, I live 100% from my TH-cam channels) and lighting is one of the thing I would like to improve the most. I'm very glad to have found you as you are going deep into the subject and you are super energetic and smily. I like your way of explaining things.
I'll certainly look into that. I certainly love video lighting alot and love to share about it. Might even make a course on it if there were enough interest.
It’s time to watch second video
Yes! It's a good one :D
I'm starting to get some Super Mario Bros. vibes every time you mention a cool idea and then say it will be in another video. Thank you Mario. But this trick is in another video, lol.
I've always wondered if there is a huge quality difference between a foldable pop-up background and your vertical (paper I suppose?) background one. 🤔
Nonetheless, that solution looks quite sturdy and amazing. Will probably give it a try, thanks! 💯
Love those series! 😍
This is a great solution if you need a permanent setup that is very reliable. Pop ups would be better for travel and what not.
So glad you love the series! :D
What is the recommended clamp to use for the pole? Something that has 3/8 thread, I guess. Apart from iFootage magic clamp, not sure what else is good
I'll be featuring some things in this series, but yes iFootage has good stuff
Manfrotto makes some things I think too
Yep I am clumsy the same way and use now two legged humans to hold my lights and flashes…. 🤪😂🤣😂🤣
Do yoh ever dent or lea e marks kn floors and ceiling?
I'm kind of hesitative to use those poles because of safety. With stands I can put on sandbags and make them somewhat secure. If for some reason the pole decides to fall off I have no additional point of saftey an especially when you hang them high up to the celing people are about to get hurt.
Certainly not for everyone and every situation, no :)
If you were going to keep them up all the time you could do wall anchored poles instead.
In your opinion, what’s the best camera that has the fastest path to social media (without being a smartphone camera)?
What do you mean exactly?
I was just on Aputure's website... are you on their landing page!? If not, you have a twin.
Haha, yes I am on their landing page :D Worked with them on a video late last year :)
I had some thoughts about this recently. Do you think a Varipole/Autopole could be used like a menace arm, if you attach a lightweight fixture (e.g. Amaran F22) on the end? My concern is the stability of the pole when you don't lock it, but otherwise it would be a really lightweight alternative to a heavy menace arm + counterweight.
I don't think so, since the ends don't seem to be designed for that. But then again, maybe it could be adapted... not entirely sure
How mobile is it if you use it vertically? I"m thinking can it be taken to another indoor location and set up to hold a light vs taking a c stand?
Hardest part would be making sure you have the vehicle size that can store these. They are about 6ft-ft long at their shortest. Otherwise, they do pretty good if you're in tight spaces. I've seen wedding filmmakers use them to keep things out of the way of guests.
@@FellowFilmmaker That is a good point. Thankfully having a hatchback solves that issue. Albeit painful but it can be managed. And honestly still better than dragging a C-Stand.
Good stuff, just don't use them with plasterboard walls...
Yes, some folks will have to be careful
This would be perfect for me but Impact is not selling these in Europe. Anyone knows about a comparable quality products..?
You could get them off of B&H, they ship worldwide I believe
This video is helpful thank you
(i am watching your video from india)
Glad it was helpful! :)
@@FellowFilmmaker oh yas
usefulll
Glad you think so!
it's rigged it's good, lighting breakdowns are also good but when is the how to edit series coming?
What would you like to know how to edit? Also, which program are you working in?
I'm typically working in FCPX for youtube videos, I like Davinci for pro work
Hey! I want to start a new TH-cam channel. Plz help me for lighting setup
I've got some videos on the channel that would help, check out the channel
💐
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🙏🙏🙏🙏💙💙💙💙💙from 🇳🇱🇳🇱NL
Boom, I am first...lol
Haha, congrats! :D You musta been on TH-cam or you must have notifications on :D
@@FellowFilmmaker I was on TH-cam at the time. I just want to also tell you thank you, for your useful and honest reviews. You have certainly influenced a lot of my purchasing decisions. Keep up the good work!!!
Very glad I could help you out :D Appreciate the support as well from you
Cool Video
Thank you :D