Shanghai Combo Stand Hire | Rent Heavy Grip Post

A combo stand is the heavy lifter for Shanghai sets – a single post with a junior receiver that holds big SkyPanel, HMI and overhead frames without a separate riser. We rent the Avenger Combo 2 (A1040B) and Combo 3 (A1050B) or the Matthews Maxi, and we can add a grip who rigs and weights them.

What You Get in a Shanghai Combo Stand Hire

A combo stand hire in Shanghai is the heavy lifter of the grip world – a single post with a junior receiver (1-1/8″) at the top and a beefy base that holds big HMI, SkyPanel and overhead frames without a separate riser. We supply the Avenger Combo 2 (A1040B, ~20 kg payload) and Combo 3 (A1050B, ~35 kg), the Matthews Maxi Kit, or an American Grip combo when the brief calls for it. One stand, one base, no stacking – which is why it is the go-to for large sources on Shanghai sets.

For most Shanghai builds the combo is where the heavy key or the overhead frame lives; it replaces a C-stand-plus-riser with a single stable post.

The Models Clients Ask For

The Avenger Combo 2 (A1040B) is the everyday heavy stand; the Combo 3 (A1050B) takes the bigger SkyPanel and M-series heads. The Matthews Maxi Kit and the Mini Maxi cover mid loads, and American Grip combos are common on studio builds. We match the combo to the fixture’s weight, not a guess – a stand at its limit is a safety call, not a convenience.

When the brief names a brand we bring it; when it says “combo” we bring the Avenger or Matthews kit the Shanghai market already runs.

For a fuller kit in Shanghai, C-Stand Rental is the natural next step.

How Combo Stands Are Used on Shanghai Sets

Recurring Shanghai requests are the Bund waterfront, Lujiazui towers, the former French Concession’s plane-tree streets, Suzhou Creek warehouses, Xintiandi shikumen lanes and the newer Pudong business parks. A combo stand is the post that carries the look – a SkyPanel on a combo lights the wall, an HMI on a combo keys the wide. Public-space filming is coordinated through district authorities and property management, and most commercial towers, malls and metro property require their own written approval. Drone work needs CAAC clearance plus local police notification, and any overhead or truss rig in Shanghai escalates the permit and rigging conversation – worth raising early.

Because one combo replaces a stand-plus-riser, it also frees floor space on tight Shanghai locations, which art departments like as much as the weight rating.

Most shoots here also book Apple Box Rental.

Surfaces and Safety on Shanghai Locations

Mains in Shanghai run at 220V / 50Hz, Type A and Type I sockets; a combo stand often carries a power-hungry head, so we plan distribution with the post. 50Hz mains means 25p or 50p is the safe default; at 24p keep the shutter at 1/50 or a 172.8° angle to stay clear of flicker. The combo is stable but tall, so we sandbag the base and keep the load centred – a top-heavy combo is the classic tip risk on a Shanghai location.

On stages we confirm the receiver type (junior vs baby) before delivery so the fixture drops straight on without an adaptor scramble.

Pairing Combo Stands With a Crew in Shanghai

Shanghai offers the deepest crew and rental market in mainland China, so a grip or a best boy to rig and weight the combos is easy to arrange. A good grip owns the load rating and the sandbagging, which is what keeps a heavy head where it belongs.

For a larger build, add a key grip and a rigging plan; the combos multiply fast once you light a room.

You will often pair this with Flag Rental on the same Shanghai schedule.

Delivery and Support in Shanghai

Two international airports, dense metro coverage and fast rail to Suzhou, Hangzhou and Ningbo make same-day satellite shoots realistic. Stands are delivered to set, hotel or studio in Shanghai, and a grip or lighting technician can be added for prep, the shoot day or both.

October and November are the most reliable, with April and May a close second. Plum rain in June, humid heat through August, which affects exterior scheduling and how many stands need weighting against wind – plan get-in times around it.

Care and Counting in Shanghai

As with any grip hire, a production insurance certificate and a deposit are standard for a combo stand hire in Shanghai; most visiting productions arrange the paperwork through a local partner. The base and collar are robust but the receiver thread is the part that wears, so it is checked on return.

Build a five-minute kit check into prep – a stiff collar is the difference between a head that locks and one that creeps down mid-take.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a combo stand hire in Shanghai?

The combo post with a junior receiver and base – Avenger Combo 2 / 3 or Matthews Maxi as the fixture weight dictates. Tell us the load and we match the stand.

Can you rent combo stands with a best boy in Shanghai?

Yes – for a heavy build we recommend at least a grip and a best boy to rig and weight the combos; a full lighting department is easy to add as the brief grows.

What power should I plan for in Shanghai?

Mains here are 220V / 50Hz, Type A and Type I sockets; the combo often carries a power-hungry head, so we plan distribution with the post. 50Hz mains means 25p or 50p is the safe default; at 24p keep the shutter at 1/50 or a 172.8° angle to stay clear of flicker

Do Shanghai rental houses work in English?

Yes – Shanghai crews and rental houses work in English as well as the local language.

Tell us the dates, the locations and what the finished film needs to do, and we will come back with names and a clear quote. Contact the production office at [email protected].