Matthews Products at IBC 2007

August 21, 2007

Source: Matthews Studio Equipment

New products

Matthews Grip’s mighty MAX has just returned home, from an intensive work schedule on Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures action drama Iron Man.
Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, Iron Man tells the story of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) the enigmatic heir to the Stark Enterprises fortune. A driven inventor and executive, who seems to have it all, Tony is haunted by his dark side.

Though he commands his empire by day, by night he secretly becomes Iron Man, the living embodiment of decades of defense spending and innovation. Strapping on billions of dollars worth of state-of-the-art armor and weaponry each night, he fights terrorism and corporate espionage. Soon he begins to crack under the strain of his fractured lifestyle and must ultimately confront the one enemy he can never beat – himself.

“Whenever possible, I like to keep set ups as simple as possible with the least amount of equipment in the way of the actors,” says cinematographer Matthew Libatique ASC (The Number 23, Inside Man, Gothika, Phone Booth). “MAX was a great help.

“We used it everywhere,” he adds. “But it helped, specifically, in a cave set where Tony Stark is held captive and begins his transformation into Iron Man. The set had very high ceilings, which made it difficult to get angles on backlight and separation. The MAX allowed us to get the light in the correct position without the disruption of ladders and rigging overhead. The footprint and the counterbalance make it much more convenient than previously used menace arms and C-booms.

“Now that I know what MAX can do – you can be sure it will be a staple on every job I do.”

MAX, manufactured by Matthews Studio Equipment, is a mechanical, articulated arm that will allow the placement of almost any light – anywhere on set or location. With a maximum elevation of 20 feet, MAX also functions at a negative declination of six feet. MAX is a perfect answer to many production lighting problems on set or location.

Matthews Studio Equipment is a 37-year-old manufacturer of industry specialized hardware and lighting control devices. Based in Burbank, California, USA, Matthews supports productions in over 60 countries throughout the world.



Submit a Company

Submit News

Submit a Job

Submit an Event