The Matthews (Matthews Studio Equipment) telescoping hanger is a versatile and heavy-duty rigging component designed for the film, television, and theatre lighting industries. This tool functions as an adjustable extension arm, allowing grips and gaffers to safely hang lighting fixtures, diffusion frames, flags, or other equipment from an overhead structure such as a grid, pipe, or truss at a variable distance below the mounting point. The unit integrates three key elements: a sturdy C-clamp for secure attachment to a batten or pipe, a telescoping square aluminum tube that extends from 4 feet to 9 feet in length, and a terminal stirrup hanger with a receiver pin for attaching a lighting fixture or a secondary piece of hardware like a gobo head or a spreader. Its primary purpose is to provide a reliable and adjustable means of positioning equipment precisely within a set.

Constructed from high-grade aluminum and steel, the hanger is built for safety and durability under substantial loads. The telescoping tube consists of two square sections that lock securely at the desired length using heavy-duty through-bolts or pinned locking collars, preventing accidental slippage. The C-clamp features a welded steel construction with a pressure bolt and a safety chain or cable for redundant attachment, adhering to standard industry safety protocols. The stirrup hanger at the bottom provides a standard 5/8" (or similar) receiver for a lighting fixture's spud, ensuring a secure and wobble-free connection. This adjustability is crucial for fine-tuning the height of a light to achieve the exact desired beam angle, to clear set pieces, or to position a flag or net precisely in the light path.

The Matthews telescoping hanger is an essential piece of grip hardware for creating complex lighting setups. It enables technicians to overcome spatial challenges, such as mounting a light lower than the pipe grid or extending a flag out into the set away from an overhead position. Its robust design ensures it can handle the weight of heavy studio lights and modifiers. By offering a wide range of adjustment in a single, well-constructed unit, it increases efficiency on set, reduces the need for multiple fixed-length hangers, and provides the flexibility required to execute precise lighting designs safely and effectively.