Matthews MAX Menace Arm 17.5'
MAX Menace Arm lets grips and gaffers hang a light, flag, or camera exactly where a stand can't go - flush against a wall, into a corner, over a set wall, off a rooftop, or below a balcony railing - without touching the location. It was built to solve one specific, recurring problem: how do you rig a light in a spot where nothing can be attached to walls or ceiling, there's no floor space for a standard counterbalance boom, and the rig must be kept out of frame. MAX answers these challenges with a self-leveling head, a counterbalanced-from-the-base arm that extends up to 17.5 feet parallel to a 10-foot ceiling, goes 6 feet below grade, and tops out over 20 feet in the air.
A Grip's Solution, Not a Factory Concept
MAX started out on set - Key Grip Richard Mall built the first version out of necessity while rigging a backlight where nothing could touch the walls. Matthews brought this solution to market in the mid-aughts. Word spread from crew to crew, and MAX went on to work on hundreds of productions - Avatar, Inception, The Dark Knight, Iron Man 1, 2, and 3, There Will Be Blood, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, - and many, many more following its Sci-Tech Academy Award Win.
Academy Recognition
In recognition of MAX's impact on the industry, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Richard Mall with a Scientific and Technical Award for the design and development of the MAX Menace Arm, presented at the Academy's Sci-Tech Awards ceremony in February 2013. The Academy cited it as a "safe and adjustable device that allows rapid, precise positioning of lighting fixtures, cameras or accessories" - recognition rarely given to grip equipment.
Highlights:
- MAX can be positioned flush against a wall, into or around a corner
- MAX works 6' below the horizontal thus eliminating the need for scaffolding
- MAX can be positioned parallel up to a 10' (305cm) ceiling
- 16' (487cm) extension without adapter. 17.5' (533cm) extension with adapter
- Self-leveling head with Baby Pin and Junior Receiver
Features:
- Head / Mount: Self-leveling, with B5/8" Baby Pin and 1-1/8" Junior Receiver
- Positioning: Can sit flush against a wall or tucked into a corner
- Ceiling Clearance: Can position parallel up to a 10 ft (305cm) ceiling at full extension
- Counterbalance: Sandbags Shot bags, Standard weight plates - up to 500 lbs max
- Mobility: Recommend collapsing the extension prior to moving
- Casters: Straight-tracking, multi-direction locking, non-marking
- Use Cases: Lights, flags, frames, cameras, you name it
- Recognition / Awards: Academy Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, presented February 2013
Maximum Payload Capacity:
- 175 lbs (80kg) when not deployed
- 75 lbs (34kg) when fully deployed
- 500 lbs maximum counterbalance on the base
Suggested Uses:
- Backlights and top lights in spaces with no ceiling grid or rigging points
- Lighting over set walls without cutting or building through them
- Light placement on rooftops or balconies to go below grade
- Flags, frames, and diffusions boom in out of frame
Dimensions:
- Horizonal Reach: 16ft (487cm) without adapter, 17.5ft (533cm) with adapter
- Vertical Reach: Over 20ft (609cm)
- Below-Grade Reach: 6ft (1.83m) below roofline or balcony
- Horizontal plane adjustment: 7 to 10 ft (213-305cm)
Weight:
215 lbs
Materials:
Metal
FAQ:
What's the difference between the MAX Menace Arm and the Middle MAX Menace Arm?
MAX Menace Arm is the original, full-size unit with the highest capacity (175 lbs) and longest reach (17.5 ft). Middle MAX is a separate, smaller product built for heavy-duty work that still needs to fit fully assembled inside a standard cargo van — it carries up to 80 lbs and reaches 12 ft.
Is Mini MAX the same as MAX Menace Arm?
No. Mini MAX is a distinct, lightweight product for fixtures up to 20 lbs with an 8 ft reach. It's designed for tight spaces and quick setups, not for the heavy-duty loads MAX and Middle MAX handle.
How much weight can the MAX Menace Arm support?
Up to 175 lbs (80 kg) at a shorter extension, or a 75 lb fixture at the full 17.5 ft horizontal reach.
Did the MAX Menace Arm win an Academy Award?
Yes. Its creator, Richard Mall, received a Scientific and Technical Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the design and development of the MAX Menace Arm, presented at the February 2013 Sci-Tech Awards ceremony.
What films or productions have used the MAX Menace Arm?
MAX has been used on hundreds of productions since its 2006 launch, including Avatar, Inception, The Dark Knight, the Iron Man trilogy, There Will Be Blood, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Does the MAX Menace Arm need a crate for shipping?
Yes, due to its size and 215 lb weight, MAX ships in a required crate.
Manufacturer SKU:
B377700
In The Box:
Matthews MAX Menace Arm 17.5'
Self Leveling Head with Baby Pin & Junior Receiver
Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Note: Shipping Requires a crate for shipment.
