Aluminum or steel wall plate (100×100 mm) with 5/8″ stud for secure mounting of baby lights up to 8 kg on studio walls.
Technical Details
Standard wall plates measure 100 x 100 mm with 8 mm material thickness and are manufactured from anodized aluminum or steel. The integrated 5/8" spud extends 45 mm from the plate and features a metric M10 internal thread for additional attachments. The mounting holes are 6 mm in diameter on an 80 x 80 mm grid. Swiveling variants offer 180° horizontal and 90° vertical mobility via a ball joint mechanism. Magnetic versions for steel walls hold up to 8 kg using neodymium magnets with 400 N holding force.
History & Development
Mole-Richardson developed the first standardized wall plates in 1947 for their Baby Junior lighting series in Hollywood. The 5/8" standard became industry-wide by 1955, replacing the inconsistent 1/2" and 3/4" systems. Arri expanded the concept in 1962 with swiveling variants for their Arriflex studio complexes. Modern LED technology since 2008 has significantly reduced weight requirements, enabling thinner wall plates made from light alloy metals.
Practical Use in Film
On "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), DoP Roger Deakins used hundreds of baby wall plates for LED strips on the apartment set walls to simulate neon light reflections. They are typically used for backlight in interviews, as edge light positions behind door frames, or for illuminating product placements. In tight locations, they replace stands and C-stands, as they only require 12 cm wall clearance. In multi-camera setups, they prevent shadow interference between camera positions.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike the Junior wall plate (1 1/8" spud, up to 25 kg), the Baby version is limited to lightweight equipment. Senior wall plates (2 1/8" spud) carry HMI lights weighing up to 50 kg. Modern magnetic mounts replace screw mounting on steel structures, while suction cup systems on smooth surfaces allow a 3 kg payload. For temporary installations, clamp mounts with threaded rods offer flexibility without wall damage, but achieve only 60% of the stability of screwed wall plates.