Universal mounting plate with 25.4 mm hole grid for camera accessories. Standard size: 381 × 254 mm, load capacity up to 45 kg.
Technical Details
Standard hostess trays measure 381 × 254 × 6.35 mm and weigh approximately 680 grams. The holes follow a metric 25.4 mm grid with alternating 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads. Modern variants like the Arri Hostess Tray feature additional rosette mounts and dovetail rails. Larger versions reach 508 × 381 mm, smaller versions 254 × 203 mm. The load capacity is up to 45 kg, depending on material thickness and mounting.
History & Development
Elemack developed the first hostess tray in 1975 for the professional film industry, based on airline catering trays. Panavision standardized the current dimensions and thread spacing in 1978. In the 1980s, the system became established among Steadicam operators as a universal mounting plate. Arri expanded the concept in 1995 to include rosette connections, while modern manufacturers like Wooden Camera and SmallRig introduced carbon variants from 2010 onwards.
Practical Use in Film
Hostess trays primarily serve as adapter plates between different camera systems and tripod heads. In "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), Roger Deakins used them to mount LED panels below the camera. In Steadicam configurations, they allow for quick reconfiguration of monitor positions without rebalancing. Wireless receivers, radio links, and small recorders are attached to the tray via ball-joint arms. The advantage lies in universal compatibility; disadvantages include additional weight and potential vibration transmission with insufficient screwing.
Comparison & Alternatives
The hostess tray differs from the Mitchell plate by its hole pattern instead of pin registration. Cheese plates offer similar functionality with denser drilling patterns. Modern ARRI bridge plates integrate hostess functionality with lens support systems. For compact cameras, smaller top plates or cage systems often replace the classic hostess tray. For pure monitor mounting, dedicated monitor brackets are more efficient, while larger utility plates offer more flexibility for complex wireless setups.