I'm in discussion about a project. One of the needs is to light a long narrow kitchen. Key and fill aren't really a problem, but there's no room for a c-stand for a back/hair light, and the talent has very dark hair so we need a hair light. When I say there's no room, I mean there's no place to put the stand where it won't be in the final shot. Really.

But the ceiling is fairly high. So I'm thinking some kind of "compression bar" that I could run between the walls just below the ceiling. Mount a light on the bar. Thing is, I can't do any permanent damage to the walls (said another way, I have to leave the kitchen the way I found it, all repairs on my dime).

I can't be the first person to need something like this. Anyone have any pointers to a system that would let me hang something small like a Lowel Pro-Light? I'm thinking an adjustable length rod, maybe some rubber feet at each end? Something like a boom pole maybe, IDK.

Bruce,

This is what you need. KUPO Grip (http://www.grip.com.tw/) Look under mounting equipment for the "Kupole" works great. Wrap the ends with a towel or such to protect the drywall and dont tighten it too much or it will punch right through the drywall(been there-done that). I'll bet some other companies make then as well.

hi bruce,

manfrotto make polecats in varying sizes which would probably work in this instance. make sure you mount them over a stud behind the wall.
i use a stud finder to locate them
couldnt find any pictures but found some of other ways i have got around
this problem.
cheers