I am going to finally get a C-Stand and I want to use it thru all of its facets.
When talking about flags......Do these just pick up where barn doors leave off. They are just to control the light spill right, or to create a broad shadow???? I have made my own GOBOs or Cookies (whatever your flavor) and I have to rig things up to hold them in place (what a pain) and I think that I have definitely justified buying a c-stand. But the flags are a mystery to me still. Can someone elaborate more. What else do You use your C-stands for.

Extremly tall and heavy mic stand - clamp a mic stand boom in the jaws, or get one of the fishing pole style holders for a standard mic boom.

Hold a flag - keep a specific light off talent or background, much more versatile than barndoors (but much bigger and heavier).

Hold a flag - apply "negative light" to the fill side of talent when in a space that is flooded with light.

Hold a net - reduce the amount of light, rather than flagging and blocking it.

2 c-stands and a dowel, pipe or maybe just the arms hold a background muslin or seamless paper.

Hold a foamcore reflector.

Take the grip head off and hold a light.

Leave the grip head on and boom a light.

Boom a piece of monofilament and hang a plastic spider in front of the talent's face.

Hold a large gobo to project a window frame.

Prop up a set piece.

ummm.... lots of other stuff. If you like using one you'll be buying more, then a larger vehicle, then a meat rack to wheel them in, pretty soon you have a grip truck with everything :-)