Apple Boxes for Photography

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Matthews Half Apple Box - 12x4 Picture

Matthews 259536 Half Apple Box - 12x4x20"

SKU: MT259536MFR: 259536

Durable Matthews Apple Box: Studio essential.
Half Apple Box: 12x4x20" for precise adjustments.
High-quality material ensures lasting durability.
Stackable design for versatile studio solutions.
Supports various weights; reliable studio equipment.

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$70.00

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Matthews Full Apple Box - 12x8 Picture

Matthews 259535 Full Apple Box - 12x8x20"

SKU: MT259535MFR: 259535

Durable Matthews apple box for studio use.
Full apple box: 12x8x20" accurate dimensions.
Versatile studio equipment for leveling & support.
High weight capacity for demanding setups.
Stackable apple boxes for easy storage.

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^$67^.00

$79.00

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Matthews Half Mini Apple Box - Picture

Matthews 259532 Half Mini Apple Box - 12x4x10"

SKU: MT259532MFR: 259532

Sturdy Matthews apple box: reliable studio gear.
Half mini apple box: 12"x4"x10" precise dimensions.
Smooth finish ensures safe, professional set use.
High weight capacity for versatile studio support.
Nesting design for compact studio equipment storage.

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^$50^.00

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Matthews Eighth Mini Apple Box Picture

Matthews 259534 Eighth Mini Apple Box - 12x1x10"

SKU: MT259534MFR: 259534

Eighth Apple Box: Compact size, versatile support.
Precise dimensions: 12x1x10" for studio equipment.
Sturdy Matthews construction ensures lasting quality.
Smooth finish protects delicate studio surfaces.
Nesting design for easy storage of apple boxes.

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^$45^.00

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Matthews Full Mini Apple Box - Picture

Matthews Full Mini Apple Box - 12"x8x10"

SKU: MT259531MFR: 259531

Durable Matthews apple box; reliable studio gear.
Full apple box: 12"x8"x10" for versatile support.
Stackable design for easy storage & adjustments.
High-quality material ensures lasting performance.
Standard apple box provides stable, level platform.

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Matthews Quarter Mini Apple Bo Picture

Matthews 259533 Quarter Mini Apple Box - 12x2x10"

SKU: MT259533MFR: 259533

Durable Matthews Apple Box: Quarter Mini Size.
12x2x10" Studio Apple Box for Photography.
Stackable Apple Box: Secure & Stable Support.
Lightweight Apple Box: Easy to Transport.
Quarter Apple Box: Essential Studio Equipment.

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Advantage Gripware Apple Box P Picture

Advantage Gripware Apple Box Posing Prop, Full Size

SKU: ADABMFR: AB12208

Durable apple box prop for photography studio.
Full apple box: 12x20x8", essential studio equipment.
Supports up to 11 lbs, reliable photography prop.
Stackable apple box design for versatile use.
High-quality material ensures lasting durability.

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Advantage Gripware Apple Box P Picture

Advantage Gripware Apple Box Posing Prop, Half Size

SKU: ADAB12MFR: AB12204

Half Apple Box: 12x20x4" for versatile propping.
Durable studio equipment: Supports up to 7.5 lbs.
Precise adjustment for photography studio setups.
Stackable apple box design for custom heights.
High-quality surface ensures stable posing prop.

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Advantage Gripware Apple Box P Picture

Advantage Gripware Apple Box Posing Prop, Quarter Size

SKU: ADAB14MFR: AB12202

Quarter Apple Box: Durable studio equipment.
Versatile posing prop for photography studio.
Compact size: 12x20x2" apple box for easy use.
Lightweight design; weighs only 6.0 lbs.
Stackable apple box for varied height options.

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Apple boxes have been used in the film industry for at least 100 years. Distinguished from regular wooden crates by their modular design and holes on each end, these deceptively simple-looking objects offer film crews an infinite number of uses.

What Are Apple Boxes Used For?

Apple boxes are used in a variety of ways in film and photographic shoots, but they primarily function as portable, sturdy stands and seating platforms for performers. They can make actors appear taller, act as a posing stool in studio photography, and support lighting and props during any shoot.

One of the best parts about apple boxes is their versatility. You can stack multiple boxes for extra height or turn individual boxes on any end for added flexibility. Because all apple boxes are rectangular, you can rotate which side is up, giving you the option of three different dimensions to suit your current needs.

What Type of Wood are Apple Boxes Made of?

Most apple boxes are made of solid birch wood or birch plywood. Birch is a reliable wood for photographic and film shoots, thanks to its inherent strength and decay resistance. Birch performs well indoors and out. The wood’s natural light color is attractive, but it also takes stain well.

To get the best, longest-lasting use out of your birch apple boxes, make sure to keep them clean and dry between shoots. Untreated birch is susceptible to wood-boring beetles, so if you store your apple boxes outdoors, make sure to wrap them securely or pack them in an insect-proof container.

Furnish Your Production Set with Modular Apple Boxes

Sometimes mistaken for wooden boxes outside the film world, apple boxes are indispensable to most film production crews. They’re used for every conceivable task: as a makeshift chair for tired cameramen to sit on; as support for props, lighting, tripod legs, and set pieces; as a stabilizer for dolly tracks; and as a stand for actors to increase their height and stage presence.

Apple boxes are modular in design and come in the following standard dimensions: full apple (20"×12"×8"), half apple (20"×12"×4"), quarter apple (20"×12"×2"), and pancake (20"×12"×1"). The smaller dimensions include the mini apple box (10"×12"×8"), mini half (10"×12"×4"), mini quarter (10"×12"×2"), and mini pancake (10"×12"×1"). While the sizes will vary depending on the manufacturer, all sizes are fractions of the full apple size, enabling grips to customize their line up.

What are the Different Apple Boxes?

When you want to know more about the different types of apple boxes, your first step is familiarizing yourself with the specific terminology surrounding them. While non-film professionals may be perplexed to hear grips ask for “two full apples, New York,” these terms are widely known in the film world.

On movie sets, certain terminology acts as shorthand that lets crew members quickly prepare equipment with minimal discussion and error. Depending on who you’re working with, you may hear apple box terms or positions such as New York, Texas, Chicago, LA, grip-to-ground adapter, or man-maker.

“New York” means the apple box should be positioned at its tallest (20” high). When someone calls for “Texas” or “Chicago” on a set, that means the apple box should rest on its longest narrow side (12” high). “LA,” calls for an apple box to be positioned at its flattest (8” high).

“Grip-to-ground” adapter is a cute way of saying the apple box is a seat for a crew member, while “man maker” refers to when a performer or crew member stands on an apple box.

Finally, the term “family” usually points to a full set of apple boxes, including a full apple box, half apple box, quarter apple box, and a pancake.

Professional-Grade Apple Boxes

While it may seem tempting to use another type of wooden crate or a plastic milk crate instead of a professional-grade apple box, you should always opt for the real thing.

Professional apple boxes made for the film industry feature center supports so they won’t cave in or give at all under pressure. Quality joinery and sanded surfaces allow you to work without worrying about cracking or splintering panels or edges. They’re also precisely measured, so their heights are always uniform.

Buy Apple Boxes and Other Grip Equipment Only at Adorama

Adorama carries apple boxes in the standard sizes, including the full apple, half apple, quarter apple, and pancake. We also offer apple box sets so you’ll have everything you need to ensure a seamless film or video production. Advantage Gripware’s "Set in One" Apple Box Set, for example, includes the full, half, quarter, and eighth apple boxes. We also offer the Matthews full apple box and Alan Gordon half apple box, among other options from Kupo.