Abstract: A portable studio hoist which can be positioned and secured in a studio pipe grid or other structural setting without the need for hard wired power supplies or fixed attachments. The portable studio hoist is designed to operate on standard single phase 120 volt power and includes a motor mounted to a support bar with a dual cable system for supporting, raising and lowering a batten to which the load is secured. The portable studio hoist allows for easy movement as needed within a studio environment and attachment where needed with provisions for variably orientated attachment relative to the pipe grid. A series of portable studio hoists can be secured around the studio and then controlled remotely from a single location by way of the use of control hubs, to which a series of portable studio hoists are connected, and a selector control station connected to each control hub with a pendant to operate the hoists.