Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: backdrop

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duzzie
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 9/25/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Topic: backdrop
Posted: 9/25/08 at 1:12pm

Hi all,
I'm very new to this. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this forum. I have just been asked to do the backdrop design in our local musical Fiddler on the Roof. I have never done anything like this before. I'm a muralist, but have never done set design,etc. before. My question is.. What material should I use? Canvas,cardboard,wood. and if I use sheets of wood or sheet of cardboard how do I connect them to meet the dimensions I need.

I would appreciate any help.
Thank you

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kaelidancer
Lead
Lead

Joined: 8/06/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 49

Posted: 9/25/08 at 3:42pm

Well, I've never actually painted a backdrop before, but I'd say the answer depends upon size, and portability. Have you met with the director and scene designer to find out what sort of space you have to fill, and whether it's a permanent fixture? For Fiddler, there are interior and exterior scenes, so it may need to fly out or otherwise leave the stage, in which case canvas or muslin will be your best bet.

On the other hand, if the backdrop's always in, you could use anything you wanted, budget concerns aside. I'd stay away from cardboard, and canvas can be pricey, so you're probably going to be working on muslin or lauan.

Kaeli Gardner
Johnson City Community Theatre
www.jcct.us
www.gardnerarts.com

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vickifrank
Celebrity

Joined: 9/21/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 332

Posted: 9/25/08 at 7:11pm

You could paint muslin or canvas drops. Muslin is cheaper than canvas. However, you ought to consider painting scrim.

Imagine a sky drop that you paint, where the sun can rise in the sky and then set! Very appropriate for Fiddler's Sunrise, Sunset. A scrim can do this and it can do even more--a whole lot more. Most people don't consider painting scrim because the usual scrim (sharkstooth scrim) is just too expensive and hard to paint. But there is another type of scrim-- Chameleon scrim that is far easier, far less expensive, and far less expensive to paint. You can also get it printed, which is cheaper and easier than people think.

Here's a link to an article about painting scrim. http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_painting_scrim.html

Here's a link to an article about printing on scrim. http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_printing_scrim.html

Here's a link to where you can buy http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/set_home.html

Or just call 800-359-2964 (in USA) or 812-579-5063 (outside USA). You can ask for me (Sue).

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

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JoeMc
Celebrity

Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 832

Posted: 9/26/08 at 1:45am

Just to add to Vicki's post 'n put in my 'arf a tanners [thrupence or trabit] worth.

Many eons ago, back in the dark ages, I worked on the national tour of 'fiddler' here.

Basically it was open stage with a Cyclorama {Skycloth (infinity cloth) & not to be confused with, "bicycles for techies to ride around on backstage"!].

Of course they had a central revolving stage with the front of Teviai's house trucked on & the front opened to reveal inside the house. the rest was mainly set pieces dropped in from the fly's. However that is not your question.

View your painting of the back drop, with the third eye, from the rear of the front Of House. that is if you go that way, frankly I'd pursue the options Vicki franks has suggested, which would enhance the Mise en scene with the lighting palette.

If the budget is tight you can always use calico [muslin] or even what I believe they term 'tobacco cloth', in your currency. Although you can always use a wall of Flats, with 'Dutchman' masked joints.

If you wish to use paint a scrim have a think about using;- "Iddings Rosco paint:-http://www.rosco.com/us/technotes/scenic/iddings_deep_faq.asp

This site may help:-http://www.set-painting.com/

Also there is quite a bit of info here:-http://theaterhelper.com/content/blogsection/0/9/

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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DonnaFromCobalt
Player
Player

Joined: 9/24/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17

Posted: 10/15/09 at 10:56am

Hi,
You have to remember that painting a backdrop requires the following: a large (the size of the backdrop or larger) & obstruction free area in which to work, the materials (such as the backdrop it's self, paint, staples, charcoal), tools (such as tape measures, staple guns, snap lines), and labor (paying people to do the work).
A typical backdrop (18' high x 45' wide) can cost around $500 to $800 in materials alone (not counting renting a work space and the labor).
You have to ask yourself, "Is it worth it?", especially for a show that runs a week or two.
Renting a backdrop is considerably less expensive. True, you may not get exactly what you want but what works better for you in the long run?
There are approximately 50 companies nationwide who rent backdrops on a full time basis, so you have a bigger selection than what you may think. It's only a matter of finding them and getting their information about pricing, terms, shipping costs, etc.

Cobalt Studios backdrop rentals: www.cobaltstudios.net

Donna Wymore
backdrop rental manager
Cobalt Studios

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Mr. Lowell
Celebrity

Joined: 1/30/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 269

Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:27am

If you go with professional grade muslin fabric, it is usually sprayed with a flame retardant already. But if you use luaun panelling or corrigated cardboard, it will need to be treated to comply with fire codes. The professional flame proofing liquid can be very expensive. But it is generally accepted that "back painting" scenery will suffice. Your crew can quickly back-paint your flats or drops with leftover "slop paint" from your theatre or donated latex from parents. This layer of added protection can make scenery slower to catch fire when accidentally exposed to worklights left on overnight, for example.

You may think this is unnecessary labor, but I can site 3 local theaters that have had scenery fires in the past few years...(and one was a nationally known university!).

Here is a link to a helpful article: http://tinyurl.com/FRscenery

By the way, welcome to the Forum! -Dana

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
duzzie Walk-On Joined: 9/25/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: backdrop Posted: 9/25/08 at 1:12pm
	Hi all, I'm very new to this. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this forum. I have just been asked to do the backdrop design in our local musical Fiddler on the Roof. I have never done anything like this before. I'm a muralist, but have never done set design,etc. before. My question is.. What material should I use? Canvas,cardboard,wood. and if I use sheets of wood or sheet of cardboard how do I connect them to meet the dimensions I need. I would appreciate any help. Thank you

	IP Logged

kaelidancer Lead Joined: 8/06/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 49	Posted: 9/25/08 at 3:42pm
	Well, I've never actually painted a backdrop before, but I'd say the answer depends upon size, and portability. Have you met with the director and scene designer to find out what sort of space you have to fill, and whether it's a permanent fixture? For Fiddler, there are interior and exterior scenes, so it may need to fly out or otherwise leave the stage, in which case canvas or muslin will be your best bet. On the other hand, if the backdrop's always in, you could use anything you wanted, budget concerns aside. I'd stay away from cardboard, and canvas can be pricey, so you're probably going to be working on muslin or lauan.
	Kaeli Gardner Johnson City Community Theatre www.jcct.us www.gardnerarts.com
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 9/25/08 at 7:11pm
	You could paint muslin or canvas drops. Muslin is cheaper than canvas. However, you ought to consider painting scrim. Imagine a sky drop that you paint, where the sun can rise in the sky and then set! Very appropriate for Fiddler's Sunrise, Sunset. A scrim can do this and it can do even more--a whole lot more. Most people don't consider painting scrim because the usual scrim (sharkstooth scrim) is just too expensive and hard to paint. But there is another type of scrim-- Chameleon scrim that is far easier, far less expensive, and far less expensive to paint. You can also get it printed, which is cheaper and easier than people think. Here's a link to an article about painting scrim. http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_painting_scrim.html Here's a link to an article about printing on scrim. http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_printing_scrim.html Here's a link to where you can buy http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/set_home.html Or just call 800-359-2964 (in USA) or 812-579-5063 (outside USA). You can ask for me (Sue).
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 9/26/08 at 1:45am
	Just to add to Vicki's post 'n put in my 'arf a tanners [thrupence or trabit] worth. Many eons ago, back in the dark ages, I worked on the national tour of 'fiddler' here. Basically it was open stage with a Cyclorama {Skycloth (infinity cloth) & not to be confused with, "bicycles for techies to ride around on backstage"!]. Of course they had a central revolving stage with the front of Teviai's house trucked on & the front opened to reveal inside the house. the rest was mainly set pieces dropped in from the fly's. However that is not your question. View your painting of the back drop, with the third eye, from the rear of the front Of House. that is if you go that way, frankly I'd pursue the options Vicki franks has suggested, which would enhance the Mise en scene with the lighting palette. If the budget is tight you can always use calico [muslin] or even what I believe they term 'tobacco cloth', in your currency. Although you can always use a wall of Flats, with 'Dutchman' masked joints. If you wish to use paint a scrim have a think about using;- "Iddings Rosco paint:-http://www.rosco.com/us/technotes/scenic/iddings_deep_faq.asp This site may help:-http://www.set-painting.com/ Also there is quite a bit of info here:-http://theaterhelper.com/content/blogsection/0/9/
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

DonnaFromCobalt Player Joined: 9/24/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 10/15/09 at 10:56am
	Hi, You have to remember that painting a backdrop requires the following: a large (the size of the backdrop or larger) & obstruction free area in which to work, the materials (such as the backdrop it's self, paint, staples, charcoal), tools (such as tape measures, staple guns, snap lines), and labor (paying people to do the work). A typical backdrop (18' high x 45' wide) can cost around $500 to $800 in materials alone (not counting renting a work space and the labor). You have to ask yourself, "Is it worth it?", especially for a show that runs a week or two. Renting a backdrop is considerably less expensive. True, you may not get exactly what you want but what works better for you in the long run? There are approximately 50 companies nationwide who rent backdrops on a full time basis, so you have a bigger selection than what you may think. It's only a matter of finding them and getting their information about pricing, terms, shipping costs, etc. Cobalt Studios backdrop rentals: www.cobaltstudios.net
	Donna Wymore backdrop rental manager Cobalt Studios
	IP Logged

Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:27am
	If you go with professional grade muslin fabric, it is usually sprayed with a flame retardant already. But if you use luaun panelling or corrigated cardboard, it will need to be treated to comply with fire codes. The professional flame proofing liquid can be very expensive. But it is generally accepted that "back painting" scenery will suffice. Your crew can quickly back-paint your flats or drops with leftover "slop paint" from your theatre or donated latex from parents. This layer of added protection can make scenery slower to catch fire when accidentally exposed to worklights left on overnight, for example. You may think this is unnecessary labor, but I can site 3 local theaters that have had scenery fires in the past few years...(and one was a nationally known university!). Here is a link to a helpful article: http://tinyurl.com/FRscenery By the way, welcome to the Forum! -Dana
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
	IP Logged

Topic: backdrop( Topic Closed)