Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Working with Scrims

Message

   Hello all--

Prepping up for a production and we're finally going to jump into the world of scrims; painted scrims, to be exact.   We have two small set pieces that we need people to appear in so the best option for us seems to be scrims that will be fashioned into the rest of the set piece.

Problem is, no one in our production has worked with them before.

*Are there certain types of scrims that can be painted on versus types that can't?

*Is there a front/back to a scrim and how do you tell?

*Any specific warnings we should know about when it comes to painting on them?  Our intention was to just get a "work light" hung behind the piece to provide the light through.

The goal here is that when the piece comes out, you don't realize that part of it is scrim and part is just canvas or board until the light shines through and "bam" suddenly partially see-thru.  (As a reference, we're doing Into the Woods and I'm especially referring to Cinderella's mother in the tree and Little Red's Grandmother's cottage)

Also, any recommendations on the best places to buy scrim in smaller amounts, since we won't be needing that much?

Author	Message
dexter74656 Lead Joined: 12/29/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Topic: Working with Scrims Posted: 2/14/11 at 7:34pm
	Hello all-- Prepping up for a production and we're finally going to jump into the world of scrims; painted scrims, to be exact. We have two small set pieces that we need people to appear in so the best option for us seems to be scrims that will be fashioned into the rest of the set piece. Problem is, no one in our production has worked with them before. Are there certain types of scrims that can be painted on versus types that can't? Is there a front/back to a scrim and how do you tell? *Any specific warnings we should know about when it comes to painting on them? Our intention was to just get a "work light" hung behind the piece to provide the light through. The goal here is that when the piece comes out, you don't realize that part of it is scrim and part is just canvas or board until the light shines through and "bam" suddenly partially see-thru. (As a reference, we're doing Into the Woods and I'm especially referring to Cinderella's mother in the tree and Little Red's Grandmother's cottage) Also, any recommendations on the best places to buy scrim in smaller amounts, since we won't be needing that much?

	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 2/15/11 at 1:29am
	Check out Vickifrank site, who is a long standing member here & virtual resident guru. She has a heap of infocles on all aspects of the use of scrim & also demos of the effect that can be achieved;- How to achieve scrim effects. - Studio Productions, Inc. Edited by JoeMc - 2/15/11 at 1:30am
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 2/16/11 at 12:01pm
	Hi Dexter, We have a Grandmother's House printed on scrim that we rent. We also can give you tips on the tree. We have a whole article on painting on scrim: http://studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_painting_scrim.html And another article on how to get one printed: http://studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_printing_scrim.html Painting of scrim is easier with our Chameleon Product. You just use a dilute scenic paint (well mixed and strained) or latex house paint. Other types of scrim (usually sharkestooth) can be painted, but usually are too expensive for people to do so. Don't bother with bobbinette (way too transparent) or leno/filled scrim (not possible to make see through--really intended for a different purpose) You talk about using a worklight to light it. Usually you want good lighting, because scrims are lighting effects. So use the most professional lighting you have for this effect. Its just as important what you don't light and what you do light. Its a what you light is what you see effect. So light Cinderella's mother and you see her. Light the scrim and you see the scrim. Light both and you have a mess. EVEN from behind. So don't accidentally have light on the Mother that also hits the back of the scrim. Feel free to contact me if you want more information. You can reach me at 800-359-2964.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

dexter74656 Lead Joined: 12/29/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 2/16/11 at 8:36pm
	Thank you both! I'm certain this thread will get quite some use out of it as we move forward for our show this summer
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 2/17/11 at 12:55am
	As suggested the angle of the scrims DS wash lighting is an important part of the effect. Be prepared to mess about a bit & also check your sight lines from FOH. Which may require refocussing the angle of the wash light & scrim repositioning or masking to avoid light spill from other areas.
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

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