Cyc Curtain Help...
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Topic: Cyc Curtain Help...
Posted By: vosguy
Subject: Cyc Curtain Help...
Date Posted: 11/06/05 at 1:50pm
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Our stage does not have a cyc curtain or sky drop and we would like to use one for at least one production this year. Do any outfits rent them? I know they are kind of specific to a stage, with rigging an such, but just wondered what I should expect. If we bought one, does anyone have an idea of what it would cost and who is best to buy from? Our visible stage area is about 26ft wide, and about 24ft tall. I assume making one would be out of the question? Any help would be appreciated. David
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Replies:
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 7:50am
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I can?t help with any suppliers of cycloramas. I know here that cyc?s are not really a hire item as such, but there again we are a pimple on the back side of the world. It may be different there and you may be able to buy a second hand one? The better cyc?s have a shark tooth weave & the number of tooth stiches per inch will dictate the quality. There are a lot of proprietary brand names such as Robinet & others, but they are all basically a shark tooth weave. I would imagine the cost of a broadloom cyc would be a few thousand, made to measure. Although there are a few standard sizes available off the shelve & they can be much cheaper. Ask your supplier to advise on what it needs to suit your situation, if it flown or dead hung permanently. If you have Fly?s available & it can be stored in the out position, it may not be necessary to have side stretcher provisions, as this can be done on a gaff basis. Even if it is dead hung, check the quality of the head eyelet reinforcement band & the even spacing of the eyelets, also that the tail batten pocket will accommodate a pipe batten & is formed evenly & straight. Once it is in place ensure you educate the cast & crew that the surface of the cloth should not be touched, after it has been hung for sometime, as this will brush off the normal dust, that collects on the weave & it will show up as a mark under lights on the cloth. A good clue if the cyc is removed & stored, for the handlers to wear cotton gloves, as it can be a drama if a mark is put on it, cleaning can be a major problem, unlike scrims, drops or drapes. I?m sure the supplier will advise on the care, storage & maintenance of the cloth. ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 10:52am
| You can rent a cyc try Grosch or another rental house that has backdrops. It will be costly. this is mostly due to shipping the item. Price will vary based on the material chosen and weather or not you can live with a seam. Many theatres will use a plain drop in place of a cyc. |
Posted By: 75director
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 2:07pm
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If you think you are going to use the cyc frequently I'd say bite the bullet and buy one. We needed one a few years ago for a production and decided to just purchase it. We've used it all the time since then, it has more than made up for the cost. It was one of those things that you didn't realize how much you needed it until you had it and now you don't know how you lived without it. We had ours made by Heartland Scenic Studio in Omaha, NE. We do a lot of business with them, esspecially since they are nearby to us. Our cyc is similar size to what you need David and it didn't cost all that much. Of course I couldn't the cost when I checked my file just now but it didn't put a strain on our modest budget. |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 3:23pm
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I agree. Our theater bought a cyc a few years ago. Ours was smaller then what you want want David. It cost some money, but like 75director said "it didn't strain our modest budget" Since we bought it there is only one show that hasn't used it. It was worth the investment. Linda |
Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 11/07/05 at 5:52pm
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If you do take the plunge and purchase one you might want to concider a wrap-around. This cyc makes a right turn stage left and right and heads down stage for a few (5, 10, 15 you decide) feet. Always nice for those open stage scenes you want in musicals where you want the stage to look like a stage. Also works well for dance. ------------- Investigate. Imagine. Choose. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 11/08/05 at 4:35am
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The ?wrap around? as described by Castme, were I believe the original shape of TV studio sky cloths, hence the name cyclorama! During the days of black & white transmission, the cyc was actually orange, as it was found to be an easier colour to work with & the brightness did not to blow out as much as the white did or be as dark shaded as blue. As far as the shape is concerned it is found that it is easier to work with a flat cyc, as it is easier to fly, but in a dead hung situation there would be no reason the wrap around cyclorama could not be used. A few years ago at a new regional theatre centre. I was working at. I found the minutes of meetings held between the original board & the architect on the purchase of equipment. It was obvious that no one had a clue about theatre, except they may have been given a complimentary ticket to see a production once in their life. A particular purchase question, kept being deferred until the next meeting or as soon as the committee could determine what a cyclorama actually was? This went on for some time, until one meeting they decided not to buy it! On the basis of they could not justify the purchase of a cycle, for the technicians to ride around on backstage! Needless to say they eventually purchase one , a few months after the venue opened - But that?s another story!   ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |