Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Working with Scrims

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Working with Scrims

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4969
Printed Date: 5/15/24 at 5:20pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Working with Scrims

Posted By: dexter74656
Subject: Working with Scrims
Date 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?

Replies:

Posted By: JoeMc
Date 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;-

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/white_papers/wp_scrim_effects.html - How to achieve scrim effects. - Studio Productions, Inc.

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

Posted By: vickifrank
Date 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 - 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 - 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.

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

The theater scrim people

Posted By: dexter74656
Date 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

Posted By: JoeMc
Date 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!}