black curtains

[Craig Alan]

Thanks all.

It is out of my hands now. Sent in my request and the budget will either come through or not. If not, I’ve gotten some good ideas here on how to make do.

Steve, very good ideas on low budget fix.

Do you just use gaffer’s tape or some other variation on duct tape to fix the plastic around the windows?

If the budget request does not go through, I’ll set up an area for a one-camera interview/teleprompter/performance type shoots by blacking out the windows and using c-stands and blankets and an area rug and a backdrop. I’ve done this before in an even tighter space, but I was hoping for something more professional and versatile. Wide shots would be impossible unless the full budget request is approved. So we are talking about one or two person performance pieces, instructional videos, PSAs, interviews, teleprompted talking heads.

If I assume I’m setting up a shoot using c-stands and hanging blankets, backdrop, etc.,

how do I control the sound space above?

The room has high ceilings with an awful echo. What would be the best way to fly something from above that would help with this? It would need to not block the backlight. I have a scrim kit that allows me to float a reflector/diffusion above the talent, but I’ve never tried floating heavy blanket(s) above.

If they were mounted higher than the back light in the room’s support beams, would that help or does it need to be in closer proximity?

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[Steve Kownacki]

Hi Craig,
Here’s some pix when I was hiding traffic glare from the front of a retail store – https://www.flickr.com/photos/finalfocus/1532680809/in/set-72157602347054928/ – used aircraft cable, taped the plastic to it, and hoisted it up. There’s alot of tension so you need great support. On windows, gaffer tape will be just fine every foot or so. Remember to budget time to do that, a genie lift will be very helpful, but a tall ladder will do… not to mention an assistant or 3. I’ve also used that porous landscape fabric that does not completely block the light, but it WAY lighter; that you can tuck into the drop ceiling tiles and let it hang.

Sounds like you have access to the joists in the ceiling. Something where you can hang things from safely? You could build a frame out of 2x4s and drape blankets over it. Attach pulleys to the joists and use cable to hoist it just over their heads. Again lots of time and prep. Other option is to rent a few crank-up stands, put a truss across (30′ wide is not a problem), and affix your rig to that. Think of a light truss at a concert. By all means BE SAFE. That falling on someone could kill them. Just like any suspended fixture, put a safety cable on it and make sure you liability insurance is up to snuff.

If you’re not going to see the floor, put carpet everywhere, or soft furniture, whatever you can to cover hard surfaces. Put stuff behind and to the sides of the camera as their voice is projected in that direction – stopping the 1st sound reflection will be very helpful. The blankets on c-stands need to be just out of frame, the closer the better. Box them in as best you can.

Steve

[Craig Alan]

Hi Todd,
I just reread your post. When I read it last, I was thinking no way they’d pay for consultations. But if the budget does go through, sound treatment was mentioned in the proposal, and he could potentially save them money. However, the room you describe seems at least evenly shaped and thus perhaps less complicated to calculate than this mess. I went to a conference at another high school that just built a new auditorium and the entire room was raw plywood panels the worst room acoustics I have ever been in. They had speakers there miked into high wattage powered speakers and not only was it hard to understand what they were saying, but you left with a headache. They had some sound panels on the sides but obviously they didn’t consult your guy. Do you have a contact link for future use? Any idea what he costs per consult or per day?

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[Craig Alan]

Thanks Steve,

Will the landscape fabric block the light enough so we can use Tweenie II kit (3200k)?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/166978-REG/Mole_Richardson_5826_Tweenie_II_4.html

Or should I go with the heavier plastic? Have a link for the stuff you used? Obviously I don’t need a huge roll like that but the windows are large. If need be, I’ll measure them and give you the dimensions.

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[Steve Kownacki]

https://www.lowes.com/pd_119095-23132-119095_0__?productId=3102759&Ntt=landscape+fabric&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dlandscape%2Bfabric
Problem with this stuff is its only 3′ wide so you can drape side by side or tape lengths together. Will allow some light to come in.

https://www.lowes.com/pd_16906-18632-RSBH410-25B_4294865824_4294937087_?productId=3238059&Ns=p_product_quantity_sold|0&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Sheeting%2B5F%2BFilm_4294865824_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_quantity_sold|0%26Va%3Dtrue
This is 10′ wide. If the windows are small enough you can even just slit garbage bags on the sides to get a sheet that’s 3’x6′ in a pinch. Nothing special, nothing pretty, simply blocking light.

As far as the lights, that’s a relative question. Are you using any existing lights like fluorescents or halides that may be in the room and you are supplementing? How artsy are you trying to get? How far back do your lights need to be? How big a focus issue do you want? Less light = opened iris = less DOF. If they move around alot focusing will be more difficult. My thought would be to get the room ambiently lit with some big lights and use your kit to do a bit of modelling.

I re-read the thread and you want semi-permanent/nice looking. The plastic can be put up and off in less than an hour. I like Marks idea of the wooden frame that you set in place. In a hospital the other day I used 6′ shower curtain tension rods from Target. Taped the curtains to the rod while on the ground then hopped on the ladder and set them in place. Blocked nearly all the light, but total blackout wasn’t necessary. Maybe the tension rod with nicely sewn (Michael’s idea) duvetyne would do the trick, they’d look like curtains. Good comment on the fire retardant issue. Any local seamstress could do this for you quite cheaply. Look to a high school costume parent too; this would be nothing for them to whip up.

For any more ideas you’d have to post some pix of the room – let us see the windows, floor and ceiling. That would really help.

Steve

[Todd Terry]

Hi Craig…

I have no idea of the cost to consult on a job like that, but shoot me an email off-forum (contact info in my profile or click our webline below my signature to take you to our site where you can get it as well) and I will get you the contact info.

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com