Blocking light from window options?

[John Sharaf]

You can block light from windows with anything opaque; duv is standard but is expensive, unless you already have 4×4, 6×6 or 12×12 from overhead set. Otherwise you can use foamcore, showcard or even dark colored visqueen (cheap). Of course if you need ambience in the room you could also use grip equipment outside the window to block direct sunlight and create in effect “northlight” or even use white diffusion (or silk) over the window. As you can see there are many options, just keep in mind the movement of the sun and anticipate its travel in your planning.

JS

[Michael Palmer]

Duvatene, expensive but silent.
Gel, If you are speaking about ND then expensive but controllable.

You could possibly use black Visqueen, not to expensive but could create noise.
This is a building material that comes in various size rolls found at most lumber yards.

Good Luck
Michael Palmer

[Richard Herd]

The local fabric store will have “blackout” cloth, $15/foot. (This is the stuff they use in Alaska when it’s light 24hrs straight.)

[Dennis Size]

When I’ve needed a more “permanent” solution to window light “pollution”, and didn’t want to deal with hanging fabric or cutting foamcore/artcard/wood, I’ve successfully applied black contact paper to the window. It’s cheap and does the job. It’s also pretty damn quick.
My favorite solution, which is also neater and more professional, (and easier to remove), is to use GREAT AMERICAN MARKET’s GAM FLOOR.

Check this out:

https://www.gamonline.com/catalog/gamfloor/index.php

My product of choice is: matte soft black #VFGF232

DS

P.S. I do lighting, windows, AND floors!

[Peter Rummel]

Duvetyne and gels give totally different effects. If your aim is to totally block out the light, then duvetyne would be what you want. (Or, as John Sharaf pointed out, anything else opaque). Duvetyne is kind of expensive, easy to pack, and is reusable almost indefinately. It’s also treated with a fire retardant coating. Just sayin’.

You would use gels if you want some light to come through the windows, just not as much. You need the large rolls of gels – using sheets isn’t going to work. ND (neutral density gel – gray gel that doesn’t alter the color of the light) comes in various strengths – .3, .6, .9 and 1.2 (1 stop, 2 stop, 3 stop, 4 stop). There is also ND gel with a CTO color. You would use this if you wanted to change the color of the daylight coming in the windows to a tungsten balance (~3200).

On the DIY front, sometimes instead of an expensive gel you can use a black veil from the fabric store or a porch screen material to knock down the light. This only works if the window is really out of focus, or you’ll see the pattern of the fabric.

[Todd Terry]

Hey THAT’s cool stuff, Dennis…. Thanks!

T2

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

[Dennis Size]

You’re welcome. If it’s cheap and quick I’ve probably done it!

With all due respect to GREAT AMERICAN MARKET I should probably point out that this stuff is really great for a quick (and long lasting) floor treatment.
I’ve had great luck changing the color of studio floors with it …especially when clients aren’t allowed to paint a rental facility’s floor. It’s easily removable also.
The white floor is especially useful in completing an “endless” white cyc.

DS