Cyclorama

[Synchronize]

So I'd like to do some cool lighting effects behind groups on our stage. My understanding is that one would use a cyc for this. Well budget is null so we need an alternate. I've seen some auditoriums that smooth concrete back wall thats painted white. This would work, except for the fact that our back wall is cynder block and therefore not smooth.

I was thinking a decent alternative would be framing out a huge wall on that back wall and drywalling it.

Do you think that will work or do you have any better suggestions?

Thanks

[seanandkate]

How big is the wall Adam?

[Raktor]

You have to think about all those times you want to -not- use it in the future, and how you will cover it with blacks.

[Footer]

A cyc is 2-3k. A drywall wall installed to a concrete wall is at least twice that.

[Synchronize]

The wall is pretty large, I can post some picutres tomorrow mabey. We do have a black curtain that goes along the back wall that will cover it when we dont want it. I dont know how a traditional cyc would work, if its flown, we arnt capable.

I can do drywall pretty cheap. <500

[seanandkate]

You could dead-hang the cyc behind your traveller, so I don't think that would be a problem. I do, however, think it would be really hard to get a perfectly-flat-no-seams-showing surface along such a broad wall. Since cycs are lit from a pretty oblique angle, ANY divit or imperfection is going to show in drywall.

[BDS0111]

Are there any other theater companies or rental houses in your area?? Maybe you could contact them...they might have a used cyc they are looking to sell or might be interested in selling. If you can find one, you could save yourself a bunch of money!

Just because the wall is concrete block does not mean it won't take light. Did you try lighting it?? Depending on what you want to do you could probably come up with some decent color combinations that would hide the concrete somewhat. You'd want to drop some gobos in the instruments to give it a bunch of texture. I'm think some sort of breakup with a split get...try it out, you might be surprised!

[wah0808]

I work in two theatres that don't have CYCs, who have not only put up a plain white wall but have incorperated a crossover too... The wall works pretty good with the right finishing. That being said I still prefer a CYC myself...

[Clifford]

My first suggestion would of course be to find yourself a real muslin or canvas cyc. All the high schools in our district have dry wall cycs. They don't take damage or marking well. Now, these are high schools, and as such are treated a little rough, but it's still something to consider. You can only do so much to fill and repair when a platform gets dropped into the bottom of the cyc.

[Synchronize]

The main reason I want the cyc is not so much for color. I don't know if you've ever used a multiplexer but I saw a video of a multiplexer and a gobo rotator and the effect was phenomenal. Come hell or high water I am going to achieve that effect this year. Its my last year at the high school and I have been requested to set up a three year purchase plan for lighting equipment spending about $1000 per year. I want to get as much equipment as I can per year with that budget, getting the coolest stuff this year so that I can use it before I go :D . Purchasing, even a used, cyc would wipe out my budget for the year and leave me with no new toys to play with. Thats why I'm trying to do it cheaply.