Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Flats out of PVC?

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Darren
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Topic: Flats out of PVC?
Posted: 10/16/10 at 6:51pm

I recently heard about someone constructing flats out of muslin stretched over PVC. Has anyone tried this? Any tips for how to do it best.

I'm looking to make some low-cost but durable flats that can be stored easily. If anyone has some other unconventional ideas, please let me know.

Thanks.

Darren Farrington
Theater Management and Production Consultant
www.darrenfarrington.com

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JoeMc
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Posted: 10/16/10 at 7:27pm

There is a previous topic about using PVC pipe for construction of flats;-

Set Design and Construction: Building a set with PVC?

I don't know how they got on as I don't think they ever played back?
also

Set Design and Construction: PVC pipe support capability?

Edited by JoeMc - 10/16/10 at 8:01pm

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

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Darren
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Posted: 10/16/10 at 9:01pm

Thanks. I did do a search for PVC first, but didn't realize that I was only searching the past six months.

Darren Farrington
Theater Management and Production Consultant
www.darrenfarrington.com

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KEB54
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Posted: 11/01/10 at 2:17pm

Why PVC? I suppose it can be disassembled and so easier stored. I don't know that it would be more durable nor cheaper. And from my perspective , not easier to make.

Recently we remade our stock of flats. We opted to make Broadway flats covered with luan plywood rather than muslin. The plywood was much cheaper than muslin. Also I'm sure that the 1x4s used were cheaper than PVC pipe.

I think you should take another look at PVC/muslin vs 1x4s/luan. Perhaps you won't change your mind, but maybe you will.

KEB

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David McCall
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Posted: 11/01/10 at 11:30pm

Ever since Mr. Lowell described how well luan burns at the annual bonfire, I have been considering other materials. For this show we are trying corrugated cardboard.

David M

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MartyW
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Posted: 11/02/10 at 8:21am

If burn is your concern, I hope that cardboard is fire retardent. The biggest fire I ever witnessed was a box factory when I was a boy. The venting in the corrugated made the most amaizing chimney effect causing each piece to become its own minnie furnace for the short duration of its burn life.

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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MartyW
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Posted: 11/02/10 at 8:25am

Also, I would have to chime in with KEB54. I'm not sure I'm seeing either the ease or economic value in going with PVC. We too are primarily Luan users. Not only does it make a fairly inexpensive, durable flat, but allows for specialty pieces to be stick built right along side it and still appear "contiguous"

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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David McCall
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Posted: 11/02/10 at 9:58am

I'm a little skeptical of cardboard too, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm spraying the raw cardboard with retardant and mixing retardant into the paint I'm putting on it. I have not done any testing yet. Another reason to consider cardboard was that the school is set up to recycle cardboard so I can do my tiny bit toward greenness. Not that I actually believe in global warming, but there are a lot of people making a lot of green by pushing it :-)

David M

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MartyW
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Posted: 11/02/10 at 10:28am

Not to green, however, if there is any storage available, Luan can last years and be used in show after show...

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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David McCall
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Posted: 11/02/10 at 10:37am

My 2 big musicals this year will not be using many flats and we do have a small stock of traditional flats( a mix of muslin and Hollywood style). Seussical will all be cutouts, and King and I will need a lot of custom shapes as well. I'll post Seussical pictures if it turns out OK in case someone wants to buy some of it :-)

David M

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Author	Message
Darren Player Joined: 6/11/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Topic: Flats out of PVC? Posted: 10/16/10 at 6:51pm
	I recently heard about someone constructing flats out of muslin stretched over PVC. Has anyone tried this? Any tips for how to do it best. I'm looking to make some low-cost but durable flats that can be stored easily. If anyone has some other unconventional ideas, please let me know. Thanks.
	Darren Farrington Theater Management and Production Consultant www.darrenfarrington.com

	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 10/16/10 at 7:27pm
	There is a previous topic about using PVC pipe for construction of flats;- Set Design and Construction: Building a set with PVC? I don't know how they got on as I don't think they ever played back? also Set Design and Construction: PVC pipe support capability? Edited by JoeMc - 10/16/10 at 8:01pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Darren Player Joined: 6/11/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 10/16/10 at 9:01pm
	Thanks. I did do a search for PVC first, but didn't realize that I was only searching the past six months.
	Darren Farrington Theater Management and Production Consultant www.darrenfarrington.com
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 11/01/10 at 2:17pm
	Why PVC? I suppose it can be disassembled and so easier stored. I don't know that it would be more durable nor cheaper. And from my perspective , not easier to make. Recently we remade our stock of flats. We opted to make Broadway flats covered with luan plywood rather than muslin. The plywood was much cheaper than muslin. Also I'm sure that the 1x4s used were cheaper than PVC pipe. I think you should take another look at PVC/muslin vs 1x4s/luan. Perhaps you won't change your mind, but maybe you will.
	KEB
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 11/01/10 at 11:30pm
	Ever since Mr. Lowell described how well luan burns at the annual bonfire, I have been considering other materials. For this show we are trying corrugated cardboard.
	David M
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/02/10 at 8:21am
	If burn is your concern, I hope that cardboard is fire retardent. The biggest fire I ever witnessed was a box factory when I was a boy. The venting in the corrugated made the most amaizing chimney effect causing each piece to become its own minnie furnace for the short duration of its burn life.
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/02/10 at 8:25am
	Also, I would have to chime in with KEB54. I'm not sure I'm seeing either the ease or economic value in going with PVC. We too are primarily Luan users. Not only does it make a fairly inexpensive, durable flat, but allows for specialty pieces to be stick built right along side it and still appear "contiguous"
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 11/02/10 at 9:58am
	I'm a little skeptical of cardboard too, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm spraying the raw cardboard with retardant and mixing retardant into the paint I'm putting on it. I have not done any testing yet. Another reason to consider cardboard was that the school is set up to recycle cardboard so I can do my tiny bit toward greenness. Not that I actually believe in global warming, but there are a lot of people making a lot of green by pushing it :-)
	David M
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/02/10 at 10:28am
	Not to green, however, if there is any storage available, Luan can last years and be used in show after show...
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 11/02/10 at 10:37am
	My 2 big musicals this year will not be using many flats and we do have a small stock of traditional flats( a mix of muslin and Hollywood style). Seussical will all be cutouts, and King and I will need a lot of custom shapes as well. I'll post Seussical pictures if it turns out OK in case someone wants to buy some of it :-)
	David M
	IP Logged

Topic: Flats out of PVC?( Topic Closed)
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