Set Design and Construction: Need advice for making cyc

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Need advice for making cyc

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5014
Printed Date: 10/31/25 at 4:10am
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Topic: Need advice for making cyc

Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: Need advice for making cyc
Date Posted: 3/24/11 at 8:15am

I want to make a cyclorama for our theatre. I found a place in Chicago that sells seamless muslin (fireproofed) in varying widths (up to 39'). I need to figure out a few things before diving into this.

1. How large do I make the cyc? Our proscenium is 45ft wide. But, my sets never go that big. For example, with our current show, I am building up the back of the stage with platforms that will span 28ft. along the upstage wall. So, for this show, I would not need a cyc larger than 28 ft. Is that right? Is there a standard formula for cycs relative to the proscenium?

2. The upstage wall of the theatre is cinder block. About 4 ft. in front of that is the upstage curtain track. There are no places to side-anchor the cyclorama. I am thinking about asking the theatre about rigging something. The drama coach at the high school, where we rent would soooo love a cyc. So, I am wondering if she could help me ask the school.

How would I go about putting up side-anchors. If the HS let me, could I screw in some stacked 2 x 4's with cleats attached to them?

3. For the grommets, is it better to use jute webbing? Does jute webbing ever come with grommets already in? Is there a disadvantage to putting the grommets right in the fabric?

Any other advice you can offer would be great!!

Kim

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Kim

Replies:

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/25/11 at 11:59pm

Just a thought depending upon the height of your proscenium arch, I would guess would be about 20" high? Therefore it may be a cheaper alternative is to use the width of the cloth as the height & the length to cover the stage width. Rather than looking for a wide loom cloth covering the width of the stage.

Thus it may be an opportunity to purchase a shark tooth or similar cloth for the cyc.

With the Jute webbing glue it to the head of the cloth & then apply the eyelet's. Also there is a fairly cheap eyelet applicator tool available from Camping & outdoor shops.

Using the same 2 part epoxy adhesive fold in the tail pocket with the addition of a skirt. By having a tail skit this allows the cyc to be set just above the deck & the weighted tail batten to hang off the deck with weight & cover any surface lumps or bumps.

Utilising the grid over the stage i would imagine the venue would be able to use an aluminium tube, as a boom affixed to the stage or set in a 'tank trap' on the stage deck. This will allow you to tie off the side of the cyc using;-

http://www.fittingservices.com/products.php?product=Hall-Stage-CH%252d5-Clip-HoldOn-Mini-Hook - - HoldOn - Mnii - Curtain Hooks to stretch the cyc.

The Leg drops can mask the 'hour glassing' of the cyc & 'teasers & borders can be used to mask the cyc edges.

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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: didj1028
Date Posted: 3/26/11 at 7:56pm

to stretch our cyc we use a pair of long 1x4s and 3-4 c-clamps on each side and then use rope to pull it out to some anchor points (in our case a solid speaker mount on one side and a stair railing on the other).

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Geoff Ehrendreich
Waterloo Community Playhouse
Waterloo IA

Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/26/11 at 9:30pm

That is innovative with the use of C clamps, rather interesting.

I must admit the new plastic curtain ;holdon clips are much better than cobbling together home made stretchers from plywood, bolts, nuts & springs - which is all another story!

One thing which my help when making up the cyc is to colour mark the centre eyelet of the cloth, which makes it easier when hanging it place.

The use of reusable plastic electrical cable ties will save a heap of time in setting up, rather than cord ties.

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