I need to build a set (bedroom)

[shabit87]

What is needed for me to build a basic set for a production. I want a bedroom, so I'm sure I can find what needs to go in it, it's just getting the actually room. Oh, and where should I build it?

[Capt Quirk]

What kind of budget do you have, and what kind of scenes will you be shooting in it? If you have a large garage, and only need some simple one angle shots, you could simple build a corner, maybe put a window on one wall and a door on the other. Add your bed, dresser, and some posters, and there you go.

[Jeff Anderson]

just curious but why not use a pre-existing bedroom?

[GenJerDan]

Probably too much of a pain in the butt to light and get good positions for the camera. Most bedrooms would require a wide-angle lens to do anything but closeups or two-shots.

When I was settings up for my never-happened SciFi entry, the "bedroom" was my 30x30 attic room.

No need to have a real room if you plan your shots carefully and never need to see the whole thing at once.

[Capt Quirk]

A lot easier to control and light too.

[Jeff Anderson]

true, that does all make sense. went and looked in my bedroom and dont know why I ever thought it would be a good idea to shoot in there as opposed to building a set if possible. Scratch my question - thanks guys.

[shabit87]

true, that does all make sense. went and looked in my bedroom and dont know why I ever thought it would be a good idea to shoot in there as opposed to building a set if possible. Scratch my question - thanks guys.
Pretty much what these guys said. My room is kinda small and it'd be a hassle to get what I need with the best quality I can get. My budget is $1500.

[Capt Quirk]

What kind of scenes do you need to shoot? You can pick up used windows and doors for cheap sometimes, then get enough 2x4s and sheet rock. Build the walls in 4' by 8' sections, screw them together, tape, mud, paint. Can be done for maybe $400. Or, greenscreen it and build your set in a 3D program.

[Owen]

Depending on what you need to put on the walls and whether you plan to paint etc, you might get away with foam.

I just put in an order for EPS foam (http://www.univfoam.com/epsProcess.php) -- a TON of EPS foam to be exact, for a 40'(L)x20'(W)x20'(H) room I'm building for a shoot next month.

The stuff is lightweight and cheap.

[Capt Quirk]

True enough about foam being light and cheap. I just don't know how well it will accept tape and mud for the joints.

[DVXguy]

it's probably too glossy.. Nothing sticks to a glossy surface..

you just need to create a basic frame and sheetrock it.. Do one quick application of mud and then paint.. Make sure the paint is as flat as possible.. Stay away from anything gloss.. it will hide the mistakes and not reflect light as much.. make sure you use angled pieces (triangles) to keep it rigid.. you'll easily be able to do it for 1500.00 I did it for less.. Normally you're only building two or three walls.. Also plan it out where you're using full sheets... Saves alot of time..

[Capt Quirk]

I thought 4x8 sections would make it easy to break down and store between scenes.

[J.R. Hudson]

Getting around shooting in a small space could have you shooting from outside the door or through the window (Removing the screen). I'm not neccasarily implying showing you are shooting from beyond the room, I am saying one can get the camera outside the rooms borders to show more of it

[Mark Harris]

yeah, building a set is harder than you think it will be. We did this for our film KATRINA. We needed a hotel room, and built one from scratch. It gave us the ability to move the walls and shoot from various angles, and to light from above, but at the end of the day, I think it was more trouble than it was worth on a micro budget.

I have had great success lighting normal rooms from above with auto-poles. they are not really designed for that, and you have to be real careful about how much weight you put on, but I've done a lot of things by running them high up, along the ceiling and hanging lights from them, kind of a make-shift grid. To get the some of the same benefits as a set.

[shabit87]

Depending on what you need to put on the walls and whether you plan to paint etc, you might get away with foam.

I just put in an order for EPS foam (http://www.univfoam.com/epsProcess.php) -- a TON of EPS foam to be exact, for a 40'(L)x20'(W)x20'(H) room I'm building for a shoot next month.

The stuff is lightweight and cheap.
Could you message me with pics of the room when your done with it?

[troop9242]

having worked as a set carpenter, I have to ask if you've ever built studio flats? basic 1X flats covered in luan/doorskin, that are shot together with staples. The benifit of these are their rigidity and flexiablility in use. Don't confuse these with stage flats which are covered with fabric, usually and are much too flimshy for a shoot. Most studio flats are reused over and over in low budget productions, so in the long run you are going to get your moneys worth in building them. that being said, the only real problem is storing them when they arent being used. Basic flat dimensions are 4X8 (same size as a piece of luan) with supports at 30" and 60", stapled and glued together.