cukoloris pattern & making one...

M

matthewd5

Veteran
i am going to take a stab at making a cukoloris (it is one of those things that is a large rectangle with lots of patterns cut out of it to make the light in the background look shadowy and "random"...

does anyone have a pattern or any firsthand experience on making one?

hopefully walter will share some of his expert experience on this??

matthew
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

When we've had to make 'em in the field, we just use a pocket knife and some foam core, cutting out camouflage-type patterns. When we didn't have foam core, we did it with black wrap.

The two patterns we use most are the venetian-blind pattern and the camouflage-style pattern.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

Mat,
you heard it already, cut some foam core into shapes. That's what I use in my kit every day.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...


i was planning on using generic foam core from staples. stuff is good for so many different purposes.

just figured i would check for a pattern but i guess they aren't that complicated.

matthew
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

hmm. good idea.

where do you get black foam core? all the stuff i have seen is white?

what is the easiest way to hold one up? i hate to waste a light stand just to hold it.

matthew
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

Hold it up with a c-stand. Black foamcore can be bought at art supply stores.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...


i found an accessory for my bogen superclamp, it is a 21" flexible arm that looks like it would hold a pretty decent sized piece of foamcore.

i checked my local office supply company and they list foamcore in black, white and even grey!

matthew
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

what's the grip foam core holder called...a duck bill? I can't remember right now.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

Here is a pattern someone sent me to show that they were making cukes like me. But this is a better quality than what I make. I don't frame mine. I simply cut patterns and use them till i abuse them then throw them out. The frame is an excellent idea as you can simply replace your foamcore when needed in the frame.

http://www.pennastudio.com/misc/cukaloris.jpg
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

Yep, a duck bill aka a Quaker clamp. Looks like a vice grip with big flat plates attached to the jaws and a stud. Not as fancy, but cheaper is a Cantrell holder--a shaft with two big flat plates.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

My grip lingo lexicon has seriously eroded from being stationed at this desk.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

isn't it called an alligator clamp? I used to hold foamcore with those, if I'm not mistaken...
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

 an alligator clamp has teeth in it along the edge of the clamp, and is most often long and narrow for biting into what its clamping to suffice a sure grip on it.. like the type of clamps found on an ohm meter or voltage tester.      ..a duck bill has a flat and broad clamping surface so that it does not mark or mar or crush the clamped item.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

My favorite stand for foamcore is the ever-famous "Hey you! Hold this right here. Ok, now don't move for about 15 minutes."
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

[quote author=HorseFilms link=board=lighting;num=1101173504;start=0#14 date=11/23/04 at 09:23:21]My favorite stand for foamcore is the ever-famous "Hey you! Hold this right here. Ok, now don't move for about 15 minutes."[/quote]

Or in the case of a foamcore cookie, "Yes, I *know* the skin on your arm is starting to blister, but please hold that cookie a little steadier. And action!"
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

[quote author=iamloser link=board=lighting;num=1101173504;start=0#13 date=11/23/04 at 07:48:00]  an alligator clamp has teeth in it along the edge of the clamp, and is most often long and narrow for biting into what its clamping to suffice a sure grip on it.. like the type of clamps found on an ohm meter or voltage tester.      ..a duck bill has a flat and broad clamping surface so that it does not mark or mar or crush the clamped item. [/quote]

Ahhh. We just call them Both Alligators ("Garra Jacaré") here, but it certainly makes sense.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...


well i built my first prototype, as i expected cutting the foam board is a pain in the ass. takes at least 2 or 3 passes to get all the way thorough.

holding it was pretty easy, i made two squares out of scrap that are 4"x4", one on each side of the foam board and i have a small plastic work clamp with the 5/8 spud.

to mount it to the camera i used two matthews grip heads with a 12" piece of stainless that came out of my filmtools.com car mount and i used a bogen superclamp to attach it to the base of a lightstand.

i couldn't bear wasting a light stand just for the cukoloris.

i'd love to find a more effective way to cut out the foam board.

matthew
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

"i'd love to find a more effective way to cut out the foam board. "

A serrated steak knife works well. Best to take your time and stencil out suggested patterns before you cut. The more time you take, the better the cuke.
 
Re: cukoloris pattern & making one...

I was just doing some website updating and realized I had a little clip with a cuke being used. If you want to see it, go to www.bluesky-web.com/ click examples and scroll down to about the middle where it describes a hilarious piece I created for a pilot. The photo is of a African american girl and guy.
 
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