DIY White screen

Z

zoob

Active member
Hey all -

I'm shooting a movie and have decided to make my own white screen. It's like a Lastolite Hi-Lite screen (white and back lit).

This enables the talent to 1) get close to the screen saving studio space, 2) eliminate shadows, and 3) only require a keylight

I want to DIY to save lots of dough but can't even find any links to do so. It doesn't have to be portable like on the Lastolite site...

Anyone have any experience with this? How would you recommend I construct this? Lighting? Material?

Thanks
 
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Just head down to any department store and find a white sheet. If you need a frame, either find some scrap wood or get PVC and joints. Don't glue it, that way you can take it down as needed. I've never put a light in the back of white sheets. Light as needed for what you're doing, but a high spread light behind it should diffuse well if you want to go that route. I've only ever used sheets for this stuff, but I've seen other photographers using things like that they bought special. Never really saw the need. My work comes out just as good, which is really all that matters.
 
interesting...but theres a reason it's backlit...was hoping this would be moved to the DIY section...oh well
 
it's the same concept as a DIY scrim or butterfly

make a frame from PVC, get a roll of translucent nylon from a fabric store, put a light behind it.
 
is translucent nylon like rip-stop? curious if anyone has used a white shower curtain...not sure how it's related but I just read someone had success with rear-projecting a video on it...seems like it would somehow diffuse and balance light

what kind of DIY light(s) should I use?

thanks
 
since you just need a nice wide spread work lights should be fine. Put a little diffusion on them but the white sheet will diffuse it plenty.

I'd avoid shower curtains because they'd probably melt.

6' by 10' piece of nylon cost me $20 at the fabric store You'll probably need to double it for what you're doing. Not exactly like ripstop but it's close enough.
 
Whatever material you use, if you build a simple PVC Frame, go here. http://www.snapclamp.com Find a retailer by calling the Mfr.

I use these all the time. They are a god-send!!!. No Glue, no tape, just wrap the material around your PVC Frame, snap a few of these clamps on, turn them to tighten/stretch the material, and you are good to go. Totally re-usable, very durable, and best of all, they are cheap as heck, like a buck or two each. For 50 bucks, you can probably buy a dozen in each size made so you are ready for any sized pole youll ever run into.

I have a whole size assortment in my grip kit including the metal Grip Clamp add-ons. . I use them for everything from Field-made scrims, to backdrop clamps.

TIP, They also snap onto most decent sized light stands so, when used with a curtain rod at the top, then you can stretch your backdrop curtains or Key Screens horizontally, by using your stands as part of the frame. Add a Piece of sand-filled PVC at the bottom, snap a few on to that, and you have a nice weight to tug your curtain down evenly, effectively giving you a complete 4 sided frame to stretch out your backdrop material.

They have shaved hours off of Green Screen Steaming when using Muslin or cloth Green screens..... Look Ma! No wrinkles!!

I love these things!! Beats the heck out of Pony clamps, gaffer tape, snot tape, C47s or anything else out there I have seen.

Enjoy!!
 
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