Hey filmmakers,

Do any of you know how to make your own "fake-wall"? I decided im gonna turn my room into a small studio so I need to make a few walls available for future changes and because its more efficient space-wise for lighting :)

anyone? any experience? :D

thanks

Are you doing this for photography? Does your room not already have walls? :lol:

If by fake walls, you're trying to have different backgrounds, there are other more efficient ways to accomplish that.

Let us know your goals and we'll be able to suggest specific options.

Are you doing this for photography? Does your room not already have walls? :lol:

If by fake walls, you're trying to have different backgrounds, there are other more efficient ways to accomplish that.

Let us know your goals and we'll be able to suggest specific options.

Im doing this for a short. Making a movie and maybe for a web-based comedy series.

Yes, I have walls but as I mentioned, Im doing this so I can have more control over lighting! AND for decorative purposes. Different backgrounds basically aswell.

What other ways? :cool:

A fake wall is made the same way as a reel wall but with
lighter material.

Build a frame with light weight wood then use a light weight
wood to cover the frame. Then paint the wood.

http://www.hstech.org/howto/carpentr/flats/flat.JPG

A fake wall is made the same way as a reel wall but with
lighter material.

Build a frame with light weight wood then use a light weight
wood to cover the frame. Then paint the wood.

http://www.hstech.org/howto/carpentr/flats/flat.JPG

Thanks directoric! :) Could styrofoam be used as well instead of wood?

I see, i thought it might be for photography.

Well follow what directorik said.

And remember to improvise depending on your shots. You can get away with a lot of different things depending on the shot and lighting.

Yeah, a huge variety of choices :) Ill keep that in mind :D thanks!

Don't forget your compositing & masking skills for walls and accessories. it is easy if it is a static shot .... that is you are not panning, zooming with the cam and your talent is not walking directly in front of the imaginary item

its more efficient space-wise for lighting

I don't understand this part. Can you elaborate?

Could styrofoam be used as well instead of wood?

I once thought this would be a great construction material but it turns out that styrofoam is actually pretty expensive when you're looking at such quantities.

You can read some overview of it with dimensions and a pic here (Flat building 101):

http://home.earthlink.net/~rowse/pgs/fltbldng.html

-Thanks-

I once thought this would be a great construction material but it turns out that styrofoam is actually pretty expensive when you're looking at such quantities.
…and if you kick it/knock it/trip over and land on it you make an enormous mess. Last project I did I used about three rolls of gaffer tape going round the edge of sheets of polystyrene I was using as bounce boards to protect them from such mishaps.

Thanks directoric! :) Could styrofoam be used as well instead of wood?
I built a set in a garage for a sci-fi film almost entirely out
of styrofoam. There was a motorcycle dealer a few miles
from my house and they got parts shipped in these huge
styrofoam sheets. One side had nooks can cut outs and
holes and the other was flat so they made a very interesting,
unusual fake walls. And they gave them to us for free.

However if you are paying for large blocks or pieces you will
find that escher is right. Do you have stryofoam available
to you? If so it makes fine material for fake walls.

There was a motorcycle dealer a few miles
from my house and they got parts shipped in these huge
styrofoam sheets. One side had nooks can cut outs and
holes and the other was flat so they made a very interesting,
unusual fake walls. And they gave them to us for free.

Now I am jealous. Copious amounts of free foam packing blocks would be just perfect for a sci-fi set.

I used a totally constructed set on my last film (a fallout shelter). I used OSB board. it's the cheapest option, much cheaper than styrofoam (unless you have a free hookup for the styro).

I used a totally constructed set on my last film (a fallout shelter). I used OSB board. it's the cheapest option, much cheaper than styrofoam (unless you have a free hookup for the styro).

This is why I wish I had a small garage and some power tools. I hate not being able to build things.

This is why I wish I had a small garage and some power tools. I hate not being able to build things.

I am lucky. I have a friend who is a framing carpenter, another friend who is a house painter, another friend who is a metal worker, etc... I got my entire set built for the cost of materials and a couple cases of beer.

@ Zensteve - yeah sorry about that. What I meant was I would have much more space for lighting which would make it much easier for me and that I could basically do anything with the walls, depending on the story, which is cool :D

@ IndieBudget - Yeah I know :) But ill try to make panning possible horizontally and not vertically. And what do you mean with "imaginary item"?

@ Direktorik, escher & GonzoEntertainment - didnt know Styrofoam could cost much..odd. I dont think it costs much here where im from :D so far that I know of. Gotta check the prices once more. Oh, and OSB boards could be a cool thing for fake walls!! How much does it cost there?

1/2" X 4' X 8' sheets are like $6.

1/2" X 4' X 8' sheets are like $6.
thanks :)

@ IndieBudget - Yeah I know :) But ill try to make panning possible horizontally and not vertically. And what do you mean with "imaginary item"?

I used an image to build a set that I shot in my garage like the below :

"BEFORE"
http://indiebudgetmoviemaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/snapp-300x168.png

"AFTER" - The brick walls , signs and lights are "CGI / Imaginary items "
http://indiebudgetmoviemaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/screen-300x168.png

Below is the short film I used the set in.. http://vimeo.com/11566997

@ IndieBudget - Yeah I know :) But ill try to make panning possible horizontally and not vertically. And what do you mean with "imaginary item"?

I used an image to build a set that I shot in my garage like the below :

"BEFORE"
http://indiebudgetmoviemaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/snapp-300x168.png

"AFTER" - The brick walls , signs and lights are "CGI / Imaginary items "
http://indiebudgetmoviemaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/screen-300x168.png

Below is the short film I used the set in.. http://vimeo.com/11566997

Interesting. Guess thats all post. :D well done with that short!

If you have some money to spare, try finding a local vacuum-form shop - we're using the one in Pinewood Film Studios for our feature and a 7' x 5' panel costs £13 + VAT - we're ordering a whole bunch of 'em :)

http://www.hoopershomes.com/bracketmedia/vacformshop/index.htm

This stuff looks amazing when it's painted up!

If you have some money to spare, try finding a local vacuum-form shop - we're using the one in Pinewood Film Studios for our feature and a 7' x 5' panel costs £13 + VAT - we're ordering a whole bunch of 'em :)

http://www.hoopershomes.com/bracketmedia/vacformshop/index.htm

This stuff looks amazing when it's painted up!

Brilliant! I wonder if there are any of those places in Seattle...