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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greetings...
I've built a backdrop based on plans for the "Jimmy Trimble Background Screen", as presented in the book "The Super Show", compiled by Frances Marshall. I used black foam core board which I picked up in 4' x 8' sheets at a local Pearl Art Supply store (I know they have locations in NY, NJ, and FL... don't know where else). I also bought a roll of black Pearl branded "gaffers" tape. Using a 4 foot metal straight edge/ruler, I assembled the whole thing in under 2 hours. I made some modifications to the original plans though- I cut a "doorway" in the center section, and velcroed a curtain over it. This then made the center section weak (and capable of flexing which would make the whole thing unstable), so I did 2 things: 1) I taped a yard stick over the door opening, and 2) I cut a piece of leftover foamcore to fit into the opening at the bottom of the doorway, to keep the sides of the door frame from moving (left or right). I can now run a fan aimed at this thing and it won't fall over. I also put cloth over the whole screen to "pretty it up", so I don't have to worry about the taped joints. The cloth can be velcroed along the top, or clipped with small bulldog clips. You can also clip small lights along the top of this thing. One idea I had was to paint it to like like a castle or dungeon wall... I have 2 of those "flame F/X torch sconce" thingies-- you know, the fake fire bowl (a piece of orange silk blown by a fan) that I can hang on each side of the doorway. I would also like to rig the doorway for a flash appearance... I currently have a fog machine that puffs through the door. Lots of creative possibilities for this thing... here's the good part: it folds down to a package about 3' x 4', and can be carried with 2 fingers; it's that light. Here's something to beware of: make sure you have an opening on your vehicle this can fit through- when I bought the original 4 x 8 sheets, I discovered the tailgate opening of my vehicle can only accept something a little UNDER 4 feet wide! Nope, couldn't flex the foamcore enough to get it in... had to strap it to the top of the car, and cover the front edge (otherwise the sheets would act like wings and try to lift off!). SO when I made my screen, I had to realize the folded size had to be UNDER 4' in one dimension... hence 3 x 4... this means it only stands 6 feet tall... I could have made the panels 3.5' x 4', and the screen would be 7' tall, but I goofed and cut all the panels 3 x 4. Luckily I'm barely 5' 8"! And all venues I've done folks are either sitting in chairs, or on floor, or I'm elevated on a platform/stage so it looks ok. The opened screen with the curtained doorway provides a great backstage area, and this thing is easy enough to transport to all venues, including people's homes, where it will work in many rooms. (Set up the screen measures 12' wide by 6 feet tall, and you could fiddle with the size if you have a big enough vehicle to carry it). Joe |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I too liked them but also like the Spider "like" cheap backdrop made from a Wal-Mart queen size camping bed frame for $54.00
It is listed here in this section somewhere.
Dennis Michael
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greets again...
I have Barry Mitchell's book, which is where the info on the cheap, "Spider" like backdrop is mentioned (as per Dennis' post above)... the Wal-Mart near me doesn't stock the bed, but Wal-Mart's web site shows it, with a new lower price of $48... I contemplated that move too, but I already had all the supplies for the Trimble screen when I got Barry's book, so I figured I would build the Trimble screen first and check it out... each idea has its pros and cons... like the doorway I made in my Trimble screen- can't do that with a "Spider" type system... Joe |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
My Trimble screen looked cheap so I didn't use it and after several years not using it I chucked it. Now I'm kicking myself for getting rid of it. Long story... with it I thought out a unique super x suspension.. boy that year (1987) I must of had some loose screws....
Den
Dennis Michael
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Doing a careful job with black foamcore and black gaffers tape, it looks OK by itself (albeit it does look cheap up close-- because it is cheap!)... but as I mentioned above, it can be spiffed up just by velcroing some nice cloth over the panels once they are set up... or paint it/have it painted to look like something cool, like a castle wall...
Joe |
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Joe,
Actually, with the Spider backdrop and Barry Mitchell's version, you can have a doorway. It's standard with the Spider in that you get two section and a curtain to hang between the two sections. The same can be done with Barry's design. You just have to buy two of the camping beds and rig up a curtain between them. Michael |
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Ah yeah... ok... so about $100 gives you two sections (and you can sell the beds)... not bad... how small do the sections collapse down?
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
What kind of material did you cover you Trimble screen with Yosef? I assume it would have to be pretty light weight?
Also...what material has been used with the spider-like bed frame??? Thanks, |
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Andrew Loyal user 285 Posts |
Yosef,
I have purchased the camping bed from Walmart and am covering it with a light-weight black cloth. I plan on building a second one and using the two together similar to Barry Mitchell's version. The frame is not here for me to measure right now, but I would say it collapses down to a fit in a bag on wheels of approx. 10" x 10" x 30". Take a look here: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=82180 Andrew |
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-10-22 19:08, mdspark wrote: Greetings... I went to a local discount "fabric warehouse" and wandered around till I found something I liked the look of... I don't know if this particular material has a name... it is light, but strong, and not transparent at all. It has a shine to it, as if plastic coated, or a polished poly material. The base color is black, with a design on it that looks like splashed paint. Along the edge it says "Exclusive design by Kravet Fabrics Inc" and "Design Jurgen Reichert". It cost $4/yard. I keep the fabric folded up during travel, and I attached Velcro along the top edge of both the fabric and the screen, so once the screen is setup, I just use the Velco to attach the fabric. It's not heavy at all... Joe |
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
Yosef,
Thanks for all the great info! Could you give a ballpark figure as to the total cost of the foam core board? THANKS |
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-10-25 20:28, mdspark wrote: I don't remember for certain, but I believe it was about $12/sheet, with each sheet being 4' x 8'. This was at a local "Pearl Arts & Crafts" store. I haven't seen this stuff available via mailorder anywhere in these size sheets, except at really sick prices (like $600 for a carton of 12 sheets). If you can't find the foamcore or suitable substitute, you could always order the camping beds mentioned above from walmart.com and go with Spider like backdrop! Joe |
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Salazar Magic Veteran user New Jersey 344 Posts |
Can you make the Wal-Mart frame so that it's not so thick?
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
It just hit me that another substitute material for a Trimble screen might be the "styrofoam" type of house insultaling that comes in big sheets or "boards"...what do you guys think??? I certainly have not tried it yet...but it is very available and comes in the right size...
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
It probably could be used... I've seen it at Home Depot by me in 4' x 8' sheets-- the kind that is covered with black plastic over the foam sheet... I believe there is branding information (like DOW) printed on the plastic, so it would definitely need to be covered (unless you're doing a show for Dow!)...
The pink or blue foam sheets I see for sale are usually only 2' wide by me... but if you see larger ones, again, I don't see why they couldn't be used. Just watch out for the edge of these things-- the ones I've used for model railroad layout have tongue and groove type edges (the edges of multiple sheets can mesh together), so if you are hinging two sheets together, you have to be careful a tongue edge is not gonna get in the way of folding... Joe |
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Andrew Loyal user 285 Posts |
Salazar,
You ask if the Wal-Mart frame can be made thinner. The thickness of the frame as it expands is determined by the sliding arms (similar to a hydraulic) and mechanically, if a person were to shorten the tube into which the sliders protrude, the frame would increase in height and decrease in thickness. (I believe the width would also increase). It's important to point out however, that the stability of the unit is dependent on this thickness and decreasing it would mandate some other support for the backdrop. Hope this helps. Andrew |
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Salazar Magic Veteran user New Jersey 344 Posts |
Thanks for yor help, Andrew!
So, how do you keep this thing upright? Anyone? |
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Andrew Loyal user 285 Posts |
Salazar,
Sorry, I just now saw your question. On two of the hinging supports in the middle, I drilled a hole and connected them using a 20 inch threaded rod with nuts and washers. This holds the frame up when it is expanded. I simply unscrew one end of the rod to let the unit collapse and pack it up. I am very pleased with this backdrop as it looks professional and sets up in less than a minute. My plan (as I mentioned in a previous post) is to purchase another unit and connect the two at the top using a section of PVC with a "glitter tassle" screen between the two from which to make my entrance. Each of these units cost $50.00 and the material was approx. $10.00. So, for roughly $120.00, I have a very good looking backdrop that sets up and breaks down quickly into a transportable case. (I might mention that the inflatable mattress that comes with each unit can be sold to further decrease cost.) Andrew |
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mr.rob New user 29 Posts |
Which Barry Mitchel book did you get the idea for the Wal-Mart backdrop ?
Rob
"There is never a wrong time to do the right thing:.
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Andrew Loyal user 285 Posts |
I don't know that the “Wal-Mart backdrop” is in any of Barry's books. I saw him lecture and he was using the backdrop. The restraining rod that I use to hold mine up may not be the same method that Barry uses. He did not go into great detail during the lecture, but it was clear from just the information he gave as to the setup.
After designing and constructing several types of backdrops, I’ve found this one is definitely the most useful and best looking as well as portable. I should mention that I was impressed with the backdrops that Dan Wolfe has designed and depending on the type of performance, could be very useful. Andrew |
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