[SML] Very portable flats

[Dale Farmer]

On 1/11/2019 12:29 AM, jdunfee12--- via Stagecraft wrote:
> Now that I have eliminated the idea of using large screen TV's to do 
> scenery for large marionette show, I am thinking how I can make the show 
> light weight, and use less space to store.
> 
> The flats, as they are now, are 3' wide X 5' high., and framed with 1x2 
> wood.  The corners have 1/4" ply cleats, on the back surface.  So the 
> total thickness of a single flat is 1". Some are hinged with other, 
> smaller flats to form corners, or make larger flat areas. They are 
> covered and painted the same as any traditional theatrical flat.
> 
> Here are some methods I considered, or are still considering;
> 
> 1) Put the cloth onto a flat piece of corrugated plastic.  Though, once 
> they get kinked, the plastic is permanently kinked.  But, that would 
> tend to only happen on one direction.  Perhaps I could use two layers, 
> glued to each other in opposite directions? I can get it in widths up to 
> 60", so I know I can get the grooves to run the opposite way.
> 
> 2) Window Screen Frame; I saw this many years ago, as a method of making 
> a portable puppet stage. They used aluminum window screen framing, with 
> the cloth simply substituting for the window screen.  If I didn't want 
> the aluminum frame to show, I would simply wrap the fabric around the 
> frame before inserting the edge into the groove.However, I am not 
> thrilled with the strength, or ruggedness, of the aluminum frame.  
> Someone simply carrying it outside on a windy day would probably cause 
> it to kink.  Also, I wonder if it would provide enough tension, for 
> wrinkles not to show.
> 
> 3) Roll up blinds; Super easy and fast.  But, the edges of such things 
> tend to curl.  I know there are tensioned projection screens, but those 
> wold not permit my image to go to the edge.  I wonder if I could do 
> something like glue some strips of plastic (perhaps from small zip-ties) 
> to the long edge?  It might tend to make indentations onto the fabric 
> when it is stored on the roll.
> 
> 3)Another approach is to use 1x2 for the framing, but made to be 
> collapsible. This would also allow it to be transported in a car if 
> needed. I have seen collapsible wood frames used by puppeteers.  But, 
> they were used to hang curtains, not tension fabric. I might adapt that 
> idea by affixing my fabric onto a single piece of wood on the top (which 
> I would roll the fabric onto when stored), and then do an oversized 
> whip-stitch of elastic cord along the long edge.  The elastic would hook 
> onto some hooks attached to the back of the wood.
> 
> 4) I have looked at trade show displays. But, all the one's I've seen 
> have more than a little depth to them when used, or perhaps show their 
> base.
> 
> Any ideas or advice?
> 
They make these roll up signs for trade shows and retail displays.  Its 
a wind up printed cloth on a spring loaded roll.  You lay it on the 
floor, unfold and erect the upright piece, then pull up the printed 
surface and hook it on the top.
https://www.aceexhibits.com/quickie-roll-hardware.html

Trade show signage places can make them up easily.

--Dale