FNi Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Hi guys, first post here (sorry it's a question!) In our new offices, we've set up a small theatre/stage where we will occasionally host presentations, keynotes etc. The problem is, the stage platform runs the length of the room on the right hand side - the same side of the floor to ceiling windows, which causes havoc when trying to film. What we're looking for are portable, free standing, black 'panels' (approx 8 feet in heigth) which can be moved into place when needed, and then put away. We were thinking of getting blackout curtains installed, but it's a bit of a waste considering how often they'll be used. To give you guys an idea of what it is we're after, have a look at this picture:http://I.imgur.com/vthzQ.jpg See those black panels on either side of the screen? That's what we need. Anyone happen to know what they're called and possibly where they can be sourced in the UK? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Anyone happen to know what they're called .. The generic term for them is "pipe and drape" - the system consists of lightweight telescopic horizontal and vertical poles with 'tank trap' bases. "Softscene" might also be a useful word to stick in a search engine. .. and possibly where they can be sourced in the UK?Blackout and Acre Jean are the first names to pop into my head. There are quite a few others, no doubt you'll get a few recommendations on this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domroz Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Anyone happen to know what they're called .. The generic term for them is "pipe and drape" - the system consists of lightweight telescopic horizontal and vertical poles with 'tank trap' bases. "Softscene" might also be a useful word to stick in a search engine. .. and possibly where they can be sourced in the UK?Blackout and Acre Jean are the first names to pop into my head. There are quite a few others, no doubt you'll get a few recommendations on this thread. Sorry but I disagree. I don't think its pipe and drape at all, but regular conference set panels. I could be wrong, but they look like hard panels not drapes to me. Any corporate set company can make these for you and they can be custom sized to exactly your requirements. Typically they are not an off the shelf sales item. The disadvantage of owning these not hiring them for a job is that the fabric gets damaged during assembly and handling so that over a few jobs, they start to look a bit shabby. If you rent them in, most good set companies will re-cover the panels for each job so you get a really good-looking product. There are many options for companies that can provide these. Personally I use JBH Design 01670 364 666. Ask for Steve Hope this helps, Dom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I think they're flats too. You can make these yourself if you have basic DIY skills, 75x25 planed timber, some corner plates and then a trip to fabric world and a stapler. Or you can buy a kit - already cut, just needs glue - and they come with canvas or calico fabric, in off-white which takes paint. You'll need a few weights and braces too, of course. We used to buy these kits at college and the students made them up. The Distinction ones were square, and lasted years, the Pass ones were almost square and seemed to want to return to flat pack state when moved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Another vote for set flats. As mentioned timber batten glued and screwed with a plywood top and then fabric covered. That said Pipe and drape might be an alternative option that might be bertter suited or not the to the OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Another vote for set flats.Looking again at the photo, you're all probably right, it does look more like flattage. That said Pipe and drape might be an alternative option that might be better suited or not the to the OP.Yep. One thing the OP shouldn't neglect to think about is where they'll be stored when not in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Just a personal note but I would cost up various options, check out storage, which as Seano says is often problematic and then I would bang in the curtains you first thought of. Probably more aesthetically acceptable, long term. If you do go down the flats line then I would PM Pete McCrea and ask his advice, he could probably arrange everything to pro standards. No he does not pay me commission! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley R Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I've seen a local "Party Hire" (More corporate work, but their name is Matts Party Hire) Use Fast Fold Projection screens, and then use Curtain Call self supporting drape system as a back drop. Whole lot including drapes folded up into a few packers and they rolled the entire lot out the door. Had a 3 man crew there to build it and I think 1-2 hours they had the entire thing together, and looking spic and span. Even added a few LED PAR's uplighting the black curtain, looked very nice. Fast Fold screens - http://www.da-lite.com/products/index.php?cID=11 Curtain Call - http://www.dq.com.au/Prod_Curtain_Home.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Ashley - The "Curtain Call" drapes you are talking about are standard pipe and drapes as mentioned in other posts in this topic - it is a generic item that any number of suppliers can supply. I could do a cross hire of about 90m of 7m black, burgundy or blue without blinking using my rental stock in my venue alone - it is common as mud. And as for Fast Fold - if the OP did not already have a screen, I would suggest AV Stumpfl as THE place to get fast fold screens. 9 out of 10 techs agree, you cannot beat AV Stumpfl screens. I concur with other posters regarding using a pipe-and-drape system. Bog standard you could go with 10' wide by 8' drop black drapes, 6'-10' uprights and some 16" base plates. It would pack down into a rather small space and take minutes to set it up. The corporate world runs on the stuff. If you want to test it out and see how it works, try your local corporate audio visual supplier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior8 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 If you have plenty of secure storage I'd go for flats. If not go for pipe and drape. Many moons ago I was involved with an amateur society that had plenty of flats but they were stored in the backstage dock of a multi-purpose hall, along with the table tennis etc., and every time we came to get them out some needed work - occasionally they'd been kicked to pieces. Here are details of a system produced by Maltbury which I have never seen myself - though they had a go at selling it to me some time ago - but it gives some idea of what is available. As usual with these things it seems very expensive for what it is - one 10x10 ft bay of the basic type without drapes is £177 the price for the more substantial version is £219. In your position I'd try and get something made locally to my own designs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 ... and then I would bang in the curtains you first thought of.I suspect Kerry may well be right - this is also a contender for the best option. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frameset Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 If you are looking for a solid panel then it would be best to source a timber flat covered in felt which I agree looks like the set in the image, if however you are wanting black panels that can be folded away thus taking up less storage room and reused over and over again our frameset panels would be ideal please see www.frameset-uk.com for details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 ....and BR get a donation for the business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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