CYC WALL

[Rick]

I'm interested in a cyc wall as they're called, found in hi-key work. It's the
radius found where the wall meets the floor, thus eliminating the horizontal line
from the shot. I know this item can be purchased as a fiberglass radius and is
kind of steep in price. Has anyone had any experience in building their own and how did it turn out? Can you speak on the materials used?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim Chinn]

It really depends on how big you are talking. If you are talking big, say 8 or more feet across, you could make a frame of wood to fit your radius, put on some lathe mesh and make it out of plaster. This would probably require the services of a plasterer to get the surface smooth.

I made a small one about 4' across using plywood, 2x4s and masonite. Cut some 3/4" plywood so you have 2 pieces that are the required radius with a 90degree corner opposite the radius. Use the 2x4s to make a frame so the two plywood pieces are the desired width apart. Run the bottom 2x4s about 3 feet out from the bottom end of the radius. Screw the masonite to the facing edge of the plywood and use a piece(s) of masonite that is long enough to run from just above the top of the radius down on top of the protruding 2x4s. If you are using more than one piece of masonite, have a 2x4 behind the seam as part of the frame. butt the edges and screw them both to the 2x4 (countersink all the screw heads). Use a wood rasp or sand paper to match the edges perfectly and then fill any seams and screw heads with spackling compound and paint.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[Donald Miller]

Another material that would work is 1/4 inch drywall. It bends very easily so long as the radius is not too extreme. It would be finished as any drywall would (tape and mud the joints). This would not require a plasterer. The joints are finished just as a wall in most modern homes. Materials should be very inexpensive.

 

[John Luke]

A 4' radius seems to be a pretty good target size. SinarBron sells the fiberglass thing you mentioned and I believe it's called ProCyc. Short for cyclorama. The sections are huge and are a real pain in the neck to install. Buy some 1/4 inch drywall, soak the drywall pretty thouroughly to bend it.

 

[Donald Miller]

Actually, for a four foot radius, the 1/4 drywall will not need to be soaked. It will bend that radius quite easily without breaking. Just by way of information.