Download HOW2 Curtains - StageLight.com

Special Effects
StageLight
• 10% off Sale
• How to measure
for new curtains
• Fabric Choices
• How to order
StageLight Inc., is a full service
stage and studio equipment
suppliers specializing in
renovations for school theatres,
churches, PAC’s, and other
entertainment venues.
We have factory trained
technicians on staff for repair work
and offer 24/7 emergency service.
StageLight’s rental inventory
includes equipment from leading
theatrical lighting vendors such as
ETC, Strand and High End
Systems.
We are the Southwest’s leading
stocking distributor of lighting and
scene shop supplies.
For more information about
StageLight contact us:
Houston
phone: 1.713.942.0555
toll free: 1.800.942.0555
fax: 1.713.942.0556
Visit us on the web at
www.stagelight.com
Curtains have a life span like so many other
items in the theatre. Maybe you’re tired of trying
to repair the holes, sick of looking at the stains
on the cyc, or beginning to have safety concerns
about some of your softgoods. On top of that
maybe dry rot along the webbing and a little
snag on some scenery has caused a leg or
border to become unusable. Whether appearance or safety is your main concern, replacing
your worn, torn, faded and otherwise aged and
abused drapes is a piece of cake. There is no
rocket science here and no need to fear anything.
On the following pages we have included instructions on how to measure your drapes for replacement.
We have also included basic information about materials and fabrication standards. Once you have had
a chance to review the information, just fill in the
quotation request on the back and fax it back to us.
We will then price you the cost to replace those well
worn drapes and send the price back to you via email or fax. As encouragement to replace your
curtains now, all orders placed before May 31, 2001
will also receive an additional...
We hope this information is helpful. If after looking
over this information, you would still like us to inspect your curtains or measure for you, just give us a
call. We will be happy to come out and visit with
you.
We look forward to working with you!
What’s Next?
To close out this academic year we will feature a How2
on lighting software for the theatre. Prominent among
those is ETC/Cast Lighting’s WYSIWIG.
What is WYSIWIG? In computer terms it has always
meant “what you see is what you get.” In the early
days of computing it meant what appeared on the
screen was exactly what you would get in print.
WYSIWIG from ETC/Cast Lighting is a very powerful
tool for creating, programming and cueing shows.
Depending on how involved and at what level you
want to purchase, it can even diagnose problems with
your equipment. There will be more on all this later as
well as a look at Rosco’s Soft Plot and Light Shop plus
John McKernon’s Lightwright III.
10% discount
Let us know
To help us better serve you we ask that you let us know if the HOW2 series is working for you. Is the
information complete? Are there particular subjects you’d like to see a HOW2 cover? We also don’t want
to overburden you with mail and we don’t want to be put in your junk mail category. If you would like to
receive certain HOW2’s or if you would like to be removed from the mailing list, let us know by going to
the StageLight web site (www.stagelight.com) and filling in the request form there.
StageLight, Inc. phone 713-942-0555
w w w . s t a g e l i g h t . c o m
Followspots Portable Systems Consoles
this issue:
Fixtures
Spring, 2001 Take a look at your stage curtains. Is it time for a change?
Curtains
Curtains tattered and torn? Consider
replacement. StageLight can help.
Hardware
The Southwest’s leading supplier of theatrical lighting and supplies
Curtain Types
Which Curtain goes where?
Terminology
Grand Border or Grand Teaser
First we need to make sure that we are using the same
terms for the drapes. For proscenium theatres, the principle curtain is the Grand Drape or the Front
Curtain. Typically the Grand Drape is in two pieces
and either travels or parts to each side of the stage or it
flies out. Generally just in front of the Grand Drape is
the Grand Border or Grand Teaser. The purpose
of the Grand Border is to mask the track and hardware
of the Grand Drape. It is typically a single, long drape
and not very tall. Behind the Grand Drape are the Legs
and Borders for the rest of the stage. The legs are
typically hung in pairs and are usually about as tall as
the Grand Drape (or taller) but are only 6-18' wide.
Their purpose is to mask the audience from viewing
the backstage areas during a performance. The Borders are similar to the Grand Border in size and their
most common use is to mask the lighting instruments
from the view of the audience. In many theatres you
will find a border directly in front of a set of legs. Another drape that is common to the theatre is the
Blackout Curtain or sometimes called the MidStage Traveller. Basically these drapes are in two
parts and generally draw to either side of the stage. In
size they are similar to the Grand Drape but their function is quite different. The Blackout Curtain is used to
StageLight, Inc. phone 713-942-0555
Grand Drape
divide the stage and to mask the upstage area from the
audiences view. Often this is needed for scenery changes
or simply to make for a smaller, more intimate stage for
small concerts.
The Cyclorama Curtain is located at the back of the
stage just downstage of the Cyclorama or back wall of
the theatre. It is used to mask the back wall of the theatre or to mask the Cyclorama itself. The last two kinds
of drapes found in the typical theatre are the Cyclorama (Cyc) and the Scrim. The Cyclorama is hung at
the back of the theatre and is usually white, natural or
blue. It is used as the flat surface on to which the cyclorama lights are focused to provide the rich lighting that
gives all stages their sense of depth, presence and space.
The Scrim is the see-through fabric which is also typically a single curtain hung flat like the cyc curtain. When
lit from one side it appears opaque and when lit from
behind it is transparent. Scrims are usually black, blue,
or white.
w w w . s t a g e l i g h t . c o m
Measure
How to Measure Your Curtains
...What’s Next
To measure your drapes have a tape measure, a ladder, and You’ve now given us all of the information we need to quote
someone to help you.
your replacement drapes. Be sure to let us know if you want
us to get back by fax or e-mail. If you have any questions
Step 1: First measure the height of your drape from about measuring your drapes or you know that some of your
the top of the drape to the floor. Enter the height on the form. drapes are too big or too small already, just give us a call.
We’ll try to help you pick out what is most appropriate for
Step 2: If your curtain is dead hung (does not move
your theatre.
and just hangs straight) place your tape measure on the floor
near either end of the drape. Measure it’s width along the
Fabric Choices
floor until you get to the other end. DO NOT MANIPUMost stage curtains are made out of velour.
LATE THE DRAPE, just let it hang freely. Enter the width
Velours are available in 16 ounce, 21 ounce and
on the form
25 ounce fabric. (One square yard of 21 ounce
velour weighs 21 ounces.) The heavier the velour,
If your curtain draws, walks or is pulled across the stage, you
the richer and better looking your drape is.
must fully extend the drape to its widest position. Again it is
StageLight does not recommend that 16 ounce
important to not stretch the drape. Just allow it to hang freely.
velour be used in your theatre. We think it is too
Place your tape measure on the floor next to either end of the
flimsy to warrant use in a theatre. Most drapes
drape and measure its width. Enter this width on the form.
should be 21 ounce velour. Try to use the 25
ounce velour for your Grand Drape and Grand
Step 4: Finally we must count the number of fabric Teaser which are visually your most important
curtains. Regardless of what fabric weight you
widths used. Drapes are constructed from 54" bolts of fabric
choose, a variety of colors are available for you to
sewn edge to edge. It takes several 54" widths to construct a
choose from. If you know you want a color other
single drape. While standing at the back of the drape, start
than black, please let us know on the form.
counting the number of panels used in your drape. Often,
Colored velours are slightly more expensive than
you will find a partial panel at one end or the other of your
black velours, but all colored velours are the same
drape. When you run into this, just round any odd width to
price.
the nearest panel. Enter the number of panels on the form.
Budget Considerations
Step 5: Select the fabric of your choice and note it on
the form. Also choose whether you want black curtains or a
standard color. (A swatch card will be provided if you are
ordering.)
FAX the completed form back to our office.
You’re almost finished...
StageLight, Inc. phone 713-942-0555
If your budget is tight or you know that some of
your drapes are in high traffic areas, you may
want to consider another fabric choice. There isn’t
much point spending hard earned funds for an
expensive drape if you know that you will likley
have to replace it in 2-3 years anyway. An
alternative fabric to consider in this case is heavy
weight commando cloth. Commando cloth can be
sewn flat or with fullness like velour drapes.
w w w . s t a g e l i g h t . c o m