I have a church function that will be putting on a “show” and for a few props they designed a few boards of drywall with scenery painted on them. The individual boards of drywall will need to be propped up on the stage. They need to be standing up long ways. I am trying to figure out a design to build a stand to hold the drywall pieces secure and upwright while on the stage.
Can anyone give me an idea of how to put something together to accomplish this. Thing is, we will be on a retreat of sorts and won’t have much acces to tools other than say a chopbox and screw guns.
Appreciate any ideas. Thanks much!
T
Replies
Mick
I've built a few studio sets, temporary backdrops and props.
props is the keyword.
flat panels are held upright with a minimal "kick"frame that is weighted.
prop'd up, kicks out the back braced up to the top of the panel. Make it so someone that kicks a brace doesn't knock it over. Couple sandbags, drywall bucket with sand.
you have to judge the amount of counterweight.
other tip, paint the panels made of something else other than drywall. Canvas or even large rolled paper.
screw everything together with the same bit size fasteners, color code the connections (no numbers/letters if you can help it), stack for delivery just like a lumber order (1st off last on.)
light weight as possible with idiot proof assembly.
Drywall standing up on end will be pretty floppy. You will need to make your "stands" so that they provide some stiffness to the drywall so it doesn't flop badly (which looks bad and will also make it much less stable).
If possible, build frames of 1x3 or 1x4. Cover with stretched muslin or luan. If several flats are to be used, try to hinge together for stability. Braces to the stage floor will probably be needed, with sandbags.
Good info, thanks. I think I will frame the back of drywall with 1x and then make a couple of floor jacks for each piece. If I use drywall do you think I could just screw through it into the floor jacks and bypass framing out the backs of the drywall as well?
Mick182 wrote:
Good info, thanks. I think I will frame the back of drywall with 1x and then make a couple of floor jacks for each piece. If I use drywall do you think I could just screw through it into the floor jacks and bypass framing out the backs of the drywall as well?
fasteners to props (jacks) will just pull through the Sheetrock.
I imagine these boards are for an easter service. There are a few ways you can prop these drywall pieces up in an undistracting and appealing way. The simplest way to set these pieces is to set up a simple wood frame behind the drywall at an agle.
I decided I would make proper stage flats out of 1x4. So they will be 4x8 and will be framed with 1x4's around perimeter and a piece across the middle.Then am going to use canvas instead of drywall. Then I will build 2x4 floor jacks, two a piece for each 4x8 section.
How tall do you guys think the floor jacks need to be, as far the projection out on the floor and also the long piece of the jack that attached to the back of the flat?
Use sandbags and you don't need much of a projection.
Mick
Outdoors,
wind?
Depends on who's been eating beans.