Film and TV set backdrops

Test what the camera sees

Studio lights expose problems that are invisible to the naked eye. Shiny materials throw hot spots, so a matt fabric or vinyl is usually preferred. Fine repeating patterns can produce moiré on digital sensors, and seams may appear if the backdrop is lit at a raking angle. Ask for a sample and shoot it with your actual camera and lighting setup before committing. Our backdrop printing page describes the materials, and your director of photography should have the last word on finish.

How much resolution does a scenic really need?

Backdrops are often seen slightly out of focus and from a distance, so they can need less detail than a poster of the same size. That depends on the shot, though, because a close-up against a sharp background or a deep focus shot will reveal more. Discuss the framing with your art department before scaling up images. Perspective matters as well. Horizon lines should sit at the camera's eye level, not at the middle of the print, or the view will look wrong behind the actors.

Rigging, fire paperwork and night scenes

Tell us how the cloth will hang: pole pockets, tie lines, eyelets or batten fixings all differ, and studios may have specific preferences. Productions and venues commonly ask for flame-retardant materials and supporting paperwork, so check the requirement with your production office or studio manager. For a night view outside a window, a backlit print can give convincing glow, with lit windows on a city skyline. Lightweight fabric packs down smaller, which helps when moving between locations.

Related topics

• Conference stage backdrops
• Press wall printing
• Graduation backdrops