Questions and Answers
What is a flat in theatre?
A theatre flat is a tool used in stage design to create depth and add visual interest.
What are Hollywood flats?
Hollywood flats are rigidly constructed from luan or plywood and can stand freely using wall jacks or be anchored to a portable base.
What are Broadway flats made of?
Broadway flats are constructed from muslin or stretched canvas applied to a thin wooden frame.
What is the primary construction technique for creating scenic walls?
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What does pictorial mean in the context of flats?
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What is a rail in flat construction?
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What are the components needed to construct a Broadway flat?
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What is a stile in the context of a flat?
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What is a toggle bar?
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What is a corner brace?
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What is considered a jog in flat construction?
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What does rip mean in carpentry?
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What are the best fabrics for Broadway flats?
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What are soft covered flats?
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What are hard covered flats?
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What distinguishes Hollywood flats in terms of construction?
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What are metal framed flats?
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Study Notes
Flats in Theatre
- A flat is a stage design tool that creates depth and visual interest through flat pieces of painted scenery.
- Flats serve as backgrounds or buildings on stage.
Hollywood Flats
- Also known as TV or studio flats, constructed from luan or plywood.
- Can stand freely using wall jacks or be anchored to a base.
- Simpler construction compared to Broadway flats.
Broadway Flats
- Referred to as theatre, standard, or stage flats, made from muslin or stretched canvas on a wooden frame.
- Lighter than Hollywood flats and can be suspended from a fly tower.
Traditional Scenic Walls
- For over 200 years, fabric-covered wooden-framed flats have been standard for creating scenic walls.
- Soft flats declined in usage as modern scene designs evolved to be more sculptural than pictorial.
Pictorial vs. Sculptural
- Pictorial designs focus on visual representation, while sculptural designs emphasize three-dimensional structure.
Components of a Flat
- Rail: Top or bottom framing member of a flat.
- Stile: Vertical side member of a flat.
- Toggle Bar: Horizontal framing member within a flat for support.
- Corner Brace: Diagonal member that maintains the flat's shape.
- Jog: A flat that is less than 2 feet wide.
- Rip: Cutting wood parallel to the grain, typically using a table saw.
Materials for Constructing Broadway Flats
- Essential materials include muslin or canvas fabric, pine lumber for framing, luan plywood, and various tools such as a miter saw, jigsaw, and staple gun.
Fabrics for Flats
- Common fabrics:
- Muslin: Lightweight, affordable, and available in various types, making it ideal for scenery painting.
- Canvas: Heavier than muslin, good for stretching over frames.
- Duvitine/Comando Cloth: Useful for masking or design elements.
Types of Flats
- Soft Covered Flats: Broadway-style flats covered with fabric.
- Hard Covered Flats: Traditional wooden frames covered with hard materials like luan, plywood, or hardboard.
- Metal Framed Flats: Stronger, longer, and allow for seamless construction with steel framing, typically covered with luan.
Construction Techniques
- Hollywood flats are framed with the material placed on edge, covered with luan attached by staples set 12 to 18 inches apart.
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Description
Explore the world of stage design through the various types of flats used in theatre productions. Understand the differences between Hollywood and Broadway flats, along with traditional scenic walls and design styles. This quiz will deepen your knowledge of scenic design tools and their applications in creating immersive theatre experiences.
