Stage Design: Flats Overview

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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?

Fabric-covered wooden-framed flats. Signup and view all the answers

What does pictorial mean in the context of flats?

Relating to artwork or visual representation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a rail in flat construction?

A rail is a top or bottom framing member of a flat. Signup and view all the answers

What are the components needed to construct a Broadway flat?

Muslin or canvas fabric, pine lumber for frame, luan plywood, miter saw, jigsaw, staple gun, carpenter's glue, and hammer. Signup and view all the answers

What is a stile in the context of a flat?

A stile is a vertical side member of a flat. Signup and view all the answers

What is a toggle bar?

An interior horizontal framing member of a flat. Signup and view all the answers

What is a corner brace?

A diagonal internal framing member that helps keep a flat square. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a jog in flat construction?

A flat less than 2 feet wide. Signup and view all the answers

What does rip mean in carpentry?

To saw parallel with the grain. Signup and view all the answers

What are the best fabrics for Broadway flats?

Muslin and canvas. Signup and view all the answers

What are soft covered flats?

Broadway style flats covered with fabric. Signup and view all the answers

What are hard covered flats?

Flats with traditional wooden frames covered with a hard material such as luan, plywood, or hardboard. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Hollywood flats in terms of construction?

The framing material is placed 'on edge' rather than flat. Signup and view all the answers

What are metal framed flats?

Stronger flats built to be longer without seams, typically constructed from steel. Signup and view all the answers

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.