Fill panel outdoors at DVinfo.net

Tom Morrow · March 24th, 2012, 10:37 AM

Ever wondered how the bigger productions get natural looking fill outdoors? This commercial shoot at Ocean beach in SF yesterday used a huge 9x9 foot white fabric panel. The budget version might be 4x8 insulation panels.

David Aronson · March 24th, 2012, 11:58 PM

For years, I used 3/4" EMT (metal conduit) because it's cheap, strong, not too heavy, and easy to get. I sewed some 10x10 silks and white bounces and I still use them all the time. If you need to travel at all, just buy EMT at a Home Depot. It's cheaper than trying to fly with a 12x12 frame.

Also, for those of you who fly with smaller jibs, It's cheaper to go to a sporting goods store and buy the weights and then just throw them out/return them/ leave them in the bushes than it is to fly with them.

Oren Arieli · March 25th, 2012, 02:56 PM

Regarding weights: Wouldn't it be better to pack some empty sandbags, fill them up for $4 (50lbs of sand at HomeDepot), then dump the sand before returning? I'd hate to run into someone's old weight stack on the beach :-)

Charles Papert · March 26th, 2012, 04:23 AM

Wouldn't have been 9x9... Standard rag sizes are 6,8,10,12 and then up to 20x.

While the larger a bounce, (generally) the more natural the effect, the rigging skill and size of the grip crew should also increase. A 12x12 in the wind can be quite a handful and needs to be properly tied down and manned.

4x8 panels (styrofoam or foam core) are indeed handy and not just for budget purposes, I use them all he time.

Brian Drysdale · March 26th, 2012, 10:31 AM

Yes, the 4 x 8 poly is standard kit, often painted black on one side for negative fill if required.

March 24th, 2012, 11:58 PM	#2
David Aronson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 84	Re: Fill panel outdoors For years, I used 3/4" EMT (metal conduit) because it's cheap, strong, not too heavy, and easy to get. I sewed some 10x10 silks and white bounces and I still use them all the time. If you need to travel at all, just buy EMT at a Home Depot. It's cheaper than trying to fly with a 12x12 frame. Also, for those of you who fly with smaller jibs, It's cheaper to go to a sporting goods store and buy the weights and then just throw them out/return them/ leave them in the bushes than it is to fly with them.

March 25th, 2012, 02:56 PM	#3
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	Re: Fill panel outdoors Regarding weights: Wouldn't it be better to pack some empty sandbags, fill them up for $4 (50lbs of sand at HomeDepot), then dump the sand before returning? I'd hate to run into someone's old weight stack on the beach :-)

March 26th, 2012, 04:23 AM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: Fill panel outdoors Wouldn't have been 9x9... Standard rag sizes are 6,8,10,12 and then up to 20x. While the larger a bounce, (generally) the more natural the effect, the rigging skill and size of the grip crew should also increase. A 12x12 in the wind can be quite a handful and needs to be properly tied down and manned. 4x8 panels (styrofoam or foam core) are indeed handy and not just for budget purposes, I use them all he time. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 26th, 2012, 10:31 AM	#5
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: Fill panel outdoors Yes, the 4 x 8 poly is standard kit, often painted black on one side for negative fill if required.