Building a cyclorama/infini wall

fotolover1 · Apr 10, 2017

Hello

I am planning to build a cyclorama (white infini) together with my friends for my new studio. I'd like to know what the best materials are and how long it takes to build such a wall. The wall will be 65 feet x 45 feet with a height of 25 feet.

Anyone on this forum that has any experience with building cyclorama's? We're looking for the cheapest way to do it...

photo1x1.com · Apr 10, 2017

are you going to build it with corners, or without? With corners, I´d definitely try to look for professional help.
My former wall was built by carpenters because it was u-shaped - and even they had problems with the corners.
Here is a link that gives you an idea hof how they did it:

(it actually ends at 1:30 because I removed it when I was painting and didn´t edit well enough

)
It was a wooden framework with a drywall cover.
I used a spray painting machine to paint it.

Designer · Apr 10, 2017

fotolover1 said:
...with my friends...the best materials.... cheapest way to do it...

I see some possible conflicts with your plan.

I just watched a video online where they used regular framing lumber covered with 1/8" Masonite. Getting the thing built is one thing, making it have a smooth curve is something else.

tirediron · Apr 10, 2017

Drywall on a timber frame is the easiest method for something like this. You'll need a very strong, VERY accurate frame, then you score the back of the drywall with a very thick blade every 'X' inches (depending on the tightness of the curve from every few inches to every few feet) for half the depth. That gives it the ability to assume a radius, and when applying it, you may or may not need to wet the drywall panels. This is NOT a job for an amateur, and won't be cheap. I could easily see this coming in at 15K+.

table1349 · Apr 10, 2017

You will want studs 12" on center instead of 18 on center in a perfect arch. You could either use wacky wood (1/4" flexable plywood or this. 1/4" Flex Drywall
Either way it is not going to be cheap. Personally I prefer wacky wood but you have to know how to properly buy it. A 4x8 sheet will not bend the same as an 8x4 sheet.

tirediron · Apr 10, 2017

gryphonslair99 said:
You will want studs 12" on center instead of 18 on center in a perfect arch. You could either use wacky wood (1/4" flexable plywood or this. 1/4" Flex Drywall
Either way it is not going to be cheap. Personally I prefer wacky wood but you have to know how to properly buy it. A 4x8 sheet will not bend the same as an 8x4 sheet.

If the fire code & building inspector will allow 1/4" drywall; depending on the way the cyclo is constructed it could be viewed as a wall with a requirement for min 1/2 drywall.

table1349 · Apr 10, 2017

Depends on location as well as purpose. Keep in mind a cyc is nothing more than a giant scrim so unless it is permanently attached to the entire structure it should not be an issue.

Designer · Apr 10, 2017

tirediron said:
.. depending on the way the cyclo is constructed it could be viewed as a wall with a requirement for min 1/2 drywall.

Whether that becomes a requirement or not, it is still a good way to fair the curves. Layering one additional 1/4" sheet over the first helps a bunch to smooth out the curves. Be sure to stagger the joints for the most even curves.

photo1x1.com · Apr 10, 2017

Here are some links I saved from the time before I decided to have my wall built:

Nowadays there are many ore online.

fotolover1 · Apr 11, 2017

thanks for all the responses guys! great input, wonderful references. Any tips on how to take care of the acoustic part and how to reduce any noise and reverb as much as possible?

photo1x1.com · Apr 12, 2017

The only thing you can do some acoustic optimization is the ceiling with special foam. Other than that I didn´t feel it was really bad.
I don´t know if it would make a difference if you used some sand in the color.
In general the more things you have standing around randomly the better the acoustic it will be. But then it will handicap your workflow