#1 Nov 24 2002, 5:04 PM
Ken Knight
Member
The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Hi all,
Hopefully I'm not duplicating someone else's efforts here, but while lying in bed last night I was trying to think of a method of holding the plastic V-Screen that came with Visual Communicator. I currently have a 20ft wide blue screen that I've been using for years that is fabric with a loop sewn on one end and made a huge stand for this thing out of 1 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe. I decided to follow this same method, however, with this one it's totally awesome.
What I did was measure the height and width of the V-screen and then purchased enough 3/4" (thinwall) pipe to make the holder. The truly killer part of this project is how the V-Screen is held onto the mount. Simply cut 6 to 8 additional pieces of PVC about 1 inch in length. Now cut 1/4 of the circumference away from the pipe leaving something like a "C"-clamp.
Now drape the V-screen over the top and put three C-clamps on the top and then wrap the bottom of the screen around the bottom pipe and put the other 3 C-clamps on the bottom. Now twist the top and bottom to achieve the desired tension on the screen which removes all the wrinkles. (note the picture below I had not finished twisting out the wrinkles)
Voila!!! you're done! Total Project cost $7.60 (Lowe's in my state). Total Project Time : 45 minutes (including the run to Lowes).
Here is a picture right after I finished it in my garage.
If you have any questions or suggestions you can post them here or email me at
techsupp@helpconsulting.net I hope others have as much fun making and using this as I did!!!
I forgot to mention something: Make sure you use sandpaper on the C-clamps so that they're smooth. This will protect the V-Screen from them cutting into it when you slip them on. I've got the clamps on the top turned forward so you can see them, however, you can also turn them where they're completely out of sight.
Cheers!
Ken
NOTE: Because you cut your pipe to match the V-Screen you can also switch the top and side pipes to get a wide (short) screen vs the Tall (narrow) that you see in the picture.
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#2 Nov 24 2002, 6:19 PM
Derry Mellott
Senior Member
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Awesome idea!
I had already built a frame out of PVC for my green screen, but never thought of the "C" clamp idea...rather I was fooling around with tape, which is messy and sometimes lets go at an inopportune moment.
You're brilliant...thanks very,very much!
I raise and lower mine, as needed, by inserting different lengths between the bottom "T" joints of the frame and the horizontal feet to accomodate sit-down or stand-up talent
For those of you who want to do this buy: 2 elbows, 4 T joints and 4 end caps plus 2 10-foot lengths of PVC (I prefer 3/4" Schedule 40 for better rigidity). You can glue if you want, but if you just "crush fit" it all together you retain portability and stowability where you can tie the pipes-up with those velcro straps you buy to secure PC cables. "T"'s and elbows stay on the uprights.
Ken's "C" clamps pull it all together! Thanks, again!
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#3 Nov 24 2002, 6:58 PM
Ken Knight
Member
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Hi Derry,
Thanks. I can't remember where I've seen something like those clamps but I know I've seen them on something else.
Hi Rick,
They're 30 inches. Simply cut the 30 in half and put a 15" piece on each side of the bottom T connector.
Also Derry is right. After using this for the last few hours, I'd probably suggest using "Schedule 40" on this project also, however, if you do, you'll probably still want to get a small (1 foot or so) piece of thinwall for the C clamps, as I'm not sure if the thickwall will be very flexible as a clamp.
Cheers!
ken
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#4 Nov 24 2002, 11:59 PM
Mike Parker
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Very nice project! I will have to add this to my set up. My aisle I am using right now is about to collapse.
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A Computer Guy Learning Video Production..... Lighting..... Framing...... Editing..... Audio mixing......You Know, The usual stuff.....
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#5 Nov 25 2002, 6:06 PM
Mark Randall
Serious Magician
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Very nice Ken!
Thanks for posting the picture.
One way I've seen it done (back in the pre-VC days when the keyer hardware was a hundred pounds) is with rubber bands and 'S' hooks but that requires snapping grommets into the green material. Your solution is more elegant and flexible. Thanks again!
--- Mark
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#6 Nov 26 2002, 2:31 AM
Dennis Sladek
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Super V-Screen Mount. I just finished building mine for a total of $8.90 parts from Home Depot (Illinois).
I even used scraps of the same schedule 40 3/4" PVC to make the clamps by first cutting them into 1 inch segments and then heating them on the stove before prying them open a little. Makes a very snug and secure "c" clamp and also saves having to purchase or find some a small piece of schedule 30 PVC.
Now, if we can only find a way to mount a small and convenient hair light off the top of the mount, we'll be all set for show time.
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#7 Nov 26 2002, 10:44 AM
Ken Knight
Member
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Hi Dennis,
I'm not sure exactly what type of light you'll be using, but one method would be to replace one of the 90 degree corners at the top with another T-connector. Then come off that with a stub of pipe and the 90 degree connector to another short stub of pipe. Here are a couple of ideas for this:
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Ken
PS. Hopefully you'll be able to read these.
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#8 Nov 27 2002, 3:46 AM
Dennis Sladek
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
I am able to view the diagrams, no problem at all.
Super, thanks for the suggestions. I will give it a try over the weekend, most probably I'll pick up the parts on Saturday and give it a try late that night.
Dennis Sladek
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#9 Dec 3 2002, 8:11 AM
Jim Quinlan
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Very excellent stand Ken ! I'm redoing mine to incorporate some of your features. Your base is much more efficient than my umbrella stands and the PVC C Clamp idea is genius. Duct tape works but is not as practical as your method. Thanks for sharing
Jim
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Jim
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#10 Dec 10 2002, 12:12 AM
Ken Knight
Member
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Hi Jim,
Thanks I appreciate it. I can't believe how well the idea has worked for me. I believe there's an old saying that goes something like, "even a blind hog will find an acorn every once in a while." I guess this hog just found an acorn.
Cheers!
Ken
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#11 Dec 29 2002, 12:35 AM
Bruce Avilla
Member
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Ken,
Thanks for the great idea! I built one yesterday, and mounted my green "shower curtain".
I added a couple tweeks...
I made the C-clamps about 4 inches long. I also made the width of the stand narrower so I could clamp the material on all 4 sides, with 3 C-clamps per side.
At the top, where you have elbows I substituted a "T" and went up another 5 ", and then put my elbow, and ran a parallel pvc pipe across the top. That way, I can mount a "hair light" anywhere along the width, shooting down on the top of the actor's head. Actually could mount multiples if needed anywhere along the pipe. Cut an extra pipe same as the height (portrait orientation) so I could have the same rig when I need it to be landscape orientation.
The clamps I cut on my table saw, and cut out a little more than a quarter - more like from "12 o'clock to 4 o'clock" on the circumfrence of the thin-wall 1" pvc tubing. Anything tighter would be difficult to remove and attach without dinging up the vinyl V-screen.
I found some "Holly" colored fabric that is a very close match to the vinyl color, and am going to try some of that, too, for the V-screen. I'm curious how sensitive the setup is to the actual color for the V-screen. I'm anticipating that the fabric will not maintain the creases like the vinyl V-screen. I'm planning on rolling either onto a 2" cardboard tube for transporting.
Thanks again for sharing your idea. It makes it so much more convenient in situations where a wall isn't readily available as a backdrop.
Cheers -
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#12 Dec 29 2002, 12:52 AM
Jodie Reynolds
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Bruce - genius!
Now, instead of a hair light, which (imho) has far more limited use in video than in still photography (sooo much harder to properly control), how about lighting your screen with diffused floods from that position on both sides? That should be absolutely optimum...
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#13 Dec 29 2002, 1:15 AM
Dennis Sladek
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Hi Bruce & Jodie.
You're on the right track with the extension to the top of the stand. I agree with Jodie in lighting the entire screen.
I used an extra "T" on both sides and one in the middle along the top of my 6 foot stand. Then I made an entire rail across the top and I mounted, which now has enough support to hold a twin 4 foot 40 watt flourescent bulb shop light fixture from HomeDepot. It worked so well, I did the same on the sides.
My next stand will be 12 foot wide and use qty. 3, 4 foot shop fixture across the top.
I'm moving in the April to another house where I will actually paint the walls in the basement. Much less fooling around that way.
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#14 Dec 29 2002, 1:20 AM
Richard Wildman
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
I am guessing that at some point someone will get the idea to paint part of their floor as well. Total immersion is better than half.
rw
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#15 Dec 29 2002, 1:26 AM
Dennis Sladek
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Richard,
I followed Jodie's example of a few weeks ago. In my emtpy house (moving in April) I currently have 86 sheets of drywall to experiment with. I painted one sheet flat VC swatch green with a high quality paint store paint and then I laid put it up against the wall and painted another sheet to lay on the floor. I taped them with paint masking take and covered that.
The results were over inspiring to an amateur like myself. It gave me way to many ideas. I have to leave that alone until I move into my next house.
I believe Jodie used some other form of substrate.
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#16 Dec 29 2002, 1:58 AM
Jodie Reynolds
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Yuppers!
I used pressure treated hardboard for floor and walls. 8ft deep, 12ft wide, 8ft tall, 4ft of ceiling overhang...
[edit] Dennis - I don't know what you'll be wearing on your floor, but I don't know how well drywall will stand up. A few people who've been on my floor have been wearing rather pointy heels - they'd punch through drywall like there's no tomorrow.
So far - the hardboard painted holds up great. An entire bottle of water spilled on it, and 10mins before I could clean it up - no problems. There's a few scuff marks and scratches, but I just paint over those and they're gone.
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#17 Dec 29 2002, 2:18 AM
Dennis Sladek
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Hmm.... I'll have to try hardboard when I get to my next house. Which won't be until April.
In the meantime, I'll try not to wear my high heels.
Come to think about it, I will order a sheet of hardboard with my next delivery from the Home Depot.
Thanks Jodie for the suggestion and reminder of your previous post.
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#18 Jan 24 2004, 10:38 PM
Kim Kinser
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
about the "c" clamp... is it 1 inch schedule 40 cut into a c and used on top of 3/4 sched 40?
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#19 Jan 24 2004, 10:42 PM
Richard Blackmon
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
I simply had grommets put in the green screen that I bought and can stretch it tight and tie with shoelaces.
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VC2 Studio, Ultra 2, MSL 1,2,3, VC Essentials, Ultra Training DVD, Vlogit. Graphics Card Leadtek GeForce 7600GT, Intel P4 3ghz, 2gb ram
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#20 Jan 24 2004, 10:56 PM
Jim Quinlan
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Use the same size pvc and just cut a chunk out (about 1/3) so it can snap over the other piece. Works great. Just be careful you don't tear the cloth.
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Jim
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#21 Jan 25 2004, 1:25 AM
Dennis Sladek
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
As I mentioned back in Nov. 2002,
"I even used scraps of the same schedule 40 3/4" PVC to make the clamps by first cutting them into 1 inch segments and then heating them on the stove before prying them open a little. Makes a very snug and secure "c" clamp ..."
Note:
I had PVC scrap pieces lying around so I cut them into about 1" segments with a hack saw. Then I made a very (and I do mean very) primitive jig to hold them out of 2 pieces of scrap 1X2" wood I found in my shed.
I simply slit those 1" segments with a hack saw. A little gentle heat, either the stove or a torch works, I've used both.
Someone else, suggested using a small workbench vise to hold the segments. I didn't have that luxury of owning a vise.
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#22 Jan 25 2004, 12:21 PM
Richard Blackmon
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
Prior to buying my large chromakey screen, using the one with VCP I bought some of the squeeze type of clamps. They have rubber tipped grippers. They also worked well to clamp the green screen to the PVC but I like the grommets better.
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VC2 Studio, Ultra 2, MSL 1,2,3, VC Essentials, Ultra Training DVD, Vlogit. Graphics Card Leadtek GeForce 7600GT, Intel P4 3ghz, 2gb ram
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#23 Jan 30 2004, 7:29 AM
J Meyer
Member
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
I have been wrestling with duct tape and grommets and too thin pvc for 2 months now. My original VC vinyl is pretty much thrashed now, so I bought some cheap green broadcloth and placed it over top of the VC green screen to eliminate transluscency of thin broadcloth. However, the VC screen underneath the broadcloth is losing its duct tape grip and now lumping underneath the cloth. I can't wait to take it all apart and start from scratch!
Thanks for unknotting my stomach over this ongoing dilemma!
P.S. I imagine a double layer of broadcloth would work fine also. This stuff was only about $1.98/yd; however you will likely have a seam somewhere. We put the seam running vertically in the center and the talent hides it completely.
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#24 Feb 16 2004, 3:22 PM
Steve Crow
Member Emeritus
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
I've just built my PVC frame to hold the green "shower curtain", I used schedule 40 3/4 inch. It looks like it will work but the whole thing is rather flimsy, I wonder if using 1 inch would have been a better way to go or perhaps there is something I can do to make what I have now more stable.
I added a second top pole going from side to side on which I plan to hang lights. I was thinking of the yellow hallogen "work lights" found in hardware stores, or maybe I should go to a photo supply shop and look at some lights there. What is everyone else using?
Steve
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#25 Feb 16 2004, 3:37 PM
Richard Blackmon
Sacred Keeper of Magical Wisdom
Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mount
There is another thread somewhere on this with pictures, etc. I am using the yellow stands from Home Depot that you mentioned. I took the lights off because they were too hot and too bright. I am using the stands as the vertical poles. I used Schedule 40 1" PVC for the top cross piece. I did not use a bottom bar. My green screen came from Belger Photography and I had them put grommets in it. I use squeeze clamps to attach the fabric at the top and bungee cords and the grommets to stretch it tight on the sides. My fabric is long enough to have several feet on the floor to stand on. It is pretty sturdy.
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VC2 Studio, Ultra 2, MSL 1,2,3, VC Essentials, Ultra Training DVD, Vlogit. Graphics Card Leadtek GeForce 7600GT, Intel P4 3ghz, 2gb ram
#26 Feb 16 2004, 3:53 PM
Steve Crow
Member Emeritus Re: The ULTIMATE V-Screen mountRichard,
I also built my frame without the bottom horizontal pole with the idea of buying a larger piece of fabric one day and rolling it onto the floor. The 4 one-inch squeeze clamps I bought were by far the most expensive part of the project! They seem to work fine but I can easily see how your grommet solution would be even more ideal.
How Wide is your frame? Mine is only the width of the standard VC shower curtain, 60 inches?...at first I had built the frame about a foot wider but the frame was even more unstable that way. I might try this project again with 1 inch wide PVC stock. Actually it just occurred to me that if I put in a lower cross bar that my frame would be much more stable and not twist so much side to side...in fact I guess I could put that lower bar about foot and a half or so up from the floor (higher than the bottom of the shower curtain) if I am not planning to use it to clamp the bottom of the sheet.
Yes, I've used those hologen work lights on other projects and they are very very bright....if I placed them on my upper-most side-to-side bar, I think they might in fact be TOO bright. I believe I recall seeing something like a fluorescent tube in a lighting catalog....this one was unique because the light it generated was softer, more natural in color balance than what you could get out of a standard fluorescent tube. Maybe something like that would work.
Steve
Visual Communicator & Vlog It
