The Art of Theatre Stage Design

In theatre and film production, the primary objective is to create an illusion, and scenery design is a powerful tool for achieving this. Flats are essential components in this process. Traditionally, soft-covered units were the most common in theatre. These units typically consist of wooden frames covered with fabric or canvas. However, soft units have drawbacks, such as a lack of durability and difficulty in achieving a three-dimensional effect. This is why Hollywood or TV flats have gained popularity.

Hard units, known as TV or Hollywood flats, originated in television production but are now widely accepted in theatre. These flats combine traditional construction techniques with methods developed for cinema. Like soft flats, they feature styles and rails, with standard sizes ranging from 8 to 12 feet, allowing them to be easily connected, stored, and reused.

Also Read: Discover ChatGPT For Music

Hollywood flats can vary in thickness depending on the design and are often made of plywood, sometimes covered with muslin. The frames are usually made of industrial wood, but a challenge arises when glue used in construction resists paint, making defects visible.

The primary difference between TV and Hollywood flats lies in their construction. TV flats have materials set on the edge without needing corner blocks and keystones, while Hollywood flats use glue to fix the frame together. Once assembled, the flat is covered with a thin sheet of wood, nailed or glued to the frame.

When small flats are needed, hard flats are ideal. Despite their weight, Hollywood flats offer the advantage of being modifiable, such as cutting holes for cables without damage. This flexibility is beneficial for camera angles in film and television. In theatre, where the audience can see everything, the appearance of the scenery is crucial. Hollywood flats excel in situations where constructions need to be quickly removed from the stage, as they are easy to build, connect, and use.

Modern audiences demand realism, which should be considered when making TV flats. These flats resemble real walls and look natural on camera. They can be nailed, glued, or lashed together, though lashing is less common in productions. The cut list for TV flats is usually larger than for Hollywood flats due to differences in construction.

-Sushmita Sarkar