Backdrops for Bands

Frank Cronin

Anyone got any wisdom on ...

* What size is best, length by breadth?
* Best material, cloth / plastic / other?
* Best method of hanging - rope / clips / velcro / other?
* Best colours to use considering various lighting rigs are used?
* Best place to get made up, or D.I.Y job?
* Should drum skin have same design or not?

I have seen many bands who almost blot out the backdrop for their entire set and it defeats the purpose. Any constructive thoughts welcomed.

bombidol

6 by 6 is a good managable size. not too big, not too small but viewable.
Vinyl is yer best bet, cloth gets dirty. vinyl can be wiped down.
Have rope and hooks at the ready so you can be equipped.
Black and white is your man for colour. Easy to see, cheaper and reflects light well.
we got ours for free dunno how much or where.
Drum skin doesnt have to be the same. Might be a bit to "organised" if it was infact. like a corporate logo

Frank Cronin

Cheers man, very insightful!

Anarchist

This for DGAB?

dregin

NOFX used an A4 printout at Reading

damomeasa

personally i would think wider rather than higher. would say 10 x 6 or maybe 8 x 5. Also would think cloth looks better and isn't that hard to keep clean. also means that all you need is an artistic mate and some fabric paint and you have yourself a cheap backdrop.

ropes and holes are well and good but half the time you'll have nowhere to hang them off. some good quality tape should do the job.

peter jones

Frank Cronin wrote:

Anyone got any wisdom on ...

* What size is best, length by breadth?
7 x 5 is a good size...bear in mind drummers obscure some of it

* Best material, cloth / plastic / other?

obviously vinyl is best...but its also heavy
the pv's ones have always been made from a sheet as they are nice and light and can fold up quite flat

* Best method of hanging - rope / clips / velcro / other?

when you use a sheet you can use gaff tape or big nappy pins!

* Best colours to use considering various lighting rigs are used?

black cos it stays cleaner and matches the dark background most venues have, so by implication it looks larger

* Best place to get made up, or D.I.Y job?

madelaine did ours...€200 deko can put you in touch

also you can use a company called c3 imaging who do digital print onto a fabric mesh kind of thing, but you would be looking at about 700 or 800 for that...would look good though!

* Should drum skin have same design or not?

different design i think...logo or name only on skin

I have seen many bands who almost blot out the backdrop for their entire set and it defeats the purpose. Any constructive thoughts welcomed.

yeah. put the text in the top 1/3 of the backdrop, tghen images etc fall behind the drummer and the top doesn't get obscured by lighting rigs!

Frank Cronin

Thanks everyone for the valuable feedback!