Cheap Studio Props - Columns!! :D

03/31/2008 07:07:08 PM · #1

.... I mean, inexpensive! :)

Have you ever priced big studio props? They're outrageous. 8' tall columns like these: //www.prostudiousa.com/category.aspx?SID=1&Category_ID=16&Page=3 are $359.

Today I made 3 8' "columns" for the studio for $10 each!

The material: //www.casupply.co.uk/acatalog/corrugated_roof_sheets.html is used for greenhouse roofs, etc. I got mine at Home Depot, but can't seem to find it on their website just now. It comes in plastic or tin, plastic is either clear, white or colored. I got 8' X 4' sheets in the white plastic (so no painting) and used rivets to hold them together in a column shape. You can find round pre-cut wooden pieces at HomeDepot too (used for table tops), the smallest one is a nice size for your column base. :)

Since my studio is 8'4" tall, I didn't see a need to put a top cap on them as they're so close to the celing they'll never be seen.

Here is a quick set I threw together to see how I might be able to use them. Its on one of my homemade backdrops ( //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=753703&highlight=your%20own%20backdrops )!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

03/31/2008 09:03:40 PM · #2

Hmmm. Guess I'm the only one interested in saving $$s. ;)

Prof_Fate

03/31/2008 09:30:36 PM · #3

One guy I know takes the cardboard forms for concrete (round ones, available in several diameters //www.sonotube.com/ ) and covers them with seamless paper (white, black, gray).

I like your idea too! Thanks for sharing!

Message edited by author 2008-03-31 21:52:11.

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

03/31/2008 09:37:54 PM · #4

Thank you Cindi. I'll be going out to Home Depot to spend my paycheck.

Katmystiry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/31/2008 09:42:12 PM · #5

This is a wonderful idea. I do have a ? though .. do you have any problems with your lighting causing bright spots on the shiny plastic?

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

03/31/2008 09:48:13 PM · #6

ok. now that you have established yourself as the resident MacGyver...

You are stuck in a Canadian POMSW (prisoner of mutant squirrel war) Camp. All you have is the strap from your 30D, a Swiss Army knife, $3 in misc change, some duct work, and an Alien Bees light stand...
HOW DO YOU ESCAPE?!?...better yet, how do you make an inexpensive Lightsphere????

Seriously though...keep these money savers coming! Oh, and how much are you charging for custom made backdrops, pillars, and idnic-spheres? :-)

-drew

Bugzeye

03/31/2008 10:22:19 PM · #7

Thanks for the cool tip. I would put a coat of flat white or a very faint flat grey on them so you do not get any glare. Unless you require the shiny look.

03/31/2008 10:32:39 PM · #8

I only took a few test shots and the shine wasn't a problem. I think it looks like highly polished marble. Very posh! ;)

I am thinking of faux painting one, though with some veining & stuff. 'Cause sometimes I get all crafty like that.

Drew, you'll have to wait for the mini-series on Lifetime in the fall. ;)

03/31/2008 10:36:25 PM · #9

Originally posted by idnic:

Drew, you'll have to wait for the mini-series on Lifetime in the fall. ;)

All I know is you better have a kick-ass theme song!

03/31/2008 10:38:35 PM · #10

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by idnic:
Drew, you'll have to wait for the mini-series on Lifetime in the fall. ;)

All I know is you better have a kick-ass theme song!

Sigh.. I was in love with McGuyver... he never calls now. Ah, the memories. :)

03/31/2008 10:41:06 PM · #11

Originally posted by idnic:

I am thinking of faux painting one, though with some veining & stuff. 'Cause sometimes I get all crafty like that.

My wife would go crazy with the two tone crackled paint.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

03/31/2008 10:42:58 PM · #12

Originally posted by idnic:

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by idnic:
Drew, you'll have to wait for the mini-series on Lifetime in the fall. ;)

All I know is you better have a kick-ass theme song!

Sigh.. I was in love with McGuyver... he never calls now. Ah, the memories. :)

Good news!

Bugzeye

03/31/2008 10:49:42 PM · #13

That would probably look good too. I have a a couple of sheets of this stuff in my garage 'green' (so I will definately have to paint it) I was going to put a roof over our Dog Kennel But we bought the dogs houses instead so I never used it. Been wondering what I could do with it.

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by idnic:
I am thinking of faux painting one, though with some veining & stuff. 'Cause sometimes I get all crafty like that.

My wife would go crazy with the two tone crackled paint.

04/01/2008 11:47:40 AM · #14

Originally posted by idnic:

Drew, you'll have to wait for the mini-series on Lifetime in the fall. ;)

Why wait?!?

Critics Rave-"If you are wondering why it is not on available DVD, 2 reasons: VHS is in keeping with the mullet era MacGyver and plus Cindi includes 6 recipes for useful props made from unwound videotape - she's uber-clever!"

I don't even know what to say here...great job Art!

Point of reference on Art's tape...it is the actual cover for the complete series on Amazon.

Message edited by author 2008-04-01 17:20:16.

04/01/2008 12:40:22 PM · #15

LMAO Drew and Ken.... you both have too much free time! ;)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/01/2008 02:01:33 PM · #16

Cindi, how much of a PITA was it to rivet the seams to make your columns?

Message edited by author 2008-04-01 17:15:13.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

04/01/2008 05:05:19 PM · #17

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

How much of a PITA was it to rivet the seams to make your columns?

Duct Tape

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/01/2008 05:24:09 PM · #18

Unwound video tape works pretty well as a dark ribbon on presents -- one feature film can lasts several holiday seasons if your family's not too big.

FireBird

04/01/2008 05:24:16 PM · #19

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by drewbixcube:
How much of a PITA was it to rivet the seams to make your columns?

Duct Tape

Only if it comes from Italy or Greece!