Finishing up my stage construction. I used 2in x 4x8ft foam board panels. They are very light weight. I have 20 yds of black velvet upholstery material.  I need to cover the panels with that. Just thought I'd share some pics of the stage.

Very cool!  Forgive my ignorance, I'm new, so if you already said this elsewhere I apologize.  Is this at a permanent space for live productions or is this in a studio for filming?  Either way it looks cool!

Looks great!


Billy d.

Thanks.  It's very lightweight. But, it isn't exactly compact. My aim was to use it primarily for studio yet have the ability to transport it if necessary.  The lighting booms  and backdrop frame are constructed of 1" and 3/4" elec conduit set in 60lbs of concrete in 5 gal buckets. Not lightweight. But, it is transportable. The lights are PAR38 cans from cheaplights.com I am thinking of painting the entire studio in green screen green.

Looks good, but you'll want to put the foam into something waterproof for transport. I made a prop out of the stuff once, too big to put in a box; the foam warps when wet! (I'd actually also be worried about warping if the boards accidentally get knocked, squashed or elbowed)

I think he'll be ok with warping and water since it is 2" foam panels.  Actually looks like what is used for insulation in walls.  Am I right Russell? If it is then it should hold up very well. It can be susceptible to breakage but if it has a good frame under it then it should be ok.

yeah. Shawn it is . Warping is a concern I've had. But, I got the foam board for free from a guy who owns a waterproofing business. It's been sitting outdoors for awhile and was still pretty straight except for one piece. So I think maybe in this case it's already "weathered" enough that whatever warping may occur already has.  Like Shawn says it can break or dent pretty easily. Also, there are scores in the panels so the tradesman don't need to use utility knives to cut the stuff in the field. If you apply enough pressure along those scored lines, it will break along that line. I'm going to test the velvet wrap on a scap piece to see if that causes warping. If so I'll have to start over with another material or maybe provide some type of wood frame.

Hmm, interesting. I'd certainly like to know how well it holds up over time. If it does hold out, it would be a useful thing to know for future construction on sets and stuff. (And maybe I'm just not buying the right stuff. But then, I don't know where I'd get 2" foam boards like that in Aus. It would be an expensive item too)

you can buy it at Home Depot here for about $28 a sheet. So, it's a little less expensive than cabinet grade plywood. Also, since this conversation started I'm thinking about coating it with West epoxy. The slow cure stuff. That would add alot of strength with little weight gain. I remember my older brothers used to make surfboards that way.

Looks great! I was also worried about the breaking/cracking/etc. it could suffer but you seem to know what you're doing. Nice work!