A cyclorama, or cyc wall, is a backdrop used in studios to create a clean, distraction-free environment. It is commonly used in photography, films, commercials, and music videos. Cyc walls are sometimes curved at the bottom to create a seamless background that appears infinite on camera (called a limbo or infinite wall). Cyc walls are often painted in neutral colors (white) or green/blue for special effects work. They were first used for theater productions in Germany in the 1800s and are still common today.
This article will give you a brief introduction to cyc walls, specifically within video and film production.
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Benefits of using a Cyclorama
There are many good reasons for using a cyc wall, but they mostly boil down to wanting a clean, professional (sometimes infinite) look, a controlled environment, and cost.
This is particularly important for corporate videos, commercials, and other formats where a high-quality output is crucial to the brand’s image.
In other words, cyc walls are great if you want to focus on the message (fx, an interview), product, or artist and not the background (unless we’re discussing using it as a green or blue screen for special effects).
But don’t think it will look boring because you shoot on a neutral background. Shooting against a white infinite wall opens up other creative purposes, such as playing around with lighting or even adding animations.
Types of Cyc Walls
Here are some common Cyc wall types used in video and film production today:
Hard Cyc: This type of cyclorama is made of a permanent, hard material such as concrete or plaster. It is built into the structure of a studio and is ideal for permanent installations where durability is key. Hard cyc walls are typically used in television and film studios.
Canvas Cyc: Made from a large piece of stretched canvas that’s often painted, canvas cycs are more portable and adaptable than hard cycs. They can be hung at the back of a stage or a studio and are easier to move and store, making them suitable for theaters and temporary setups.
Paper Cyc: These cyc walls are created using large rolls of paper that extend from the wall down to the floor, creating a seamless look. Paper cycs are particularly popular in photography studios because they are relatively inexpensive and can be easily replaced if they become scuffed or dirty.
LED Cyc: An emerging technology, LED cycloramas use panels of LEDs to create a high-resolution screen that can display any image or background. This allows for dynamic and easily changeable backdrops for broadcast media and live performances.
Portable/Foldable Cyc: These are designed for easy transport and setup and are ideal for location shoots or small studios that frequently change their space configuration. They can be made from flexible materials like muslin that fold or roll up. These are also the cheapest options.
Things to check when renting or using a cyc screen
Here are a few things you should be aware of before using a cyc wall:
Lighting a Cyclorama
If you rent a studio space, ensure the cyclorama is pre-lit. Most pre-lit cycloramas provide sufficient lighting to prevent shadows on the walls. However, you must light your subject properly, even with a pre-lit cyclorama.
If the cyclorama isn’t lit or you created one yourself, here are a few tips:
Select Appropriate Lighting Equipment
Soft Lights: Use soft, diffuse lighting to avoid harsh shadows. LED panels, softboxes, or cyclights (specially designed for lighting cycs) are ideal.
Space Lights: These are excellent for hanging overhead to provide diffuse, ambient lighting over a large area.
Tips on Setting Up Your Lights
Even Coverage: To avoid hotspots and shadows, the key to lighting a cyc screen is to ensure the light is spread evenly across the background. No matter the color of your cyclorama, this is similar to lighting regular green and blue screens.
Backlight the Cyc: Place lights at both ends of the cyc, aimed towards the center. Ensure they are angled to spread light evenly and not directly at the screen to avoid hotspots.
Use Overhead Lights: If possible, use overhead space lights to provide a base layer of diffuse light.
Separate Subject Lighting: Keep your subject’s lighting independent of your cyc lighting. This prevents shadows on the cyc and allows more control over the subject’s appearance.
Check for Shadows and Hotspots: Turn on the lights and inspect the cyc for any uneven lighting, shadows, or hotspots. Adjust the angles and intensity of your lights as needed.
Use Light Meters: To ensure an even light distribution, use a light meter to check the intensity of the light across different parts of the cyc.
White Balance
You don’t want to return to editing and post-production if your actors’ skin has a weird color cast – unless you’re going for a particular colored look like in the Levi’s commercial below:
When you rent an infinite cyclorama studio, you can sometimes get details on the exact color temperature of the lights. Adjust your camera’s white balance based on the studio light’s color temperature to prevent unwanted color casts, which can make whites appear blue or orange.
This ensures colors are captured accurately, as auto white balance may not always be reliable.
If you’re going the DIY route, it’s a good idea to use a white card or color-checker passport before shooting to have something you can trust to help you color-correct and grade your footage later.
Build a cheap DIY Cyclorama
If you want to build a cyclorama on a budget, I found this great DIY video from Haley Ahern from Refuse Reality Productions. It shows you how you can build a small cyc wall yourself for under $1000:
Summing Up
A cyc wall, or cyclorama, is a curved backdrop used in commercials and music videos to create a seamless, infinite background.
This feature allows distraction-free visuals and emphasizes subjects, enhancing visual effects and lighting control. Ideal for both small-scale studio shoots and grand, imaginative sets, it offers high-quality, professional-looking video content versatility.
Up Next: What Color Temperature Should I Use for Video Lighting?
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