How to Build a T.V Flat Pt. 1

James McKernan, York University, teaches you how to build a typical TV style flat for theatre and film.

[@SceneryFarm]

Thanks Phil I really appreciate the great background and professional feedback. Cheers J

[@THEBLUEM]

Lmao what's up Mr. Horohoe's class we out here learning how to build T.V Flats

[@SceneryFarm]

Hi The Blue M Do I understand correctly that these videos are being used in your class to aid in building flats? If yes, that makes me glad. Are there any other theatre related build activities you would like me to explore? Cheers J

[@CB5786]

The reason you cut the stiles to 7'10-1/2" is because the lumber is 3/4" of an inch thick. If you double that you get 1-1/2". If you subtract that from 8' you get 7'10-1/2". The rails are then nailed to the top and bottom of the flat which will then total 8'0".

[@laaxe]

@laaxe (cont.) ..., where the joints are nailed/stapled (we use Senco M2 2" staples, as they pinch, and require no screwing), we simply mark 3/8's, then a quick slash marking where the stud or toggle goes; no need for two 3/8th marks showing the center. One line (plus or minus 1/16th) is more than adequate. And if you're working on a big show (not too concernd about an extra stud/style), you use 3 studs, as they're more ridgid, and hold up longer on TV shows, where you're re-using the same flat.

[@philrabe910]

The union guys out here in N Cali all insist that I not glue end grain joints. I ALWAYS have because, sure it is not As strong a joint, but it Does add strength to the overall project. Case in point, I came back to a shop I'd TD'd for for 9 years. They'd dumped all my 'studio style' flats for 'hollywood squares' with that 24: grid and gate framing. No glue on the end grain joints so all their rental flats are now wiggley, heavy and creaky when handled. Their 'better than' 4x10 flats had an extra 18' of framing with the additional stapling, filling, etc. and they SUCK. Also in big shops, for every x thousand pneumatic fastenings fired, there is x number of injuries, so using the minimum needed number of fasteners to adequately do the job is best. Some of my old flats were Still being rented out, so I rest my case for gluing end grain.

[@mikexcolianne]

Phil I'm an iatse member here in chicago. When walking on a 1x4 glue is very much appreciated because the tiny staple we use does nothing but hold till the life saving glue dries. And then we go walking plates. Love it.

[@laaxe]

Boy, we do/call things a bit differently here in Hollywood. Tops/bottoms (your rails) are called plates, styles are called studs, and toggles are still toggles. There's almost always a block available at the chop saw, which makes for quicker cutting/accuracy (you're almost never going to build one flat), and we almost never chop the ends (saves time), as most joints are close enough from the mill, and are almost always covered by a base/crown moulding. When doing the layout... (cont.)

[@Jaywooooo]

Hey I’m making a stage set for a musical. This will be my first time. Will this work? And any pointers?

[@SceneryFarm]

Hey Jaywooooo That is a really simple straight forward question but there are sooooo many variables in the answer. The short answer is yes, this type of flat is used for stage productions in many, many theatres. As I understand from commenters, many US theatres use a variation called a Broadway flat- I use the broadway flat technique also but have no videos on it. The rest is all about the details. I wish you well! J

[@ChrisNuccio]

24" on center torsion box. But yours will work fine.

[@marcofala]

Very nice tutorial! I have a question ... MDF (medium density fiberboard) is fine for the skin?

[@SceneryFarm]

You could but it does not have the same sheer strength as 1/4" ply. Also it tends to pucker when you staple. Then you sand it back and when you prime/paint it, it puckers again... really annoying.

[@Israellliterasangel]

i started building flats and id like to buy an air gun, what would you recomend?

[@TomIsJustTrying]

To allow to for two toggle which are 3/4" each I guess?

[@pascalhuynh4412]

Why are the nails 1-3/4" long? aren't they suppose to be 3/4" + extra 1/4"?

[@SceneryFarm]

The nails I think you mean are the ones holding the frame together: 3/4" wood into ingrain with 1" of of wood =1 3/4". The face staples are 1" or so. 1" is where I typically go but when short of those I try to err on the long side with 1 1/4".

[@Jewell21]

why 3ft 10.5 and why 7ft 10.5 inches

[@ChrisNuccio]

A real Hollywood flat looks more like a 24"

[@MikeSmith-zh6gx]

a t.v. FLAT not real television

[@diegoespinosa4080]

I don't understand this is it how to build a t.v. or wat?!?!?!

[@diegoespinosa4080]

u no wat ill just dislike!! :P

[@jamesmckernan2781]

I find different names for different things all over the world. OISTAT has created the digital Theatre Words project to help with that issue. Thanks for sharing these names. They make sense. I use stop blocks also- I only build one flat when I have a video like this to build :) So far I have only done that once..... ;) As I listen to this post I hear myself saying that I typically use a stop block when I am building more than one flat. Cheers

[@jamesmckernan2781]

We do the slash also when in production work, my students are often not accurate that way so I do this instead :) When I am building professionally I do what you suggest with the slash or the two lines- it kinda depends on my mood.