Like Shawshank Redemption rewound

December 1, 2008 11:24 AM

I want to build a fake prison cell set that's mobile. What do I do?

Okay, for a video project, I want to make a very real looking prison cell. The problem is, I don't have a large studio I can dedicate, so I basically need something that can be taken apart and stored in a relative's basement or ministorage, and that could fit in a rented van. Nothing medieval, just contemporary and institutional, realistic looking, and possible for an actor to sit/stand in and have it look like I really got access to a prison cell. Floor, walls, ceiling, the whole enchilada.

What do I do? How much am I looking to spend? Is there something I'm not thinking of?

posted by history is a weapon to media & arts (8 comments total)

How much structurally sound does it need to be for the purposes of shooting? Is anyone going to be freaking out in there? Or even walking? Or are these going to be more or less static scenarios?

Also, are you looking for a solitary confinement-esque cell with bare walls and floor, or do you want fixtures such as a bed and a toilet?
posted by hermitosis at 11:49 AM on December 1, 2008

My only major suggestion would be painted canvas over a wooden frame, using door hinges at the corners so you can fold it up. You can pick up a heavy canvas dropcloth, the type used to protect stuff while painting, at any home improvement store. Slap some paint on it (oil-based would probably wear better than latex) and keep it stretched tight.

Dowel rods painted black with some sort of weathering effect applied would make some decent bars.
posted by caution live frogs at 11:49 AM on December 1, 2008

Seriously, you need to watch a few episodes of Prisoner: Cell Block H before you completely rule out finding a proper a cell to film in because they – presumably – had some professional set builders on the staff and it was still awful.
posted by mandal at 12:25 PM on December 1, 2008

Some things to consider:
Metal bar front vs. Steel door with pass through and small window?

If you are filming, will the set need to have walls that are removable such that the whole structure is sound without the wall removed so that you can film at the angle that you desire?

Re: a point made earlier, most cells I have ever seen are made of painted cement blocks which clearly don't move if people beat on them or are shoved up against them.

The floor could either be bare concrete which would be supplied by whatever location you are constructing your set on or a layer of linoleum which looks dingy and institutional.

Do you need any the hallway outside of the cell to be visible?

I imagine finding something that passes for a real, modern tamper proof prison toilet would be difficult to come by.
posted by mmascolino at 12:36 PM on December 1, 2008

Follow up:
No one will be freaking out in there. Sitting, standing and talking.
I want bed, I want toilet.
Every cell I've seen is cinderblock, so I'm trying to figure out how to do that convincingly. I'm leaning more towards door with pass through and window rather than bars (except for maybe a window to the outside).
The walls would probably need to be independent of the frame so they could be removed for certain shots.
posted by history is a weapon at 12:58 PM on December 1, 2008

There are BDSM dungeons in NYC that might have a jail cell that they'd let you shoot in. It's a big maybe, but it'd almost definitely be easier than getting permission to shoot in a real one, and it'd be cheaper than building your own. (Your location says Brooklyn so I'm assuming you're shooting in NYC.)
posted by desjardins at 3:43 PM on December 1, 2008

This is going to be very vague, so I apologize in advance...

I read an article years ago about how a film crew had created a jail cell for a scene and some of the specific techniques they used to create a cell ambiance. The few facts I remember were dry wall gouged to look like masonry units, marbles split in halt to look like rivet heads and that the final touch was that they would paint a surface, beat at it with chains and hammers, repaint and then attack again until they built up a lot of patina, chips and overlapping colors.

You can build a folding cell out of 3 walls of drywall on skinny frames (2"x2" or so) with heavy canvas hinges to cover the seams. That would be easily portable by two people. Any cracks that arrive from being carried around are just more ambiance. Use an existing concrete floor and maybe build a quickie ceiling for any shots that require it. Go to any architectural surplus store and they'll have tons of old institutional light fixtures for cheap.As for a solid steel door, I'd buy a cheap hollow core door, which you can easily cut holes in for windows and pass-throughs, cover the whole thing with wood filler and sand it to a consistent surface, which you can then abuse to your heart's content. You can use various kinds of wood trim (most home stores sell a wide variety) for plate seams, window frames, etc..

The only other fact I remember was that they hid personal jokes in the graffiti, maybe you can convince a few friends to come over, have a few drinks and help you beat and carve on the walls to "age" them.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 10:55 AM on December 2, 2008

Depending on how long the film is you might want to consider (and don't get angry with me here) the possibility of a location that still applies as a "prison" but isn't a traditional one. If you've seen the movie Old Boy, he spends 15 years in "prison," but it's a normal room like any other. Do you have other scenes in the prison? What about prisons in other countries and prisons like abu ghraib, i.e. chain link fences.

I have to agree with Mandel, making a prison set is hard on a cheap budget. Also, try scouting out abandoned buildings around your area that may have rooms that look like this. Then try to find out who owns the place, etc. You may even be able to go to a real prison and film.

Some of these options are MUCH harder, potentially more expensive, or potentially MUCH more work (like getting to a new location, instead of setting up a set at your place). But the cost benefit is huge. I hope you found this at least somewhat useful, if even to find ways that it does not fit your situation.
posted by codybaldwin at 12:49 AM on January 2