Roman emulation

March 16, 2009 7:03 PM

I am attending film school where I am putting together the proposal for an ambitious film that takes place in the Roman era, in tent interiors. Now, the Romans used leather for tents, however I'd like to use a cheaper alternative, such as brown canvas. Should I use canvas? Where can I get largish quantities of canvas/tent making material? (Some source specific to Vancouver would be very helpful!)
posted by niccolo to Media & Arts (8 answers total)

A quick Google of "Vancouver tent awning" came up with a few results.
posted by KokuRyu at 7:25 PM on March 16, 2009

If you get large amounts of canvas, look into finding a set decorator who can help you do a faux finish to give it the textured look of leather. Especially in low light, should be fairly easy to pull off that look.
posted by shinynewnick at 7:52 PM on March 16, 2009

I need canvas for various theatrical reasons now and then and a nice choice is the big 8oz canvas drop cloths they sell in the painting dept of home depot/lowe's type stores. They are raw canvas with a few imperfections they can actually be good in certain situations. Under $30 for an 8'x11' piece, it pretty economical.
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 9:18 PM on March 16, 2009

If you are on a budget a military surplus store should be able to sell you parachutes and old arms tents which provide acres of fabric for very little outlay.
posted by fire&wings at 4:36 AM on March 17, 2009

I'd second using paint drop cloths which can be painted to give the illusion of leather. Pin them together to give the appearance of the tent walls you need in the shot. Movies are all about illusions so you don't need to actually film inside of a tent. All you need to do is to make it appear that you are filming inside of a tent. Lighting and shooting will be much easier if you don't film inside of a tiny tent.
posted by JJ86 at 6:46 AM on March 17, 2009

There may be set decorators and production designers who already own historical tents, from other historical or fantasty movies (e.g. DUNGEON SIEGE). Might be cheaper to rent than to make them, and then you don't wind up with a lot of painted canvas. Call the local prop houses and set rental people.
posted by musofire at 6:48 AM on March 17, 2009

Response by poster: Thank you for these great suggestions!
posted by niccolo at 3:11 PM on March 17, 2009

I think painted canvas is maybe an option for the wide shots where you have a little distance, but I think you'll be disappointed with the close-ups- the weave of the fabric will be easily recognizable and you'll drive your painter crazy trying to fix something that's inherently flawed. Consider your rental options even if you can't find exactly what you want. Could a faux leather tepee be set up in a different configuration or be hung as a flat backdrop for tight shots? Could you get a smaller piece or faux leather, or better yet, real leather to pin up behind someone's head when you're in really tight? (You'll need to buy at least a small piece to give to your scenic artist anyway.) Try to think of your shots on a wide=more theatrical --> tight=more authentic continuum.
posted by Thin Lizzy at 6:06 PM on March 17, 2009