Drafting TV Flats

TV Flat Basics The TV Flat is also known as the Hollywood Flat. The Standard Flat and the TV Flat have many similarities including the names of the parts of the flat. The basic TV Flat is built with a 1x4 lumber frame and is covered with 1/4” luan. Door openings and window openings often use 1x6 framing to create a 6” reveal. The frame is usually assembled with Screws, or pneumatic staples. The luan cover is usually attached with pneumatic staples or 3/4” coated nails. The major differences are: 1) The TV flat frame is built on edge rather than on its face. 2) The TV Flat must have a hard cover while the standard flat can be soft or hard covered.

Keeps the frame as light as possible. Helps keep the face smooth. TV flat TV flats must have a framing member to support all of the internal luan seams. Benefits: Keeps the frame as light as possible. Helps keep the face smooth. Disadvantages: Requires very careful construction. Only 3/8” to support each edge of am intenal luan seam. Toggles are placed every 4’-0.” They are places on center or off set depending on the size of the flat and the construction needs. The luan cover of the flat is what brings the flat into square.

The TV Flat door unit is similar to the standard flat door unit. TV Door Flat The TV Flat door unit is similar to the standard flat door unit. Care must be taken to support all inner seams. The size of the luan plywood also affects placement of toggles. A 1x6 is often used for the bottom rail because it often serves as a door sill. Not the use of 1x6 for the door opening to create the door reveal. The other option is to make a door opening with 1x4 and insert a pre-hung door in an existing 1x6 door frame. Both options are acceptable.

The benefit of this technique is the clean look of the TV Flat. TV Window Flat The construction of a TV window flat frame follows the same basic procedures as the TV door flat frame. This window flat can be covered with one sheet of luan plywood and then the opening can be cut out with a router.(A sabre saw can also be used but it will not give as clean a cut) This process can be more costly but it will result in a square flat and there are often places to use the cut off pieces. The benefit of this technique is the clean look of the TV Flat.

Part of Detailed Floor Plan One problem with TV flats is that more care must be taken in planning the layout of the flats before building. Note here that wall “C” must be 7 1/2” longer then what is seen on stage to permit assembly. There is also a problem with the ends of the flats that are visible to the audience. One technique is to rip strips of of luan and put them on the ends as needed. A second and cleaner method can be used if the show is being built from scratch. Ex: Plan on extending the cover of flat A to cover the end of flat B that joints A at a 90° angle. See next plate for wall rear elevations

Rear Elevation

Comparing the Standard Flat and the TV Flat The choice between Standard Flats and TV Flats is up to the Set Designer and the production team based on many variables. There are no exact rules about which are best choice for any given show. Only occasionally are they both used in a set. The Set Designer and the Technical Director should start by considering the needs of the set design, the limitations of the production budget, the available man-hours and the amount of stock scenery that must go into the set. Then, they can take into consideration how the set is being used by the actors; if the set is going to be used in repertory; if the set is going to tour; if the set is going into storage at strike and other factors. If the show is being built from scratch the cost difference between TV flats and Standard Flats can often be minimal. The cost of the materials for the framing of the flats should be the same. Muslin and luan will often be around the same price even when the muslin in bought in bulk rolls of 50+ yards. One technique that increases the cost of the TV flat is to cover the luan with muslin. This results in a better painting surface but increases the cost of the flats by at least 1/3 of the original cost estimate.

Standard Flat Set This set was built using standard flats pulled from stock with additional flats built for the curved windows. This choice was based on cost restrictions and the TD’s decision on how to put the set together. The seams were hidden with muslin dutchmans. The painting techniques hid the duchmans. the molding and trims were all 3 dimensional and gave the set a very realistic look.

TV Flat Set This set used TV flats. The bricks were made of foam that were applied to the TV flat with construction adhesive. The choice of TV flats was based on the hard surface that permitted easy attachment of the bricks and the added structure of the TV flats. The platform was also faced with luan so the surface of the brick walls was consistent.

TV Flat Set This set used TV Flats for the walls. All of the walls were half walls. The set was one of two sets used for each performance. The TV flats were joined together with screw and change-over took under five minutes.