Scrims

The more we experiment with and make our own lighting equipment, the more I realize how much cool stuff we're learning and how much money we're saving by doing it. It's like a free college course that would otherwise cost $1000's at some big name campus. AND, we have a complete rig to call our own when we're done.

Scrims

What is a scrim? 

A scrim is a piece of material held in a frame, sometimes large, sometimes small, and then placed in front of a light source.

Why? 

Essentially, light needs to be modified. In it's raw form, light is harsh and damaging. It needs to be shaped and coaxed to do what you want, and given the right conditions, you will be rewarded with beautiful results. Scrims soften your light sources and thereby flatter your subject. The degree of softening depends largely on the type of material you use. We have tested a number of different materials and found interesting properties of one kind of fabric. Notice the moire pattern:

Interference pattern between two layers of fabric

So, not only is it important to chose fabric based on the degree of softening it does to your light, it's important to make sure you don't get interference between layers if you chose to double up. Interesting! 

We have sourced some great material that costs about $5 per yard so... for about 12 scrims we're probably going to pay less than $50. Compare that with $160 for 5 from Matthews. No thanks, I'll take ours any day, and save the money for paying the talent on set.

ed. note: BTW this was a free test of material we were experimenting with from an old linen closet we raided... Don't worry, that's "mom" holding up the frame, she's the one who did the raiding LOL! I love FREE.