The need for speed

The circular economy in set design marks a real turning point. Innovative solutions include lightweight cardboard flats and prefrabricated components made of recycled aluminium. Imaginative film architects can create entire worlds, which require time, money, and precious resources. When a production wraps, wood, metal, and plastic often end up in a landfill.

 

To make set design easier and reduce costs, The Vectar Project, a British company, developed stabile set components made from cardboard. “This makes it possible to build and rearrange the sets faster”, says Tom Henderson, Managing Director of The Vectar Project. Since these flats are much lighter than massive wooden panels, their transportation causes fewer carbon emissions. The set departments of the BBC, ITV, RTL Germany, and other broadcasters already use these award-winning Vectar boards.

 

For the fast setup of sets for film, series, and TV shows, the Cologne-based company Johnstown developed the SpeedSet system, which consists of prefabricated components made of recycled aluminum. Thanks to the push-fit system, single flats can be connected without using tools. The prefabricated construction makes the setup and reset about ten times faster than using comparable wood-frame flats.

 

“With SpeedSet we need three days for a set, which would otherwise take us thirty days with traditional wood construction”, emphasizes John Baker, who applied for a patent for the SpeedSet system. Thanks to the short setup time, the energy and rental costs for studio time can also be significantly reduced. Productions that have already worked with SpeedSet include Rentnercops, Tatort Münster, Liebes Kind, Tonis Welt, as well as Disney series.

 

Another advantage is that there is no waste, because the push-fit system allows the components to be reused many times over. Furthermore, time and resources are saved thanks to the SpeedSet components, which include toeboards, light switches, tapware, and backsplashes that can be magnetically attached to the wall. The set wall can then be wallpapered or plastered as needed.

 

Wall sockets don’t even have to be installed anymore because they are prefabricated and carry a seal of approval. They can simply be plugged into the wall of the set, so no electrician is required for their installation. Furthermore, no dust will harm sensitive camera and lighting equipment. Mounting lights has also been foreseen. SpeedSet provides an integrated rigging system so that no tripods are needed outside the set.

 

The SpeedSet rental model will be made available throughout Germany. “We handle the transportation, set up the set construction, and pick it all up after rental period is over”, says John Baker.

 

Photos: © The Vectar Projct, Johnstown

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