When I did this post about the cyc wall I thought some of you might have questions.  I’ve received emails/comments about the cyc wall construction.  Recently I sat down with M&M for an interview.  For those of you who don’t know us M&M is my husband.

We’ll start with a material list and follow with the q&a.

Material List:

• 3/4 MDF
• 1/2 MDF
• 3/4 Plywood
• 3/8 Bending Plywood
• Joining Biscuits#20
• Staple, Glue, Screws, Pin Nails
• Bondo
• Primer

Quantities are not listed.  They will vary depending on the size.

Me:  Why build a cyc wall?

M&M:  The challenge, support my wife’s photography biz, and cost would be similar to a couple rolls of seamless and a background stand.

Me:  Who inspired you to build a cyc wall?

M&M:  Allison Tyle Jones and Zack Arias.  You showed me images of ATJ’s studio construction. When we decided to dedicate part of the house to an in home studio I remembered ATJ’s blog posts.

Me:  How did you build the wall?

M&M:  Built the curve section first, using 3/4 plywood for the ribs and bending plywood.  Followed with the wall panels and the floor panels.  When everything was assembled I rounded over the seams before I filled them with bondo.

Me:  Why didn’t you run the cyc wall floor to the room floor?

M&M:  Because this is temporary.

Me:  Why MDF vs. drywall for the wall panels?

M&M:  Because it’s not permanent.

Me:  Why no cove?

M&M:  Not enough space & time.

Me:  What will you do different the next time you build a cyc wall for me?

M&M: Who said I’d build another cyc wall for you?

Me:  I’m asking the questions.

M&M:  I’d put the laminate floor down first.

Me:  What did the guys in the shop think you were building?

M&M:  A skateboard ramp.  A dream room wall for Aileron.

Me:  I want a dream room will you build one for me?

M&M:  No.  Get to work.

Me:  Your not being very fun.

M&M:  Are we done?

Me:  No.  Why isn’t the wall any taller?

M&M:  It was.  Then we cut a foot off the wall panels because you kept changing your mind about which rooms were going to be your studio and office.

Me:  Really I don’t remember changing my mind.  Moving right along.  Do you regret cutting the foot off the top?

M&M:  Yes.

Me:  Can you add it back please?

M&M:  Yes but it will cost you.

Me:  Will discuss that later.  Why did you add a paper holder to the top for seamless?

M&M:  Give you more background options.  You said something about wanting to paint/draw and change colors.

Me:  You know that I bought a couple of rolls of seamless and a background stand after you built the cyc wall?

M&M:  Your point?

Me:  How many times have you caught the boys launching toys down the wall?

M&M:  Not as ofter an I hear Cosmo sliding across the floor.

TIPS:

• If you use MDF/plywood, prime both sides to prevent warp.
• Screw the frame to the mdf from the bottom side to keep the screws from showing on the floor.
• To keep weight manageable use 1/2 MDF on the wall panels and 3/4 on the floor panels.
• We couldn’t decide on the type of paint so we left it primed.  Clean up has been manageable.  Give one boy a Mr. Clean scrub pad and the other boy the Shark steam cleaner.  Works so far.
• We keep tile board down to minimize scuffs.  Check out Zack Aria’s seamless tutorial for tile board info.

Here are a couple of snapshots taken during the assembly.  Construction occurred off site, sorry no photos.

You can see the 3/4 plywood ribs in the panels leaning against the walls.  The plywood box you see in the background is covering up a window.

The first wall panel is in place.

Cosmo heard the word biscuit.

First floor panel in place.

Next post I’ll show a shot of the curve from the back of the wall and a before and after.

Thanks for hanging in there.  It was a long post.
XOX-S