What Is A Cyclorama?

A cyclorama, also known as a cyc, white sweep or infinity wall, is a curved wall used as the background of a set. The way it differs from the backdrop of a regular wall is that instead of seeing the joints where the wall meets the floor, the wall curves smoothly to the floor, which creates the illusion of a seamless, infinite backdrop.

“Cyc wall” by Sarah Stierch is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The cyclorama wall is most commonly recognized in the Mac vs PC commercials as well as car commercials. The American three-piece power pop band Jukebox the Ghost also shot the entire music video for their song “Everybody’s Lonely” last year using a white cyclo stage.

“Jukebox The Ghost – Everybody’s Lonely” by Jukebox the Ghost

Cycloramas offer a lot of flexibility, versatility, and consistency due to lighting that can be evenly dispersed and reflected from all angles, which helps create the illusion of a shadowless backdrop. Cameramen can then move around freely and shoot from various angles without worrying about shadows.

In Nevada, we have many professional studios and stages that offer white cyclorama walls as well as some that are green screen painted for chroma key compositing.

If you are looking for cyclorama stages and walls, check out our online Nevada Filming Locations Database as well as our online Nevada Production Directory for sound stages/studios. You can also drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!

If you offer production and film-related services in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.

Bonus

Whether you need a cyc wall for high end photography or video, learn more about lighting and exposure to help you achieve the result you want!

“Lighting White Seamless Pt. 1” by Zack Arias

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