FLAT ASSEMBLY:

Flat, a solid frame covered with a light-weight material, used to represent
walls. Come in several forms:
    * Traditionally: wooden frames covered with painted fabric.
        * More recently: frames of wood or metal tubing and covered in thin 
              plywood.

Standard flat
The standard flat or "theatre" flat:
             _____________________
            |_____________________|  Rail
            | |           \ \   | |
            | |            \ \  | |     Corner Brace
            | |              \ \| |
            | |               \ | |
            | |                \| |     Stile
            | |                 | |
            | |                 | |
            | |_________________| |
            | |_________________| |    Toggle
            | |                 | |
            | |                 | |
            | |                 | | 
            | |                /| |
            | |               / | | 
            | |              / /| |      Corner Brace
            | |             / / | | 
            |_|____________/_/__|_|
            |_____________________|     Rail

    * A wooden framework made of 1x3 or 1x4 pine.
    * Frame pieces layed flat to surface of the unit, and assembled using 
        butt joints, cornerblocks, and keystones.
    * Covering is canvas or muslin, glued to the frame.

Keystones:
    10-nail Pattern

            |x\                      _____
            |  x\                   |x   x|
            |     \                 |  x  |
            |x      \               |x   x|
            |   x|x  x\             |x   x|
            |x__x|x__x _x\          |  x  |
                                    |x___x|

Cornerblocks:
    11-nail Pattern

Cornerblocks:
    * 10" x 10", fasten with 11-nail pattern.
Keystones:
    * 3 1/2" x 7" x 2 1/2"
    * or 2 1/2" to 3" x 7"
    * Fastened with 7 to 10 nail pattern.

Gusset fasteners:
    * Clout nail
    * Plaster nails
    * Pneumatic staples and glue
    * Screws

Not all flats are simple rectangles.

HOLLYWOOD OR TV FLAT
    * Frame is made of 1x.
    * Boards set on edge rather that flat.
    * Frame covered with 1/4" plywood, usually luaun.
        + Luaun is much weaker than fir, but is lighter and surface is 
          much smoother.
        + If you can get it, there is 1/8" luaun plywood, usually a special 
          order item.
Each style has its advantages and disadvantages.

BROADWAY FLATS
Advantages:
    * Lighter than a similar size Hollywoods.
    * One person can handle one.
    * Somewhat cheaper in materials; canvas cheaper per sq. ft. than plywood.
    * Very good painting surface, without obvious grain to fight.
    * Easily assembled into corners; can be nailed, screwed or lashed.
Disadvantages:
    * Canvas flats less rigid, require stiffeners and bracing.
    * Canvas can flap if flat is bumped or a door is slammed.
    * Take longer to build, and are fussier to construct. Easy to get them 
      out of square.

HOLLYWOODS
Advantages:
    * Easier to get square.
    * Somewhat easier to build.
    * Don't flop in the breeze.
    * Easy to join together. Just clamp or screw together.
    * Easier to paint, can use a roller instead of a brush.
Disadvantages:
    * Corners are more difficult; may need hinges on inside corners, or need 
      fillers on some outside corners.
    * Must pay some attention to the seams in plywood, which occur every 
      4 x 8 feet.
    * Take more storage room.

FLAT HYBRED:
Hard cover on a standard flat frame.
    * Has both the advantages and disadvantages of both Broadway and 
      Hollywoods.
    * Heavy, but not as stiff.
    * Have the seam problem.
    * Must be stiffened, but tend not to flop in use.
    * Main Advantage: thinner like Broadways, but solid like Hollywoods.
To help with the seam problem, cover with light muslin; adds to expense, but 
gives nice painting surface.

METAL FRAME FLATS

FRAMED DROP

BOOK CEILING

ROLL CEILING