A cyclorama is the name given to the back of a stage, in a theatre, concert or show room, and that is placed behind the artists that are performing; it is commonly made of a light material, usually canvas or fabric, but it can also be a wall, and, as the name indicates, it has a round or concave shape. In a theatre play, concert or dance performance, the cyclorama appears as the background, instead of a normal scenario. The popularity of this device is mainly due to its flexibility that allows the creation of different environments with the use of light and shadow effects, which dismisses the necessity of the construction of several different physical scenarios that are harder to exchange during the performance.
Cyclorama used in stages
Cyclorama used in studios
Even though this device was created within the field of the performing arts, the cyclorama was after adopted by the vast majority of movie theatres, which include it in the wall where the screen, i.e. where the film is projected. The cyclorama is also used in television and photography studios, and in this cases it is normally white to give an impression of infinite space, combined with the correct illumination. It is also possible to use a cyclorama to create chroma key compositions, being it in this cases green or blue, which allows the creation of a fictional background in post-production.
