I moved and my new studio has three skylights in a 17' ceiling. Two skylights are 4'x4' and one is 4'x8'. The sunlight coming in is glorious, but it's way too bright when working in the computer or shooting. Does any one know a contractor in Los Angeles that can install remote controlled blackout shades? This way a client entering the studio will walk into the natural light coming in through the skylights, and when we get down to business, I can hit the remote and darken the room.

I would love to find a cheaper solution, but I'm thinking it wouldn't be all that impressive to tell a client to hold on while I get a ladder, go up on the roof, and throw a tarp over the skylights.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Scotti

3 skylights and a 17 foot ceiling...wanna trade studios?

Try Diamond Drapery in Garden Grove or Aero Shade in LA.

Rod,

Sorry, no trade. I've been dreaming about this for 15 years.

Scotti

I saw them doing a google search, but there was no mention of skylights on their web site.

Scotti

Give a call, if neither wants it then I'm sure they can point you right. Another consideration if you have B&E issues is the security door/shutter route; depending on market conditions it may be quite reasonable.

quote:

Another consideration if you have B&E issues is the security door/shutter route; depending on market conditions it may be quite reasonable.

I suppose I should be considering that. I might get a reduction in my insurance premium.

Scotti

If you look around you might find the ones with foam insulation which will help with sound and maybe get you a tax credit... there goes that big "economic stimulus" check

Yeah, that check won't even pay for the remote control.

Scotti

It would be cheaper and more versatile to build an open end cubical on wheels large enough for your computer setup and chair
Ted

The cubicle solves the computer part, just not the shooting part.

Depending you handiness, installing them is pretty simple with electric being the only real issue which could be overcome with hard wiring the operator motors with essentially long x-cords.

Many online sources like National Blind will make them up.

They can also be operated by pull cord for a lot less so long as they don't hang in the way or magic pole style; not quite so high tech but perhaps a client will take pity and add in a bonus for the motor

quote:

It would be cheaper and more versatile to build an open end cubical on wheels large enough for your computer setup and chair
Ted

Ted,

I was thinking of some sort of tent over my workstation in the interim, but I would like the whole shooting area to go dark.

Scotti

I designed and built a sliding panel to cover the 4x8 skylight in my (former) studio. It's manually controlled from the nearest wall by pulleys and cord, with a thick black fabric skirt to seal the gap. Made the room go from sun-filled to can barely see a thing with a few pulls on a cord.

Worked perfectly and reliably and didn't cost very much. The design is in my head but I'd be happy to describe the details or even help you build it since you're local. Maybe we can work out a trade - I'll fix your skylight problem in exchange for studio time?

quote:

They can also be operated by pull cord for a lot less so long as they don't hang in the way or magic pole style; not quite so high tech but perhaps a client will take pity and add in a bonus for the motor

I already have a pole for opening and closing the skylights so that might be a way to go, but I'm not crazy about heights. My tallest ladder is 8 ft. so I have to stand on my tip toes on top of the ladder to open the skylight. I may have to get a 12 ft. ladder which would be the tallest ladder that I could hide behind my backdrops when not in use.

Scotti

IMO, if you've got the height, you'll eventually need (want) the ladder. If you have a finished flat ceiling then what KW says may be a very viable solution. Easy to make a number of ways, but using standard garage door components makes a slick and easy to use one.

Depending on what kind of operator/latch (on skylite) you have to adapt to, I have used 8' (extendible to about 15') painters pole to solve the ladder issue. To work on 17' ceiling a 14' ladder is needed. But think it through first, cause you know you're gonna get a Genie scissor lift for aerial shots and to hang the parabolic mirrors for "green" lighting (another tax break maybe?)....