Film Cloths and Flags: Essential Tools for Light Control and Set Dressing
Cinema cloths and borniols are indispensable tools on any film, video, or photo shoot. Whether it's for controlling light, masking reflections, or building visual effects, a wide variety of textiles are used in professional production: green screens, scrim flags, blackout borniols, colored paper backdrops, and windbreak cloths. Discover the different types of film fabrics and find the best option for your production needs and budget.
What Are the Different Types of Cloths and Borniols Used on Set?
Various fabrics serve different technical purposes on set—green screens, colored paper backdrops, scrim flags, blackout borniols, and wind-blocking cloths each play a specific role.
Borniol (Blackout Cloth)
The borniol is a large black cotton fabric used on film sets to block unwanted natural light. Originally from the funeral industry, its adoption in cinema came when early technicians used it to cover windows, obscure equipment, or control reflections on glossy surfaces. Today, it’s a staple for grips, who use it at the request of the director of photography to "bornioler" (blackout) windows, skylights, or glass doors.
Uses include:
Blocking light from windows
Masking unwanted objects or camera gear
Creating quick black backgrounds
Reducing external noise and improving on-set sound by covering openings
Smaller versions are known as “taps”.
Diffusion Cloth
This white fabric softens harsh, direct light—natural or artificial. It's ideal for diffusing strong beams during filming, creating more flattering lighting. Easy to transport and store, it’s widely used on location and in studios.
Paper Backdrops
Unlike cloth backdrops, paper rolls don’t crease, offering a smooth, uniform surface—perfect for studio photography and video shoots. Available in many colors (green, grey, pink, yellow, blue, orange, black, brown), they are disposable: when the visible section is soiled or torn, it is cut and unrolled further. Their consistent tension provides a clean, wrinkle-free background.
Green Screens
Green screens (Chroma Key) are used for VFX and digital compositing. In post-production, the green background is replaced by virtual scenery or digital environments. Common in TV, animation, fantasy films, and advertising, green screens allow filmmakers to place actors into digitally created worlds or hard-to-reach locations.
Scrim Flags
A scrim flag is a wire frame covered with mesh fabric that diffuses or dims light without harsh shadows. Available in various densities and sizes, scrims are used to control exposure and soften lighting. The tighter the mesh, the greater the light reduction. These are also called “flags” when covered with fine steel mesh or similar materials.
Black Flags (Light Cutters)
Similar to borniols, black flags are used to block or shape light. They can hide part of the set, reduce backlight, block reflections, or selectively darken areas like ceilings. Made with black velvet on steel frames, they absorb all light and are highly effective. Flags can be mounted to stands with articulating arms and positioned as needed.
Windbreak Cloths
Windbreak cloths are designed to reduce wind flow by up to 75%. Used during windy shoots, they help reduce turbulence behind screens or protect sensitive gear like Steadicams. Ideal for both film and photo shoots, these cloths allow camera assistants to shield operators or models and maintain control over hairstyles, lighting, and performance.
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