The uses of fake turf are virtually unlimited; it is such a versatile product that it is not only suitable for lawns, balconies, roof terraces and multi-purpose sports grounds, but also for exhibition halls, shop window displays and swimming pools. Only your imagination is the limit! Here, Dayco, high quality fake lawn installers for Borehamwood, London and Hertfordshire, looks at one of the less common, but no less significant, uses of imitation grass…to create outdoor scenes for the stage and screen.
The Benefits of Synthetic Grass for TV and Film Productions
The demand for fake lawns in films and TV shows are on the rise as they bring so many benefits. For a start, imitation turf has come a long way from the harsh textures once seen in greengrocers’ stores. It is now incredibly realistic and it’s often hard to tell the difference between luxury, high-quality artificial grass and natural grass without carefully examining it close up.
One high profile TV reality show that features a fake lawn in the UK is Big Brother, where the indoor and outdoor design of the Borehamwood set changes from year to year. It means the garden doesn’t have to be cut for the duration of the show (so no rows about who is mowing the lawn!) and the lawn keeps its vibrant green colour, regardless of the weather. Also, as it’s self-draining it eliminates any dispute about who is responsible for bringing muddy footprints into the house!
Other benefits of using synthetic lawns for reality TV shows is that it offers more scope to produce interesting designs quickly, without having to factor in any other considerations (such as light, shade, access for lawn mowers etc.). Instead, it is easy to be creative with designs and to produce unusual, artistic shapes teamed with quirky, vibrant pieces of outdoor furniture to hold the viewers’ attention.
TV crews generally have to work to tight timescales, and synthetic turf means that grass can be laid quickly, any time or place, to create exactly the right setting for an outdoor scene. And, despite there often being large numbers of people and equipment on set (actors, actresses, cameras, sound crew, make-up artists etc.) artificial grass is highly durable, so it can withstand cameras and equipment being moved across it without making track marks in the turf and damaging its lush, green appearance.
TV Adverts and Photo Shoots
Synthetic gardens can be quickly put together to depict outdoor scenes for TV adverts, advertising and marketing photo shoots. Fake turf means that grassed sets can be created at speed, either indoors or outdoors, to advertise summer products, regardless of the actual time of year. Items such as clothing, swimwear, footwear, barbecues and outdoor furniture are often shot out of season – even in the middle of winter – and a fake grass set means buyers will be none the wiser.
Using Fake Grass for the Stage
Stage sets are becoming more and more adventurous (‘Wicked’, and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ spring to mind). And, although these popular West End shows don’t feature imitation grass, there are plenty of shows that do.
Fake lawn installers such as Dayco are often asked to provide artificial grass to stage outdoor settings and it saves money too as the ‘grass’ is reusable in future productions or events. A big trend now is to use white artificial grass to depict wintery scenes in pantomimes or Santa’s grottos.
Here at Dayco we sell a wide range of coloured grass, as well as the traditional green ‘grass’, to cover a variety of uses including for the stage and screen.
Fake Lawn Installers Borehamwood – Click on the link today to order your free sample of Dayco artificial grass.