About Pro Cyc

Company History

PAST

The idea for Pro Cyc® was born out of the frustration and ingenuity of professional photographer Fritz von Tagen as he embarked on the construction of his dream cyclorama studio over 30 years ago.

PRESENT

Fritz could not have conceived at that time just how revolutionary his patented molds were, and that 30+ years later Pro Cyc® would be the world’s leading manufacturer of modular cyclorama background systems.

FUTURE

Our research and development department is constantly working on new ideas and products to meet the ever-changing needs and demands of today’s media and high-tech industries.

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WHAT IS A CYC?

‘Cyc’ is an abbreviated term for “cyclorama,” also referred to as a cyclorama wall or cyc wall. It’s essentially a curved wall used as a photo or video background to suggest unlimited space.

To elaborate further, a cyc is any type of walled background incorporating one or more curved surfaces that are used to create a background with no perceptible beginning or end. In a cyc studio, all corners are seamless. This is called an “infinity background.” When done properly, it is virtually impossible to discern where the floor ends and the wall begins. We refer to the curved pieces of a cyclorama wall as “coves.” Coves are used to connect the 90-degree intersections of wall and floor, wall and ceiling, and/or one wall to another. A true cyclorama also has a top cove, so you also cannot tell where the top of the wall ends and the ceiling begins. To expand the effect, corner coves may also be used to connect more than one wall. In essence, being inside a cyc is very similar to being inside a giant egg.

Modular cyclorama systems are used in a variety of industries: television, film, broadcast media, photography, and green screen virtual set production, also known as “chroma key.” In still photography, a cyc background can make your background virtually disappear, which opens a multitude of possibilities for lighting and post production. It allows whatever product you are shooting to take center stage.

Sometimes retailers require a completely white background for product photos. Amazon, in fact, has installed several Pro Cyc modular cyclorama studios at their headquarters in Seattle. Cyc backgrounds give you countless options whether you’re working in television, film, broadcast media, and more. You’ll no longer be limited when you’re shooting a commercial, a news piece, or a video. Back in the ’90s, several famous ads for the Gap featured swing dancers against an infinite white background. That was a Pro Cyc system. Apple also has several Pro Cyc cycloramas. You’ve most likely seen their commercials set against an infinite white wall. You’ll also notice many car commercials shot against a seamless cyclorama background.

In virtual set productions, where chroma key and compositing technology are used to create virtual sets, a high-quality cyc background is not just beneficial—it is absolutely essential. All the special effects you’re seeing in movies and videos require filming against an absolutely seamless chroma key backdrop. They’re painted with a very specific shade of green with professional green screen paint.

“Chroma key” is a method for mixing two images together: a color from one image is removed, revealing another image behind it. That’s how a virtual set is created. A good cyclorama studio can meet that need and can improve digital photography backgrounds, too. Pro Cyc systems have been used as the green screen backgrounds for many Hollywood movies as well: “Batman vs. Superman,” “The Hunger Games,” and many more. Sometimes, if a full studio space is not needed, a portable green screen can offer incredible advantages and flexibility to a project.