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Filmmaking Dictionary: Letter R / Rag (Grip and Lighting Fabric)
Definition
A rag is set slang for a fabric used to control light, often fitted to a butterfly or overhead frame. Depending on the material, it can diffuse a source, reflect light, reduce its intensity or block it. The word identifies the general item; it does not specify its optical effect.
A request for “an eight-by rag” is incomplete if several eight-foot fabrics are available. State the size, material and grade, such as an eight-by-eight quarter grid cloth or an eight-by-eight solid.
Common Types of Rag
- Diffusion: materials such as grid cloth or artificial silk spread transmitted light. Their densities, textures, sound and colour effects vary.
- Bounce: reflective fabrics such as bleached muslin or purpose-made white bounce material become an illuminated surface when light is directed into them.
- Solid: opaque black fabric blocks light or provides negative fill by reducing reflected light reaching the subject.
- Net or scrim: open-weave material reduces transmitted light without necessarily producing the same diffusion effect as a white fabric.
These categories can overlap in practice. White diffusion may be used as a bounce, but that does not make every white rag interchangeable. Test the material for the result required.
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The Rag and the Frame Are Separate
A rag normally needs a compatible frame or another planned support arrangement. Its nominal dimensions identify the frame size it is intended to fit. Ordering the cloth does not automatically include the frame, stands, hardware or crew needed to use it.
Keep the fabric label attached and check it against the bag. Similar-looking white fabrics can have very different transmission and diffusion characteristics. “Quarter” in a material name also does not automatically mean a quarter-stop loss.
Handling on Set
Keep rags off dirty floors, protect them from snagging and follow their cleaning and drying requirements. Return each material to a clearly labelled bag. A wet rag packed with dry fabrics can create a larger cleaning problem.
A large fabric surface can catch wind and change the forces on its supports. The Key Grip determines the support arrangement and operating limits for the setup; fabric dimensions alone do not establish a safe outdoor configuration.
Practical Example
For an exterior close-up, the crew places diffusion between the sun and the performer. If the first material removes too much output or changes the desired shadow quality, the gaffer and Key Grip may select a lighter rag while keeping the frame position appropriate to the shot.
See grid cloth for material grades and the Key Grip guide for department responsibilities.
Related Terms
Browse terms beginning with R or return to the filmmaking dictionary.