Dense black woven scrim with grid structure — significantly reduces light intensity and produces soft shadows.
Technical Details
Heavy Grid Cloth reduces light by 1.5-2 stops with a transmission of approximately 25-35%. The fabric weighs 180-220g/m² and is heat-resistant up to 120°C. Standard sizes range from 1.2x1.8m to 6x6m, with the material supplied in rolls up to 150cm wide. The grid structure creates a characteristic light diffusion of about 15-20°, softening hard shadows without completely eliminating the light direction. Variants include Quarter Grid (0.5 stop), Half Grid (1 stop), and Full Grid (1.5 stops).
History & Development
Grid Cloth was developed in the early 1980s by grip equipment manufacturers in Los Angeles, originally as an alternative to expensive silk diffusers. The first versions were derived from modified mosquito nets for outdoor shoots. Matthews Studio Equipment introduced the first commercial version in 1984. In the 1990s, the material became established through films like "Jurassic Park" (1993), where it was used for natural-looking daylight simulation in jungle scenes.
Practical Use in Film
Grid Cloth is primarily used for exterior shots to soften harsh sunlight without losing the natural light direction. On "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), John Seale used large 12x12m Grid Cloth setups over vehicles for even illumination of the actors. The material is particularly suitable for available light portraits, as it flatters skin textures without making the eyes appear "dead." Disadvantages include susceptibility to wind and the high grip effort required for large formats.
Comparison & Alternatives
Grid Cloth differs from Silk due to its open structure, which allows air circulation and creates less wind resistance. Compared to bounce material, it is translucent and maintains the original light direction. Modern LED panels with built-in diffusion are increasingly replacing Grid Cloth setups, but they do not offer the same organic light quality. For interior shots, 1/4 or 1/2 CTO-Grid combinations are often used to match color temperatures.