Specialized black fabric used on frames and flags that absorbs light with exceptional efficiency and eliminates unwanted reflections.
Technical Details
The material consists of woven cotton velvet with a pile height of 1.5-2mm, applied to a 340g/m² backing. The fiber density is 180,000 pile threads per square inch, enabling exceptionally high light absorption. Hollywood Black Magic is supplied in standard widths of 137cm and 150cm. Special variants like "Super Black" achieve absorption values of 99.5% through additional chemical treatment of the fibers. The material is treated for flame retardancy according to NFPA 701 standard and can withstand temperatures up to 180°C without structural loss.
History & Development
In 1943, the company Rosco, in collaboration with MGM Studios, developed the first version for use in "Meet Me in St. Louis." George Cukor was the first director to recognize its creative potential and established the material as a standard tool. In 1955, Kodak conducted studies proving that Hollywood Black Magic increases image contrast by an average of 15%. In the 1970s, Matthews Studio Equipment developed portable frame versions (4x4 feet to 12x12 feet) with removable covers. Since 2010, digital production-optimized variants with antistatic properties for LED sets have been available.
Practical Use in Film
In "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), Roger Deakins used 20x12 foot Hollywood Black Magic panels to control neon light reflections in city scenes. The material is standard in chroma key productions to prevent color contamination of green/blue screens. In close-up shots, it is used for eye light control – a 2x3 foot panel at a 45-degree angle eliminates unwanted catchlights. For automotive shots, it prevents reflections of the camera crew in windshields. Disadvantage: The material is sensitive to mechanical damage and loses its absorption capability with frequent setup and dismantling.
Comparison & Alternatives
Fomex Black costs 40% less but only achieves 94% absorption. Modern Vantablack coatings achieve 99.9% absorption but are 15 times more expensive and can only be applied to rigid surfaces. Duvetyne (molton) absorbs only 85-90% and is only suitable for non-critical applications. In LED productions with low heat development, synthetic alternatives like "Digital Black" are increasingly used, which are washable and guarantee constant absorption values over 500 production cycles.