Cheapest way for backdrop?

Hi guys, I've got a question... What's the cheapest way to get a one-color backdrop that can fit lets say a small group of maybe 15 people huddled together in a pack?

I have lightstands, so I'll need a cross bar, yes? Then anyone know what's a cheap source of a backdrop fabric for the background that doesn't need to cover the floor? I'm thinking white/gray etc.

Setting up a photo booth at a prom night so I have to think of this...

Don't use a backdrop, put people in front of a white wall and blow it out.

Numenorean wrote in post #13289436
Don't use a backdrop, put people in front of a white wall and blow it out.

+1 to that, solid colour walls are great (if you have one that is). If not then a cross bar and roll of paper would work quite good.

Generally you use seamless paper, that's usually 10 feet wide. Or a type of muslin that's 10 or 12 ft wide. Might be tough getting 15 people in that area. Just ideas here...maybe a muslin, 10 ft by 20 on it's side(sideways)..taped to a wall? Or even stretched between two pillars/roofs/etc. That would give you a 20 ft width. Using a longer lens and getting farther back helps to keep the people within the backgrounds too. Not sure where you can get stuff in Singapore, but Steve Kaeser has sold me some stuff locally that is a good value.

I did it with some 1" pvc and a muslin from a fabric store. Total cost about $30.

I can't even fit 4 people on a 9 ft backdrop, 15 people, you might just need a wall.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

What I meant by 15 people is like maybe 4 rows of 5ppl etc. that should be enough for 3m.

I don't have a clean wall or a way to tape fabric to the wall since it's a hotel...

Headshotzx wrote in post #13289984
I don't have a clean wall or a way to tape fabric to the wall since it's a hotel...

Does the hotel have a conference room?

Old Coot wrote in post #13290106
Does the hotel have a conference room?

Even if they had, I wouldn't be able to use it because I'll have to shoot right outside their prom ballroom location...

dmourati wrote in post #13289712
I did it with some 1" pvc and a muslin from a fabric store. Total cost about $30.

would you mind posting the shot you got?

cheapest junk I see at local fabric store is not wide enough for shooting 15 people in a group. Using existing wall is a nice idea. Cheap muslin gives cheap feeling to the final outcome and good stuff is pretty expensive.

if using outside put some rim lights in the back. Stop worrying about using back drops as you got probably better background in your hotel location.