Rolling hills or towering mountain peaks all start with a good support skeleton. There are many ways to build a support structure for hardshell scenery. Since none of this will be scene in the end, the materials used really don't matter. Most of the materials can be found around the house and cost very little, and these methods can be combined for even more optioins.
Newspaper:
For smaller hills, wadded balls of newspaper can be quite effective.
Cardboard:
For a more sturdy base and flexible design, cardboard strips offer an equally affordable alternative.
Screen:
Strong and flexible, these materials are very well suited for the largest of mountains and valleys.
If you are building a portable layout, all of these supports and materials should be taken into consideration. Although screen is much heavier, it is also the most rugged. Finding the balance between weight and strength is a personal choice.
