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JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
I am expanding my show and am looking into options for backdrops and curtains. I searched the Café, but couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for.
A little background on my show: I do shows for adults and children with audiences ranging from 50 to 200+. It is for various churches, camps, banquets, etc. I do mostly stage type magic, skits, and occasionally regular and life-sized blacklight puppets. Right now, I use the puppet stand or some partitions for a backdrop. Both of these are made of PVC and black material. Within the last 2 years, I have been performing for audiences ranging to 200+, I and need to adjust my show for better visibility. I want to get into some Grand Illusions for the larger audiences. I am not very familiar with the staging of these large illusions, so this is all a very real learning experience. I will be building as many of the illusions and curtains as I can myself to help on the cost (I get paid very little for most of these shows). I do not have any lighting except blacklights, but hope to be adding some later. The backdrops and curtains would need to be mobile, as I am rarely in the same place for more than a week. And they need to be adjustable for different size auditoriums (small platforms, large stages, no stage), as well as packing easily. Does anyone have any information or know where I can find the information that will help me plan for an adjustable stage setup that would expand for my varying needs? Should I be starting this expansion with the curtains and backdrops, or is there something else I should be planning for first? Any help is needed and appreciated. Thank you
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
There are several threads on backdrops on the Café, so you might want to do a search to see what's been posted already. There are several options. You can purchase photographic backdrop stands; you can purchase the Spiderflex backdrop system (fantastic, but expensive); you can use pipe and drape, like used for conventions.
As for being adjustable, photographic backdrop stands are the most flexible. They usually come with telescoping crossbars and adjustable uprights. I use this type and they can be set up from 6' wide to 12' wide. The height goes as high as 10' tall. (I even have a few of my older set for sale, since I just upgraded. Let me know if you want information on them.) Michael |
JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
Thanks, Michael. Although I am still in the planning stage of this, I would like more information on your backdrops.
I have been looking throughout the Café, but overall, it can be overwhelming. I was reading some of the posts about black art. How often does this come into play? Are there a lot of illusions that require this? Does it require velvet, or can any thick black material be used? Also, I read a post about different kinds of velvet. Is this standard material for backdrops? I guess I am wondering if there are only certain kinds of materials that should be used. I have always just used black material that did not react to blacklight. Do I need to adjust my thinking? Does anybody know of any books, DVDs, or web sites that I can learn more about the different aspects of a stage for Grand illusion type show (backdrops, lighting, etc.)? Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
J.Paul,
I sent you an e-mail with a flyer on the backdrop stands I have for sale. Here are my thoughts on your questions. I would not recommend using a black backdrop unless you will be doing black art. The problem with black backdrops is that you can have black art effects when you don't want them! I have done illusions for 17 years, and none of mine ever involved black art. When you add black art illusions, you have to be able to control your lighting better than I am able to. (Most of my shows are banquets in hotels, where I don't have control of the majority of the lighting.) My preference is for a red or blue backdrop, but a lot will depend on what the look of your show is. As for material for the drops, you'll want something that doesn't wrinkle easy and is lightweight, but durable. Many people use crushed panne for their backdrops. It's fairly inexpensive, doesn't show wrinkles too much, and comes in plenty of colors. You'll be able to find it at most fabric stores. (Even WalMart carries it at this time of the year.) You might want to consider purchasing Paul Osborne's "Easy Build Illusions." Not only does it have plans for easy to build illusions, but it also has Paul's "Illusion Planning" book included in the back of it. The "Illusion Planning" book is no longer in print by itself. http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=6006 Stan Kramien's "Illusion Show Business" has some good information on putting together an illusion show, but it's kind of expensive at $100. You can purchase it as an E-Book for $47.50 (it's on a CD.) Both the book and e-book are available at Steven's Magic Emporium ( http://www.stevensmagic.com .) Although dated, "Illusion Show Know How" by Ken Griffin & Roberta has some good basic information, and is not too expensive at $17.50. http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=6118 I hope this helps a little. Michael |
JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
Michael,
Thank you for the book references. I was planning on getting some of the Paul Osborne books, so I guess I will start with "Easy Build Illusions" and go from there. Thanks again.
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
stepp6670 New user 28 Posts |
Just to add to what Michael was talking about.
To start, I have not been preforming stage shows long, nor do I have many stage illusions. There is a high demand in my area, and I am starting to learn more and more everyday. But about the black art - The guy I work with and I were doing a show for about a hundred people. It was not even close to our first show, but we made a rookie mistake by not going to the place of the event and planning ahead. We showed up about an hour early, knowing that our background and things would take some time to set up. We did a black art appearance, and a back escape/switch. The problem came when we were setting up, there was a two door class window behind our curtain, and no where else for us to set our stage up. The problem, all the sunlight coming through the window made it easy to see anyone standing or crawling behind the curtain. We tried to go out to the dollar store and buy gift wrap to cover up the window, but didn't have time to get everything we needed. When doing the trick, a few people in the front could see when we made our switch because they could see two people crawling behind the curtain. Just my two cents.. Thanks for all the help info on the Café. joey stepp http://www.steppshowbartending.com |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Paul, Michael has some great products. You can rely on him. Be sure to also check out Jeff Jones' - http://www.magicbackdrops.com
I've seen these in action. They fold down to the size of a folding sports chair and set up in about 30-45 seconds tops. When you look at the picture of his personal backdrop on the website, you'll go, "30 seconds? No way!" I assure you..."WAY!" I saw him do it. They come out wrinkle free and absolutely beautiful. AND Jeff will work with you to create the look YOU want. Jeff uses his in connection with his black art and levitation devices. These backdrops are as easy to use in private homes as on stage. I'm working with him on mine as we speak. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
Skip, thank you for the link and the input.
Joey, thanks for the input, and welcome to the Café.
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
Hey JB,
I use the "Economy Fixed Length Portable EZ-Up Backdrop Frame". It can be found here: http://magiccrafters.stores.yahoo.net/bacandframsu.html I am quite happy with it, as it sets up in just a few short minutes and packs small. JIM |
JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
Jim,
Thanks for the link. These look a lot like DJ lighting stands. Is there a difference? Are these more sturdy?
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
J. Paul,
The backdrop frame (Economy Fixed Length Portable EZ-Up Backdrop Frame) that Jim linked you to is a photographic backdrop set, just like the ones I was telling you about and sent you a flyer on. They are not as sturdy as DJ lighting stands, but they also don't weigh as much as the DJ lighting stands. (Make sure you are looking at the second one on the page, not the first one.) The main difference between this frame and the ones I sent you info on is the cross bars. The ones I'm selling are two section and telescope, so you can set any width from about 5' wide to 10' wide. The Economy Fixed Length Portable EZ-Up Backdrop Frame crossbars are four sections and can be adjusted by removing one or two of the sections, so there are set lengths. (Not that that's bad, it's just different.) Michael |
MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
My dad, being a handy man, made some aluminum stands for me. I can go from 6ft to 10ft, and as wide as my heart desires. I went to Walmart, looked at the cheap fabric, and found some awesome designs for a backdrop. Sometimes you get lucky there!
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JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
Thanks for the information, everyone. As I am just expanding into Grand Illusion, I am not sure what I need in the way of backdrops. I want to keep it as flexible as possible for illusions I may add later.
I have not gotten the books suggested yet, but I am sure they will be a great source of information. But in the mean time, I enjoy the input being provided. Thanks again.
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
Amazing Magic Co Inner circle 1712 Posts |
I have a lighting tripod that extends from 3' wide to 8' in width. I simply cut some PVC into 3' sections and slide it over the T-bar of the tripod. I use exhibit booth 4' curtains, and simply slide them onto the PVC and onto T-bar. I simply adjust the width and raise the curtain to the desired height. I can comfortably go to 9' high. I have a second tripod and curtain set when needing to create a wider stage area ~16'. I'm also planning to add some pop-up vertical banners for either center placement or to anchor the ends. This gives me a number of flexible options.
Dan. |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
200+ I suggest pipe and rail -- with fire retardant curtains.
After the Rhode Island experience -- fire retardant is essential.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
JBCONNECTED New user TEXAS 74 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-28 16:17, chmara wrote: What happened in Rhode Island?
Thanks,
J. PAUL BELL |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
A nightclub caught on fire when a band used pyrotechnics. It was a disaster, as nearly 100 people died. Here's the story: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/02/......ub.fire/
Ever since that incident, fire marshals and venues have really clamped down on the use of pyrotechnics and, in turn, flammable materials. Michael |
Amazing Magic Co Inner circle 1712 Posts |
That's what I like about exhibit drapes, as they are usually treated with fire-retardant material. What happened in Rhode Island truly was tragic.
Dan. |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Bingo! If you are in publicly owned facilities, it is handy to have your certification of fire retardant application handy.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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