I've been thinking of purchasing a Snow Animator from Kevin James but I was wondering how theatre managers react to this type of effect. Do many theatres even allow confetti? If so, do they tend to charge an extra janitorial fee for the clean up after the show? I love this effect, but I just want to make sure it's going to be feasible to perform in a variety of venues. Thanks.

Kent

Hi Kent,

We carry our own shop vac to clean up afterwards. A large push-broom also works well.

Lou

Its in my contract that I do not clean up the confetti produced form my show.

the people that hire me either take care of it or the theatre does. I have never have an issue. I have done this at the acadamey of music in philly several times.

I don't think you will have a problem as long as you either A clean it up yourself or B have it in your contract that you don't clean it up.

sam

ps I don't use the snow animator I use the fan method but that's just my preference.
good luck and have fun

The clean people doesn´t like to clean(work)confetti, I don't have problems but I know some places they don't like.Some times I saw :"I don't spend confetti/money and you don't clean.

Paulo

I have never had an issue anywhere I have perfomed this effect. Though it might be a little difficult to clean up if you did it outside.

Many Canadian theatres seem to have a specific clause either prohibiting the use of confetti or imposing a mandatory surcharge for the extra clean-up required. I like the idea of bringing my own shop vac to clean up the mess after the show. I'll need to discuss this with some of the theatres up here and see what the manager have to say about it.

Having said that, I have an opportunity to either purchase a Snow Animator III or one of the newer models. I have heard that the newer models, although technically quieter, have a different pitch that may make the sound more noticeable than the older models. If anyone could shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated.

Kent

Kent,

If you want the "Gift Box" version, go to Hocus Pocus. I refurbed the hell out of it! And it come with a Clydesdale Custom ATA Case.

I have found that carrying a shop vac. and taking care of the mess myself goes a long way. Show business is still business and you are working for a client. It never hurts to go the extra mile. Doing more than expected from your client causes them to become your greatest PR agents.

Lou

Hey Lou I absolutly agree with that
I used to carry the shop vac but every show they would say no no you don't have to do that so I went and put it in my contract that I don't clean it up any more.

once in a blue moon I get some one that says no conffetti but if I offer to clean it up they get surprised by that and let me do the illusion.

so your right it is show BUSINESS.

sam

In Branson we do from five to six shows a week during the season and most theaters have four different shows per day with about one hour inbetween.
I have my cast and crew use the shop vac on the stage and then they have to sweep the front few rows to get the snow flakes up and then they must mop the stage floor with soap and water after each show. The snow machines sometimes leak a little and we are forced to mop the stage after each show so that the next show will have a clean and neat stage... The way we found it is the way we leave it and sometimes cleaner... The other shows want to make sure that the girl dancers and all don't have sticky on the stage for that is hard to dance on... It's in our contract out here to leave not just the stage but the audience and the bathrooms and the green rooms and all part of the theater must be completly cleaned each day.... Not fun, but just part of the deal.
I have had Theaters try and find reasons not to pay me. For example they would say we are going to dock you five hundred dollars this week because we found your snow flakes on the other shows guitar amps or on the drum platform etc... They have also tryed to dock me up to 300 dollars in a given week for having found some rotten eggs in the bathroom garbage... That was my crews bad for not taking them to the outside trash after each day on the sucker egg trick.
Most of these people that I've mentioned about trying to dock my pay were flat out outlaws just looking for a way to keep the money that I've earned... Watch your back on clean up... Just make a mental note that you will leave the Theater cleaner than when you came in and you should always be fine and try not to complain about the other shows... We always get great praise for being so professional and we meaning my show work harder, faster and with better attitudes than most of the Branson shows and the shows before us can't come close, but we just clean up there junk in the audience before my show.... Like pop corn and spilt drinks etc... Best to take the High road and make sure that the people coming to my show like the look and feel of the place..

I hope this helps..
Taylor Reed

I had to pull snowstorm (not animator) from my show when told we burned up a few of the resorts vacuum sweepers cleaning it up between shows. I perform at a huge resort/casino and snowflakes would end up all over the place including hallways,restrooms,casino floor, ect. Flakes would land on people and they would leave the show with it on their clothes and in their hair. Kids would sweep it up and take a handful with them. I'm sure they didn't put it in the trash
I was okay with pulling it because we could reset the show quicker for the late show. On the other hand I do miss performing it.
I had a chance to see Kevin James perform Sunday in Louisville. He did 3 shows and closed with the animator with standing O's every show. I have to say it was quite a sight to see the snow almost hitting the ceiling in the theater. It was truly magical!

Dennis

I know another problem with theatres is sometimes the snow can get caught in the lights above and be a hazard, you really have to be careful and discuss it with the theatre manager I think.

Ray,

I just got off the phone with Paul Gross and I BOUGHT your snow animator! I can't wait to see all of the improvements you've made to it.

Kent

Glad to see that you bought it. You are going appreciate the work I put into it. The case alone cost my butt 800.00

Sam,
Do you mind if I ask how you put the wording in your contracts for not cleaning up the "snow." I'm thinking about doing the same in my contracts, and I'm just looking for a start. Thanks
Magically
Roman

Have you ever had problems with the venues for using foam snow machines?

I use a standard Snowstorm using a Fan method in over 100 theatres a year,

Snowstorm is a a Snowstorm- doesn't matter which method, lay audiences go Wow no matter what you use...

I always mention that there will confetti on the stage so will need cleaning up,

As long as the theatres know in advance -Ive never had a problem....

Cheers

I've adopted the practice of simply making sure my crew cleans up the snow immediately after every show. I have run into the odd theatre that doesn't allow confetti but, by the time they see how well we've cleaned up after ourselves, they don't have any problems with it.

Kent

Hi Kent,

You will never be sorry that you cleaned up after yourself! I have been thanked again & again for taking care of things like that. Because it is all too rare, it stands out even more.

Lou

...must admit that in the odd venue over the years we have cleaned up
they are very grateful & don't mind you coming back...