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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
What's the smallest backdrop that still opens to at least 6x6 feet? I think Abbott's Jet Set fits the bill, is there anything else that comes close?
I'm trying to find something that packs very, very small! Thanks! |
Bill Wilson Special user 536 Posts |
You're probably right. The smaller Jet Set is about as small as they get. If you want the package small for travel, obviously the lighter the backdrop fabric, the more compact it will be. The heavier the material, the bulker it will be. If you use fabric to light though you'll have a problem with transparency.
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magicgettogether Special user Michigan 556 Posts |
They are in stock in both 6 and 8 foot size
http://www.abbottmagic.com/Jet-Set-6-ABBjetset6.htm http://www.abbottmagic.com/Jet-Set-8-ABBjetset8.htm Also they have 1 used one that has its own cover and is as good as new http://www.abbottmagic.com/Used-6-Jet-Se......set6.htm |
CCPCris Loyal user Alabama 280 Posts |
I have some advice, its just an idea that I use.
I use dj lights during most of my shows to add that special touch to my larger illusions. I use an american DJ lighting truss with the 20' truss from stand to stand, and then hang my lights on the two side stands. I also have other lgihts I posstion around the stage. I use the center 20'TRUSS (that runs between my light stands) to hang various backdrops. You can easily attach another 20' TRUSS if you make sure you have ample support pipes inside of them, and bolt them together. This creates a quite verstile portable backdrop.
making the unreal, real...really!
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
In Steve Taylor's 1996 booklet "Putting the Pro in Professional", he talks about a portable backdrop made from PVC pipe and curtain. It set up to a 6' x 6' backdrop. It all fit in his show trunk (footlocker), along with his magic props and ventriloquist friend.
I read the description of Steve's backdrop, and with the coupler, the longest pipe was 35" long. I read the description of the Jet Set frame, and the longest section is 36". I have a backdrop similar to the Jeff Jones backdrop, and the longest section is 40" (it folds open to a larger 8' x 12'). I think the banner boxes (Smoky Mountain Magic) are about 36" long. I think that the MacGuyver Magic backdrops might pack down smaller, but I'm not 100% sure if they are free standing (they look to be leaning on a wall in the photos I've seen). For more info about the variety of backdrop options, check out the link in the backdrop thread pinned at the top of this area. Thread titled "Magic Backdrops - Ultimate Resource." - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
MacGyver backdrops are free standing, Donald. Imagine a fiberglass-rod tent propped on it's side. Very poor backlight insulation, one-size-fits-all and definitely an indoor-only backdrop since they're basically 9' tall sails. The three panels together weigh less than 14 pounds. But they'll fill a stage, they're colorful, they'll set up or tear down in ten minutes or less and they'll pack into a tennis racket bag or case. A very creative idea and the MacGyver video tells you how to make them yourself. http://www.macgyvermagic.com
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Skip -
Now that I think about it, I think I talked with someone once who owned one, and told me about the stands that are built in. I understand they are fairly light, and so could blow around easily with the slightest breeze. Is that correct? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Well, if the highlight of one's show is chasing down the street after one's backdrop, then these are the ones for them! I use my Jeff Jones backdrop outdoors often, but never ever the MacGyver backdrop.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I've had a backdrop blow over indoors, in a school gym. This was years ago. Someone opened up one of the outside doors, and a breeze blew through the gym that knocked over my backdrop. Sometimes backdrops aren't even safe indoors. (I think it was one of my Trimble backdrops.)
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
I've used Abbott's Jet Sets for years. I have seven of the 8 foot models, which gives me a 24 foot backdrop and two 8 foot wings, boxed on each side. I can work anywhere with this set-up. The frames pack into a custom case and the backdrop fabric into a footlocker. I carry a couple of nylon 15 pound sandbags (available from any theatrical supply store) to stabilize them when necessary.
Another great, small backdrop is the old "Star Backdrop Frame" made by Star Magic (Stan Payne of Portland, Oregon) back in the 1950's. All-aluminum - very light and stable. 6-1/2 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Packs down very small and will fit in a small suitcase with plenty of room for props. Perfect for living rooms or small club /platform shows. Unfortunately, they have been unavailable for many years (Payne died in 1959) and no one has reproduced the design. I use mine all the time for smaller shows. The Jimmy Trimble backdrop is also a great idea, especially now with the availability of Foamcore board. It doesn't pack quite as small as the Jet Sets, however. But the solid surface of the Trimble does allow for scenic art to be painted on the backdrop, instead of just a curtain. |
dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Donald,
Thanks for trying to help but the "ultimate resource" to backdrops has nothing that would help me, those are all way too big! (Plus, that thread doesn't answer the original question I posted at the top of this thread!) I'm looking for something that packs into a briefcase! I've built a version of one of the Macgyver backdrops that will fit into a briefcase, I'm looking for something else though. Thanks, Kevin |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I didn't know about the briefcase criteria. You mentioned the jet set in your first post. But now you mention a briefcase. Because of the length, a jet set would not fit into a briefcase. (Many others are eliminated, too.) The only one that comes close to briefcase size for compactness is the Macgyver backdrop. And you've rejected that, too.
Maybe there is someone who knows how to help you. I'm out of ideas, short of suggesting to you design your own. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Bill Wilson Special user 536 Posts |
If there is a backdrop that is at least 6'X6' that comes out of something the size of a briefcase you'd better have it as your opening trick. It would look a little like taking the ten foot pole out of a paper bag. Good luck to you.
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Donald,
I've altered a jet set to be made of sections less than 17", but I still don't like the design. Some of the larger briefcases are up to 22" so that would work, but short of the Jet Set design, nothings coming to mind! wandboy, the Macgyver is actually 8 feet tall and is carried in my briefcase. The only thing I don't like is how it's not very adjustable. I've never seen the design David talked about, that one might fit the bill! You might be right, I might just have to design my own! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something before I embarked on that! Thanks, Kevin |
Bill Wilson Special user 536 Posts |
Dearwiseone, am just curious, but I take it the drape is also to fit into this compact space?
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Wandboy,
Yep, I'm using crushed panne, so it packs very, very small. Not as small as an 8 foot silk, but still very small. Like the original "Featherlite Backdrop" by MacGyver Magic, I have three of them made up that fit inside a tennis bag. It's a very, very cool idea for theaters/gyms, etc., but I'm looking for something even more portable. |
Bill Wilson Special user 536 Posts |
I don't know just how important the briefcase idea is, but what about a small duffle bag? The duffle bag shape may be more suitable to the shape of what you're packing.
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Pat Perry New user 53 Posts |
This might be a nice solution too:
http://www.spider-evoflex.com/ I travel with it for over 10 years, 2 shows a week and it's still working. |
Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts |
There is a pop up backdrop that Mak Magic makes. It is 7.5 feet high and 10 feet high. Packed, it is 11x11x32 inches.
http://www.mymagicsupply.com/servlet/the......m/Detail
-Matt
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