Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Willy Wonka Jr.

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sawith2000
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Topic: Willy Wonka Jr.
Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:09am

Hi All,

I am currently directing a production of Willy Wonka Jr. (an all children cast). I am experienced in direction, blocking, costumes, etc...but I am weak in the set design and special affects areas. I would welcome any advice or suggestions. I am looking for any general info that anyone has, but I am especially looking for suggestions on how to do the following:

-Turn Violet Beauregarde into a Blueberry

-Send Mike Teavea from the camera to the little tv

-Veruca Salts journey into the Nut Sorter

-The chocolate river that Augustus Gloop falls into

-The pink candy boat that they all ride in down the river.

I have an experienced set designer/builder to work with, but would like to come into my meeting with him with some solid, useful ideas. Any and all would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Susan

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Nanette
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Posted: 1/11/08 at 7:26pm

As far as turning Violet into a blueberry ... lights would do for the coloring. To make her "grow", simply put one of those inflatable life-jackets under her costume and use gussets in the costume itself so it will grow with her.

How about using a strobe to send Mike Tevee from the camera to the tv? Use forced perspective ... make the tv large and place far away on your stage ... then move it forward with the strobe light and he'll appear small inside the large tv.

Do you have a trap door you could use for the nut sorter?

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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vickifrank
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Posted: 1/11/08 at 10:39pm

Great ideas from Nanette...

Maybe you can also:

Make an easy Chocolate river with a large swath of silk-like brown fabric suspended from two sides with a fan under it.

The boat can be done like they do it in Phantom--a motorized cart or wagon on a cable with covering of a boat shape. Light gobos can make the "water" on the ground.

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

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Laurie Eager
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Joined: 1/19/08
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Posted: 1/19/08 at 8:40pm

I, too, am directing a production of Willy Wonka Jr, and it would be great to share ideas via this forum. We are going to try to pre-film Mike TV and show him small on a monitor on stage after he shrinks. As for Violet, I think we are just going to make her turn blue with lights. Nothing yet on the pink candy boat or the nut room. Our stage doesn't have the possibility of a trap door - she may just disappear behind a chute - then a large arrow will flip over to read "BAD NUT". Let's keep in touch. Just noticed the date on your post - probably you have already staged the production. Still any input would be most appreciated!!

Laurie

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dwhitson
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Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:22am

We are also doing Willy Wonka Jr. Show dates in Mid-March '08.

We are planning on using lighting to make Violet violet. Another theater in our area did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They used a sumo wrestler costume to blow Violet up. I think we're going to try to go that route. We had discussed using compressed air with an inner tube around Violet's waist, but couldn't figure out how to hook her up to the compressed air easily. The sumo suit has a built in air pump and, according to this other theater, takes about a minute or two to blow up. I would really like to find one to try out before we purchase one though.

With the nut chute, we are building a platform with a chute on the front of it so that Veruca can dip down and hide behind the chute. We did this for Aladdin Jr. and it worked really well. We will be using a red light and a green light on the front of the chute to show the "Bad Nut/Good Nut" sign

Our boat is a BIG issue right now. There is so much weight that needs to go into that boat! We also need it to move around the stage because of the length of the song. The plan right now is to build the boat frame like a tricycle with a rudder at the front and two wheels in the back that will be turned by Oompa Loompas.

Well, that's all I've got. Please let me know what you've worked out for your show. I would love to hear other ideas!!!

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Laurie Eager
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Posted: 1/20/08 at 12:04pm

I'm seewing Willy's coat this weekend from purple crushed velvet. I will keep in touch as we work out other aspects of the show. We are an elementary school in Central California. This is our 7th play - would love to hear how Aladin was as well - we have considered that one for the future.....

Laurie

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nicoliver
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Joined: 1/24/08
Location: United States
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Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:25am

I am directing Wonka Jr. as well in an elementary school and I am seeking some help:

I was wondering if anyone was going to use the black light effect for the boat scene and if so, what wattage bulb do I have to buy for a medium-sized procenium theatre.

Also, does anyone know a good bubble machine for a good price?

Does anyone have any suggestions for flying?

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nicoliver
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Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:29am

Suggestion for the pink boat:

Why don't you see if you can borrow a flat-bed on wheels from the custodial staff and build a facade around that. I used one Cinderella's coach last year and it worked well. It's big enough to support all of the cast members and it can be pulled through by the oompa loompas.

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Laurie Eager
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Posted: 1/24/08 at 3:24pm

There are some great bubble screen savers available. I am looking into projecting that onto a large screen if possible for the fizzy lifting room.

Laurie

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posted: 1/24/08 at 3:39pm

The cheapest way to 'blacklight' [UV] is with a domestic 4' fluro light fixture & buy a blacklight tube to fit. You might get a way with one fitting depending upon the paint &/or material.

Or you could use;- Glow in the dark products http://glowinc.com/

http://www.wildfirefx.com/product_list1.aspx?CID=2

As for the bubble machine there are a few elcheapo units available from various local shops. For a decent bubble it may better to hire one from a theatrical lighting supplier.

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Author	Message
sawith2000 Walk-On Joined: 1/09/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Willy Wonka Jr. Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:09am
	Hi All, I am currently directing a production of Willy Wonka Jr. (an all children cast). I am experienced in direction, blocking, costumes, etc...but I am weak in the set design and special affects areas. I would welcome any advice or suggestions. I am looking for any general info that anyone has, but I am especially looking for suggestions on how to do the following: -Turn Violet Beauregarde into a Blueberry -Send Mike Teavea from the camera to the little tv -Veruca Salts journey into the Nut Sorter -The chocolate river that Augustus Gloop falls into -The pink candy boat that they all ride in down the river. I have an experienced set designer/builder to work with, but would like to come into my meeting with him with some solid, useful ideas. Any and all would be appreciated. Thanks!
	Susan

	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 1/11/08 at 7:26pm
	As far as turning Violet into a blueberry ... lights would do for the coloring. To make her "grow", simply put one of those inflatable life-jackets under her costume and use gussets in the costume itself so it will grow with her. How about using a strobe to send Mike Tevee from the camera to the tv? Use forced perspective ... make the tv large and place far away on your stage ... then move it forward with the strobe light and he'll appear small inside the large tv. Do you have a trap door you could use for the nut sorter?
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 1/11/08 at 10:39pm
	Great ideas from Nanette... Maybe you can also: Make an easy Chocolate river with a large swath of silk-like brown fabric suspended from two sides with a fan under it. The boat can be done like they do it in Phantom--a motorized cart or wagon on a cable with covering of a boat shape. Light gobos can make the "water" on the ground.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

Laurie Eager Walk-On Joined: 1/19/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/19/08 at 8:40pm
	I, too, am directing a production of Willy Wonka Jr, and it would be great to share ideas via this forum. We are going to try to pre-film Mike TV and show him small on a monitor on stage after he shrinks. As for Violet, I think we are just going to make her turn blue with lights. Nothing yet on the pink candy boat or the nut room. Our stage doesn't have the possibility of a trap door - she may just disappear behind a chute - then a large arrow will flip over to read "BAD NUT". Let's keep in touch. Just noticed the date on your post - probably you have already staged the production. Still any input would be most appreciated!!
	Laurie
	IP Logged

dwhitson Walk-On Joined: 1/20/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:22am
	We are also doing Willy Wonka Jr. Show dates in Mid-March '08. We are planning on using lighting to make Violet violet. Another theater in our area did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They used a sumo wrestler costume to blow Violet up. I think we're going to try to go that route. We had discussed using compressed air with an inner tube around Violet's waist, but couldn't figure out how to hook her up to the compressed air easily. The sumo suit has a built in air pump and, according to this other theater, takes about a minute or two to blow up. I would really like to find one to try out before we purchase one though. With the nut chute, we are building a platform with a chute on the front of it so that Veruca can dip down and hide behind the chute. We did this for Aladdin Jr. and it worked really well. We will be using a red light and a green light on the front of the chute to show the "Bad Nut/Good Nut" sign Our boat is a BIG issue right now. There is so much weight that needs to go into that boat! We also need it to move around the stage because of the length of the song. The plan right now is to build the boat frame like a tricycle with a rudder at the front and two wheels in the back that will be turned by Oompa Loompas. Well, that's all I've got. Please let me know what you've worked out for your show. I would love to hear other ideas!!!
	IP Logged

Laurie Eager Walk-On Joined: 1/19/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/20/08 at 12:04pm
	I'm seewing Willy's coat this weekend from purple crushed velvet. I will keep in touch as we work out other aspects of the show. We are an elementary school in Central California. This is our 7th play - would love to hear how Aladin was as well - we have considered that one for the future.....
	Laurie
	IP Logged

nicoliver Walk-On Joined: 1/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:25am
	I am directing Wonka Jr. as well in an elementary school and I am seeking some help: I was wondering if anyone was going to use the black light effect for the boat scene and if so, what wattage bulb do I have to buy for a medium-sized procenium theatre. Also, does anyone know a good bubble machine for a good price? Does anyone have any suggestions for flying?
	IP Logged

nicoliver Walk-On Joined: 1/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/24/08 at 11:29am
	Suggestion for the pink boat: Why don't you see if you can borrow a flat-bed on wheels from the custodial staff and build a facade around that. I used one Cinderella's coach last year and it worked well. It's big enough to support all of the cast members and it can be pulled through by the oompa loompas.
	IP Logged

Laurie Eager Walk-On Joined: 1/19/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/24/08 at 3:24pm
	There are some great bubble screen savers available. I am looking into projecting that onto a large screen if possible for the fizzy lifting room.
	Laurie
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 1/24/08 at 3:39pm
	The cheapest way to 'blacklight' [UV] is with a domestic 4' fluro light fixture & buy a blacklight tube to fit. You might get a way with one fitting depending upon the paint &/or material. Or you could use;- Glow in the dark products http://glowinc.com/ or http://www.wildfirefx.com/product_list1.aspx?CID=2 As for the bubble machine there are a few elcheapo units available from various local shops. For a decent bubble it may better to hire one from a theatrical lighting supplier.
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Topic: Willy Wonka Jr.( Topic Closed)
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