Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Wizard of OZ, Once more into the breach!

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MartyW
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Topic: Wizard of OZ, Once more into the breach!
Posted: 11/07/08 at 3:09pm

Yes, it is true.. I'm directing Wizard of OZ yet again (RSC version).. Last time I did it was for my high school students. We have a Gymatorium with stadium seating and an 80 foot front in which to stage different areas/events/sections... and an entire gym in which to hide kids, wagons, set peices and props... Though we dont have any flies, we do have a nice curtain system hung 22 feet above the gym floor that allowed us to fly in a number of things. Our kids from the tech classes did all the crystal ball, twister video and the wizards face with hi lum projetors it reallly was a great performance. Problem is, this time I'm doing it on a thrust with a about a 24 x 10 "thrust" and a 40 x 11 area that runs the length of the theater behind the thrust, all of which makes up our stage. We have NO fly, but we do have lighting battens that we have hung some things from in the past, no wing and only 8 inches below the stage till you hit the structural floor... All that being said, now I have to figure out, again, how to make all the neat things happen, that folks expect to see when they come see this show. Of course we have some ideas and some of the highschool bits will translate to our CT, but we are now officially open to suggestions...

Thanks

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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JoeMc
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Posted: 11/08/08 at 10:38am

For the backdrop can you make up a 'tumbler' [oleo] Or even 'Breast' [tripping] the cloth. Also use a scrim on a traveller which is easy enough to rig up.

Can you use your mirror ball in the auditorium, from your FOH LX bar?

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

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MartyW
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Posted: 11/10/08 at 11:32am

Yes, I was planing on the mirror ball during the storm/transitions Did that during the H.S. run of the show.. The problem with the curtains is that other than a track along the back wall, we have no other rails at this time. We have rigged on wire and pully before, so thats an option (just not a favorite) Anyway, thanks for the ideas. I figure if enough folks weigh in we can probalby glean enough ideas to make it go in our little space.

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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vickifrank
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Posted: 11/10/08 at 12:53pm

The Oleo would be good. Oleo is also called a roll drop and drops from a roll that you make at the top--it works like a window roller shade.

Don't do wires, instead do aluminum pipe for short spans (up to about 20 feet) to temporarily allow you to travel, without travel tracks. Here's an example: Two aluminum pipes, each 24 feet, suspended on the ends. Split the scrim to be two pieces that meet in the center. Hang the pipe to meet, but have the one about 2 inches behind the plane of the second. Using a Chameleon Scrim remove the tied from the grommets on top and insert old fashion shower curtain holders to hang this to the pipe. You are using Chameleon because it hangs square--meaning you will have no gap where the 2 halfs of the scrim meet, and because it's lightweight. 2- 20'w x 15' h scrim sides will each weigh about 5 pounds (as opposed to about 40 pounds for sharkstooth) before the weight you add at the bottom in the pocket. I suggest you use a lightweight dog chain on the bottom. In any even you now have a jury-rigged system that weighs only a little. BTW--with 20 foot spans of lightweight aluminum pipe still support the end with two cables each side. That gives you a failsafe in case the cowardly lion loses his balance as well as his courage and falls against the scrim.

You do aluminum pipe because its very lightweight and rigid for its weight--so it won't sag like cable will.

_____________

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

The theater scrim people

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JoeMc
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Posted: 11/10/08 at 10:07pm

We have some what of a similar problem, as we don't have any fly's.

Instead we have a ceiling over the stage which is becoming a pain in the transom.

Because the ceiling is deemed to be heritage by the Architect [a.k.a 'daffodil Man']. We are not allowed to disfigure it by putting holes in it to hang a grid.

The building is in fact not Heritage Listed as yet, because it was built in 1922, just after the 1st world war. However this Archytech has penetrated most of the ceilings with Air con ducting & modern lighting, but that's another story.

So we are going to use an 'Auto Pole' modular system to mount a grid to suspend lighting & masking batten & tab track truss.

To that end I'm going to make up a 'Tumbler', similar to the one we made for the Old Mill Theatre, in South Perth.

Which reminds me I promised to get Vicki a few pictures of it a while back - which is still going to happen! [But don't hold your breath vicki!] It may take a while yet to get them. As Hywell my Welsh mate there, is of to London in December, as the Production manager for a local show, which was invited by the Noel Coward Society to perform it, for the anniversary of Noel falling off the perch,

But as soon as he gets back, which may be a while, as a number of other theatres wish to get them to do seasons in various parts of england.

The show is the 'Two Queens, which is about Noel & Queen Victoria, which is hilarious.

Anyway if he doesn't get back I will forward some photos of the Oleo Tumbler I end up making eventually - I promise again Vicki!

One thing I have done when using cables & pulleys across the space. To reduce the sag I have run two cables in parallel & suspended a hook up at the centre cross over of the drape tabs [butterfly curtains].

However I agree with Vicki using ali pipes would be better or snaffling some tab tracking may be a better option.

With the curtain traveller on cables, I have used plastic conduit body nuts or reusable electric ties for the ease of sliding along the taught cables, with turnbuckle tension at each end of the anchored cables.

Not much help Marty - but I thought I'd chuck my drivel in, just to add to the mixing bowl!

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

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vickifrank
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Posted: 11/11/08 at 8:19am

Joe Mc its 'whenever possible' on the pictures. Tumblers are a bit rare here, but I've had several people interested in non-fly solutions.

_____________

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

The theater scrim people

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MartyW
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Posted: 11/11/08 at 9:18am

Its all good stuff guys. Some of it out of my price range... But all is either reafirming on things we do/try to do, and every little bit of advice gives us something else to pick from... But hey, dont just limit advice to curtains/drops.. if anyone has any oz advice for the other tricks of the show, please feel free to chime in..

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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DFTDONNA
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Posted: 12/02/08 at 1:51pm

If you are looking for cool special effects, go to the theatrefx.com website. They have really cool spark ejectors that we used for when the witch reaches for the shoes and hand held flash guns. They use flash paper, flash cotton and spark powder. The witch threw an actual, safe, ball of fire at Scarecrow in our show. (look under pyrotechnics- hand held devices)

We also got a fire extinguisher company to donate some CO2 fire extinguishers (in exchange for ads in the program) to create a really cool smoke effect when the witch made her entrances and exits.

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stagekat
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Posted: 1/02/09 at 11:18pm

Hi Marty,

We just closed a prod of Wiz of Oz in Dec with much of the same limitations. We also had very little wing/backstage space so everything had to collapse. We figured out a way to fold most of the set pieces down to next to nothing. We have many of those pieces left for rent or purchase. As a non-profit, we would love to recoup some of our outlay. I would be glad to send you pictures of them if you send me an email address. We are located in Northern Ca.

Kathye

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J.ORey
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Posted: 9/11/09 at 10:18am

Hi Kathye,

I just saw your post to Marty. I don't know if he purchased any of your Oz set pieces however I would love to see your pictures. We are not profits as well and our budget is very slim. We are doing Oz in November 09 and we need set pieces and ideas. Any help would be appreciated. Please send pictures if possible to jorlrey@yahoo.com Thanks

blessings, J.ORey

J.ORey

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

Topic: Wizard of OZ, Once more into the breach!( Topic Closed)
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Topic: Wizard of OZ, Once more into the breach! Posted: 11/07/08 at 3:09pm
	Yes, it is true.. I'm directing Wizard of OZ yet again (RSC version).. Last time I did it was for my high school students. We have a Gymatorium with stadium seating and an 80 foot front in which to stage different areas/events/sections... and an entire gym in which to hide kids, wagons, set peices and props... Though we dont have any flies, we do have a nice curtain system hung 22 feet above the gym floor that allowed us to fly in a number of things. Our kids from the tech classes did all the crystal ball, twister video and the wizards face with hi lum projetors it reallly was a great performance. Problem is, this time I'm doing it on a thrust with a about a 24 x 10 "thrust" and a 40 x 11 area that runs the length of the theater behind the thrust, all of which makes up our stage. We have NO fly, but we do have lighting battens that we have hung some things from in the past, no wing and only 8 inches below the stage till you hit the structural floor... All that being said, now I have to figure out, again, how to make all the neat things happen, that folks expect to see when they come see this show. Of course we have some ideas and some of the highschool bits will translate to our CT, but we are now officially open to suggestions... Thanks
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."

	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 11/08/08 at 10:38am
	For the backdrop can you make up a 'tumbler' [oleo] Or even 'Breast' [tripping] the cloth. Also use a scrim on a traveller which is easy enough to rig up. Can you use your mirror ball in the auditorium, from your FOH LX bar?
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/10/08 at 11:32am
	Yes, I was planing on the mirror ball during the storm/transitions Did that during the H.S. run of the show.. The problem with the curtains is that other than a track along the back wall, we have no other rails at this time. We have rigged on wire and pully before, so thats an option (just not a favorite) Anyway, thanks for the ideas. I figure if enough folks weigh in we can probalby glean enough ideas to make it go in our little space.
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 11/10/08 at 12:53pm
	The Oleo would be good. Oleo is also called a roll drop and drops from a roll that you make at the top--it works like a window roller shade. Don't do wires, instead do aluminum pipe for short spans (up to about 20 feet) to temporarily allow you to travel, without travel tracks. Here's an example: Two aluminum pipes, each 24 feet, suspended on the ends. Split the scrim to be two pieces that meet in the center. Hang the pipe to meet, but have the one about 2 inches behind the plane of the second. Using a Chameleon Scrim remove the tied from the grommets on top and insert old fashion shower curtain holders to hang this to the pipe. You are using Chameleon because it hangs square--meaning you will have no gap where the 2 halfs of the scrim meet, and because it's lightweight. 2- 20'w x 15' h scrim sides will each weigh about 5 pounds (as opposed to about 40 pounds for sharkstooth) before the weight you add at the bottom in the pocket. I suggest you use a lightweight dog chain on the bottom. In any even you now have a jury-rigged system that weighs only a little. BTW--with 20 foot spans of lightweight aluminum pipe still support the end with two cables each side. That gives you a failsafe in case the cowardly lion loses his balance as well as his courage and falls against the scrim. You do aluminum pipe because its very lightweight and rigid for its weight--so it won't sag like cable will.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 11/10/08 at 10:07pm
	We have some what of a similar problem, as we don't have any fly's. Instead we have a ceiling over the stage which is becoming a pain in the transom. Because the ceiling is deemed to be heritage by the Architect [a.k.a 'daffodil Man']. We are not allowed to disfigure it by putting holes in it to hang a grid. The building is in fact not Heritage Listed as yet, because it was built in 1922, just after the 1st world war. However this Archytech has penetrated most of the ceilings with Air con ducting & modern lighting, but that's another story. So we are going to use an 'Auto Pole' modular system to mount a grid to suspend lighting & masking batten & tab track truss. To that end I'm going to make up a 'Tumbler', similar to the one we made for the Old Mill Theatre, in South Perth. Which reminds me I promised to get Vicki a few pictures of it a while back - which is still going to happen! [But don't hold your breath vicki!] It may take a while yet to get them. As Hywell my Welsh mate there, is of to London in December, as the Production manager for a local show, which was invited by the Noel Coward Society to perform it, for the anniversary of Noel falling off the perch, But as soon as he gets back, which may be a while, as a number of other theatres wish to get them to do seasons in various parts of england. The show is the 'Two Queens, which is about Noel & Queen Victoria, which is hilarious. Anyway if he doesn't get back I will forward some photos of the Oleo Tumbler I end up making eventually - I promise again Vicki! One thing I have done when using cables & pulleys across the space. To reduce the sag I have run two cables in parallel & suspended a hook up at the centre cross over of the drape tabs [butterfly curtains]. However I agree with Vicki using ali pipes would be better or snaffling some tab tracking may be a better option. With the curtain traveller on cables, I have used plastic conduit body nuts or reusable electric ties for the ease of sliding along the taught cables, with turnbuckle tension at each end of the anchored cables. Not much help Marty - but I thought I'd chuck my drivel in, just to add to the mixing bowl!
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 11/11/08 at 8:19am
	Joe Mc its 'whenever possible' on the pictures. Tumblers are a bit rare here, but I've had several people interested in non-fly solutions.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 11/11/08 at 9:18am
	Its all good stuff guys. Some of it out of my price range... But all is either reafirming on things we do/try to do, and every little bit of advice gives us something else to pick from... But hey, dont just limit advice to curtains/drops.. if anyone has any oz advice for the other tricks of the show, please feel free to chime in..
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

DFTDONNA Walk-On Joined: 1/25/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 12/02/08 at 1:51pm
	If you are looking for cool special effects, go to the theatrefx.com website. They have really cool spark ejectors that we used for when the witch reaches for the shoes and hand held flash guns. They use flash paper, flash cotton and spark powder. The witch threw an actual, safe, ball of fire at Scarecrow in our show. (look under pyrotechnics- hand held devices) We also got a fire extinguisher company to donate some CO2 fire extinguishers (in exchange for ads in the program) to create a really cool smoke effect when the witch made her entrances and exits.
	IP Logged

stagekat Walk-On Joined: 1/02/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/02/09 at 11:18pm
	Hi Marty, We just closed a prod of Wiz of Oz in Dec with much of the same limitations. We also had very little wing/backstage space so everything had to collapse. We figured out a way to fold most of the set pieces down to next to nothing. We have many of those pieces left for rent or purchase. As a non-profit, we would love to recoup some of our outlay. I would be glad to send you pictures of them if you send me an email address. We are located in Northern Ca. Kathye
	IP Logged

J.ORey Walk-On Joined: 11/12/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 9/11/09 at 10:18am
	Hi Kathye, I just saw your post to Marty. I don't know if he purchased any of your Oz set pieces however I would love to see your pictures. We are not profits as well and our budget is very slim. We are doing Oz in November 09 and we need set pieces and ideas. Any help would be appreciated. Please send pictures if possible to jorlrey@yahoo.com Thanks blessings, J.ORey
	J.ORey
	IP Logged