Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: how to make it rain

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BelizeAA
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 11/05/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 0

Topic: how to make it rain
Posted: 8/24/10 at 5:27am

I have a set that has a large window . I need it to look like it's pouring rain outside. Suggestions anyone?

Friendship is the wine of Life.

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David McCall
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Joined: 1/28/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 299

Posted: 8/24/10 at 10:34am

Be very careful. If you get water on a wooden stage it will likely warp. Consider a video projection, or an effects wheel.

David M

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gelcat
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Joined: 6/12/09
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Posts: 106

Posted: 8/26/10 at 11:11am

the hardest part of this rig is finding a pump that is quiet and still moves the water back up your vertical - unless you are willing to waste water by just having a hose running the entire time and the catch basin drained off as well -

I agree with David - rigging the actual window and retrieval tray and the surrounding area for waterproofing is very important!

Also, reminders to use the bathroom before a performanc e that features a lot of rain can be very important as well.

www.actorsguildonline.org
Actors Guild of Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

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bamcreative
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Joined: 8/26/10
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Posted: 8/26/10 at 6:51pm

You can find cheap submersible pumps at McMaster-Carr or sites like it. Submerge them in water and they're very quiet. They'll move a lot of water.

Will
http://bamcreativearts.com

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MartyW
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Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 555

Posted: 8/30/10 at 1:58pm

Making it rain is easy.... collecting it after is the trick...

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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tech_director
Star
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Joined: 10/19/08
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Posts: 53

Posted: 8/31/10 at 5:57pm

Unless it is important that the actor actually get wet (Singing in the Rain, Grapes of Wrath, etc.) I wouldn't ever use real water for a rain effect. Lights with the right gobos and gels, with some rain sound effect, some lighting flashes, should get the idea across.

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

Author	Message
BelizeAA Walk-On Joined: 11/05/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: how to make it rain Posted: 8/24/10 at 5:27am
	I have a set that has a large window . I need it to look like it's pouring rain outside. Suggestions anyone?
	Friendship is the wine of Life.

	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 8/24/10 at 10:34am
	Be very careful. If you get water on a wooden stage it will likely warp. Consider a video projection, or an effects wheel.
	David M
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gelcat Celebrity Joined: 6/12/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 8/26/10 at 11:11am
	the hardest part of this rig is finding a pump that is quiet and still moves the water back up your vertical - unless you are willing to waste water by just having a hose running the entire time and the catch basin drained off as well - I agree with David - rigging the actual window and retrieval tray and the surrounding area for waterproofing is very important! Also, reminders to use the bathroom before a performanc e that features a lot of rain can be very important as well.
	www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
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bamcreative Walk-On Joined: 8/26/10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/26/10 at 6:51pm
	You can find cheap submersible pumps at McMaster-Carr or sites like it. Submerge them in water and they're very quiet. They'll move a lot of water.
	Will http://bamcreativearts.com
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 8/30/10 at 1:58pm
	Making it rain is easy.... collecting it after is the trick...
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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tech_director Star Joined: 10/19/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 53	Posted: 8/31/10 at 5:57pm
	Unless it is important that the actor actually get wet (Singing in the Rain, Grapes of Wrath, etc.) I wouldn't ever use real water for a rain effect. Lights with the right gobos and gels, with some rain sound effect, some lighting flashes, should get the idea across.
	IP Logged

Topic: how to make it rain( Topic Closed)