Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Thoroughly Modern Millie

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drose
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Topic: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Posted: 12/27/10 at 10:40pm

I have a production of Millie coming up in the next season and I'm stymied by two effects (and a very small budget). First, the elevator. I'd like an arrow-like hand (as in clock hand) that travels in an arc from 1-12 as the elevator "moves" preferably directly above the elevator (which moves on and off stage). The second dilemma is the song translation that has to be projected for the audience. I'm thinking of setting up a tv stage left of the procenium and running a power point presentation...or something to that effect. I'm just curious if any of you have/had a brilliant idea about the tech for this show? The elevator is my big mental roadblock right now, but the translation is not far behind. Small theater, small budget, need some great ideas!

Edited by drose - 12/27/10 at 10:41pm

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Spectrum
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Posted: 12/28/10 at 8:45am

I don't see either one of these as much of a challenge. First, the "Floor Indicator" could be as simple as a large indicator arrow stuck on a dowel rod that goes through the flat to a similar lever on the inside of the elevator. Make the hole for the dowel rod snug enough so when you release the manipulating lever, the whole thing stays where you leave it. A person inside the elevator or behind the elevator flat just reaches up and rotates the arm to move the arrow on the front. Remember, the arc goes just the opposite from what it would look like from the front. It might be convenient to either put "indents" under the manipulating arm (on the inside of the elevator) or at least floor numbers so whoever is rotating it knows where to stop it. Second, the lyrics could be PROJECTED across the top of the stage (or anywhere else you might prefer) with a DLP or LCD video projector hooked up to a computer with your PowerPoint presentation. If a school or business won't loan or rent you a projector, try either the usual rental outlets or electronics retailers. They may have one to loan/rent. Projecting the lyrics would look much better than wheeling out a CRT monitor and you could make the lettering much larger and easier to read with a projection. Good luck with your show!

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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Mr. Lowell
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Posted: 12/28/10 at 8:55pm

I just designed this show last year, (for actors grade 9 thru 12). I had limited time and budget, so I chose the most cheap and simple solutions to achieve these effects.

ELEVATOR
I made a very simple wagon and rolled it on stage in front of a hotel lobby drop. Originally, I was going to use a radio control device to make the elevator indicator dial go up and down. But I ran out of time, as usual, and went with an expedient and old fashioned solution.
Here is the lobby scene. (Sorry for my blurry snapshots).

My simple solution was to position a stagehand behind the elevator to operate the dial by hand. You can see an axle rod on top of the elevator in this photo. It went to a hand crank on the back side, and he simply turned the crank as the two girls danced. This was a fool-proof solution that worked perfectly every time. And it only took 20 minutes to build, at zero cost. Then I isolated the elevator with lighting to help reinforce the illusion for the audience. In this snapshot, the dial has already started moving to the "3rd floor".

SUPERTITLE PROJECTIONS
Once again, the old-fashioned solution turned out to be the most expedient here. I merely built a narrow muslin flat, and flew it in for each scene where translations were required. I added stylized touches to the flats that tied in with the Art Deco style of the play. Sorry again for my blurry photo, but at least you can see the English captions, (in mid-transition here).

PROPS
By the way, I have tons of props from this show that I no longer have room to store here. I may be able to sell them to someone really cheap. I have several rolling laundry bins, like the one above. And I have 12 mock candlestick telephones - that go with 12 fake typewriters - on 12 rolling desks, as seen in the office sequence below.

Oh yes...and I also have two dozen signs for the jailhouse scene that I will never use again!

***For 30 more photos of Millie, there is a publicity slideshow HERE.

Have fun with your production and break a leg! -Dana

Edited by Mr. Lowell - 12/28/10 at 9:29pm

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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drose
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Posted: 12/28/10 at 9:30pm

Thank you both for your ideas, I really appreciate it. Mr. Lowell, your elevator is exactly what I have pictured in my mind's eye. It's lovely! I wish there was a way for me to buy the candlestick phones, typewriters and desks! But shipping from you to Montana would break my budget! Perhaps you could message me what you are asking for them? Sometimes I have family that travels your direction...you never know!

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Majicwrench
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Posted: 12/28/10 at 11:48pm

Montana?? You mean there is theatre in Montana??

I'm in Libby, where are you??

Keith

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drose
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Posted: 12/29/10 at 12:35am

I'm in Hamilton...47 miles south of Missoula. The Hamilton Players. Our facebook page has some wonderful photos of past productions if you want to take a look. But I don't want to hijack my own thread. Did you check out Mr. Lowell's elevator? How were the doors and top pieces made? I really think it's amazing.

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Mr. Lowell
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Posted: 12/29/10 at 10:28am

It was quick and simple. I bought a big roll of "irrigation tubing" at Home Depot. I think it was about 20 bucks for a 50 foot roll.

I had fun bending the pipe into Art Deco frames to form a suggestive/fragmentary roof, walls and door. I attached the tubing to the wooden frame with one inch drywall screws with washers on them.
Then spray painted gold and silver.

Someday I will write a build report on this project for the forum. But in the meantime, you can look at my build report on HONK. I built the "egg shells" for HONK using the same 3/4" black pipe. Here is the link: HONK EGG BUILD

Edited by Mr. Lowell - 12/29/10 at 10:31am

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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Majicwrench
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Posted: 12/29/10 at 10:15pm

More hijack.....I saw "The Great Ice Cream Scheme" years ago in Hamilton, was that you??

Yup, super cool elevator, set, everything!!

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drama coach
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Posted: 1/01/11 at 6:54pm

I would love to purchase part or all of your set/props. Where are you located? I'm in Michigan and our show is in March.

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drose
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Posted: 1/01/11 at 10:05pm

Nope. I've been here for 20 or so years and I don't remember that one.

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

Topic: Thoroughly Modern Millie( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Topic: Thoroughly Modern Millie Posted: 12/27/10 at 10:40pm
	I have a production of Millie coming up in the next season and I'm stymied by two effects (and a very small budget). First, the elevator. I'd like an arrow-like hand (as in clock hand) that travels in an arc from 1-12 as the elevator "moves" preferably directly above the elevator (which moves on and off stage). The second dilemma is the song translation that has to be projected for the audience. I'm thinking of setting up a tv stage left of the procenium and running a power point presentation...or something to that effect. I'm just curious if any of you have/had a brilliant idea about the tech for this show? The elevator is my big mental roadblock right now, but the translation is not far behind. Small theater, small budget, need some great ideas! Edited by drose - 12/27/10 at 10:41pm

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Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 12/28/10 at 8:45am
	I don't see either one of these as much of a challenge. First, the "Floor Indicator" could be as simple as a large indicator arrow stuck on a dowel rod that goes through the flat to a similar lever on the inside of the elevator. Make the hole for the dowel rod snug enough so when you release the manipulating lever, the whole thing stays where you leave it. A person inside the elevator or behind the elevator flat just reaches up and rotates the arm to move the arrow on the front. Remember, the arc goes just the opposite from what it would look like from the front. It might be convenient to either put "indents" under the manipulating arm (on the inside of the elevator) or at least floor numbers so whoever is rotating it knows where to stop it. Second, the lyrics could be PROJECTED across the top of the stage (or anywhere else you might prefer) with a DLP or LCD video projector hooked up to a computer with your PowerPoint presentation. If a school or business won't loan or rent you a projector, try either the usual rental outlets or electronics retailers. They may have one to loan/rent. Projecting the lyrics would look much better than wheeling out a CRT monitor and you could make the lettering much larger and easier to read with a projection. Good luck with your show!
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged

Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 12/28/10 at 8:55pm
	I just designed this show last year, (for actors grade 9 thru 12). I had limited time and budget, so I chose the most cheap and simple solutions to achieve these effects. ELEVATOR I made a very simple wagon and rolled it on stage in front of a hotel lobby drop. Originally, I was going to use a radio control device to make the elevator indicator dial go up and down. But I ran out of time, as usual, and went with an expedient and old fashioned solution. Here is the lobby scene. (Sorry for my blurry snapshots). My simple solution was to position a stagehand behind the elevator to operate the dial by hand. You can see an axle rod on top of the elevator in this photo. It went to a hand crank on the back side, and he simply turned the crank as the two girls danced. This was a fool-proof solution that worked perfectly every time. And it only took 20 minutes to build, at zero cost. Then I isolated the elevator with lighting to help reinforce the illusion for the audience. In this snapshot, the dial has already started moving to the "3rd floor". SUPERTITLE PROJECTIONS Once again, the old-fashioned solution turned out to be the most expedient here. I merely built a narrow muslin flat, and flew it in for each scene where translations were required. I added stylized touches to the flats that tied in with the Art Deco style of the play. Sorry again for my blurry photo, but at least you can see the English captions, (in mid-transition here). PROPS By the way, I have tons of props from this show that I no longer have room to store here. I may be able to sell them to someone really cheap. I have several rolling laundry bins, like the one above. And I have 12 mock candlestick telephones - that go with 12 fake typewriters - on 12 rolling desks, as seen in the office sequence below. Oh yes...and I also have two dozen signs for the jailhouse scene that I will never use again! ***For 30 more photos of Millie, there is a publicity slideshow HERE. Have fun with your production and break a leg! -Dana Edited by Mr. Lowell - 12/28/10 at 9:29pm
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
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drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 12/28/10 at 9:30pm
	Thank you both for your ideas, I really appreciate it. Mr. Lowell, your elevator is exactly what I have pictured in my mind's eye. It's lovely! I wish there was a way for me to buy the candlestick phones, typewriters and desks! But shipping from you to Montana would break my budget! Perhaps you could message me what you are asking for them? Sometimes I have family that travels your direction...you never know!
	IP Logged

Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 12/28/10 at 11:48pm
	Montana?? You mean there is theatre in Montana?? I'm in Libby, where are you?? Keith
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drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 12/29/10 at 12:35am
	I'm in Hamilton...47 miles south of Missoula. The Hamilton Players. Our facebook page has some wonderful photos of past productions if you want to take a look. But I don't want to hijack my own thread. Did you check out Mr. Lowell's elevator? How were the doors and top pieces made? I really think it's amazing.
	IP Logged

Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 12/29/10 at 10:28am
	It was quick and simple. I bought a big roll of "irrigation tubing" at Home Depot. I think it was about 20 bucks for a 50 foot roll. I had fun bending the pipe into Art Deco frames to form a suggestive/fragmentary roof, walls and door. I attached the tubing to the wooden frame with one inch drywall screws with washers on them. Then spray painted gold and silver. Someday I will write a build report on this project for the forum. But in the meantime, you can look at my build report on HONK. I built the "egg shells" for HONK using the same 3/4" black pipe. Here is the link: HONK EGG BUILD Edited by Mr. Lowell - 12/29/10 at 10:31am
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
	IP Logged

Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 12/29/10 at 10:15pm
	More hijack.....I saw "The Great Ice Cream Scheme" years ago in Hamilton, was that you?? Yup, super cool elevator, set, everything!!
	IP Logged

drama coach Player Joined: 5/11/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 1/01/11 at 6:54pm
	I would love to purchase part or all of your set/props. Where are you located? I'm in Michigan and our show is in March.
	IP Logged

drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 1/01/11 at 10:05pm
	Nope. I've been here for 20 or so years and I don't remember that one.
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