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Aimee
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bullet Topic: getting the "theater" dark enough
    Posted: 3/25/06 at 2:25pm

Well, for the first time we are doing a Sunday matinee. (around 3:30 cst, in May) so you get the idea it is still very light out. Right now we are in a cafetorium which  the back wall is an entire row of floor to ceiling windows. They have pull down shades that provide minimal light blocking. Some will also be blocked when we set up our sound area. In general it will be very light in the "theater" (can I call it a theater..no, probably not.)  

 Anyone have a CHEAP ideas on how to black out the windows? I've thought of paper....but wow that would be ALOT of paper.

I'd like to be able to do something to get it darker in there so the lighting effects will be, well, effective.

Aimee

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Kathy S
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bullet Posted: 3/26/06 at 1:42pm

We had this problem in our theatre when we first started -- lots of very large windows and no shades.  We used large sheets of styrofoam insulation placed in the windows.  The problem then was that the pink foam sheets sort of "glowed".  It just occured to me now that what we could have done was to paint them with black paint.  I can't promise that it would work, but it might be worth trying just one panel to see how effective it would be.  Good luck!

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Joan54
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bullet Posted: 3/27/06 at 8:02am
I have had this problem too when we perform in vineyards ( in the barns of course).  I solved it by buying several hundred used table cloths from a catering company  and stapling them over the windows.  Like Kathy said...we had a weird red glow in the space ( the tablecloths were burgundy).  I realize this may not work for you.  The paper isn't a bad idea.  You can buy rolls of paper at the lumber yard...we can it resin paper here.  It is used under wooden flooring to stop the squeeks.  It is pretty cheap and comes in rolls three feet wide.  Another idea would be to spray the windows with something that would block the light that would then wash off....I haven't ever tried it..this is just an idea.  You couldn't use a permanent black spray because it would stick to the pieces between the glass and be a real bother to scrape off with a razor blade.  Maybe there is a washable latex spray product out there somewhere?
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Linda S
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bullet Posted: 3/27/06 at 10:02am

Do you have enough extra flats to use those? If they aren't high enough, you could get a run of fabric to attach to the top of the windows. If this is going to be regular occurance, I would suggest sheets of styrofoam insulation covered in fabric.  I have seen this done in a church / theater. It combines Kathy S and Joan54's ideas. It works extremely well and it is pretty too!

By the way, I think it is fine to call your cafetorium a theater. That way I can still call the grange hall a theater.

Linda

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Aimee
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bullet Posted: 4/03/06 at 10:47pm

Well thankfully this will be very short lived as the new auditorium is "supposed" to be finished in Sept 07. I may only have to do this a few more.

Great ideas, now...I just need to decide what will work best.

Aimee
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bullet Posted: 4/11/06 at 11:10pm

Oh my goodness. I have the same thing! Only at nighttime, too. Our auditorium has beautiful, tall windows (like 30 feet high) that back onto a hallway which must always stay lit for safety purposes. NIghtmare!

Thanks for the ideas, everyone.

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bullet Posted: 4/25/06 at 4:33pm
If you will be using this space for a long time, I would suggest biting the bullet and getting some duvetyne curtains made by either Showbiz or Rose Brand (both in the LA area--both have websites).  Or, if you have someone handy with a sewing machine, you can buy the fabric from Rose Brand and make them yourself.
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bullet Posted: 4/25/06 at 6:01pm
Our CT went to a bulk plastic place and bought rolls of heavy guage plastic.  Easy to measure and cut to right size.  It was then staples to the windows.  Flexible and easy to use.  And doesn't allow any light in!!!!!
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bullet Posted: 1/22/07 at 5:37am
We just used a roll of black landscaping fabric for just about everything.  Masking windows, set pieces, costume pieces, etc. It's super thick and very forgiving.
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bullet Posted: 1/23/07 at 3:50pm
I wouldn't recommend the solution given by Kathy S, as styrofoam is highly flammable and if it catches fire will drip lumps of burning 'goo' all over your audience!

I don't suppose for a moment that there's much in the way of a naked flame up near the windows, but it's a risk I wouldn't be prepared to take.
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David
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