getting the "theater" dark enough
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1771
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 3:07am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: getting the "theater" dark enough
Posted By: Aimee
Subject: getting the "theater" dark enough
Date Posted: 3/25/06 at 2:25pm
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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 ------------- Aimee |
Replies:
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 3/26/06 at 1:42pm
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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! |
Posted By: Joan54
Date Posted: 3/27/06 at 8:02am
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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? ------------- "behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede" |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 3/27/06 at 10:02am
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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 |
Posted By: Aimee
Date Posted: 4/03/06 at 10:47pm
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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 |
Posted By: baydrama
Date Posted: 4/11/06 at 11:10pm
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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. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 4/25/06 at 4:33pm
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: Playwright
Date 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!!!!! |
Posted By: Techiemama
Date 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. |
Posted By: P&M Sales
Date Posted: 1/23/07 at 3:50pm
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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. ------------- best regards David http://www.stagescripts.com - http://www.stagescripts.com |
Posted By: MikeO
Date Posted: 1/23/07 at 5:18pm
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Aimee,
Liquid soap works pretty well for this. You can roll it on like paint and let it dry. The nice thing is that it will wash right off when you are done. I would apply it from the outside. ------------- I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!! |
Posted By: avcastner
Date Posted: 5/20/07 at 11:40am
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I'm actually the "guest" from earlier--problem with my username when the forum updated last year.
I actually purchased duvy material, and we used tension rods for shower curtains in the window frame. I sewed a channel in the top and slid the shower curtain in. It really blacks out the room. I'm thinking about doing a set for my bedroom, as I like it really dark when I sleep. ------------- |