the set to be destroyed
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3747
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 3:05pm
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Topic: the set to be destroyed
Posted By: theatregeek101
Subject: the set to be destroyed
Date Posted: 1/17/09 at 9:43pm
I am directing a show Snappy's Happy Half-Hour by Don Zolidis- we open in Feb.- At the end of the play, 2 characters virtually destroy the set (trees) in a staged fight. The set is supposed to look poorly made- and I have already collected lots of styrofoam and cardboard. Now the ??- How do I make the trees stand up by themselves 1 character picks up a tree and swings it like a bat! (fun show) ------------- "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." -Emerson |
Replies:
Posted By: aravia84
Date Posted: 1/26/09 at 10:46pm
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If I were going to do it on a shoestring, I'd put together a tri-stand out of small plywood scraps, not unlike how you stand a guitar straight. Then, when the character needs to 'pick up' the tree, he can pull it from the stand like a sheath. It's decent enough for government work, I'd think. |
Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 1/27/09 at 9:08am
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If the tree were made of cardboard or plywood (something in a flate plane), the base can be cut with a center notch. Similarly a second plywood/cardboard piece can be made to fit perpendicular to the first piece--this piece also has a notch cut. The two notches fit together to make a base that fits in a cross configuration (when seen from above forms a cross). Most of the time when swung, the second piece will fall off with a clatter saving you making it again, and also looking cheap. ------------- _____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people |
Posted By: donzolidis
Date Posted: 2/07/09 at 4:01pm
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Believe it or not, I had the same problem with that show. My trees looked great, but they kept falling down whenever another character walked by them because they were so light.
My solution: My trees were made of light cardboard, about six feet tall, they had a triangular backing, also made of carboard. That wasn't enough counterweight, so then I just taped small pieces of plywood to the lower part of the triangular backing. That gave enough weight to keep the trees standing, but not so much heft that they would hurt anyone when they were swung around. ------------- www.donzolidis.com |