Build a Car (Prop)
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=4045
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 6:37am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Build a Car (Prop)
Posted By: splah
Subject: Build a Car (Prop)
Date Posted: 5/28/09 at 12:53am
How would you suggest building a prop car that has wrecked into a tree that is actual size? it wouldn't have to move (since it's wrecked) it'd just sit there but the trunk would have to open....the car would have to travel well (i.e. easily taken apart and moved to a different theater), because it would be used in competition and also it would have to be assembled on stage in a very quick amount of time...
and as an added challenge how would you suggest making a limb from the tree fall on the car and "crush" it...of course the car would have to be reusable...this aspect of the car isn't necessary just a crazy idea i had...
any suggestions at all will greatly help!
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Replies:
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/28/09 at 9:02am
I'm thinking chicken wire and fiberglass with real tires which can be set in place.
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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse
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Posted By: BUMRRR
Date Posted: 5/28/09 at 11:52pm
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WOW, first I was thinking junkyard, but thats not going to be practical when it comes to moving it and the quick set up. have to agree with Patrick or maybe since a well crumpled appearance might be the desired effect your going for even one big paper mache job. and the branch falling...how about making it a convertible so the roof can only have to be supported with thin PVC or small scale lumber and the 'ragtop" can just be draped back over the frame?..regardless, what show is this so I can never think about doing it?
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...and now, On With the Show !
www.FremontCommunityTheatre.org
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Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/29/09 at 9:33am
Let me advise against the junkyard route. We just did Pump Boys and Dinettes at our theatre with a car on stage. Ok it wasn't a full car. It was winshield forward of a full size sedan. We had a local auto salvage company donate the car for the set. They simply cut the car in two just behind the winshield and took out the engine. It took six men to manhandle this beast into the theatre. NO bay door, just right in the front double doors and down the isle. It looked fantastic by it was a killer to get in place.
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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse
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Posted By: BUMRRR
Date Posted: 5/29/09 at 4:46pm
agree with you patrick, a recent production of Grease had a section of a small old car, sorry i cant remember the make,maybe 2/3 of it from the front end to just before the back wheelwells. it had been used for the show before, quite the chore getting in the trailer, to the theatre, through the backstage double doors, build a wagon to accomodate it, it was rusty and had some jagged edges and even being just a shell it was a beast too! although building from scratch would be a big project, i am always up for challenges!
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...and now, On With the Show !
www.FremontCommunityTheatre.org
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Posted By: splah
Date Posted: 5/31/09 at 8:16pm
Originally posted by BUMRRR
regardless, what show is this so I can never think about doing it? |
that's funny you ask cause it actually hasn't been written yet...it's an one-act a friend and i are planning on writing for the school we used to go to. we both come from tech and construction backgrounds but couldn't figure the car out, and as for the limb falling that was literally a side idea that i thought would look cool but we've ruled it cause of impractibility ha ha...i like the building only half a car idea and only have the audience see the front...
trust me when we finish it will be a play you'll want to do haha
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Posted By: MonsterSet
Date Posted: 3/28/10 at 11:14pm
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I toyed with the idea of using a real car for 2 different plays, and decided against it both times. For CATS it had to be too oversized, ended up making the tail section of a gold cadillac out of 2x4s and bent luan, and a couple weeks ago for Joseph finished a full size replica of the woodstock VW Van wood and luan and that masonite ( bends a little better than luan but the painters hate it. ), but turned out great...
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Thank you...
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Posted By: bmiller025
Date Posted: 3/30/10 at 3:05pm
The big problem with cars onstage is that you can't get the right look without using a real vehicle, and you can't deal with the weight and size of a real car.
You need to make a decision with this in mind. You won't be satisfied with the look of a fake car, and you won't be able to handle the requirements of using a real one.
I have learned this from doing enough productions of Grease, The Full Monty, etc., etc., etc. in my career, to ever want to address these challenges again. You simply can't win!
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http://www.brianmiller.biz/BrianDesign.htm
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Posted By: jungle16jim
Date Posted: 4/02/10 at 11:43am
Here's a totally unhelpful, but related vent session.
We're about to do Grapes of Wrath and I've got to come up with a car that can move with 13 people in it. Sheesh...
On a more positive note, I've worked with this director before and have convinced him of the virtues of going more "representational." Most directors (and me too initially) think very literally, but you can get a much more theatrical look if you think more abstractly. For Grapes for instance, I think I've convinced him that we're going to build the entire set out of pallets. Then the "house" area will get transformed into the "car" as they "pack" it. It's a concept that requires lot of big air quotes, but when I built Tom Sawyer entirely out of crates that opened and hinged--it got called the Swiss Army Knife set. Biggest compliment ever.
Think outside of the box. (Or the crate)
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Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 4/02/10 at 12:03pm
I saw Cabaret at Trump Plaza awhile back and there set was mostly built of pallets. It worked very well and took light nicely. They also used a pre-recorded orchestra very effectively. I wasn't at all sure that it was canned well into the show.
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David M
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