Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Hold my head up!

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Kurt_Muller
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Topic: Hold my head up!
Posted: 10/29/07 at 11:54pm

Hi, all.

I've made a head mask, (see pic), for our production of Dreamcoat, but there's only one problem. I'm not sure of the best way to secure it to the actor so that it doesn't fall off.

It's fibreglass, hollow, and it sits down over the head and rests on the shoulders, (as per the pic). With rubber padding inside, it's a nice snug fit, but not enough to keep it from toppling forward or back.

Anybody got any ideas for securing it to the actor so that he can walk in it?

Thanks.

"It's only a mooovie".

Alfred Hitchcock

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JoeMc
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Posted: 10/30/07 at 3:09am

Whota beauty Kurt!
The simplest thing I can think of is a chin & rear head straps, with velcro. Much the same as a bike helmet, in fact even a helmet fixed in side may help?
Flamin ripah mate!

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Kurt_Muller
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Posted: 10/30/07 at 5:22am

Originally posted by JoeMc

Whota beauty Kurt!
The simlest thing I can think of is a chin & rear head straps, with velcro. Much the same as a bike helmet, in fact even a helmet fixed in side may help?
Flamin ripah mate!

Ta, Joe! Turned out alright, eh?

Never thought of sticking a helmet inside it! Not a bad idea. Dunno if one would fit, though. But maybe just the guts of one, without the padding and outside hardhat part, might work. I'll check that out.

Thanks for the idea.

Cheers.

"It's only a mooovie".

Alfred Hitchcock

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pdavis69
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Posted: 10/30/07 at 8:43am

We are currently doing Little Shop and our Dentist's gas helmet gave me an idea for you. Our helmet is shaped very similar to the base of your mask. It has four hole drilled in the sides at the bottom of the helmet. We have a bunjee cord attached to each side that go under the actors armpits to hold the helmet in place.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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Topper
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Posted: 10/30/07 at 10:02am

I was thinking of using a flat, stiff piece of material (like a yardstick, only cut to fit the height of your actor). Affix this to the back (neck) of your mask and the extra length will run between the actor's shoulder blades to the middle of his back. Attach velcro straps that can wrap across the actor's chest or x-fashion over his shoulders.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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vickifrank
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Posted: 10/30/07 at 10:11am

1.)Would it work to attach a dowel to the back of the mask (inside or out) and then have a chest strap from velcro to hold the mask to the man? The advantage to this method is that the actor could still turn the mask to allow the head to pivot.

-or-

2.)Alternatively, you could extend the sides down with a notch for the shoulders--but you'd still need a chin strap to keep the notches at the shoulders. (No head turning possible).

-or-

3.) Extend four straps down from helmet. One in front of each shoulder and one behind. Have a ring of webbing (chest strap) that is attached to each at chest level and below the arms and closes at the front. Now the actor mask ought to stay put. I'd also put a crown of foam inside the mask to have the top of his head press against and to stabilize the entire thing. Of the three I think the third is the safest solution. (Some limited head movement).

In any event, as unlikely as disaster is, keep in mind that you'd rather have the mask fall off than trap the man's neck in a dangerous position if he tripped.

This is beautiful work! It should be rented to other productions.

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Kurt_Muller
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Posted: 10/30/07 at 5:58pm

Vicki, Topper, Patrick,

Thanks for all those ideas. Any one of them would work well, except for the annoying fact that I have to make the supports almost invisible, or at least to make them short enough to be concealed under one of those Egyptian collars.

The actors wearing them have to be bare-chested, and will wear those white Egyptian kilts.

But you've all given me another idea. I might try men's trouser braces. If I drilled four holes in the bottom edge of the head, and attached four braces, which then attached to a belt at the waist, that might work. Have to adjust them up to pull the head down and hold it fairly hard against the shoulders. I'll need to put rubber foam around the bottom edges. Hopefully, all of that would be hidden by the collar. It's being made by our seamstress.

Of course, the braces will be highly visible, so I'll have to make a virtue out of a vice, and paint them gold. Plus, I'll line the inside of the heads with foam rubber, to make it a tight but comfortable fit.

Thanks for the inspiration, guys.

And thanks for the compliment, Vicki.

Cheers,

Kurt

"It's only a mooovie".

Alfred Hitchcock

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 10/31/07 at 9:31am

I have no idea how to solve your problem - but that is one cool mask/headpiece!!! Clap

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JoeMc
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Posted: 10/31/07 at 10:02am

Kurt you have great artistic talent & emperical skills, I hope you are well & truly appreciated by your mob there?
I'm sure you could earn a bob or two in this game, beyond the black stump on yon side of the rabbit proof fence. Wink

Chookas mate!

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Linda S
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Posted: 10/31/07 at 10:30am

Originally posted by tristanrobin

I have no idea how to solve your problem - but that is one cool mask/headpiece!!! Clap

Ditto!!!

Linda

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