Massive Huge Tall Platforms...
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=1980
Printed Date: 5/14/24 at 5:40am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Massive Huge Tall Platforms...
Posted By: EddyZ
Subject: Massive Huge Tall Platforms...
Date Posted: 8/21/06 at 10:33pm
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...that have to move. Hi folks, a bit new here, but have worked on a number of shows. Designing/Building a set for a production of Rocky Horror, and require two platforms, approx 8'x8, 5.5' to 6' tall. That have to roll, but thankfully, only on one axis. I can't seem to visualize the most proper/safe/study legs and for these things, and I'd be happy for any suggestions anyone can offer. I'm not afraid to over-engineer the thing, but I can't have it too heavy to move. --- If you're interested, here's the last set I built, for a production of Leader of the Pack at Cresson Lake Playhouse in Cresson, PA. Rocky Horror is being built for the same company: http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/set/ ------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Replies:
Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 8/22/06 at 9:02am
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I don't have a clue about your question LOL - but I sure wish I had you
around when I was directing "Leader of the Pack" - terrific set design/ execution! |
Posted By: Playwright
Date Posted: 8/22/06 at 11:45am
| I know nothing about set construction but would those big thick tubes that carpet is rolled on in the stores work? I don't know if engineering wise they would work well or be safe to hold the weight of a platform. When my CT needs columns for a set we go to the local outlet carpet store who donate their empty tubes us. |
Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 8/22/06 at 12:44pm
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This isn't too hard to do, but the details really depend on what has to happen under the platform. The way I would build this is to actually create two platforms framed with 2x4s. I would put caster wheels on one of the platforms, and attach the legs to the second platform and put it on top of the first. For legs I would go with 4x4s (or 2, 2x4s attached together). For an 8x8 platform I would put legs in the four corners, one half way down each side, and one in the middle. Finally, add some cross bracing to stabalize the whole thing. If you need the area underneath to be more open, you will want to frame the top platform with something larger then 2x4s, may 2x8s instead. This way you could get away with fewer legs. Dan |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/22/06 at 11:18pm
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Dan, thanks for the tip! What you describe certainly sounds like
the way to go. Nothing much needs to happen beneath the
platforms, but I will need to make the lower platform a tiny bit
smaller than the top one (where the top would be 8x8, the lower would
be about 6.5 x 7, aligned on the frontside and outside edges) to allow
for a set of stairs to be rolled underneath and to leave enough room
behind for a crossover. Most of the weight will be on the
aligned edges so I don't think the overhang will be all that tipsy,
especially when the platforms are butted up against each other. Tristan, thank you for the compliment. As you can probably guess from the drawings, CLP is a tiny tiny place that's *tough* to build for. Pulling that one off was no small feat. I had a lot of fun putting it together and am quite pleased that others like it, too. Sondra, I don't know that those tubes would work to hold up my lumber in this case, but it's inevitable that sooner or later I will need big tubes/rolls for something and I hadn't thought before to check the carpet stores. Thanks for the suggestion, it will come in handy. ------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 8/24/06 at 4:13pm
| Sounds like you got your answer, let me just say Rocky is my fave show to work on (I have 3 productions under my belt) Always a good time. Enjoy!! |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/24/06 at 11:10pm
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Yeah, but it figures -- now that I got an answer, the thing doesn't
have to move. Bummer. I was looking forward to making it
move. It'll be cheaper and easier to build now, though. This will be my second year working Rocky, but only my first year building. I've seen the thing countless times. It's always great fun. ------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 8/25/06 at 7:36pm
LOL. EddyZ I love how you find a solution to a problem and then
it gets cut. I was working in a summer stock theater a number of
years ago and the director of "Wait Until Dark", a literalist, I guess,
(and my least favorite kind of director) decided he wanted one of the
steps to squeak because Suzy, the blind girl mentions the fact that two
different visitors had shoes that squeaked. "The audience should
be able to hear the shoes squeak". I thought, if they
didn't hear anything they'd put it down to the fact that the remaining
senses of blind people are hightened. (They aren't, but that's
another matter). So I built a step in the staircase that squeaked
when tread upon. But only one step. And only for one
character, because it shouldn't make any noise when others stepped on
it. Figured it out. Rebuilt the step. Re-rebuilt it the
next day when Mr Director decided it was too annoying. Jerk! But
it did work, by god, and for two days I felt like a genius. And
I've never again had to make a step squeak. 
------------- Investigate. Imagine. Choose. |
Posted By: bmiller025
Date Posted: 8/25/06 at 10:18pm
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I agree with Dan's excellent advice, but with one small variation. I would never use 4x4 for legs, as I don't think it is really necessary - too heavy and too expensive. I would use two 2x4s for each post, but not flush with each other to make the equivalent of a 4x4. Put them in the shape of an "L" and space them every four feet each way, making a total of nine doubled up legs. Then again, if the audience is going to see the legs, 4x4 might be called for. Definitely screw the legs together at their bases, cross brace with 1x4, and build a 2x4 frame around the base of each platform. I always double up legs when they are 4' or more long, or if the platform is going to have to support an insane amount of weight (usually 8+ adult actors). Putting casters on such a beast would have added a whole additional degree of complexity. Be thankful you were spared that requirement. Good luck! Brian http://members.aol.com/bmiller025/BrianDesign.htm - http://members.aol.com/bmiller025/BrianDesign.htm ------------- http://www.brianmiller.biz/BrianDesign.htm |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/25/06 at 11:19pm
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castMe, not to detract in any way from what you figured out, but I
woulda just made the actors whos shoes needed to squeak carry little
squeakers concealed in their pockets or somesuch. You can get 'em
at magic shops, or ripping apart doggie chew toys. :) Might take
some playing with them to get the sound just right, though, but likely
easier than messing with lumber. :)
------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:15am
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When I make up rostrums, I work to 8? x 4? to suit the off shelf
size of the deck plate boards, with folding gate leg construction.
Which is made up of 2 x 8? & 3 x 4? gate leg frames which are butt
hinged together, so when the top is removed the rostra can be folded
flat for storage . This is the same when doing 6? high gate legs,
without the need to double up the timber size, as each 4? wide gate leg
frame is hinged between the two 8? side gate leg frames, doubling
up the actual legs. I use drop pin hinges but they can be just standard
fixed pin hinges. So I would just butt up two 8? x 4?x 6? rostrums & clamp or tie them together. ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 8/26/06 at 7:37am
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Ah, Eddy, if only I'd thought of that. Unfortunately I was but a
lowly carpenter and a young one at that. I didn't even get my
instructions from the director directly, but from the master carpenter
who received his from the TD. LOL Chain of command and all
that. ------------- Investigate. Imagine. Choose. |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:35am
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Joe, can you post here or email me a diagram of what you're
describing? I'm having trouble visualizing the set-up. (I'm
too visual a person, I need pictures. :) )
------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:03am
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I don?t have you expertise in computer drawing. Frankly gate leg rostrums can be found in almost any theatre & they have been built the same way for over a hundred years or so. I will attempt to give it a go? ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/28/06 at 9:48pm
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Forgive my ignorance -- despite what I've been able to do, I'm still rather new to this. :) I'm familiar with gateleg tables -- I have one in my dining room -- I just can't picture how to construct gateleg bases for platforms. It's just not clicking. Sadly, I can't find any pictures of any online, either. :/ ------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/28/06 at 10:34pm
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Joe, I went back and scratched my head for a while... is this close to what you're describing?  ------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 8/29/06 at 11:41am
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Great drawing Eddy! But no not quite what I'm on about. I have emailed you my pathetic atempt! One thing I forgot to put in the drawing I sent Eddy. Is under the top board deck plate, screw & glue flat pieces of wood, to fit next to the gate leg top rails. Which will square the rostrum frame up & stop any movement. It is not necessary to hold these wood noggins onto the frame, as it is normal to tex screw the top deck plate down on to the frame. ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: EddyZ
Date Posted: 8/29/06 at 11:19pm
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Joe, I got your drawing, and it makes sense now. Thank you! I think I may build some of those at various heights for The Barn, they'd come in handy. ------------- EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ - http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ http://www.nailsouptheatre.com - www.nailsouptheatre.com/ |