Lights and Sound: Something’s Afoot

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Something’s Afoot

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=2094
Printed Date: 5/14/24 at 2:13am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Something’s Afoot

Posted By: Linda S
Subject: Something’s Afoot
Date Posted: 10/27/06 at 9:03am

I was asked to sit in on a rehearsal for Something's Afoot last night. The tech was really very clever except for the poison gas that comes out of the phone. They have a tube that is rigged to the phone with a hand operated air pump. The problem is when they used a colored smoke it didn't dissipate and hung in the room. They have tried flour and cornstarch but both don't read very well. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you.

Linda

Replies:

Posted By: MikeO
Date Posted: 10/27/06 at 10:24am

Baby powder works well, or chocolate cocoa powder. Good Luck!!

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I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!!

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 10/27/06 at 4:33pm

Does it have to be gas?

I saw a production of "Something's Afoot" where either they attempted substituting baby powder for gas, or they rigged it up wrong.

When the poor victim held the phone to his face, he got sprayed with a mouthful of fluffy white powder. He gagged and choked (rather convincingly, I thought) and then died dramatically. It was still surprise and delight to the audience, who certainly weren't expecting it.

The other actors continued the scene, instead of detecting poison gas, they referred to it as "powdered poison."

Like I said, I don't know if it was intentional or not, but it served it purpose.

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

Posted By: red diva
Date Posted: 10/28/06 at 2:00pm

I have done "Something's Afoot" three times and each time powder was used. I actually think it's funnier if the Dr. ends up with the residue of powder on his face...it's a good visual. He just has to be aware of what is coming and hold his breath until the blast is over!

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"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"

Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 11/30/06 at 4:54pm

In our last production of this show I was assigned the job of making all the effects work. The phone was fun. We used an old fashioned crank phone where the hand set is held to the ear and the user speaks into the wall unit. This worked great for this gag. we just filled the had piece with baby powder and ran a hose from the hand piece through the wall. When the Dr. picked up the hand piece to listed we sent a burst of air from our air compressor through the line sending a puff of powder that covered his entire face. Be careful that too much powder isn't used as it might be a slip hazzard later in the show.

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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse