Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: vanishing words

Print Page | Close Window

vanishing words

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2446
Printed Date: 7/31/25 at 5:14pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: vanishing words

Posted By: Firace
Subject: vanishing words
Date Posted: 6/07/07 at 3:05pm

Hello All-

Check this out!!! I just wrote a script which calls for a character to have some lettering on his shirt. he comes on stage... He turns around for approximately 20 seconds and when he turns back around...the letters need to be gone...any suggestions on how to make this happen???

Replies:

Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 6/07/07 at 3:30pm

Don't know if this will work, but what if you did something like schools do with felt letters, pictures on a felt board.

Not gifted in fabrics, but maybe this will start some ideas.

Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 6/07/07 at 5:02pm

There used to be a product that was available in joke stores that was an "ink" that you could spill on fabric and it would disappear when it was dry. I don't know what it was actually called and I don't know if you could manipulate it to do what you want it to do but it might be a start...

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 6/08/07 at 3:19pm

First, I'm assuming the shirt in question is like a jersey -- no collar or buttons -- with writing across the chest.

Perhaps a simple solution would be to buy (or make) a blank jersey with no lettering on it. Purchase some excess material that matches the color and texture of the shirt. Pattern and cut a "false front" that covers the entire front of the shirt and attaches with tiny snaps or velcro at the shoulders and armpits. (Where the seams of the shirt naturally are placed) It will be on this false front to which you sew, iron-on or otherwise attach the letters.

The actor can wear this apparatus with little restriction of motion, the bottom part can be tucked into the trousers. At the moment of change, the actor simply turns upstage, removes the entire false front and ditches it behind some scenery.

When he turns back, chances are good the audience will be too distracted by the missing letters across the chest, that they won't be looking for attachments near the shoulders or armpits. If necessary, you may add additional securing points down the side of the shirt, again where the seam occurs. These would be hidden by the actor's own arms, standing naturally.

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

Posted By: P&M Sales
Date Posted: 6/09/07 at 2:02pm

I don't know whether this will work, but it's worth a try!

1) Make the lettering out of UV paint which in normal stage light is the same colour as the cloth it's printed on, but is a contrasting colour when under UV.

2) Fire up one or more UV lamps on stage well in advance of the character's entrance (they normally take about 5 mins to warm up) and flood the stage with it.

3) With moderate levels of stage lighting you should be able to see the lettering while the character faces forward.

4) When he/she turns round for the 20secs, kill the UV light (possibly have a lighting change as well because the UV will snap off - they're not dimmable - and this change might be noticeable).

5) Face the front again, and the lettering has gone!

I've never tried it, so I can't guarantee anything, but in principle it should work.

-------------
best regards

David
http://www.stagescripts.com - http://www.stagescripts.com

Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 6/12/07 at 10:03pm

This sounds very interesting, wish we had a little bit more information of this scene. Blocking is everything, so swap outs maybe possible. Here is a video of "magic changing clothes" that can give you an idea of what "swap out" is. You can also google magic shops that can show you how this is done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB-wUgnyGv0 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB-wUgnyGv0

Obviously, you would have to stage it so they don't go into a bag, but behind a tall piece of furnature or crossing behing a Japanese Screen. Just some thoughts.

-------------
The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

Posted By: Joan54
Date Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:20am

That is the most amazing video.....take a look.

-------------
"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"

Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 6/13/07 at 1:20pm

To learn how to do this would be amazing for a show! it all has to do with quick zippers and pull tabs, there are a few articles online about how it is done. Like one of those inflatable lifesaving vests, these clothes all have quick zippers on them. Google "quick change" and some pretty good websites will come up on how this effect is produced.

-------------
Community Theater makes us smile

Posted By: Firace
Date Posted: 6/14/07 at 12:04pm

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUGGESTIONS...YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!!!!!

Posted By: theatremonkey
Date Posted: 6/23/08 at 1:16pm

one word........velcro. the answer to everything

-------------
theatre monkey

Posted By: mickey
Date Posted: 7/03/08 at 8:01am

A little late in the answer here but there's a product by Aleene's called tacky glue or repositioning glue. It makes patches, appliques, lettering, etc. stick on fabric securely but easily peels of to be repositioned over and over.

-------------
You may know what you need but to get what you want better see that you keep what you have...