Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Foliage over theatre

Foliage over theatre

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=3155
Printed Date: 5/15/25 at 11:36am
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Topic: Foliage over theatre

Posted By: Bbentler
Subject: Foliage over theatre
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 12:27am

I am currently trying to find out what to search for online to be able to look up pricing on this particular kind of fabric. Also if you have a better idea, please feel free to mention it. I am trying to create the look of folliage above people's heads in our theatre by using something that is similar to fish netting and lighting it with green lights. While I have found fish nets, I remember seeing at DisneyWorld a sort of fabric that was a sheet with partial holes cut out in order for the fabric to have some dimension. They then lit it with green light and it really did look like green folliage. I think I may have seen this sort of fabric used by the military perhaps. Does anyone know what I am talking about? Also if you have any idea on doing a folliage above peoples heads sort of look for a reasonable-ish cost I'd appreciate it. I am thinking of buying a bale of fake spanish moss and use it with fish nets to give the idea of trees. I would love to buy enough enough fake limbs or leaves to do it, but would be probably too expensive. Thanks for any ideas or help on this.

Replies:

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 1:12am

From your description, it seems you are referring to "camouflage netting," which comes in large dimensions for covering vehicles, tents, etc. It should be available thru on-line catalogs of military paraphernalia or from a well-stocked Army Surplus store.

Hunters use something similar for disguising their roosts. You may find such material at the larger sporting goods outlets that specialize in hunting and camping.

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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: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 12:02pm

I assume you mean by 'above peoples heads', this is on the stage?

To me would this be like a boarder &/or a portal cloth, to give a foliage canopy dimension?

If so it would be easy enough to use scrim & tart it up, utilising the the Boarder or Leg battens to hang it.

One other thing you could also utilise is a break up gobo, with a split gel of green/yellow or/amber, rather than just green on it's own.

Or the cheapest way to do the gobo for the Profile Lantern, is punch a heap of holes in a piece of tin, with a Niall. To use in the gobo holder of the Profile [ellipsoidal]. Using a couple of lights cross focused on to the foliage, is quite effective.

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

Posted By: Bbentler
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 2:44pm

I actually creating a tree canopy above the audience heads. I plan on using camoflage netting, spanish moss dangling, and vines created from rolled up brown wrapping paper. I figure mix that with gobos and you have a cheap canopy. Any other ideas?

Posted By: spikesgirl
Date Posted: 5/06/08 at 11:22am

We have done something similar with erosion nettings - word of caution - whatever you use, make sure it's fireproofed in case the fire marshal drops in on you. Just spraying on some watered-down fire retartant will save you from a work of hurt.

Charlie