car??
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=3206
Printed Date: 11/04/25 at 3:17am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: car??
Posted By: jamnut
Subject: car??
Date Posted: 5/27/08 at 1:45pm
| I need ideas please!!! We are doing a play that requires a car that can seat 4 people. Any ideas on how to build one? I did see ideas about building around a golf cart.......help!! We are a bit limited for space too, but the car doesn't need to move. |
Replies:
Posted By: ZFix1
Date Posted: 6/06/08 at 5:37am
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Hi! You could make the frame out of a platform and 1x's. Then carve the shape of the body out of Styrofoam or layered insulating foam board. ------------- If you can dream it, I can make it happen |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 6/06/08 at 8:39am
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Do you actually have to have the car? Why not just put the seats on the stage. The audience will get the idea that they are in the car. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 6/07/08 at 2:57am
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That's a good point Patrick!
Much the same as they did in the original production of 'Grease'. They used rostra, it was only the film which did an actual car.
I believe it is far better to allow the punters to use their imaginations. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 6/07/08 at 8:09pm
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Both Joe and Patrick bring up a point that may be a topic for an entirely new thread: Mainly the difference between contruction for the stage vs. construction for the cinema.
Both mediums rely on the audience's "willing suspension of disbelief" meaning that people come to the theater (movie or stage) with the idea KNOWING what they're about to see is NOT REAL, yet they agree to abide by the logic of the events presented to them. Audiences attending live performances are far more generous in what they will accept as "real" whereas audiences attending film nearly DEMAND "reality" insofar as props, costumes and scenery are concerned. I believe it's an unfortunate trend that too many community theaters (and professional theaters, for that matter) are trying too hard to be "real" when the script doesn't call for it. And vice-versa, trying to mount a production where "reality" is beyond their technical or budgetary means. (Is there a communtiy theater out there capable of staging the "Miss Saigon" helicopter landing for example?) We need to see more imagination, more frivolity, more frugality, and -- dare I say it? -- more THEATRICALITY. Soon that word will lose all meaning to generations raised on ultra-real movies and video-games. Okay. Rant is over. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 6/08/08 at 11:18am
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Well said Topper!
The helicopter will be something to look forward to. seeing it has been released for ameatre in 2009 here.
I have not seen MS but I believe the chopper is spectacular.
I have flown a 12' eagle with flapping wings, dropping out of the Cloud bridges & landing on a small rock perch, on the apron.
Also the fuselage of WW11 fighter plane to fly over the audience & crash into the cyc. But I think a chopper over the audience could be another load of mince meat.
I hope the ameatres only opt for effects audio & flashing lights. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 6/09/08 at 4:27pm
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What show?
------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:02am
I put this question to our mob about Miss Saigon & the chopper landing. However apparently the Aussie Pro production was handled by using audio/video & back projection.
Hal Leonard the Aussie agent for MTI. Has put it out for non professional limited release here, in 2009.
But the consensus in our group, the show was not something to write home about. As it just seemed to be a rehash of the same genre of South pathetic or that other one, Ms Butterthingy!
I think I'll wait until they offer a package deal 7 offer free T shirts &/or steak knifes, before I think about it.
 I have never seen it, so it might be that not using a Chopper might be a draw back?
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |