How to make an ON AIR SIGn
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=3798
Printed Date: 5/21/24 at 11:11am
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Topic: How to make an ON AIR SIGn
Posted By: ange
Subject: How to make an ON AIR SIGn
Date Posted: 2/03/09 at 11:27pm
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I was pricing the sign out and was wondering if it would be cheaper to make. Yes it would need to light up and it would have to be switched on off stage manually or through a switcher pack connected to the board.
Any suggestions??
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Replies:
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 2/04/09 at 9:21am
we have done one several times. Basics is to build a box about four inches deep and as big ads you would like it. then wire it out with one or two standard bulbs depending on how big an area you have made to light. We then use a piece of plexi cut to the size and shape, spray it over all with a opaque glaze so in the end you wont see the bulbs. then layout the size and shape of your "on air" letters. We usually tape a stencil in place. then spray everything that is not the letters in a dark color (usually red here) when the paint diries and you peel off your letters you have your light box. (as for the plug, depends on your electrics, if you have the standard edision then a regular household plug will work fine. Otherwise, wire as your house system requires. As for bulbs, go as low as possible to keep heat down. If its being left on for "extended" peiriods, allow for ventilation.
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Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.."
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Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 2/04/09 at 11:07am
Being in the business of making technical theatre props and set pieces, I make "ON AIR" and "APPLAUSE" signs for the radio plays that seem to be popular these days. Like MartyW above, I start with a four inch deep wooden box with two incandecent bulbs wired to a power cord out the back of it. The front is made with a piece of WHITE Plexiglas that has the black plastic stick-on letters (or for a reverse effect, the sheet the letters were cut from) we have made at Fast-Signs, a near-by sign shop that can cut any font/size letters with a computer and "plotter" that has a cutting tool instead of a pen. Once the lettering is in place, I front the whole thing with a piece of 1/8" clear Plexiglas to protect the lettering. The lights can be controlled by the board or a simple switch module back stage. I have left a few small "details" out of this description, but that's what makes ours a little better than some (trade secrets, don't you know?). Sorry I don't have any photos to offer, but this will definitely give you a nice "ON AIR" sign. Good luck with whatever you do.
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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
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