Scenic Design: Tree - TheatreFace

Depending on how long your ru…

2010-08-27T21:18:55.140Z

Depending on how long your run is, you could go to your local forestry department and get trunks and branches, and recover the branches with fake leaves that you can get from a number of companies, or even rent from other theatre companies. That's what I did for a show of All My Sons. Hope this helps, it's easier and cheaper than making your own tree.

I'll try to dig up some photo…

2010-07-29T20:59:22.747Z

I'll try to dig up some photos, but my best luck was with a wooden structure faced with aluminum window screen. Depending on the tree, it can hold a rough bark look nicely, or be as smooth as you'd like. We then painted the screen with Sculpt-or-coat. It saved on the papier-mache route... (gag). We used real/dead branches to create the 'cannopy' and wired small fake branches onto them. If you have questions, let me know. Like I said, I'll try to dig up some photos...

Sorry - hard-drive crash w/o…

2010-07-29T20:41:51.830Z

Sorry - hard-drive crash w/o backup. :( My wife may have a picture somewhere of her in the tree as she was Puck... I'll see.

The trampling is usually beca…

2010-07-29T15:07:22.607Z

The trampling is usually because everyone tries to leave by the exit they came in. They push and shove, fall-over and then trip other people that fall on top of them and then you have a pile of people at the door that everybody still in the room try to climb over with little success. The smoke usually gets most of them.

As far as I know, your only hope is to do a preshow announcement to tell people how to exit, and then train staff that will be there for the whole show how to help direct the people out of the building.

You probably can't count on ushers because they tend to leave early. Directors take too much time teaching everybody about their motivation. Actors will just run away as fast as they can after they get out of makeup and costume. I think it falls to the technical staff.

I have to agree! anything sce…

2010-07-29T12:26:38.264Z

I have to agree! anything scenically that is on-stage should be flame retarded! for fabric- dip or spray. for wood paint additive! Yes, flame retardant isn't cheap, but piece of mind is worth its weight in gold!

Off-topic--- but along the lines that Erich is preaching-- thanks to the Idiot Mgr. from White Lion, it is very difficult now to obtain Pyro, and most companies have to have an ATF certification just to purchase pyro!

FIRE is a problem, but Crowd and Crisis Management is just as important, as most fire injuries in a theatre result from inadequate exit procedures which result in trampling. Here in Florida, I have to be able to get 950 people per minute out of my exits.... I have a 9500+ seat arena, and according to the State FM we should be able to calmly empty the building in under 2 minutes.... I don't want to be around when that happens!

Sounds good. Any photos?

2010-07-27T19:10:42.922Z

Sounds good. Any photos?

For Midsummer, I had a lot of…

2010-07-27T19:02:12.933Z

For Midsummer, I had a lot of luck with a wood frame covered in chicken wire covered in muslin dutchman. I had built in steps and handholds though. If no climbing, I think EPS foam + fake foliage would be your best bet, after checking fire safety regs for treating.

The tree will not be used for…

2010-07-27T18:52:53.968Z

The tree will not be used for any action and only used as a scenic piece. Elements of lighting may be used for production design, but no physical choreography or movement will happen on the tree. The set design will be very similar to the attached photo. Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you for the contact. I…

2010-07-27T18:50:48.760Z

Thank you for the contact. I will look into their work.

Thank you for the safety warn…

2010-07-27T18:50:21.946Z

Thank you for the safety warning. I will be sure to keep that in the forefront.