Putting a Face on Theatre
Hi all,
Wee are doing Thoroughly Modern Millie in April and are looking for suggestions on how do deal with the elevator.
Any thoughts?
Ted
Wee are doing Thoroughly Modern Millie in April and are looking for suggestions on how do deal with the elevator.
Any thoughts?
Ted
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kelleybrooke Blackwell Brown on -
you could contact Brian Quillian at Arab High School in Arab, AL...(not your typical high school theatre dept by the way) he is great and may have some great ideas....
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Use stairs
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence L. Graham, ASTC on -
the film version of this routine is at: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2h208_thoroughly-modern-millie-19...
How do you plan to stage this?
For example, the elevator cab could begin in the lobby setting, and then become isolated by lighting it only, while the scenery around it shifts to the upper floor. Then, the elevator would not have to move vertically at all.
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Expanding on this idea, a revolve would make a transition of this nature faster and smoother. Also, isolation lighting wouldn't be necessary, probably just a quick blackout or blue-out.
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Trust me... cut the elevator. The tour did and I should have, too.
We used an electric winch and it didn't work nearly as well as we had hoped.
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Permalink Reply by Erik Ball on -
I agree with Gary. Our High School production used shafts of lights and a smidge of creative design to generate the desired effect and it worked GREAT without having to pull your hair out thinking about a tricky production demand.
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We just did it last year. (You'll notice the script says "DO NOT CUT"...or I totally would have).
Our solution was to build elevator doors (painted to match the decor of the lobby) and we made an elevator display above the doors (using parts of a clock and a wooden dowel) and when the doors closed we turned the dowel to show it rising.
It worked well...and did not require machinery.
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Thanks to all who replied. You have given us a lot of good ideas.
Ted
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I have built an elevator. Steel Frame. Automated with an engine / tool winch from Harbor freight. Went from stage floor to 10' off stage floor. Fairly simple and adaptable to different designs. Worked great. I have plans if you are interested in further details. Good Luck
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I'd be interested in your plans. Just built a lift for Grease for Teen Angel's descent and rise. Thought of the same idea using a winch and barn door hangers mounted vertically as guides. I'd like to compare designs.
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I would be interested in seeing your plans. I built one a few years ago with a fellow grad student at the time that worked well. I don't have any plans for it anymore though and may be in need of such an animal again soon.
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Last time I did this show we used a walk behind fork lift with a personnel basket on it. We had it all so it was just modifying it to look like an elevator.
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