talkmagic.co.uk

Thats great - a uv spot shouldn't be a problem....

So just to make sure I understand this right - if I get a UV spot with a GOBO over the 'hidden' entrance, with a little smoke, then the actor seems to materialise as he walks through the smoke?

Am I getting this right?

I have to say it, I have a small clue as to what is being discussed here, just enough to get into trouble as the saying goes. But I like following this thread because I really enjoy listening to people who know what they are talking about.

Dale you are a font of great info.

I have no intention of getting anyone into trouble! My apologies if the thread was leading this way...

swindonstu wrote:I have no intention of getting anyone into trouble! My apologies if the thread was leading this way...

Trouble? I think not.

swindonstu wrote:Thats great - a uv spot shouldn't be a problem....

So just to make sure I understand this right - if I get a UV spot with a GOBO over the 'hidden' entrance, with a little smoke, then the actor seems to materialise as he walks through the smoke?

Am I getting this right?

yes... you dont need to use uv ... a low dark colured light will work just as well. Think about the scene in Pirates of the Caribbean, where the ghosts walk through the moon beams... Thats the kind of effect your going for.

the ghost could just walk on, down a path of very odd lighting..

remember in a case like this, your not performing a magic trick.Its creating something magical.

This thread reminds me a little of another.

lol

Purely for interest (it's not practical) you may like to read about the Corsican Trap, which allowed an actor to rise through the stage as he crossed it. Will try and find a link later.

You could also consider making a door/door panel or other feature out of split rubber, or overlapped spandex, painting it to match/look solid. That would allow your actor to appear through the set.

Also consider making one flat as a gauze-covered frame, painted to match your solid flats. With matt black masking behind to block any light spills, you could light it as required to reveal the actor. It might combine with the effect already suggested too to add an extra depth.

maybe you should think about hiring Dale, especially as he's shared so much already for free....

Cause if you don't, I will lol ! Dale check your mail ... x

Seriously, I know people who charge a ton of money for this type of info.

I really liked the corsican effect... http://www.iom.com/gaietytheatre/trap.html

There have been some fantastic ideas thrown about on this - and I like the idea of the overlapping spandex combined with the lighting effect showing bones first under UV lighting... combined with the gobo... Maybe a small smoke column too?

Thanks so much to everyone - especially Dale

I will post a link to a clip from the recording after the show... The only thing is you will have to wait until April/May next year! Lol

Oh yeah - and sadly I couldn't do the corsican trap as we have no substage/trapdoors... Love the look of it though!

You really are going about this in a very complicated way.
Pepper's Ghost?? As far as I remember, Henry Dirck's invention, for producing spectral apparitions was only used in the UK, at the Polytechnic in Regent Street, modified by Pepper and later in permanent exhibitions before being stolen??(the old old story) by people abroad.
Note: Permanent.
The size of the plate glass and the amount of room below for the actors to be in for their reflections to be cast on it is beyond most venues.

All you need on your stage is:
1. Dim down the LX to half, but flooding the stage either Dark Steel Blue ( No. 174 if using Lee Filters) OR with Alice Blue No. 197
If it's
Strand Electric Filters then Giselle Blue
When you ghost appears, using a Follow Spot VERY SLOWLY, narrowed round
'it', and with a Dark Green (124) or my favourite filter--Medium Blue Green ( 116-- used to be Cyan)

Find a way of hiding your ghost within the set; curtain, behind sofa, seat, cupboard and leave the rest to the audience's imagination & ,hopefully, your actors' 'skill' in holding and convincing them.

Years ago when I first directed my version of Dracula we did the reverse.
In his long cloak, along the shoulders was a simple piece of wire. The 2 actors grabbed it, He disappeared under it as I ripped the castle's curtains from the window.
He actually slipped behind a cupboard which had been on the castle set throughout and at a slight angle.On this occasion & because he was Dracula
I allowed a small smoke bomb to be fired , from a cente dip trap & it willowed up from beneath the cloak.
NO one ever solved where he had disappeared to. They all knew it was a solid floor stage.
Acting, Lighting & Imagination. That is all you need.
Forget Pepper's Ghost and even smoke.
Keep it simple and concentrate on their performances.

Allen Tipton