talkmagic.co.uk

Hi!

I come to yourselves as the founts of all knowledge on these matters...

I am producing/directing a play in April 2011, that calls for a 'ghost' (played by a real actor) to appear/disappear several times, interacting (verbally, not physically) with another actor on stage. It would be nice if the ghost could interact with scenery too (sit on a chair, for instance) but this is not essential.

I originally looked at pepper's ghost for this, as I like the idea of the ghost being slightly transparent, and/or lit differently (green would be great). Unfortunately on a reasonable size stage being seen across around 150 degrees, I can't quite see how to make this work. Especially as the other actors need to use the whole stage.

I would be eternally grateful for any advice, or pointers in the right direction as to how this could be achieved...

For anyone really interested, the play is 'Haunted' by Eric Chappell...

many thanks in advance,

Stu

I meant to say...

There is no trapdoor on the stage, wires would not be possible, and the front row of the audience is approx. 4 metres away...

you need to get together with the set designer and the director, and see if you can have the ghost appear in doorways and windows, rather than on the full stage.

Remember though, that Peppers ghost was originaly used on a full stage.

you could also possibly use a combination of filmed images, and back projections through a shimcloth.
pre film the ghost scenes, against a black background.. presto.

Thanks for that...

Unfortunately appearing in doorways/windows is not an option, as the ghost needs to be fully in view of the other actor...

As for pre-filmed images, I do not like the idea of that due to the interaction with the other actor. If one nights performances lines get messed up.... Could lead to huge problems.

I have been trying to find a layout online for the original pepper's ghost but haven't found one yet. All the others I've found have to be looked at from a very limited field, otherwise either the ghost is in the wrong place for some people, or doesn't even show!

Any more pointers really gratefully recieved...

Just to clarify on Pepper's ghost...

The biggest problem I am getting is that a sheet of glass at 45 degrees on stage would be straight on to some members of the audience, and beyond side on to others...

Its a ghost... its mouth doesnt have to move, and the lines are spoken off stage into a mike.

Its a tried and trusted technique.

If one nights performances lines get messed up.... Could lead to huge problems.

That's what rehersals are for....

Also, i strongly sugest that you sit down and watch the Rex Harrison film version of Blythe Spirit.

you will see exactly how you should do it.

Would black-art be a possibility? What kind of backdrops are you using?

synopsys of the play...

Nigel Burke, playwright, is neurotic and agoraphobic and hasn't written a word in three months much to the chagrin of his wife and agent. One night he is visited by the mysterious Potter who knows of Nigel's obsession with Lord Byron. Potter offers him the skull goblet once owned by Byron. Drinking from the goblet brings a profound change in Nigel and finally Byron's ghost appears. First performed at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, starring Keith Barron.

Characters / Male 4 (30's, 40's), Female 2 (30's)

Set / A study.

Its a one set piece, so you should be able to build more or less anything into it, including traps in teh walls, if you want.

Rehearsals comment - absolutely! However I know all too well from experience that there is always one night in the run where something unpredicted happens...

As for backdrop, it is a set built out of flats, with a window over a desk upstage, and a doorway stage left. There is also a desk and bookshelves. I was looking for a gothic feel, and it is meant to be the study in an old cottage so I thought grey stone walls (painted).

[/quote]Its a one set piece, so you should be able to build more or less anything into it, including traps in teh walls, if you want.[/quote]

I can get the guy onstage quickly enough (I was thinking about a hidden entrance behind a bookcase), and toyed with ideas like a brief blackout, or pyros, but I really want somethiong a bit special... That will leave the audience wondering 'How did they do that?'

wood paneling would be more practical. If for no other reason, than its straight lines, so you can hide traps, and flaps .
As Its set in a cottage, you might also look into tudor red bicks, and beams.
Grey walls has another issue. Light colours reflect light. and as a result should you want to use an optical effect of some kind, you may find issues.

One person you could contact regarding more info on peppers ghost, is Paul Kieve, who recently gave an evenings talk about it in london.
And also, try and get hold of a copy of Sharps optical secrets. Its not cheep, but its worth it's weight in gold if you want to make ghosts.
Pyros, should be avoided. This isnt panto


( Thats the director coming out.. cant you tell?)

You could also use controlled pools of U.V Lighting, and treated fabrics.

Its not difficult to make these pools, use masks to cast an invisible shadow over the stage,( like a gobo ) Better yet, If you allow a tiny amount of smoke to drift through this area, you get a very unusual effect indeed.



you could even go one step further. Iluminate the hanted items with down lights. Including your other actors. Make sure they are tightly focused. then, shove this uv pool in mid stage..
A little smoke... the gobo... and the ghosts start to materialize. then there he is in all his glory..

In the dark, the actor playing the the ghost could just walk on and enter through the pool. the key to this, is pace.. it shouldnt be to fast.
because you then have teh actor appearing bit by bit. first a hand.. with bones highlighted in uv make up on teh back... he turns his hand over, and the bones become flesh and blood.....

as the stage lights are slowly bought back up to not quite full...

daleshrimpton wrote:You could also use controlled pools of U.V Lighting, and treated fabrics.

Its not difficult to make these pools, use masks to cast an invisible shadow over the stage,( like a gobo ) Better yet, If you allow a tiny amount of smoke to drift through this area, you get a very unusual effect indeed.



you could even go one step further. Iluminate the hanted items with down lights. Including your other actors. Make sure they are tightly focused. then, shove this uv pool in mid stage..
A little smoke... the gobo... and the ghosts start to materialize. then there he is in all his glory..

In the dark, the actor playing the the ghost could just walk on and enter through the pool. the key to this, is pace.. it shouldnt be to fast.
because you then have teh actor appearing bit by bit. first a hand.. with bones highlighted in uv make up on teh back... he turns his hand over, and the bones become flesh and blood.....

as the stage lights are slowly bought back up to not quite full...

That sounds brilliant!!! What would you recommend as a gobo specifically?

Any basic break up pattern will do. ( Leafs, or clouds )
If you use a uv light , as opposed to one of this strips they should take a standard bit of kit on the front.