talkmagic.co.uk

Hi guys!

First post here, though I'm a regular lurker and keen hobbyist magician. But the spur for my first post is born out of a professional need. I'm a primary school teacher, who is currently stressed out trying to solve an end of year leavers' production problem, and here it is:

At one point in the play, the central character is turned into a statue by the evil queen - and I wondered if anyone has any ideas on how this switch of actor to cardboard cut-out may be achieved on a trap-door less stage.

My main bonus id that seven identical masked monsters are on stage at the same time - so maybe a covered costume switch?

But the technicalities - Aaaarggh!

Any help/ideas/hints would be greatly appreciated!

hehe - Narnia?

and welcome!

hmmmm - tricky situation there. I can't think much - but had a bit of a brainwave.

not having seen the blockings of your production, I can't say too much, though maybe something along the idea of this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CFaY3YcMg1I

may be in order? obviously you owuldnt have a big sign, but depending on what is onstage at the time, you could use a cover and make a switch, as shown?

and as you can see, it is hard to spot if you don't know what you are looking for

dunno if this will be at all feasable?
if not let me know, and I'll get my thinking cap back on

Ha - ha .. Narnia indeed! Well a spoof of it, at least...

Yes, I think some of blocking screen will be in order, or use of a piece of scenery at least...

Still can't get my thoughts away from a costume styled switch. If my actor hides behind a rock whilst the monsters dance around her, and dons a mask and costume identical to the monsters and disappears with the monsters when they exit.. maybe that's the way to go, but it still lacks that bit of .... well.... magic!

I'm really looking for a show storming set piece on a budget! Anyone else had any experience of Panto-stye magic that I may be able to re-create!?

hmmm - I'm an A level Drama Student, and we just did a devised performance of Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis" in which we had to have a transformation from a man to a beetle.

obviously, it was low budget - maybe you could do something along the lines that we had.

Have flashing lights, or even better, strobes.

I can imagine your actor/actress as she "turns to stone" maybe cringing with every "flash" into a new position.

Previous of the performance, if possible (I know it would be difficult - but the kids'll love it) get a plastercast made of the body - or a "statue" as close to the body shape/position as possible, painted grey.

you could have flashy strobes, flashy strobes, get to position of statue, blackout for 2 seconds, replace with statue, duck behind rock e.t.c

the shock of it will enter the audience's minds, may have a good effect.

the costume change idea you had was good as well - maybe incorporate it all, so you have dancers dancing around, and maybe use one to help with the switch, and have the change to leave no evidence.

Once again, I am just throwing out ideas, you never know, it might give you a couple as well.

once again - let me know!

Blapsing_Beard wrote:hmmm - I'm an A level Drama Student, and we just did a devised performance of Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis" in which we had to have a transformation from a man to a beetle.

obviously, it was low budget - maybe you could do something along the lines that we had.

Have flashing lights, or even better, strobes.

I can imagine your actor/actress as she "turns to stone" maybe cringing with every "flash" into a new position.

Previous of the performance, if possible (I know it would be difficult - but the kids'll love it) get a plastercast made of the body - or a "statue" as close to the body shape/position as possible, painted grey.

you could have flashy strobes, flashy strobes, get to position of statue, blackout for 2 seconds, replace with statue, duck behind rock e.t.c

the shock of it will enter the audience's minds, may have a good effect.

the costume change idea you had was good as well - maybe incorporate it all, so you have dancers dancing around, and maybe use one to help with the switch, and have the change to leave no evidence.

Once again, I am just throwing out ideas, you never know, it might give you a couple as well.

once again - let me know!

Chers Chris .. good stuff. You have to be cautious about using strobes in primary schools, but a series of blackouts might be a good possibility. Thanks for the time out of your studies, as ex-English grad myself, give me a shout if you need some theories on Ted hughes..

.. or something.

I'm really not an expert, but what about the back-lighting technique? Have a canvas painted with the statue and to match the rest of the scenery, strong lights behind it, so it's transparent. The actor is moving behind the canvas, then the light behind it is dropped, replaced by light from the front. This makes the screen turn opaque, from the audience's point of view, revealing the statue.

It might be a bit too much work for what you've got available. You might be able to achieve something similar with thin paper, if a canvas is too expensive or difficult.

I was just in a production of the Beauty and the Beast musical (Don't say anything ! I like to act and sing and it was a wonderful show, we made thousands of dollars!) and we had to think up a way for the Beast to transform into the prince (prince to beast was done behind a screen and a moment of blackness). We came decided to use flashing colored lights and a smoke machine. I'd suggest when you have the character turn into stone, have it done near someplace for the actor to duck down and the "statue" to be put up under the cover of a smoke machine. It worked beautifully for us and I'd say it's your best bet. It's ironic that a magician is suggesting smoke and mirrors for an transformation!

In Chapter 12 (last chapter) of "The Secrets of Alkazar," (Kronzek) you'll find the trick, "The Spirit of Isis," which explains how to do almost precisely what you are asking. With some very minor changes, you could easily get this to work for you.

Mike.

Have actor pause/pose for a moment while two others bring on a large sheet to wrap him/her in. Just a pause would be enough to arrange a switch from human being to cardboard cutout.

Thanks to you all, guys! Certainly food for thought here. I think I'm beginning to cook up a plan in my head! Children be very afraid!

That said, very intrigued by the 'Spirit of Isis' - but on my budget, sadly can't afford a gamble if it turns out to be unsuitable... is it really that good?!

£5.95 on Amazon.co.uk

Mike.

If you are on a budget have a look at Mark Wilsons Cyclopedia
as hobbyist (if you dont have this book aleady) you will find this book
contains more info per pound the most other books out there.
If you cannot modify any of his stage transformations like Mystery of the
Mummy - Male to female swap only using a sheet ( Cheap set up )
then you will still be glad you bought the book.
in fact no matter what you decide to use buy the book
amazon £7:99 new used from £2:34.

Leviticus

leviticus wrote:If you are on a budget have a look at Mark Wilsons Cyclopedia
as hobbyist (if you dont have this book aleady) you will find this book
contains more info per pound the most other books out there.
If you cannot modify any of his stage transformations like Mystery of the
Mummy - Male to female swap only using a sheet ( Cheap set up )
then you will still be glad you bought the book.
in fact no matter what you decide to use buy the book
amazon £7:99 new used from £2:34.

Leviticus

Firstly a) Cheers for the amazon tip on the 'Spirit of Isis' - I automatically switched to £30 mode when a book was mentioned... got it for a couple of quid on Amazon Shops!

And secondly, of course the Mark Wilson Book! I do have a copy in my attic hell somewhere, and it does have a section on basic illusions at the back doesn't it? I shall hunt it down posthaste. A good call sir!

Mind you, the way the little so and sos behaved today I could do with a trick to whip 26 of the blighters off into the ether....