Open Forum

Greetings! 

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it. 

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for. 

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

Since we did it in a small space we used a rain chime effect and had the actors react to the lights. They only are mentioned in the first scene.

------------------------------
John Perry
Retired Theatre Teacher
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 09:11
From: Marcelle Anderson
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

I replied to the original poster, but I thought I would put it here too for the benefit of anyone else looking for answers.  I saw a great trick at a festival once where they simply had someone on the front row with a flashlight shining through a mason jar.  In the jar were lots of clear colored stones that can be found at any craft store.  They rotated the jar around to give different 'lights'.  It was very <g class="gr_ gr_827 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="827" data-gr-id="827">cheap,</g> and very effective.  Just make sure the jar is very full to avoid any rattling noise.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Mark Stich
Theatre Teacher and Director
Haralson County High School
Tallapoosa, Ga
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 09:11
From: Marcelle Anderson
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

​Love it Mark! I will try this for sure.

------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 11:45
From: Mark Stich
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

I replied to the original poster, but I thought I would put it here too for the benefit of anyone else looking for answers.  I saw a great trick at a festival once where they simply had someone on the front row with a flashlight shining through a mason jar.  In the jar were lots of clear colored stones that can be found at any craft store.  They rotated the jar around to give different 'lights'.  It was very <g class="gr_ gr_827 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="827" data-gr-id="827">cheap,</g> and very effective.  Just make sure the jar is very full to avoid any rattling noise.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Mark Stich
Theatre Teacher and Director
Haralson County High School
Tallapoosa, Ga

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 09:11
From: Marcelle Anderson
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

We did something by accident that totally worked!

We had a white cyc hanging in the back, with LED footlights pointing up at it - greens and purples for the Northern Lights scenes. We tried to make them blink magically, but they only looked ... mechanical and stupid. But by chance, someone walked behind the cyc and it moved in the breeze. Suddenly - magic! We tried out a few ways of replicating it, and ended up having two actors in the back on either side of the scrim gently rippling the scrim while the lights were glowing on it. The way the cyc flowed made it look as if the lights were flowing through the sky. It was beautiful!!!

------------------------------
Arden Thomas
Sequoyah High School
Pasadena CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 12:48
From: Crit Fisher
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

​Love it Mark! I will try this for sure.

------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 11:45
From: Mark Stich
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

I replied to the original poster, but I thought I would put it here too for the benefit of anyone else looking for answers.  I saw a great trick at a festival once where they simply had someone on the front row with a flashlight shining through a mason jar.  In the jar were lots of clear colored stones that can be found at any craft store.  They rotated the jar around to give different 'lights'.  It was very <g class="gr_ gr_827 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="827" data-gr-id="827">cheap,</g> and very effective.  Just make sure the jar is very full to avoid any rattling noise.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Mark Stich
Theatre Teacher and Director
Haralson County High School
Tallapoosa, Ga

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 09:11
From: Marcelle Anderson
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

Original Message------

Greetings! 

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it. 

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for. 

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

Dorothea has such a great idea-especially for schools performing in a cafe-gym-a-torium, or those with limited technical resources. 


------------------------------
Krista Carson Elhai
CA Educational Theatre Association, President
Theatre Director
Claremont HS
An International Baccalaureate World School
Claremont CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2018 07:19
From: Dorothea Hackett
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

We did something unique with John Cariani's approval, of course.  We had a very talented female ballet dancer who just didn't "fit" any of the other roles.  We had her dress in a multi-colored soft tutu and dance between each of the scenes with the musical accompaniment.  It turned out well. At the end, she posed over the two characters as they came together on the bench with their snowball and we had it snow. Nice effect.

Mrs. Dorothea Hackett, M.Ed.

National Board Certified Teacher

English/French/Theater Arts

9-12 English Department Chair

International Thespian Society 6949 Sponsor

DuBois Area Senior High School

425 Orient Avenue

DuBois, PA  15801

814-371-8111 x3137

dhackett@dasd.k12.pa.us

or

dhackett@students.dasd.k12.pa.us

Original Message------

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

We used the Christmas lights from Lowes; they cost about $16.00 each and we purchased two;  One green and the other changed from red to blue, the effect was awesome and the cost was very minimal.   We also used the same lights for our under water scene in The Diviners and the audiences were impressed with those effects.

------------------------------
Jeffrey Hudkins
Falling Waters WV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 09:11
From: Marcelle Anderson
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

I love the clear marbles flashlight idea! In our production, we used flat tubs with water (positioned on the ground in front of our cyc and hidden behind our set) and mirrors which were positioned to reflect lighting instruments (w/ different color gels) onto our cyc. Then for each transition we had students on the ground gently moving the water tubs and rippling the water to create the effect.  There are many ideas in this thread that are far simpler :) But it was a great effect.

------------------------------
Colleen Mylott
Lafayette CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2018 09:28
From: Jeffrey Hudkins
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

We used the Christmas lights from Lowes; they cost about $16.00 each and we purchased two;  One green and the other changed from red to blue, the effect was awesome and the cost was very minimal.   We also used the same lights for our under water scene in The Diviners and the audiences were impressed with those effects.

------------------------------
Jeffrey Hudkins
Falling Waters WV

Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2018 09:11
From: Marcelle Anderson
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

Greetings!

This fall I am producing Almost, Maine and I <g class="gr_ gr_343 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="343" data-gr-id="343">am</g> looking for suggestions for displaying the Northern Lights.
The previous Theatre director left me a scrim, however, I do not have a rigging system to attach it to. My question is, how challenging is it to attach a scrim, how damaging would it be to the ceiling/ wall, and what are some other options you can think of project a video of the Northern Lights onto it.

I realize I could use the actual lights with gels, but I don't think it would have the same effect I am looking for.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to respond.

------------------------------
Marcelle Anderson
Theatre Director
Currey Ingram Academy
Brentwood TN
------------------------------

Original Message------

We used the Christmas lights from Lowes; they cost about $16.00 each and we purchased two;  One green and the other changed from red to blue, the effect was awesome and the cost was very minimal.   We also used the same lights for our under water scene in The Diviners and the audiences were impressed with those effects.

------------------------------
Jeffrey Hudkins
Falling Waters WV
------------------------------

We rented two of these fixtures, programmed the color and movement we wanted, and projected them onto a black curtain on the back of the stage. 
Spark 7™ 7 x 12W LED Moving Head Spotlight

OmniSistem		remove preview
Spark 7™ 7 x 12W LED Moving Head Spotlight Features: (7) 12W 4-in-1 RGBW LEDs Excellent color mixing Smooth dimmer Tight, punchy beam Compact, silent design Blue LCD display DMX-512 control Rated Voltage: 100~240V Rated frequency: 50/60Hz Power: 120W Light source: 7 x 12W 4-in-1 RGBW LEDs Lifespan: ~50,000 hours Beam angle: 8° Pan: 540° (self-correcting) Tilt: 240° (self-correcting) DMX Channels Modes: 6, 8, 10, and 13 Control Modes: DMX-512, Master/Slave, Sound Activated Protection Grade: IP20 Working Environment: Indoor Environment Temperature: -22 to 104°F (-30 to 40°C) Size: 9.4″ x 5.1″ x 12.1″ (241 x 130 x 308mm) Weight: 8.6 lbs. View this on OmniSistem >

It cost us around around $400 but was well worth it.  Although the aurora is central to Glory and East's scene, firing them up between scenes and during Pete and Ginette's reunion really added to the magic of the show.

The mason jar idea sounds really interesting and I will try that.  I'm hoping to produce this show every five years or so with my high school group.

------------------------------
K Lang
Ticonderoga NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2018 19:55
From: Amy Sando
Subject: Almost, Maine- Northern Lights Display

We painted ours instead of using lights. It was a beautiful backdrop. If you have a talented artist among your cast, consider it. 

--

 

 

Amy Sando,

Douglas High School Drama

asando@dcsd.k12.nv.us

782-5136

 

"You've got to paint the picture and then walk into it. And if you ever find you can't paint the picture, just don't walk."

Original Message------

We used the Christmas lights from Lowes; they cost about $16.00 each and we purchased two;  One green and the other changed from red to blue, the effect was awesome and the cost was very minimal.   We also used the same lights for our under water scene in The Diviners and the audiences were impressed with those effects.

------------------------------
Jeffrey Hudkins
Falling Waters WV
------------------------------