Hi Everyone!
I am a big believer in knowledge sharing especially since we had so much fun working on
Puffs. I think the picture that Joseph posted in October was much more elegant in terms of the look of those wands. Here is the cheap way we were able to craft wands that lit up in case helpful.
Attached is a badly drawn diagram illustrating what my genius student prop team and I were able to figure out...
We bought these
1/2" cake rods (cut some down as 16" long so 12" may be more ideal), later on I bought these
cardboard rods which were cheaper and MUCH easier to work with but a bit less durable, we bought these
white LED lights cheap, we kept the switch visible and in the approx. thumb position so the actors could control when they were on and off, butcher paper to wrap around and glue around them so they became opaque and
clear marbles to catch the light at the end.
I am attaching some pics of what they looked like onstage. These pictures were taken on the first day we were rehearsing with some of the final props so you can see some actors weren't working with the new ones or remembering to even take them on stage etc...
For holsters, I bought a bunch of adjustable belts and had the costume team help by sewing burlap wand holsters for storage. I like the pleather fabric glue idea. So again maybe not 100% elegant solution. But cheap and lights up. :)
Cheers,
Colleen
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Colleen Mylott
Secondary Theatre Teacher
Peak to Peak Charter School
Lafayette, CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2020 18:19
From: Derek Pickens
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
I mean, the only moments that really would have been better were Cedric showing Wayne the Lumos charm, and then the headmaster funeral. But I used other lighting effects and was happy with the results. Don't stress over the LED.
HOWEVER - if I did it all over again, I would have wands (or doofer wands) AND wand sheaths ready at the first rehearsal. It really was an adjustment for them once they got them.
I also highly recommend renting the music and sound design. If you need that info, let me know. It's worth the money.
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Derek T. Pickens, MFA
Theatre Teacher
Charleston County School of the Arts
North Charleston, SC
Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2020 17:51
From: Chip Goff
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
I was debating if they were necessary. Did you like it without the leds? I'm trying to make up. Y mind on it! 🤣
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Chip Goff
English and Theatre Instructor
Mobile AL
Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2020 16:50
From: Derek Pickens
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
Due to time and money constraints we ended up nixing the LED. I ended up doing a hot glue treatment on one end to make the handles and they looked great. Then just a few coats of spray paint, but could have used a sealant.
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Derek T. Pickens, MFA
Theatre Teacher
Charleston County School of the Arts
North Charleston, SC
Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2020 15:46
From: Chip Goff
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
How did the cake rods turn out?
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Chip Goff
English and Theatre Instructor
Mobile AL
Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2019 10:42
From: Derek Pickens
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
And update for all - we've purchased 1/4" hollow plastic cake rods and will be wiring an LED with a press switch. We're hopeful that we can make it so the batteries can be replaces so we can rent or sell them to help out other groups with the issue. I lucked out with a facilities manager who likes to do stuff like this :)
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Derek T. Pickens, MFA
Theatre Teacher
Charleston County School of the Arts
North Charleston, SC
Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2019 09:40
From: Joseph Gels
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
We are working on it right now. Pic attached. We got leds with wires that we wrap around a plastic cylinder (it looks very theatrical and like texture.) and then a battery pack with a switch at the bottom. Figuring out how to cover battery pack but also that's the part that would be in their hand so not as worried.
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Joseph Gels
Theatre Teacher
Boston Latin School
Boston MA
Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2019 10:41
From: C. J. Breland
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
I wonder if you could add a piece of very narrow PVC pipe to a fiber optic tassel wand so only the tip glows. I found multiple inexpensive sources for those online. They have the switch on the handle.
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C. J. Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
Asheville NC
Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2019 07:30
From: Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
Ooh, I'm looking at PUFFS for next year, so keep us posted on how it goes!
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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre Department Coordinator
Fishersville VA
Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2019 12:41
From: Derek Pickens
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
Surprisingly enough, we don't have a STEM program. We're an arts magnet school, so sometimes things like that fall though the cracks...
However I did have a thought this morning along the same lines - I've asked one of our teachers with a 3D printer if they thought we could print hollow wands and help with wiring.
Thanks!
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Derek T. Pickens, MFA
Theatre Teacher
Charleston County School of the Arts
North Charleston, SC
Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2019 12:31
From: Brian Bozanich
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
Just a thought. If you have any kind of STEM program that builds things on your campus, involve them. In my school, I would walk over to the robotics teacher (a friend) and ask them for a solution. An LED with a watch battery in the simplest of circuits would just need a pressure switch for activation. The cast could even craft their wands if they had the time.
I know time is always a factor, but these kind of natural, cross-program projects help build community.
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Brian Bozanich
Director of Theatre
Maumee Valley Country Day School
Toledo OH
Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2019 21:06
From: Derek Pickens
Subject: Light Up Wizard Wands
Hello all,
I know it's a rather new title, but has anyone had success either buying or building light up wants for PUFFS? Everything I've found on Amazon is either super expensive or makes a sound when it lights up, and I'm not having much luck other places.
I should mention that as per our contract, we are unable to use anything that is official merchandise of the Harry Potter world.
Thanks!
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Derek T. Pickens, MFA
Theatre Teacher
Charleston County School of the Arts
North Charleston, SC
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