Back in the old days, a thunder sheet was a large piece of metal, like galvanized iron, suspended from above. You grabbed it by the bottom and shook it, and of course the sound depended on the size and gauge of the metal as well as the strength of the operator. Some theatres added a rumble cart to this to create more depth in the sound.
If you can find a copy of
Producing the Play, with the New Scene Technician's Handbook, by Gassner and Barber, through a library, you'll find descriptions of some of these machines. The book goes back to the 40s and 50s, so it's way out of print but very interesting reading.
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George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.comwww.georgefledo.nethttp://astore.amazon.com/sdtbookstore-20------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-12-2018 16:56
From: Mark A. Zimmerman
Subject: Thunder Sheet
Where does one buy a thunder sheet? I am looking for something to make the sound of thunder live (not recorded).
Everything I find online is a musical instrument/gong and not what I am looking for.
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Mark A. Zimmerman,
Theatre Director
Akron School for the Arts
Firestone Community Learning Center
470 Castle Blvd
Akron, Ohio 44313
Troupe 5570
mzimmerm@apslearn.org
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