An interesting experiment

mike raine | 06/10/2009 - 12:29

Huon Valley Theatre has been going since 1988, and has had its flies since then. We have four or five, all of which have been painted over so many times that they are heavy, cracking and almost impossible to repaint now.

New flies are, for us, prohibitively expensive (specially as they all need replacing).

For our christmas pantomime we are trying something different.

Instead of using two flies, we are constructing five panels (each 1.5m wide and 4m high) that interlock to form a backdrop that's 7.5m wide and 4m high. Each will be pivotted in the centre and can be rotated about this axis, so that we can have one scene painted on the front side and another on the back, giving us the equivalent of two flies at a fraction of the cost.

At the moment the panels are being painted for the pantomime . . . so it won't be long before they're installed and we can try them out.

If this system works, we expect to construct another set of five panels. This will give us the equivalent of four flies.

If it doesn't work . . . then we have to rethink our ideas.

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Three scenes

Author: jeffhansen
Date: 06/10/2009 - 12:37

Instead of making double sided flats, you can build them on a triangular base, with a pivot in the centre of the triangle.

This gives you three sides to paint - adequate for most shows.
The scene change is completed in about 3 seconds.

www.meltheco.org.au

I stage managed a

Author: Daniel Kershaw
Date: 06/10/2009 - 12:45

I stage managed a production using that technique and with a lot of practice from the backstage crew, works very well.

Beat me to it.

Author: Labrug
Date: 06/10/2009 - 13:39

Spot on Jeff. Stirling Players (when at the original theatre) used this technique to great effect in their production of "Ten Tiny Fingers, Nine Tiny Toes" some years back.

It was only a small stage so effectively two triangular structures filled the backdrop area. Three backdrop set in one. They also built a flat which opened up into a small kitchenete and also folder out into a hospital bed, along with some other amazing set pieces...

Very clever stuff.

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins
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Photographer

With putting the Periaktoi

Author: JoeMc
Date: 07/10/2009 - 08:00

With putting the Periaktoi together, I found using the loose pin split hinges, the best method of jioning them up;

http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_T61700

Then adding the dutchman maskibg to cover the jionts. Also the loose pin makes it easier to dismantle on bump out.

If you can't find these localy, get some ordinary butt hinges & file or grind the captivating top off the pin. Splitting the hinge in half & make up a pin to suit.

It is a good idea to attach a piece of white cord [lanyard] to the pin & the hinge half on the flat. This insures the pin won't get lost later.

brilliant!

Author: mike raine
Date: 06/10/2009 - 13:09

three sides makes for greater stability!

We will most certainly develop that idea further

I'm glad someone's been there before!

They are known as periaktoi

Author: JoeMc
Date: 06/10/2009 - 13:39

They are known as periaktoi flats or wings.

I call them Medci Flats, because it is easier to pronounce & spell.

Periaktoi in Greek meaning to revolve, I have made a few of these in my time, fairly simple using standard flats on a central pivot. Of course they can be 2 or more flats or a series of meddici flats revolving as a back drop. A bit like vertical venitians.

We produced some of these at the old Guild theatre in Perth & stirling when they were in Progress street Scarborough, Both the Greek & Roman theatres used these quite extensivly & highly mechanised. Changing whole scenes automaticaly in view of the punters.

.

Mike with Medeci flats

Author: JoeMc
Date: 16/10/2009 - 10:50

Mike with Medeci flats [Periaktoi] this site may help;- MediciWings

BRILLIANT!!

Author: Labrug
Date: 16/10/2009 - 11:43

Bloody Brilliant!!! What great ideas. Now, how can I make use of them.... <stalks away muttering> Eye-wink

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins
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Photographer

I'f you use double

Author: JoeMc
Date: 16/10/2009 - 18:14

With 'TAc' I'f you use double flat medici wings & foliage Oleo leg drops, this will leave the borowed Tumbler [oileo] to mask [as a scrim or cyc] the up stage Edwardian flats - only a suggestion?

On the Money

Author: Labrug
Date: 16/10/2009 - 21:38

A suggestion which is pretty bloody good!

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

With 'Medici wings'

Author: JoeMc
Date: 17/10/2009 - 08:17

With 'Medici wings' I have found it easier to use two flats back to back, rather than just atempting to have a double sided flat by adding an extra skin.

This also gives a more substanial rail area to mount the pivot, either on the head or tail rails &/or both. You can get fancy or cheap utalising pipe coupling flanges with a spring on the pivot, to hold the location spigot in the flange bolt holes. Normaly there are five bolt holes in a pipe flange, which would give a variation of wing angles, making easier to preset all the wing flats to suit the set. The spring on the pivot is depressed by lifting & released to locate the spigot. The operation is made easier by attaching old carpet strips to the underside of the tail rail. The carpet s is put on with the pile downwards sitting on the deck, this gives smooth movement when the flat is revolved & shifted. Of course there are heaps of ways of producing the revole mechanism, but in all cases attempt to keep it simple, as the 'warm props' may even venture to operate them at times?

The carpet can help when using multi sided periaktoi, which will take the wieght off the central pivot revolve mechanisms, even if the deck is not flat. - This can also assist in shifting hevier set pieces.

Thanks for all your

Author: mike raine
Date: 19/10/2009 - 08:59

Thanks for all your valuable suggestions!

HVT will digest them all and try and incorporate the various ideas. There's certainly considerable food for thought in there.