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Old January 26th, 2009, 03:02 PM
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Default Singin' in the Rain

Greetings all,

I'm in my first year as tech director at a large public High School in Central Indiana. I'm currently doing a production of Peter Pan and dealing with the challenges of flight, but I'm trying to get my mind around the next big show coming up - "singin In the Rain."

The show is in early may, but I'm just hoping to get any and all advice that may be offered. It's a complicated show, regardless of the rain issue. What kind of drops did you use and where did you find them. Did you use a simple pipe in a pipe set up for a rain screen? Making it rains seems relatively simple, it's collecting the rain that seems a challenge. What about a suitable flooring surface that won't get tto slick when wet?

Any and all input would be welcome.

Thanks,

GOKO
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Old January 26th, 2009, 04:53 PM
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Default Re: Singin' in the Rain

Quote:
Originally Posted by goboleko View Post
Greetings all,

I'm in my first year as tech director at a large public High School in Central Indiana. I'm currently doing a production of Peter Pan and dealing with the challenges of flight, but I'm trying to get my mind around the next big show coming up - "singin In the Rain."

The show is in early may, but I'm just hoping to get any and all advice that may be offered. It's a complicated show, regardless of the rain issue. What kind of drops did you use and where did you find them. Did you use a simple pipe in a pipe set up for a rain screen? Making it rains seems relatively simple, it's collecting the rain that seems a challenge. What about a suitable flooring surface that won't get tto slick when wet?

Any and all input would be welcome.

Thanks,

GOKO
Do a search for "RAIN" - you'll find the search feature in the toolbar at the top of the page. There have been quite a few elaborate (and not so elaborate) systems that have been shared before.

Since you're new(ish), here's a freebie:

http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...in-effect.html

That's just one of the few threads you can find. Don't be afraid to add on some questions to the older threads, either!
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Old February 7th, 2009, 05:31 PM
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Default Re: Singin' in the Rain

One interesting solution that I saw for rain I don't think has been mentioned on CB. The technique was as follows:

It is possible to purchase empty gelcaps (like those used for pills) in big boxes. Load the gelcaps into a tube with holes in it, much like a snow dispenser. Rotate or vibrate the tube so that the gelcaps fall through the holes at a rate you like. You will need something to catch the gelcaps, but there is no mess to clean, and you get a pretty realistic sound. They are also reusable. When lit from the side they glint like rain drops.
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Old February 7th, 2009, 06:29 PM
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Default Re: Singin' in the Rain

This show is on my list that you might be better off renting theb building. There is a pretty good set on the east coast I believe. When I get home I can look that up.
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Old February 7th, 2009, 08:19 PM

 
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Default Re: Singin' in the Rain

My school did Singin' in the Rain last year, and although I must admit it wasn't the best set, it did have a pretty cool rain setup that generated plenty of complements.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the setup handy, but it is easy to understand.

We were playing around with strictly lighting ideas, but decided what the heck, lets use water, so we did. All we did was run a garden hose from a facet backstage up to a baton which had a soaker hose running along the length of it.

There wasn't a whole lot of pressure, so the water didn't spray, but formed water droplets on the hose that fell just like rain.

As for collecting the water, the original idea was to create a "sidewalk" with holes in it that drained off stage. We ended up using a black tarp to collect the water that couldn't be seen by the audience because of time restraints.

Good luck,
~JackMVHS


EDIT: Sorry for the large picture. Also to reduce slipping you could sprinkle the "sidewalk" with sawdust when painting, or add a non-slip surface.

Last edited by JackMVHS; February 7th, 2009 at 08:24 PM.. Reason: clarification
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Old February 7th, 2009, 09:24 PM
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EDIT: Sorry for the large picture. Also to reduce slipping you could sprinkle the "sidewalk" with sawdust when painting, or add a non-slip surface.
Sand or silica when added to paint works extremly well to add traction. Sawdust will wear out over time.
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