Ghost: The Musical

Greetings all!

I am a new user to CB, although I have frequently used it for show solutions. I'm the Technical Director for a new theatre opening in Little Rock, Arkansas called the Studio Theatre. Construction on our space is steaming along and we've begun the process of selecting our first season.

A show that has come up is Ghost: The Musical. (If you haven't heard it, I strongly encourage you to listen)

I had a few questions that you guys might be able to answer...

1. What all special effects are used in the show. Unfortunately, it hasn't been available long enough for smaller groups to do it and post videos on youtube. All I have seen are short clips from behind the scenes.

2. How exactly do I achieve most of these. We have a pretty large budget and a very lenient fire marshall, but no fly system. I know the original production actually brought in an illusionist.

Thoughts, Opinions, Suggestions, ANYTHING!!

All of the help is greatly appreciated!

I have a friend who is a freelance illusionist and he's in the more reasonable price range. I know he's been involved with similar projects although I doubt he's worked on this exact production. Send me a PM if you would like his contact information.

Just from memory of seeing the Broadway production, most of the "special effects" fall into the realm of illusion. You have the walking-through-the-door (a pepper's ghost-type trick), Sam passing his hand through the can (similar) and then throwing it, the ascension at the end (Accomplishable with scrim and lighting) and the subway car fight scene which was done with stagehands in full black and careful lighting. There were also a couple of flight moments, with Carl being dragged up his bookcase and him being pulled to Hell at the end. I can't think of any pyro or anything of that sort in the show.

Also, welcome. I'm down in Arkadelphia, so we aren't that far apart.

Hi Timothy
I have seen your post as I too am now in the same position as you having been asked to produce the magical effects for an amateur production of Ghost the musical.
How have you been getting on ? And would you like to chat about the effects as I'm a professional magician so have a slight advantage...

To be entirely honest, I haven't even started working on it. I am unfortunately in the middle of a legal battle with my theatre. I have been terminated and am being denied payment for the time I worked. While Ghost is still on my list of dream shows, I don't see myself getting to touch it for quite some time as I feel it is necessary to take a hiatus from the entertainment industry in order to support my wife and our daughter arriving in September.

With that said, I would love to hear what you come up with, and I'm sure the others here would too. Best wishes and remember: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

Did anyone make any headway with the walking through door ghost FX step by step. I am 90 percent sure i know how its done except for one piece of it! Would love to chat with someone about it in detail!