Recent content by MichaelPHS

  1. M

    Need advice concerning pyrotechnics (UK)

    Unsure if this is the correct board, but I need help with the above. Started a new job and the venue has no pyro licence holder or safe storage area (basically kept in a box on a shelf in a store room, its a sports bar). I am not pyro trained myself so am unsure on the regs, but am I right in...
  2. M

    Virtual Lighting desks

    Alas the economic troubles have hit me so I wil be made redunadant at the end of this school year. As a result I will be using my remaining time to train a few students in the basics (desk programming, basic rigging, lamp changing ec) so they aren't left completely in the dark (no pun intended)...
  3. M

    Coloured Graduation Gowns

    Instead of gowns, since they seem to be so pricey, we have opted for all the cast chipping in a few quid (since our budget is "can you beg, borrow and steal this please?) for mortar boards, found several different variations of and ordered some samples.
  4. M

    Coloured Graduation Gowns

    We've had the go ahead for next year's school performance, going with Fame, and one of my initial tasks is to source (either bought or hired, whichevers cheaper) 100 grad gowns of differing colours. My first thoughts were find some cheap white mass produced ones and dye them, but all the white...
  5. M

    Pen you use

    I have a mass collection of pens of varying lifespans, most generic biros, both cap and click. At the moment I am running down a pair I got for 99p from a stationary shop here as I needed a couple carabina clips which these came with (for costume purposes before anyone faints from shock). My...
  6. M

    Turning a Portakabin into a black box theatre

    Easiest solution of all. We've bypassed our school's community manager and approached the headmaster directly, who has managed to get it agreed we can paint it. Just need blinds for the windows now. The CM was adamant we can't, but before it goes back we would have had to repair and repaint it...
  7. M

    Turning a Portakabin into a black box theatre

    Thats what I had planned gaff, got a good 6-8 inches on the heater mount before the actual heat becomes an issue (still flame-resisting to be safe) so will hang them behind, maybe even adjust the heater angle to direct it even more away from them.
  8. M

    Turning a Portakabin into a black box theatre

    gaff, that is so freakin' simple, I can't believe I didn't think of it. Makes a hell of a lot of sense too with kids as if it gets pulled down or damaged it wll be easier to fix. Tent style "window flaps" so we can still open the actual windows up when needed. Only concern will be some wall...
  9. M

    Turning a Portakabin into a black box theatre

    In theory that would work, but with kids being kids it is partly to mentally trick them into thinking they are in the studio space ie no windows, similar space so they link similar rules. There is also talk of getting portable lighting stands so assessments can be done in there, nothing major...
  10. M

    Turning a Portakabin into a black box theatre

    Right, I've finally got back onto this project of turning a space into a BBT. It is a Portakabin structure (kinda like a larger version of a foreman's office on a building site) which we can't paint/ do anything permanant to as we rent it long term. My Head of Department wants me to try and do...
  11. M

    Fake Liquor

    Will pass on the tea, hate cold tea with a passion. Like the idea of soda/s though, I can always let it go flat too
  12. M

    Fake Liquor

    A personal one now rather than for work. In May I'll be attending a local Anime expo, in full costume obviously, and wanted to ask advice on fake spirits, rum in particular (good ol' pirate costumes -.-'). I'm currently thinking watered down cola would be the best effect (trying to avoid water...
  13. M

    Drop box confetti

    In the face isn't too bad a problem, it will be blowing from behind, but knowing school kids one will look up and get it in the eyes. And the drop box is above the performers, triggered whilst they are looking at the floor. We've done several tests now and are going with tissue paper (which now...
  14. M

    Drop box confetti

    We have a devised piece coming up by our year 13s for their assessment in which the scene turns from winter to spring with a flurry of petals. Can anyone advise me on certain types of confetti that would fall well? I know silk petals fall to quickly. I am imagining tissue/crete paper will work...
  15. M

    Building long unsupported spans

    Exactly what I was thinking. While this looks AMAZING, its not viable in a RWS (real world scenario). Too many variables to judge accurately (heights of people in the picture, angle of image etc) but the booth looks to be 15-20 footin the air, enough to break a bone if there IS/WAS an emergency...
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