rain drops

propmonkey

Well-Known Member
for our fall play we are preforming "register here" the set is like a run down hotel and there is a storm out side and we want there to be rain drops inside. we want soemwhere like 4-7 drops through out the stage. we want them subtle like a drop every few seconds and we want them to be random. for outside rain will use gobo rotators but for inside how do we go about this? our set will not be under our grid so all we have is the ceilign above the stage which we could possible drill a few small holes in it. we were think using soemthing like an iv dropper thing. any ideas?
 
If you can really put a water supply on the ceiling with a tube coming from it, you could pinch the tube with some type of threaded clamp (liked a "C" clamp.) The threaded clamp would be easier for fine adjustments. The drip frequency, though would be constant. If you had more than one, then they could be at different rates, creating a seemingly random overall effect.

Use a small container, though the tube/container joint could leak. Laboratory equipment suppliers have all sorts of tubing and joints, but they tend to be expensive.

You might be able to put the tubes over the lip of the container and then create a siphon to solve the joint issue.

(Might want to consider whether or if the water container could spill. What would happen, where would it go? Can the set/ceiling be moved, spilling the water? Also, would you have to shut off the water quickly?)



Joe
 
I think if you just tried a CD with a rain sound effect of random drops, especially since you're also using a gobo rotator to simulate the rain, it would work well.
 
For a great rain sound and look, get a pipe and drill some small holes in a row on one side. When you hang the pipe in the air make sure that the holes face up toward the roof. Hook a hose up to one end of the pipe and put a cap on the other end. Then turn the hose on gently.

Since the holes are facing up, the water will run around the pipe and drip randomly. The more holes, the more rain drops there are. Just don't turn the water pressure up too high. If you do you'll have a fountain. Just remember to have something on the floor to catch the rain drops. If you put some water in the container on the floor it will sound like rain too. Hope this helps.

-Ray
 
they would be over our apron of the stage(ill take pictures tuesday) its about 45ft from the ceiling to the stage floor. we would like a few drops to similate a leaky roof. we need to have ours et as far down stage as possibe to comedate the(will be then) lack of a flysystem.
 
CHScrew said:
For a great rain sound and look, get a pipe and drill some small holes in a row on one side. When you hang the pipe in the air make sure that the holes face up toward the roof. Hook a hose up to one end of the pipe and put a cap on the other end. Then turn the hose on gently.

Since the holes are facing up, the water will run around the pipe and drip randomly. The more holes, the more rain drops there are. Just don't turn the water pressure up too high. If you do you'll have a fountain. Just remember to have something on the floor to catch the rain drops. If you put some water in the container on the floor it will sound like rain too. Hope this helps.

-Ray

use like a protable drain pump that plugs intoa gardon hose. Then use 1" PVC with 1/32 -1/16" holes drilled in the top. Use a rain gutter on the bottom to catch the drops and angle it slightly so that you can create a full circit with the water. Use a pump under a 1/2 HP, best 1/4
 
this may not be a completley reliable solution but basicall hang a wet sponge up there and let it drip.

It seems as if you have a pretty large theater, will adudienc be able to see this drip? if not, is it worth the trouble?
 

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