Long time browser, first time poster.
I'm trying to work out a few options for a drop. It will be front-projected video and rear-projected shadow-play, 18'+ tall by 35'-6"wide, with a 8' tall vertical split on center for actor entrances (probably out of muslin, though I'm pushing for Poly-cyc or poly silk, China silk out of budget). At the end of the play, actors need to be able to grab each half of the center split and "tear" the drop the rest of the way up the center, and then the entire drop needs to fall kabuki-style. I've got a pretty good handle on the kabuki rig (going to hang 1.9" #40 pipe on bearings, with dowels 2' OC, rotate pipe to allow drop to slide off dowels): but I would always welcome tips & advice.
I'm posting because of the "tearing" action. I, of course, thought "velcro", but the director doesn't like that (nor does she like magnets or snaps), and 10+ feet of rigged zipper sounds like a SNAFU waiting to happen. Any better ideas on how to rig a semi-translucent drop to tear at seam every night (and re-set after show) for at least 30 shows, on a ~$1000 budget (that can also be easily reset by a single ASM intern)?
I'm trying to work out a few options for a drop. It will be front-projected video and rear-projected shadow-play, 18'+ tall by 35'-6"wide, with a 8' tall vertical split on center for actor entrances (probably out of muslin, though I'm pushing for Poly-cyc or poly silk, China silk out of budget). At the end of the play, actors need to be able to grab each half of the center split and "tear" the drop the rest of the way up the center, and then the entire drop needs to fall kabuki-style. I've got a pretty good handle on the kabuki rig (going to hang 1.9" #40 pipe on bearings, with dowels 2' OC, rotate pipe to allow drop to slide off dowels): but I would always welcome tips & advice.
I'm posting because of the "tearing" action. I, of course, thought "velcro", but the director doesn't like that (nor does she like magnets or snaps), and 10+ feet of rigged zipper sounds like a SNAFU waiting to happen. Any better ideas on how to rig a semi-translucent drop to tear at seam every night (and re-set after show) for at least 30 shows, on a ~$1000 budget (that can also be easily reset by a single ASM intern)?