STAGE SPECIAL EFFECTS & PROPS
Having a knowledge of electronics, electricity, radio communication, magnetism, stage magic, robotics, puppetry, model building, prop manufacture, set construction, chemistry, fight choreography, special lighting and sound physics and above all... SAFETY, allows one to work in this effectively field and work with the challenges that we are faced with in theatre with increasing rules and regulations. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For most special effects: Some basic rules: K.I.S.S.S.S.S: Keep it Simple, Secret (as much as possible), surprise/sudden and above all.... safe!
Sure computers are great - but anything that can be independently work with actor or a backstage person is usually more reliable.
Make it convincing for close ups as well.
Always have a backup plan for yourself, the show and the actors.
Remember budgets: It need not be expensive to be great.
German-born rocket scientist Von Braun always was in favor of modifying what was available - or invent it if it didn't yet exist.
SAFELY FIRST! Plan Ahead: Mr. Murphy and his Law is always present. Always keep in mind and remember the possibilities of fire hazards and burns, sharp edges and points, electrical shock and chemical reactions as well as allergy possibilities.
Always be imaginative and stay versatile.
Stage effects can often compete with movies to the audiences satisfaction if you are unique.
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For STAGE MAGIC / ILLUSION:
Arguably fall into these categories: Levitation, Transmutation, Disappearance, Appearance and Escape.
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Some of my favorite (and challenging) stage effects and prop designs: Space food floating in Zero-G on stage, Realistic animals that move as well a newborn infant that moves and grasps, a wall of fire real or artificial, a realistic abdominal stabbing suicide with a sword, an energy glob glowing underneath Lucifer's clothing, gun flashes, Excalibur that only one person can remove from a stone, a magical orb of bright energy that can be taken by hand from Merlin's staff transferred by hand to Excalibur (with the audience only a 5 feet away) or thrown over the crowd and entering the hand of another actor, an autograph book that flash ignites when Lucifer waves his hand from 15 ft away, a fiery vortex into which a demon can vanish, snow and magic dust, a safety impact box that absorbs the blows of a stake in a vampire but loudly sounds as if ribs are cracking, sudden character makeup transitions in front of audiences. Specialized weapons and equipment that look impressive on stage and at events:A phaser and a fully functional communicator model from Star Trek (the original series), A NASA Style PRE-Ball Rescue Enclosure and other Space Program items for Display.
Stage Magic
Levitation is one of the hardest effects.... did he float up or the stage sink down????
A baby that looks and acts very real !
Many forms of simple robotics and stage illusion can be use to be convince audiences. This is Kippenhauer carrying a child in Clive Barker's 'History of the Devil'. The child moved naturally and as Lucifer would take the child it grasped desperately not wanting to let go and only released her grip as she was pulled away.
Merlin's Magic allowing for Arthur to Pull the Excalibur from the Stone.
It aways required two people - one was the Merlin of course!
