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HatTrix Regular user USA 108 Posts |
Hey guys I would like to purchase a back ground for my kid show preformance so children can't come up behind me and see what I am doing. I have seen some people talk about inexpensive ones that go up in 30 seconds and I guess I am looking for something cheap, small and very quick to put up. If you guys have some recomendations on where I can find them and how much that would be great thanks.
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jgravelle Loyal user Milwaukee (Head shown not actual size) 270 Posts |
http://www.homedecorators.com/detail.php......spec=210
Hope that link works when I hit enter... Regards, -jjg |
The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I'm not aware of anything that's out there that's quick, cheap and still looks professional...I would suggest that you clearly determine your show conditions/needs prior to performing so you can adjust accordingly or find material that is not limited by angles...if you're looking for professional backdrops you can expect to pay for what you get...I really like the one's at Time Sonefelts "Wonder Imagery" as he can take any image and make a backdrop for you...on the more cost conscious side of things...some folks have made their own and hopefully they will post here or you can do a Café search and come up with something...I'm pretty certain that there's a thread on this topic....my suggestion would be to save your money and buy a nice one as it's just such a visible thing that people look at throughout your show...accordingly, you want it to look professional so that it sends the right message about you and your show
Smartini |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
In Barry Mitchell's Book, The Magic of Thinking Creatively, he shows how to make an economical folding backdrop. It's also on his DVD of the same name. Note - it doesn't cost as much as the backdrops that Tim Sonefelt and Duane Laflin sell, and it also isn't as nice or as light. But it does work.
There is also a Trimble Backdrop in one of Frances Marshall's books, The Success Books. I don't recall which volume, whether 1, 2, 3, or 4. I have made a Trimble backdrop from coloured coreplast (instead of corregated cardboard) and some coloured duct tape. And it worked fine for the price I invested into it, about $50. It folds to about 4' x 3 1/2' x 1", and opens to 7' tall by about 10 1/2' wide. The point I am trying to make -- generally speaking, pay more, get a better backdrop. But you can start off with something only costing you in the neighbourhood of about $50-$200. There are tons of threads, in both the Little Darlings section and the F/X section of the Café, discussing backdrops for shows. Search them out. Here's a link to one, to get you started. You can also seek out websites for tradeshow display companies, and photography background supply companies, to get some ideas from items they sell. Their products often suit this application, too. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Mtripp New user 99 Posts |
An Abbott's Jet Set with the 6' rabbit in the hat silk was used by Karrell Fox for many years.
I am using something new, that I will post info on later. I have to find their web site, but it is used for trade shows, can be made to any size, and the material will accept velco. However, it seems to me yours is a staging and trick selection problem, rather than a backdrop. There are many post here about how to get the kids to sit in one spot. Second, trick selection avoids the things that have bad angles and as such should not be in a kids show. I worked out of an apron for years and the kids could sit anywhere and not see how the tricks were done. |
honus Veteran user 354 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-02 19:31, jgravelle wrote: JJG, you can go to a site called http://www.tinyurl.com and put in any long URL, and it will give you a little one. Here's what I got with yours: http://tinyurl.com/cneou That is a neat Shoji screen on that site. |
jgravelle Loyal user Milwaukee (Head shown not actual size) 270 Posts |
Thanks!
My only reservation on that model was the road-worthiness of "rice paper" panels, but the price is right. Regards, -jjg |
Cory Gallupe Inner circle Nova Scotia, Canada 1272 Posts |
So you would have a background behind you and everytime you go to switch a trick, you go behind the background???
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
My only advice is to be aware of the color and complexity of the design you use for your backdrop. If it is too busy of a design, it may take away the focus from you and distract the audience too much. You also must be aware that if your outfit is black and your backdrop is black, then you suddenly start to vanish. You may need to take both of these into thought as you work on what will work best to meet your own personal needs. Just some added thoughts I hopemay help you.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Mtripp New user 99 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-03 23:33, magic4u02 wrote: Kyle, Interesting point. Y E A R S ago, Abbott's had a backdrop that took advantage of that, and a selection of tricks too. It was kinda "black art" but only in spots. When you used tricks made to be used with that backdrop things looked "empty" when they wern't. I have their production box from that era, and with the right backdrop it is a killer. Might be worth fooling about with again....... |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Great point and I thank you for sharing that with us. In this case, you are using the backdrop as a tool to help you in the magic. I seem to recall what you are talking about as well. I think I may have seen it at a convention somewhere.
Ijust have also seen magicians using backdrops but not paying closer attention to the color and design that goes on it. You really must be aware of the backdrop coloror design to make sure that it enhances your act and does not distract from it. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-03 19:05, themagicman101 wrote: Hi Cory - I am pretty sure that you asked this question in sincerity, because you haven't seen a backdrop in use in a show. So before anyone answers you rudely, I'll post a sincere answer. The purpose of the backdrop, is to give focus to your stage area, and to stop spectators from watching the show (or the set-up / take-down) from the back. This is ideal for situations where you don't have the opportunity to perform with your back to a wall, etc., such as in some Shopping Centres, other venues, etc. Great for shows where some of the audience can get around behind you and see things they shouldn't, or get at things they shouldn't, or cause other distractions (calling out from behind) that you don't want. Also useful for covering up bad / distracting backgrounds, such as windows, mirrors, etc. But it can still be used in other performance situations for the other purpose I mentioned, to give focus to your stage / performance area. You still go into your table, which is in front of your backdrop, to get out and also put away props. If you work with an assistant, she / he can occassionally go behind the backdrop (if it is secure backstage, such as in some school & church performance situations, etc.) and reset the props, get the next trick / illusion ready to roll out, while the main performer is still performing, etc. In some cases, it looks more professional, to have an assistant going back and forth behind the curtain, to bring out props when necessary, rather than standing in front the whole time and just watching. It draws more of a focus to the primary performer. Unless they really co-perform with you on some of the routines. Then it is natural for them to stay out front at that point. If you are working solo, it will flow smoothly if you tend to stay in front of the backdrop, to reduce dead moments in your show. If you have to make an exception, the use of music, and excusing yourself for a moment, will help to diminsh the dead moment of you leaving the performance area. (Some puppeteers or other performers utilize their backdrop in their performance, by working over the top of it, around the side of it, or through part of it, at certain moments in their show. I saw Barry Mitchell use his backdrop to attach signs to, for points he was trying to make during a show... he used it as a portable wall.) You are essentially "dressing" your performance area to make it a mini-stage area, with you working in front of the curtain. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
In book 1 of Jim Gerrish's "PVC Pipe Illusions for REALLY, REALLY Cheap Illusionists!" he has plans for building a backdrop from PVC pipe and dollar store plastic table cloths. If you just need a backdrop and aren't trying to impress the crowd with how much money you have, this works as well as anything and is easy to set up, take down and carry around. It's in the section called "Portable Stage" where he shows how to build a small stage, complete with dressing room area our of the same materials, but he does cover the simple backdrop as well, including how to make a backdrop change colors (for example, from black to red). It's on my site, if interested.
Donald Dunphy's rundown on the uses and purpose of a backdrop are right on target. Pay attention.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
I followed Flourish Dude's advice in the thread that Donald linked to above, and I couldn't have been more pleased. For about $100 I got the photographer's backdrop setup, a telescoping pole and two sturdy side supports. I somehow talked my wife into sewing the curtain out of red crushed panne fabric (about $50 and some effort at making big soulful eyes) and it is marvelous. What it does for photography is amazing. We set up for an I.B.M. Ring meeting performance with this, a newspaper photographer showed up, and one of the pictures was printed as almost a complete half page. You can't tell that there were people eating Chinese food at tables behind the drape. Portable stage lighting (a "Blaney Box") helped a lot, too.
This backdrop is one of the best investments I ever made in magic. I have an old-time feel to my act, so a tradeshow-style backdrop with big digital graphics would be totally wrong. For some acts, that would definitely be the way to go if you could justify the expense. Here's the article: http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates......20class= Yours, Paul |
wol Loyal user Norfolk, UK 238 Posts |
Try spidaflex stands they are quite pricy but superb, they collapse to about a 15th of their size and come in a box with wheels! They have a link for them on http://www.magicweek.co.uk somewhere onthere I'm sure.
Keep passing the open windows!
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Mtripp New user 99 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-04 10:26, magic4u02 wrote: Again, this is YEARS ago, but I seem to remember something in TOPS that showed how to build one of those special backdrops as well. Perhaps it was Felix Korim, but he used his to do the super x levitation and everything was "out there" if you know what I mean. There was a border of white that went around the outer edge and made squares in each corner. Line was about 6" thick. Harbincadabra gives another idea on this concept as well. There was a place in the backdrop to "dump off" or "get" stuff as well. Seems to me someone might make good money making this up again. |
mjeayres New user UK 94 Posts |
I also use the Spider Backdrop. It is excellent and personally I think worth the money as it makes the show look so much more professional and exciting. It is much better than having a beige colour walll behind you like in most hall situations.
http://www.spiderbackdrop.com/english/englisch.html |
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