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RSD Special user Toronto, Ontario 534 Posts |
Any resources on building a trap door into a stage? Proper size, locking and release methods and such?
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
When I was in theater many moons ago, I recall a theater stage book which had trap doors in it. You might want to go to your local college book store and look in their theater books.
Dennis Michael
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
The answer, as usual, is "it depends".
What or who has to go through it? How fast does it have to open/close? Does it have to swing up or down? Is it an "elevator" style trap? What are the sightlines in the theatre like? Several years ago I was backstage visiting a friend at The Phantom of the Opera and there were 207 trapdoors in that stage! Some for candles, some for scenery, some for people, and they were very different! Some were self-acting, others required a technician and others required a team of technicians. Some operated slowly while others were frighteningly fast! I have put in traps that have raised/lowered performers in full view and others that have done so in secret. Sometimes it takes two separate doors for an effect, such as an elevator type that I once built that had a conventional door that opened and was replaced by the elevator floor in the raised position. I have worked with traps that had elaborate locking mechanisms, and others that were held shut (and quite securely at that) with common "barrel bolt" catches available at any hardware store. In order to effectively and properly answer your question, we would need to know the specifics of your application. Cheers! Frank |
RSD Special user Toronto, Ontario 534 Posts |
I would like the trap to be used for a DeKolta Chair type illusion one night, then another night it would be used for a vanishing girl under the cloak. As for your other questions, that's what I need to know. What are the best designs for the above illusions? At the same time I don't want to limit myself to those. Once the door is built there is no turning back.
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
If you really don't know what you need (and can't just change the platforms on the stage as needed), then my suggestion would be to make it as big and modular as possible. Maybe just put in an 8'x8' hole, then cover it with two thick sheets of plywood supported by sturdy, but removable posts. That way, if you just need a small trap, you can pull out one sheet fairly easily to replace it with one containing a small trap. If you need a huge trap, you can pull out both sheets. This has the advantage of being able to switch out trap types as necessary; just build two seperate sheets of plywood with different traps in them.
Also, look to professional stages for ideas; usually the blueprints are archived for public review. What works for them may work for you as well.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Frank,
That is cool about the "Phantom" set. I rented the "Phantom of the Opera" and couldn't get the magical trap door open on the case that holds the DVD. Those guys that design and shrinkwrap those cases know their magic.
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magictim Veteran user Lake Charles, LA 396 Posts |
That new book through osborne goes into trap doors. It's called the Seven Basic Secrets in Illusion design by Eric Van Duzer.
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RSD Special user Toronto, Ontario 534 Posts |
Thanks for the info. Its been some time since the original post. I have followed all leads. I need exact blueprints of how to build a trap door. A TD that opens downwards. The theatre has a balcony and perfect sightlines from the wings. The size must be 4' by 4' no bigger, no smaller. I need exact measurements for the contracters. Any ideas where I can get such a thing? Like a name of a book or a website? A consultant in the Southern Ontario area who specializes in this stuff?
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Lusion Special user 590 Posts |
I needed to add a trap door to a stage that I performed at and since as with most places they did not want any mods to the stage we added on to the stage..added 14 inches of height to it to be exact and it worked out Great! It was not hight tech, on the underside of the stage the door hidged inwards as say swinging old west saloon doors, I got them to pop back up with having 2 bungie cords running under them and I got them to lock in place with the old sliding 2- 2x4's to kill the noise of them slammin up once my assistant went thru them I used foam and loud music. Hope that helps
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
I built a trapdoor into a stage a couple years back. It was to be used for numerous illusions. The stage was a chessboard design and therefore helped to hide the trap. Looked really neat. The trap opened downwards and was secured by two sliding bolts underneath. It could only be operated by a stage hand underneath but worked really well.
Mark
Mark Daniel
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