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motivationalmagic Regular user Pennsylvania 179 Posts |
I am looking to build or buy a very small warehouse. Planning to use it as a rehearsal space for our illusion show.
We've tried renting dance halls, church basements, and so on, but none of these ever seem to really work out for us. Plus, the endless packing and unpacking. Was curious as to how many of you illusionists have done something like this, and what options you explored? I thought it would be great to create a stage environment with lighting to optimize the rehearsal experience for us, as well as sound and lighting people that work with us from time to time. If you have done this, what is the minimum stage size we should look to build that might be representative of most venues? It would be cool, too, to start compiling our own wood working shop here, as well. But our big interest in this is to have a place where we can store everything, as well as perform and rehearse when we have a few hours of free time here and there in our busy lives. I've been looking at a company called U.S. Buildings, based in North Carolina, which sells discount metal buildings. Their website is http://www.usbuildingsdirect.com. That might be a neat option that is affordable. Thank you in advance for any solid insights or suggestions you might share! |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Q: How do you make a million dollars in magic??
A: Start with two million. Steve |
Mr. Ree Elite user Sedona AZ 414 Posts |
Please don’t mistake my comments thinking they are too negative.
Some of this is just my experience, yours may be different. Take more time than you think you should on the design phase. I have a small 600 square foot area that is being redesigned right now as the area was too “fixed” in its use and needed to be more flexible. And a much larger area is on hold due to zoning/permit issues. It will take more time than you imaging to build a small warehouse from scratch. If you can find something that will meet you needs that is “zoned” correctly and within a reasonable price range it will be faster. You might want to try leasing a small warehouse in an industrial park for awhile to get your lighting, sound or whatever you think you need and start faster (You mentioned other places you rented but it didn’t sound like these were a warehouse.) You may find out that what you leased is too small, too big, or the ceiling is not the right height or whatever. (It will be very depressing to find out these type of adjustments are needed “after” your new built “dream building” is finished.) I have been in several large metal buildings from the company you mention. They will not do very well with sound unless more money is put into insulation, and other “sound treatments”.. They tend to be too “live”. Make sure you have around 50% more power than you think you will need. There are portable stage platforms that are available and flexible. They can be moved around as needed. Just some quick thoughts. I don’t pretend to know it all, but I have had some experience in trying to set up “the perfect” area.
An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.
---- William Bernbach (1911 - 1982) ---- (After 25 years of PCs, everything switched to Macs, June 2008) |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I've never had any experience with a warehouse, but I did build a couple of greenhouses in my life. Rule of thumb: Figure out how large it needs to be and double it. That rule has served me well...
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Motivationalmagic- I don't know how much you've performed, but unless you have a constant venue booked, you'll discover you spend a great majority of your time packing and unpacking. (The big names, like Copperfield, cut their load times by using multiple trucks, and packing their illusions mostly assembled.)
You really can't set up an "average" rehearsal space, either- there is no "average" stage! Your performance space will vary widely from venue to venue, so the best bet when booking shows is to know the space requirements for each illusion you perform, and coordinate with the people booking your show. While it's easy to perform a small illusion in a larger space (the empty stage can be filled with props or curtains, or lighting can "erase" the empty stage), it's impossible to perform a large illusion in a space too small. My suggestion, since you want a workshop as well, is to build multifunctional. Make a large workshop, with lots of empty floor space (you'll need this anyway to build illusions), keeping your shop tools either close to the wall or on portable stations. When you're not constructing something, the floor space will become your rehearsal space. Then either leave enough room, or have an extension built, for storage (it's a good idea to block off the storage area from the workshop in some manner, to keep your props from getting covered in dust.) I'd keep the storage on the same level as the workshop, to make moving things quick and easy. Finally, make sure the doors on the workshop and the storage area are big enough to load and unload your props- an obvious point, but one you most certainly don't want to overlook. Man, I wish I could afford something like what you're planning... Oh well, there's always the lottery
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
A cheaper option might be a Pole type building. It can be finished partially for a rehearsel area and the rest left unfinished for prop storage.
There are so many options and variables to this. Be sure you have wide doors and a adjustable loading dock area. Ideally , you want a lower area so the truck is lower so you do not have roll the cases uphill. I would think that you might be able to find a building that is setting vacant that you could sign a long term lease for that would be cheaper than building your own. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I purchased a 1500 square foot commercial warehouse in June of 2007. I furnished it with a mini-stage and backdrop in order to better rehearse shows. It also has a fairly high ceiling and plenty of floor space to allow me to rehearse the larger illusions. I have even been able to display most of my parlor magic on shelves so that, now, whenever I'm designing or packing a show, everything is right there in front of me.
The warehouse also has a large bay door in the back to allow for easy loading and unloading of equipment before and after a show. It's a main floor warehouse so there are no stairs to climb. So far, this warehouse has been absolutely terrific. The only problem was the financing. Because it is a commercial property, the banks force it into commercial financing. This means full appraisal costs, full lender fees, and higher interest rates than you would normally pay in the case of a residential mortgage. If I had to do it all over again, I think I would look for a house with a large garage. The garage could house the larger illusions while the main floor of the house could house the parlor effects. Then the banks could just approve a residential mortgage. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
I also know that in our area there is sometimes the option of the using pole buidling that farmers are not longer using or home with large garage areas.
Sometimes, there is also converted industrial areas that are primarily storage areas that are reasonable. Here in Akron, the old BF Goodrich plant has been converted into such an area. My daughter's show choir rented space there for several years until they purchase and older, unused commercial steel building. The commercial financing is a problem, though. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Kline Veteran user 361 Posts |
I've got 4000 Sq feet if someone wants to come help clean it !!
Everyone here has GREAT advice on this subject - I have always been in the mindset to "plan ahead" when it comes to warehouse space - however, do this wisely. Sure its great to have a ton of space but it does cut down on the bottom line - doing a purchase might not be the smartest way to go right out of the gate. Look into renting or leasing a place to make sure things will work out - much easier to ride out a 12 month lease if things do not pan out rather than a 30 year mortgage ! Please do not hesitate to email me directly for any advice on this subject. Steven
Steven Kline
<BR><BR>www.stevenkline.com <BR><BR>www.stevenklineproductions.com Follow me on Twitter @steveklinemagic |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Here is a video clip that shows a little of the warehouse I have. It really has come in handy for rehearsing new shows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b56rR3zV7MQ Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
dbearden Regular user Oneonta, AL 102 Posts |
Kent:
Nice warehouse, and very nice story on you! I enjoyed it. I plan to have a warehouse like that one day too! David Bearden |
Lusion Special user 590 Posts |
Well depending if you have land in your backyard you can checkout:
http://www.metalstructuresllc.com They could refer a builder in your area |
CARNEGIE Loyal user 267 Posts |
I went in with 2 friends and we rented a warehouse space together. We put an office in the space, we had storage for props and illusions and eventually we even put in a small theater that worked as the perfect rehearsal spot.
So if I had any suggestion at all, it would be to go in with a couple other performers. OR sublease part of the space to other performers to help cover the monthly rent. |
Eddie Garland Inner circle Hells Kitchen, New York City 4207 Posts |
That was great Ken!
Very nice warehouse. |
Patrick Miller New user 90 Posts |
I am a magician by hobby and I have a design and construction co. for a living. My company mainly builds larger commerical and industrial buildings but you should be careful on purchasing a steel or pole building. Either might do what you need but there are a lot of factors to consider. Cheap steel buildings are offered in magizines and on the internet but that is only a package delivered to the site. I would highly reccommend finding something that is already built or if you are wanting to build and can afford to build talk to local contractors. I small contractor that builds garages can build what you need. Talk to a lot of contractors and check the one you use out. Look at what he has build and talk to people who have used him to build. Check him out very well.
If you have any questions you can call me at 502 636-2334. Sorry I have built in Pennsylvania. In Lower Bucks Co. but they were spending 8 1/2 million on a large industrial building. Good Luck |
pradell Special user Alaska 560 Posts |
These steel frame buildings are pretty ugly and cold. Perhaps building an addition on your home which you can convert from a warehouse type space initially to living space or a display space for your magic collection when you stop performing will add value to your home, allow you to write off some expenses, and pay itself back when you ultimately sell your home.
:magicrabbit: |
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