The voice of Tweety Bird is stuck inside my head, screaming "He don't know us vewwy well, do he?"

Welcome, Doctor Z! You're just in time for First of May!

Doc Z makes good points..(In my opinion Stephon)..I (me) always associates a B.O.N. as Indian feat (India)...So I like the Old wood look...varnished adds Mystery..(in my opinion).,...Harley (BON Historian) probaly will dispute this...Which I (me) will only dispute(argue) his claim strictly for a sake of discussion (liven up the board)...But, What do I know?..My B.O.N. is a piece O-S***......

Oh come on Dr. Z! Next thing you'll be telling us we have to use real swords for swallowing or real cobras for charming! Frankly, I'm perfectly OK with slinky snakes, plastic chains, gaffed locks and collapsable props, but that's just me!

So I should varnish the wood? I drilled a bunch of holes, hammered a bunch of nails and left it at that. Been going strong for 9 years. Perhaps I'll finish it now? I like simple but that is due to travel and wear and tear. I'm hard on props. "We can't have nice things."

Now if I had a show that didn't travel that would be different. If it can stab a apple it's sharp and it wouldn't rust.

I think it's the same thing as chocolate or vanilla. Why do they make other flavors?

I'd like to echo what others have said in reply to the good doctor - depends on what kind of crowd your show is going for... Chrome nails don't scream "magic trick," nor does a black & red painted prop... presentation does. Or, sometimes, just the audiences inability to grasp what they're seeing as fact --

Example: The first time FreakShow Deluxe performed at the Magic Castle, I could hear some audience members discussing (rather loudly at some points) how the blockhead act was a trick nail, the sword swallower was gaffed and the concrete blocks were made out of sugar - because they assumed it HAD to be magic. Not until they inspected the props (and us) after the shows did they truly believe it to be real. Then they told their friends - and we couldn't shoe-horn another person into that theater the rest of the run. (plug - we'll be back in June!)

If I may - bad/cheap-looking props is part of what keeps 'sideshow' looked upon (along with unprofessional performances), and what helps some to burn the lot for everyone else. I can't tell you how many venues have told me, "we had 'sideshow' here once - didn't work (or, we had problems), we'll never have another one."

Not to change the Subject, Uh, Does anyone know if "The Salvation of Coney" has arrived yet??...

BON was both an old and new world stunt. However, it wasn't nails, until the industrial revolution.

Prior to that, it was lying on thorns, which are actually pretty comfortable, except that they sometimes break off, in your flesh. You just have to make sure that somebody picks all the residue out of your back.

I suppose it's fitting to know, in this Christian weekend, that the crown of thorns given to Jesus, was meant to be demeaning, satire. As a street preacher, he would have drawn a crowd, by lying on thorns. The goal of his show, would have been to sell amulets for good luck and fertility. All the rest of his gig would have been designed to maximize sales.

Oooo - I want to know. Am planning a trip there...

Yeah, It's there Jim. Opening this weekend with "The Worlds Largest 10 in 1" Wish I could just shoot up there to see it.

My nails are chrome, well the outer three rows. It gets expensive to have all of them. I have been to many Sideshows and if they had the prettiest props it didn't mean the best show. Worst props didn't mean the worst show. It's about the performance or more importantly the performers. Costuming, presentation, etc. As Harley once told me "make them care." (thank you man, I finally created a SWSW routine to be proud of) Some didn't do that, some did no matter what their BON looked like or the size of the pile of glass. BUT if I had a show in Vegas an all plexi BON with fiber optics would be wicked as well as a mountain of glass. And maybe a few red and black dragon banners or screens.

I should be working on scripts and not doodling here but I get bored with all work no play. Orlando Fringe cram time is hitting me hard. So much more to do. Been looking at my screen for three days. 15 windows open. Good times!

Will

IDIC...
Very aptly put whilst ousting me.
Kol-Ut-Shan
Gwyd

Gwyd is a Vulcan? Next you'll tell me that Todd Robbins is the tallest Ferengi.

Michael
Who knows that "No good deed goes unpunished" is Rule #285 of the Rules of
Acquisition.

Did something happen here during my absence?

No, just a hiccup.

Michael, I'll be sure to include you in my little nerdfest next time.

I think you could have a hot pink bed of nails if it suited your performance and it would be ok. People don't really care what you do, they care how you do it. If you have an act that a plexiglass BON works with then I say go for it. If you like the dangerous raw look and it fits with your performance then use it. Whether it is a good idea or not, stopping the creative thought process benefits no one. We are lucky to have people here who are willing to help guide us in the process.

On a more important note, ElectricBlue, what is the progress with the BON?

Hmmm well I'm pretty sure I'm not thinking like a magician.. because I'm not one and never have been?

Just exploring options you never know what you will discover unless you push the boundarys or try something that is not standard. I think that a clear bed of nails could perfectly suit some kinds of performances, It would depend completely one who you are and where you perform.

Any who, Thanks for the tips and hints everyone it has been very interesting jaming this idea with other like minds.

Ooo I want a hot pink BON... and I want Gwyd to lay on it while I smush him... hehe
Okay fine we can paint my BON hot pink... Maybe I'll just add hot pink stripes to the already existing black legs of the stand.

I love the idea of an acrylic BON with lighting. I agree it would be best if this was a prop that was used and stored and transported in a way that would preserve it's beauty (lugging it around to outdoor gigs could leave it scratched up and not as desirable). Seems like it would be more of something you save for certain gigs/opportunities.
I think it would be a great visual experience for the audience and this is all part of a performance. Sideshow has always had a visual aesthetic element to it, look at the banners or the dancing girls...
Not everything in sideshow needs to look rough and worn.
Let us know how your progress is coming.
*goes back into lurking mode*

Pink,,,yep that would be great for me too and would match the tutu I wear in the show.
Think a basket of red roses in each corner would set it off a treat as well !

Roses and thorns...a very old show.

Ah but do you wear matching toe shoes to go with that Tutu? A man on pointe... something rare to see and much more painful act for the performer then a BON.
Ooo I just had an idea... but unrelated to BON. So I'll keep it to myself for now.