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Dragona Regular user New Jersey 159 Posts |
What is the best way to build a portable stage? I have thought of 2x4 framework with birch ply on top. The footing would be 2-3 foot sections of doubled up 2x4's or just sections of a 4x4. Is this practical? Are there any other ways to build this?
I have the breath of dragons and the soul of a human.
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0pus Inner circle New Jersey 1739 Posts |
Dragona,
"Portable" is a relative term. If you have an 18-wheeler and a lot of time to set up, a huge stage could fill the bill. Where do you perform, and how do you propose to move the stage? How large a performing area do you need? A few 4' x 8' 3/4" plywood sheets on sawhorses or milk crates may suffice. Schools may have "risers" available to put together as a raised platform. A portable backdrop goes a long way toward creating a "performance space," even without having a raised platform. 0pus |
Dragona Regular user New Jersey 159 Posts |
Well, all I really need is a small stage that I can use to do a vanish. A small trap door and some black fabric, and I have a black magic stage. But I want the footing. It should all be able to fit in the back of a truck or van. So it won't be too big, I just want to know if 3/4 in. birch and some 2x4 framing should suffice enough for a nice black magic stage, or am I going to need to get a bit more intricate and get some fabric to completely cover the stage?
I have the breath of dragons and the soul of a human.
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M-Illusion Special user 549 Posts |
A lot will depend on exactly how much weight this stage will be holding. Not to mention the actual size. Built & braced properly, the birch ply & 2/4 design could be sufficient.
I would personally fabricate it out of steel. You might want to check around with portable stage companies, that's what we did before designing what we use. |
Dragona Regular user New Jersey 159 Posts |
I know how to brace it properly. I am a novice woodworker, my dad a master. It would only be holding me and maybe a black magic table much later (when I get the money for that), a combined weight of about 200 lbs. Everything else is dependant on what works best for black magic. I gave you all the information on how I was going to make it so you could guide me on that. Oh, and let me add a question to that, can I paint the stage and still have it work?
I have the breath of dragons and the soul of a human.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I wouldn't waste money on birch for a stage floor. But you may want to get tongue and grooved plywood to avoid creaks and movement of the plywood butt joints. This would also allow you to go to 2 foot centers rather than 16 inch centers on your joists.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Brent Allan Elite user Chicago 415 Posts |
"A small trap door and some black fabric, and I have a black magic stage."
Could you define, exactly, what you mean by black magic? If you are referring to black art, then it is going to take much more than a stage to get it going. Black Art also has lighting restrictions, so you would have to invest in some lighting equipment, too. Also, you say you need the stage for a vanish. Is having a portable stage and going through all of this effort really worth one simple effect?
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Magicrma Regular user Arizona 101 Posts |
Staging platforms can be made out of 1 X stock. Most of the ones that I worked with had 3/4 inch plywood decking. They were a standard 4 X 8 size. You can use the basic design to make almost any size and design you want.
You can find the basic layout in any theater stage-craft book (try your local library). They can handle a lot of weight when built correctly. You can add traps to the deck with a little work. They break down to the deck and the riser frame, which folds close to flat for transportation.
"The art of Illusion is at least 95% applied psychology" Henning Nelms (Magic & Showmanship)
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