Continuing in the process..we have to add paint and this can be a tricky thing.
My concept (or underlying theme) for my design is that it is (as the script calls for) a “puzzle box”. The first play, A Picasso, we start in an underground vault where Picasso has been arrested by the Germans for his provocative art work. At intermission, the walls of the vault literally are pulled apart and they slide into their new position: a dilapidated victorian house. Nothing is as it seems when pieces of the set unhinge and become different things. a wall suddenly becomes translucent (really!), the floor opens up to unleash murderers and their victims, and beds (or gurneys) roll out with dead bodies.
Here are some pictures of the paint job that I’m putting on right now. (I took a break to post this stuff)
This is a drawer that pulls out and an actor’s “dead” body is shoved inside. Then another actor pulls out an axe and begins to saw his limbs off. Of course we really cant do that. So lots of fake blood is squirted on the murderer’s face to show the carnage. So far, the blood hasn’t stained too much of the set..but we are watching it carefully. If it does start to become a problem, we will have to seal the paint job or talk to Special Effects to see if we can have a more friendly version of the blood that we can wash off at the end of the performance with no hassel.
The third from the left pilaster (the molding on walls) is the one I chose to paint on the set. Its got great scrolls and detail that I wanted to bring to my victorian house. I want that dark effect that it gives with the shadows.
Here’s how it turned out:
I have to paint it so that it looks 3d..since the budget didn’t allow for actual fancy molding.
Here’s what it looks like from far away. I’m still dilligently working on the walls and platform. Might be a long night for me.
The wall has hinges so that it can open to reveal a character. this is the one that becomes transparent when special lights are put on it.
That’s it for now..i’ll keep you posted on my progress..
