yandust Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 I am a student. I am going to use sand and stone on the satge. Can anyone kindly tell me that: 1. What prblems will sand and stones create?2. How they affect the perfomer like singers, dancer and actors?3. Are they needed to be treated before use?4. How to strike them out (esp. sand. using vaccum cleaner?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen_mcauley Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 Sand can be a problem because of the slip hazard and can burn dancers feet. Stones dependant on size may present a trip or fall hazard / stubbed toes. Sand will never ever get completely removed from your venue, it will be there for life! I have never treated sand or stones prior to use except one show where the sand was glued to a floorcloth as an effect!! (don't ask me why) Sand is best having a floorcloth underneath, remove as much as possible with a brush and shovel, then brush again, and again, and again........... when you have most of it up a good mop will attempt to remove some of what's left. Just my experience of these matters Owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yandust Posted September 28, 2003 Author Share Posted September 28, 2003 Owen, Thanks a lot! yandust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 I'm sure you've thought of this, but be sure to get something like playpit sand or builders sand....I've heard of someone (illegally) just digging up part of a beach and ending up with all kinds of unpleasant creatures crawling out of the sand later. You also need to think about whether you mind the sand being wet - you'll need to get dried if you don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thirdtap Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 It did strike me when I was out earlier - would your production suffer from the sound of people walking over stones during the show? I mean with a loud rock gig this will not be a problem but a quiet wordy drama might go something like this: Gardener enters stage left to find the lady of the manor singing. Lady: traa laa laa (crunch crunch crunch) Gardener: Morning marm. Lady: Hello don't let me stop you gardening with your large wheel barrow, I will stay here and sing a little... lllaaaa laaa laa Gardener : Fanks awfully (crunch crunch crunch, squeak squeak squeak.) Now act two.... kinda see what I mean? Hamlet played out on a gravel path. On a similar vein what would a one man band bank robbery and get away sound like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkySteve Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I did a similar thing for a production of blood wedding, we laid floor cloths (over a waterproofing thingy) and shovelled about a ton (metric...hehe!) of sand onto it and lined it with gravel edges... now the thing is, the gravel for some unexplainable reason had to be washed (!) and to stop the dust from the sand getting too much it had to be dampened before each performance and in the interval... apart from looking bad, the lights dried it out so fast it did become more of a liability than practical. but anyway, I wouldn't reccomend it, but it did look good! so erm... my point is, I don't have one (a point that is!)... its up to you! confused?? iam!! for some reason I'm just typing a load of balls tonight! oh well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 now the thing is, the gravel for some unexplainable reason had to be washed Having just laid a load of cobbles in my garden I can testify that they ( and I'd have thought gravel is the same) come very dusty. If you were using them on stage I'd suggest giving them a rinse first. I did a show with lots of coal on stage, all of which had to be washed before it could be used and then again at each new venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Have used both in many productions......and it always leads to a nightmare scenario!!! :blink: Make sure you think about how much sand / stones you are bringing in and that the weight can be taken by the stage (remembering traps etc) especially if the sand is going to be wet.....the weight can soon add up. As others have said before - use a floor cloth of some description - it will help in the get out.....personally I would recc. using play pit sand rather than builders sand - it is a lots softer and not as gritty, although it is more expensive. Have never treated any of it as far as I remember ....Thats all I remember for now..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stebee Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 hey, I only read the initial post in this topic so apologies if this is a repeat but I feel it needs to be said. As a Venue Manager I will not let sand into the venue.This is a lesson I have learned the hard way. sand will dry out completly over time and become an even finer dust. This dust will NEVER completly leave the building and will work its way into ALL of the venue equipment. you will have to have ALL of that equipment serviced and cleaned, and not just the week after the show, but several weeks later. I will not let sand into the venue. not to mention the effect of this dust on peoples lungs......... Stephen Bourke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I did a production where we created a sand dune on stage.we put carpet underneith as this helped to contain the sand better than a floorcloth. we used coarse builders sand and didn't have a big dust problem with itand best of all as a lighting designer sand takes colour really well cheers tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew C Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Just two thoughts:- 1) Builders' sand stains, use playpit sand if you must! 2) What about using sandpaper glued upside down on your set? :blink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 What about using sandpaper glued upside down on your set? (Sucks air through teeth) That's going to smart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 What about using sandpaper glued upside down on your set? (Sucks air through teeth) That's going to smart.But a boon for anyone with corns... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thirdtap Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I will not let sand into the venue A great post there explaining the reasons why not to use sand. I think the worst floor covering I have ever used was straw for a themed party. It was only a couple of bales of hay around a studio complex but what a mess. I had nothing to do with spec'ing the show so I would have guessed that the straw hadn't been treated with flame retardant. Ok it wasn't a show but it was around in areas where people where smoking and also lanterns where around on floor bases.The de rig for that evening took around 2 hours after a full days fit up, but it took another 4 hours to get rid of the straw. So I have always said no to straw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yandust Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Dear all, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Your experiences and advices are so invaluable! They helps me a lot! Thanks!!! Best regards,yandust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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