Themightyproff Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Ok, we are putting on a performance of suburbia and roaming around the net I remembered this site so here I am and HELP!! I need to find a concrete bench seat like you get on the pavement, either an actualy concrete one or a plastic/wood one that looks like its concrete. I have looked all over and all I have been able to get is a wooden chunky park bench from parks and countryside................any ideas anyone?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propsman Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 when trying to find or make a prop I always like to have as much information as possible! "concrete bench seat like you get on the pavement" a picture or link would be good so I could see an example of a "concrete bench seat like you get on the pavement" plus you say it has to be sat on... does it remain in situ through out the production? how many people sit on it at one time? is a 16ft one to big? and many other questions.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychedelic Theatre Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Do you mean the ones which have concrete ends and then wooden slats to sit on? As Propsman says, we need a little more information really. How big does it need to be? How many people need to be able to sit on it? I think using a real concrete bench is probably going to be rather difficult, especially if it needs to be moved! You could probably do something with wood, and then paint it to look like concrete. Or put some form of coating on it that is more like the texture of concrete and paint that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Some concrete benches were robust enough in design that they could possibly be improvised for a short run by hot wire cut foam polystyrene, skimmed with plaster or the like for fire retardance and finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themightyproff Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Sorry for the sketchy description but I was working from a designers ramble until I got given a picture he printed off so I have no original to upload. Its an american style concrete bench commonly seen outside of 7 eleven stores.It must seat 2 - 3 people and have an area for advertising on the back panel.It is fully made out of concrete made in a cast. We have looked into hiring one and got an estimate of £650 as it would have to be made.We have no time or budget to make the bench, which makes life slightly harder.I have been onto the local parks and countryside council and have been told that the concrete benches we would like are site specific and go straight there from the casters and the old ones are smashed up to be removed. I have however secured a metal ended, thick wooden slated bench from the council but neither the designer nor the Director like the idea much and I have been told with no budget, two weeks and a shop to fit out on stage to go and find another one.So my ideal solution would be to find someone in the south of england who has done a show that needed a bench of this type, who had the budget to have one made and wouldnt mind lending it to us for two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Go to a builders merchant and buy a whole bale of polystyrene insulating foam. Re-assemble the block with glue then saw the shape you want with a hand saw or a hot wire. That much real concrete will weigh close to a ton so consider the loading on your stage, truck and scene dock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themightyproff Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 "Go to a builders merchant and buy a whole bale of polystyrene insulating foam. Re-assemble the block with glue then saw the shape you want with a hand saw or a hot wire" I did sudgest that but got told we had no budget to do that "That much real concrete will weigh close to a ton so consider the loading on your stage, truck and scene dock" I have expressed this concern and got told that it obviously would have to either be a thin concrete bench or something made of plastic that had been made to look like concrete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Cain Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 hows about making it from wood and getting it textured to look like concrete? or painting it yourself to look like concrete? im shure you could buy a ub of artex to give some texture if needed..... That would be my solution.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX1 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 OK, so you've got no budget to make something that will do the job and be light enough. Off the shelf will be too heavy. Looks like you're screwed! and got told that it obviously would have to either be a thin concrete bench or something made of plastic that had been made to look like concrete. Give the director/designer a slap and tell him you can do miracles for free, but the impossible costs money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themightyproff Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Looks like you're screwed! Give the director/designer a slap and tell him you can do miracles for free, but the impossible costs money! At least I can turn around now and say I've tried, thanks everyone for all your help.Think im gonna be using this site again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propsman Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 hmmmm well this is where you have to box clever.. there is more than one way to skin a designer and also a director.. I dont know the production so dont know where or when it is set. but I know these benches are different depending on these factors. if I was you id google some images of these things,benches there are many different styles. not all concrete show the director (leave the designer out of it) and get him to decide on several that he likes or would be happy to have, this will give you more of a chance of finding one. the director will be happy as he has something he wants your happy as you have found/made the the dam thing and as for the designer let him argue with the director .. your answer is well thats the one the director wanted! oh and as for the quoted price of £650 id could make a bus shelter, a bench and more for less Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 If it's the type I think you're looking for and again I don't know the show..Look for anyone that has done Saturday Night Fever, it has a bench in the script that sounds similar, don't know if it's the right period.If you need to be able to move it easily, a make with a diy paint job is your only other option.If there is no budget, your choices are limited and they may have to settle for what you can get, however perfect they may want it to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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