VisualShock Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 I'm interested in building a new sort of staging that actors could walk over/stand on, but could have a smoke machine underneath to create some atmosphere. Rostra can be found here. What I'd like to do is get a metal grate across the framework instead of the typical wooden board. then, possibly cover it with black material thin enough for smoke/fog to pass through. Does anyone have any tips? and has anyone tried this before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3guk Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 We have tried it before and it worked well, modified a bit of steeldeck to accommodate a large grill over the the top of it, worked really well and allowed us to pump smoke up from directly underneath the performer. I guess you could always drill smallish holes in a normal piece and just duct the smoke up, ducting seems a bit hit and miss but is a damn sight less effort. We used metal grating, I will try and dig out the supplier and product code, it was solid stuff for sure, took about 8 of us to lift a single piece of steel deck with it attached, I guess you could use something less heavy duty, but we had trucks running all over it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 The material would have to be a fairly open weave to let smoke through. If you look at this video, you can see the effect of a grille with smoke (and a hefty light underneath)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew C Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Something like this? Expanded metal flooring. No idea on pricing, and you'll need to work out floor loading vs span. They have other options too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VisualShock Posted May 10, 2008 Author Share Posted May 10, 2008 THAT'S IT! You hit the nail on the head! that's really what I'm looking for! I'm thinking I'd need sections of 1x1 meters, strong enough to hold the weight of a young adult without bending...(no running trucks over it:P) but that's pretty much what I'm looking for! Anyone have any ideas of where I could pick it up cheaply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ike Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 How many bits? If you don't need many phone round local steel fabricators and see if they have any off cuts of anything similar. If you have no luck or need lots of them any steel stockist will be able to get hold of some for you. With anything like this delivery is going to be the killer so finding someone local is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldair Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 strong enough to hold the weight of a young adult without bending...(no running trucks over it:P) The weight of a possibly overweight adult jumping up and down plus quite probably monitors, amps... =) Edit: Nivoflex etc. are rated 750kg/m2, I see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonino Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I know litestructures do grilled staging, I can't find it on their website now though (it is stated in their hire catalogue) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirch Sound Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 strong enough to hold the weight of a young adult without bending...(no running trucks over it:P) The weight of a possibly overweight adult jumping up and down plus quite probably monitors, amps... =) Edit: Nivoflex etc. are rated 750kg/m2, I see. How many stages do you know that have fat, jumping actors, monitors and amps all in a 1x1m staging area? If you put 2 diaganals from corner to corner of the stage frame then it will be absolutly bomp proof and shouldnt affect the flow of the smoke too much. We did eactly this once, and then built a box under the stage, just using a thick fabric, stuck the smoke machine in there and as soon as we fired the machine there was only one way for the smoke to go, up through the grille. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldair Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 How many stages do you know that have fat, jumping actors, monitors and amps all in a 1x1m staging area? I didn't really mean all at once, but whatever would be heavier (well, exert the most force)... Or, of course, a concert piano. That Beethoven concerto would rock. The point was to be careful with assuming that the stage will always be used for one person who is not moving very much? Come to think of it, every time a guitar player climbs up on an amp or possibly monitor1 for his bowlegged solo2, then does a split jump off it3 and lands on the floor in front of the amp, that's where you have a jumping person who may or may not be fat, and a big amp in the same place. I did say jumping actor, so in that case... an actor landing next to some big heavy scenery. 1Do they do that anymore?2Do they do that anymore?3Or that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VisualShock Posted May 17, 2008 Author Share Posted May 17, 2008 Come to think of it, every time a guitar player climbs up on an amp or possibly monitor1 for his bowlegged solo2, then does a split jump off it3 and lands on the floor in front of the amp, that's where you have a jumping person who may or may not be fat, and a big amp in the same place. I did say jumping actor, so in that case... an actor landing next to some big heavy scenery. 1Do they do that anymore?2Do they do that anymore?3Or that? I do it and I play bass <_< but yeah, I think with everyone's help here I'm heading in the right direction, if not entirely there yet!Thanks a lot guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrisbarris Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Litestructures, Steeldeck and StageOne do a grilled steel deck that is exactly what you need. Nickelback used it and they do alot of that jumping off amps onto the stage so if it is good enough for rock stars I would say it is good enough for wannabies. It has been used on X factor by production north in the way you want. They fanned smoke through and uplit with moles. You do need to drape the sides well to stop smoke coming through. Litestructures stuff is light, two man lift. The grate is industrial so make sure no ones slips or they may be grazed. Renting will be cheapest option if you want it for a short term buying will cost you £350 plus for an 8 x 4ft trade grate section. they may sell second hand stock also as an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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