Making an old Macbook light up?

[BeckaGeee]

Hi All,

Sorry if this is in the wrong area, but didn't think it would fit solely into just Lighting or Stage Management.

 

I'm currently on a modern adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing and we are thinking of having a macbook onstage, where the actors are skyping another character from.

 

The Macbook is 2008 and has the battery in, but doesn't look like it has any processors etc. Does anyone have any ideas of how to make it look like it's lit up and working from the back and maybe the front (as in, illuminating the actors faces, it won't be turned around to the audience).

 

The macbook is brought on later shut and carried around, so it needs to be something ideally wireless or easy to remove for certain scenes, or maybe just some tips as to how to get the screen on with just a battery and no processor?

 

Thanks in advance!

[mikienorth]

Put lights in the desk, led tape/small recessed units that are hidden behind other desk clutter?

The problem with the MacBook is the big glowing apple on the front. Use an old fully working one, they can handle the odd drop, and hope your actors aren't clumsy.

[MarkPAman]

There's plenty of videos showing how to replace screens on there

 

I'd think you could remove the original and then put a bit of LED tape inside

[Wizwam]

Idea's below.This

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30cm-LED-Lights-Strip-USB-cable-powered-by-Notebook-TV-Laptop-PC-Computer-5V-/321679859252?var=&hash=item4ae59d1e34:m:m7tCMfk9FTyugTZWn9bbjuA

or

This

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-rosco-litepad-ho-76mm-circle-daylight/p1529075

 

 

 

Hi All,

Sorry if this is in the wrong area, but didn't think it would fit solely into just Lighting or Stage Management.

 

I'm currently on a modern adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing and we are thinking of having a macbook onstage, where the actors are skyping another character from.

 

The Macbook is 2008 and has the battery in, but doesn't look like it has any processors etc. Does anyone have any ideas of how to make it look like it's lit up and working from the back and maybe the front (as in, illuminating the actors faces, it won't be turned around to the audience).

 

The macbook is brought on later shut and carried around, so it needs to be something ideally wireless or easy to remove for certain scenes, or maybe just some tips as to how to get the screen on with just a battery and no processor?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

[BeckaGeee]

Thanks all! I'll have a play around, and reply with our solution- hopefully it shouldn't be too difficult to achieve.

[IRW]

If the inverter is still in there, and you can find the right pin-out, it might be possible to simply power up the inverter- something to consider in order to get the glowing apple.

 

Something like:

http://www.instructa...ortable-light-/

Here's a video to help:

 

Although that instructable is for an IBM compatible PC, I'm pretty certain a macbook screen would have similar bits under the hood. The last time I took a macbook apart was a good few years ago, but LCD-screens are all pretty much the same.

[Wizwam]

If the inverter is still in there, and you can find the right pin-out, it might be possible to simply power up the inverter- something to consider in order to get the glowing apple.

 

Something like:

http://www.instructa...ortable-light-/

Here's a video to help:

 

Although that instructable is for an IBM compatible PC, I'm pretty certain a macbook screen would have similar bits under the hood. The last time I took a macbook apart was a good few years ago, but LCD-screens are all pretty much the same.

 

Have a look at this, quite by coincidence this landed on a facebook lighting in photography page. Might be useful.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153920141738550&set=gm.477302995727570&type=3&theater

[Peter18]

+1 on using a working Mac - or any laptop. (Is a Mac essential for style reasons?)

Also it might be useful to see if the light from the screen makes any observable difference to the actors faces when used under stage lights - my guess is that it is not going to be very much.

 

Do not underestimate the amount of work needed to make the Mac you have light up. You suggest it has 'no processor'. Without the logic board you will lack the means to charge the battery (if it still holds any charge), derive the correct voltages and control for the screen. And presumably you do not know whether the screen actually works anyway - if it is a CCFL screen you may find the inverter and / or the backlight has failed.

This idea sounds like someone is desperate to give a 2008 Mac a new life!

[Oniondan]

A few LED's powered by a battery and some heavy frost would be easy enough to sort out ;)