phillwarren Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Hello, I am working on a production of Aladdin which is first week of February and myself and the director is having problems coming up with a Magic carpet illusion effect.so far we have been n contact with both Scenic and Imagineset hires and they only have one that can take the weight of 15kg.we require to have 2 people on it (Aladdin and Jasmine) and are looking for some sort of counter weighted system. has anyone done something like this before and have ideas on how to get the correct effect we are looking for ?? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glyn Edwards Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Try Imagine Productions in Coventry. I know they have several which may be available that late in the panto season. Tell them I sent you. Glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjadingle Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Depends on your budget - the Twins FX are pretty awesome... 360 Magic Carpet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_R Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Hi Phil,Try the Talisman Theatre;http://www.talismantheatre.co.uk/hire.html They have a counter weighted system. Regards,Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 you'll find that almost every flying carpet in the country is designed/rated for one flyer of around 70kg. There are a few which can be "upgraded" to cope with two riders BUT remember with the self-weight of the hardwear plus the flyers and counterweights you will end up with an object that weighs 500kg so you will also need to check your stage can cope with that spot load and set aside a good few hours for your crew & performers to get used to operating it as hurling something that heavy around the stage in a controlled (and magical looking) manner is a lot harder than you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 The Twins FX rig for one person flying, needs a crew of 7 people, tons of safety paperwork, inspections and every flight is scrutinised by them in the report somebody has to do. The amount of weight in the bucket is really heavy and the boom itself is made from 100mm steel box section. This is a beast of an illusion, and the stage needs to be pretty strong. As the crew are on stage, this also means in big theatres that the FX payment the crew gets each flight can also make it very expensive, let alone the hire cost, and of course transport costs. It's an impressive illusion, but after you factor in the additional lighting costs, a damn expensive one that really can't be reduced for amateur budgets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete LD Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Ive lit a Twins carpet and one of Imagine's. The Twins one was slick and can fly over the front rows where as the Imagine one stayed within the footprint of the truck it was on but looked surprisingly good! It all depends on your budget! But...they only had one person on.... The only time I've seen 2 people on it was flown on a fly track. it looked a bit rubbish.... Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 If you know what you're doing, have a tech team who've worked with you for years and spend the time planning things carefully you can perform miracles.... ;-) https://www.dropbox.com/s/oshg0wfaco4qn8w/DM1_7041-ZF-9971-02703-1-001-042.jpg?dl=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 How far does this thing have to move? Time, at the Dominion, years ago, had a couple of platforms lifted by forklifts hidden behind blacks. It was, of course, beautifully lit, so the platforms appeared to just float. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 That does look good, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwarren Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Thanks everyone, Imagine and Twins FX was one of the placeswe've been in contact with.(although fantastic effects Twins Fx is too expensive just for delivery) and we are looking for a counterweighted system which could be moved onto stage. our stage isn't that big only 10 meter wide (less when we have set in) we possibly could get away without moving with the performers on but we will need it to be able to move n and off stage. however I will forwad link onto director so he is aware that it may be something that is very heavy and require a large amount of crew to move on/off stage. luckily the floor is a marble floor straight onto ground as its a raked auditorium so no issues with weight on stage just man power to perform the effect, yes I am thinking of low lying fog and UV cannons to light it withThanks everyone for your help and advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Two other key tips then, 1) dry ice/low lying fog is a no-go (unless you have a flying unit with a 4m or longer beam on it) as it will perfectly silhouette the hardware and operators completely destroying the illusion. You need a black (or at least very dark) stage floor and black drapes during the sequence2) I've never seen a counterweight'd carpet that didn't have a physical footprint any smaller than 1.2m wide, 3m long so before you go too far down this path you should check that you have the backstage space to store it (you won't be able to put anything else under it so it will be completely dead space) and ensure that your set has sufficient space between the flats/portals to move something of this size off stage quickly and easily. You should be looking to get the carpet from your nearest supplier - they are big heavy complicated objects so you will probably end up paying £400-1000 in delivery/collection costs dependent on how far away the hire company is. Choosing a carpet a little closer to home means you can borrow a van and pick it up yourself. @alistairmorton - thankyouhttp://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitlane Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Little Wolf Entertainment have something that might fit the bill. It might be worth trying Set One as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwarren Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 Two other key tips then, 1) dry ice/low lying fog is a no-go (unless you have a flying unit with a 4m or longer beam on it) as it will perfectly silhouette the hardware and operators completely destroying the illusion. You need a black (or at least very dark) stage floor and black drapes during the sequence2) I've never seen a counterweight'd carpet that didn't have a physical footprint any smaller than 1.2m wide, 3m long so before you go too far down this path you should check that you have the backstage space to store it (you won't be able to put anything else under it so it will be completely dead space) and ensure that your set has sufficient space between the flats/portals to move something of this size off stage quickly and easily. You should be looking to get the carpet from your nearest supplier - they are big heavy complicated objects so you will probably end up paying £400-1000 in delivery/collection costs dependent on how far away the hire company is. Choosing a carpet a little closer to home means you can borrow a van and pick it up yourself. @alistairmorton - thankyouhttp://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif Moderation: There doesn't appear to be any new text?.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_korman Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Have you tried Freedom FLying? They supplied ours last time we did Aladdin. Freedom Flying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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