"Chicago" illuminated sign

[Barney]

Hi all,

 

I have been tasked with looking into a Chicago illuminated sign for an upcoming production in June. Ideally, I'd like some LX control over each letter, but it's not crucial. Does anyone have something available that they would be willing to either hire (10 days) or sell on? You know the sort of thing - the letters made up of individual lamps.

 

Size-wise, I would guess something like 2 metres / 8 ft or so across would be fine. The venue doesn't have fly bars per se, so we would need to find a way of dropping it in when required / hiding it when not. All do-able though (and has been done before).

 

There was talk of projecting this onto the cyc instead, but I'd rather have a physical sign.

 

If there is nothing available, can anyone recommend a place to go to get this manufactured for a fair price? If we went down this route I'd probably look at LED options, to allow for colour changing etc. Budget is currently reasonably negotiable but it's still am-dram.

 

 

Thanks,

Barney

[J Pearce]

If you manufacture it, then timber sheet with wood batten to strengthen, a hole saw, then fill the holes with festoon. Use addressable festoon for added pixel/colour funtimes.

[Barney]

Thanks Jon,

 

That's certainly one option I can look at. Do you have any particular recommendations for decent addressable festoon?

 

In the most simplistic version, I guess I'm looking at a string of about 70-80 lamps to make up all the lettering...

 

Barney

Edited February 4, 2020 by Barney

[Caerdydd]

https://www.chauvetdj.com/products/festoonext/ - But you may struggle to find it in hire stock

[Barney]

Thanks - was just looking at the Chauvet stuff but it all seems to be discontinued now :(

[skinda0]

Thanks - was just looking at the Chauvet stuff but it all seems to be discontinued now :(

 

Cinemattag does some digital festoon from Glasson which may be worth a look? Linky

I have purchased regular festoon from them before but not used the digital stuff.

[J Pearce]

IPS in MK stock the chauvet digital festoon.

[gareth]

Pitlochry Festival Theatre did Chicago in 2018, and the set design incorporated a sign just like what you describe, with each letter individually controllable. Can be seen in the photo on this page - https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2018/chicago-review-pitlochry-festival-theatre-timely-beautifully-choreographed/

 

Not sure whether they still have it, and if so whether they'd hire it out - but it could be worth asking.

[Barney]

Pitlochry Festival Theatre did Chicago in 2018 <...> Not sure whether they still have it, and if so whether they'd hire it out - but it could be worth asking.

 

Thanks Gareth, I'll give them a try.

[Barney]

As an easier (for me) alternative, is anyone willing to make one for me? Quotes appreciated.

 

Barney

[graemeftv]

we have one for sale or hire

and we are not a million miles away from you + can ship

[david.elsbury]

we have one for sale or hire

and we are not a million miles away from you + can ship

?? is there anything you don’t have! What about a FAME sign in the same style?

[andrew.p.r]

I also know of someone that has on picture can be seen here

 

https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53735642_396920110888329_7264194607108325376_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ohc=XedSKYc4Qc0AX9P_vr5&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=4e528901d307216474567bb3caffeb6f&oe=5ECD99A3

 

Contact details https://www.facebook.com/bespokestage.co.uk/

[Barney]

we have one for sale or hire

and we are not a million miles away from you + can ship

 

Hi Graeme,

 

Sent you a PM a week ago - any chance you could send me a couple of pictures and dimensions? Oh, and how much it would cost, obviously!

 

 

Thanks,

Barney