A weblog about theatrical drapery and stage curtains for Production Managers, Set Designers, Custom Drapery Resellers, and local/school/church Productions
As I mentioned in my first post, I was contacted by Megan to work on the backdrops and other soft goods for Crue Fest II tour. I had the pleasure of working with a creative genius, Mr.Scott Holthaus, to help him manifest his vision for the show.
Crue Fest II celebrated a milestone anniversary for Motley Crue’s wildly successful Dr. Feelgood album. Every detail down to the CMYK value of the tiles was carefully considered. The concept was to create the insane asylum that is indicated on the Dr. Feelgood album cover as it would look if you revisited the facility twenty years later. The concept had vast possibilities so we decided to do a series of quick sketches first to narrow down a direction. Obviously these are not award winning illustrations but more so used like a storyboard would be in a movie. They indicate size, scale and perspective as well as content so that we can cut right to the chase on the computer once the direction is decided. It does take a person of vision, like Scott, but the end result is a faster development from an production art standpoint. This project was mammoth so it did take a few weeks to complete but, the quick sketches let us work out details and cut right to production worthy art within 24 hours of our first conversation. If you’re developing an involved or complex concept, I’d welcome working out the details with you in the same fashion.
I’ve posted in the past about the great photos that Rent What? has posted on Flickr, but as it has been awhile, I thought I’d mention it again. We’ve told you a lot about the various custom stage curtains, theatrical backdrops, and other theatrical soft goods and supplies that are available for purchase through Sew What? and / or for rent through Rent What? But, as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and so if you are looking for inspiration for your next show or event, why not look through the many great photos in the “Concerts and Curtains” photostream on Flickr?
Here are some of my favorites:
LED Stardrops
Want to add some sparkle to your next show? Thinking about purchasing or renting an LED Stardrop. You can choose between the traditional bluish white night sky look with the Classic Stardrop, or maybe mix it up a little with color through the Chameleon Stardrop. Check out the LED Stardrops photo set for some great visuals.
Austrian Curtains
I mentioned before how much I love Austrian Curtains – they are so beautiful and can set so many different moods. I especially like when an Austrian seems to change color magically during a show (through the use of a variety of lighting techniques) – one moment red, the next moment blue. There are a number of gorgeous examples in the Austrian Curtains for Theatre and Stage set.
Digital Backdrops
Digital printing is such an amazing option today! Whereas in the past, the only way to have a large scale scenic backdrop was to commission an artist to hand-paint the image, today just about any image can be printed and sewn into almost any size scenic backdrop. From a simple 8′ x 10′ backdrop for a trade show booth to a huge 40′ h x 60′ w backdrop for a concert – digitally printing can handle it all. Check out some of our projects in the Wide Format Digital Textile Printing set.
And these are just a few of the photo sets available – there is so much more. So, if you haven’t looked at the photostream lately, check it out – I think you’ll find great ideas and inspiration.
Last month we did an interesting project for Janet Jackson’s 2011 tour. Most of the time, we either make a theatrical drape or a scenic backdrop (often digitally printed). In this case, however, we combined the two, with great results, and I wanted to share.
We started out by making a pair of Bi-Parting Traveler Curtains, each 30′ h x 30′ w, from sewn flat in Black 22oz Encore. This achieved a traditional drapery look with deep blacks and full opacity. We then added digitally printed elements by appliqueing one half of the digital design to the onstage edge of each of the drapes.
With the drapes closed, the design is front and center, with the white of the digital design really “popping” against the deep black of the Encore drapes. Want to see more? There is a great photo of these drapes – check it out on Flickr.
Last year, I posted about some beautiful digitally printed backdrops that we made for Little Big Town’s 2010 tour. Well, this year we were excited to be asked to provided additional scenic backdrops for their 2011 tour – and this time the project included not only two digital backdrops, but a gorgeous handpainted backdrop as well, all 24′ h x 40′ w. Of course, the artwork was created by, you guessed it, John Rios of GrafixJam.
Each of the two digitally printed backdrops had a unique image – one in black and white depicting a country church, and the other a graphic image of a black bird silhouette over a red, yellow and black geometric pattern.
Photo Courtesy of Bobby Simmons
Gorgeous, isn’t it? Even more impressive is the handpainted backdrop. Painted on NFR Muslin and then treated for flame retardancy afterwards, this drop features an image of a hand-stitched American flag.
Photo Courtesy of Bobby Simmons
It’s beautiful as is – but there is a surprise waiting when the lighting changes! You’d never realize it looking at the photo above, but there is a hidden message painted on it in invisible UV paint.
Photo Courtesy of Bobby Simmons
Pretty cool effect, don’t you think! I remember when we first hung this in our production shop, after the painting was complete, and everyone was amazed at how beautiful it was. It is so exciting to see it on stage, with all the lighting effects. Wow!
Back in June, I wrote a post about Sew What? and Rent What? working together to provide custom stage curtains to the Glee Touring Show.
Well, a few months later, we were approached by the folks at Glee again. But this time, they wanted us to provide custom theatrical drapery for the set of the television show. Very exciting! We work with music tours and traditional theatres regularly, but not much in the television and film industry. And Glee is the perfect television show to utilize our drapery, with its emphasis on music and performing.
If you watch the show, you may have noticed the Grand Drapes and Border, in gorgeous Brick 21oz Velour, in the episode entitled “Special Education,” which premiered in late November. And keep your eyes out in future episodes - we provided a variety of custom drapery pieces to the show, including masking drapes, legs and borders, scrims, and cycloramas.
If you missed the episode “Special Education,” or if you want to watch again to check out the drapery, Fox offers full episodes online on the Glee website.
As the clock ticks closer and closer to 2011, I thought I’d reflect a little on some of the projects that we have worked on this year. I’d love to post a little bit about all of the projects that we worked on in 2010, but for that I would need to publish a book! So, instead I’ll just remind you of a few particularly memorable projects.
We printed and sewed so many amazing digitally printed backdrops this year. A few that come to mind include several gorgeous panels for Brooks & Dunn‘s “Last Rodeo” farewell tour (I love the cowgirl images!), the “Distressed Fleur de Lis” pattern for Little Big Town, Billy Idol in black and white, and, of course, the beautiful backdrop for Kenny Chesney (third year running). All beautiful, all unique!
Of course, all of the drapery that we make is custom-made according to the client’s specifications, so all projects are interesting and unique. But some projects really stand out. The Silver Scrim for Yusuf Islam was so beautiful and quite unusual. The Alice in Chains project was so cool that I posted about it twice, and of course the drapery in sheers and silvers for Celtic Woman set the perfect ethereal backdrop to their music.
These are the projects in which we really “think outside the box,” using materials and/or techniques that are just a little bit different from the usual drapery style. I loved the Metal Mesh frame pieces that we made for James Taylor and the Korn backdrop was an amazing combination of netting, digital printing, and smoke tubes. And just a few weeks ago – who could forget the American Parachute that we made for Katy Perry?
All of these terrific projects are just a small fraction of the projects we worked on in 2010. I can’t wait to see what projects come our way in 2011!
Recently, Rent What? and Sew What? were excited to work with Daunte Kenner of DK Show Production & Design to help him bring his set design to life for Mary J. Blige’s U.S. tour.
In prior posts, I have mentioned the Starlight LED backdrops. One of the great things about the Starlight LED drapes that Rent What? offers for rental is that they are available in two sizes (15′ x 30′ and 20′ x 20′), but they can be run horizontally or vertically and can be combined to make a much larger backdrop. That was the case in Daunte’s design for the Mary J. Blige tour – a number of Starlight LED drapes were combined to make up nearly 5,000 square feet of “starry, starry night”, covering the entire rear of the stage as well as both sides.
Daunte also selected from Rent What? a gorgeous 30′ h x 60′ w Silver Satin Austrian Drape for use as an Act Curtain. Sew What? got into the act by manufacturing a custom “City Skyline” digitally printed scenic backdrop along with additional custom stage drapes.
It really was a fun project to work on, and it is exciting to hear that many of these same pieces with be a part of Mary J. Blige’s upcoming international tour dates in 2011!
Want to learn more about this project? Click here.
Last month, we worked on a really interesting project, and I just had to share (especially after seeing the gorgeous photos and videos). I love all of the custom stage curtains, digitally printed backdrops, and other specialty soft goods that we make, but it is particularly fascinating for me when we do projects that are more unique.
Katy Perry was scheduled to appear on VH1′s “Salute The Troops” special on December 5th, and she wanted to appear on stage in a very dramatic way – by parachute!
Naturally, she couldn’t really parachute on stage, but it certainly appeared as if she did, in a very patriotic way, and I am proud to say that Sew What? played a part in making it happen.
The parachute structure began as two custom steel frames, which fit together to mimic the shape of an open parachute. The frames were then delivered to us, and our sewing shop got busy with red, white and blue stretch fabric. It was a little tricky, as it was important to carefully match each stripe to the contours of the frames. The end result? An American Flag “Parachute.”
I thought it looked amazing in our sewing shop, but I was floored to see how spectacular it looked in use. With the parachute suspended from above by unobstrusive cables, and Katy Perry hanging from the “parachute” by more noticeable white cables, it really did appear as if she was parachuting down onto the stage. Very dramatic, don’t you think?
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, in my post about videos, that Megan had recently come upon a video that she received from a client back in 2009 for a Sonic Youth project we had worked on. Well, I thought I’d tell you more about it (and show you the video, as promised).
While we are primarily of manufacturer of custom stage drapes, we don’t limit ourselves to standard theatrical drapery. Often, we are asked by clients, particularly those in the music touring industry, to ”think outside the (drapery) box” to make something a little different (though still fabric based). This was one of those projects.
We were asked by Dan Hadley to make Custom Light Pod skins to fit over frames. The primary fabric used was Flame Retardant Natural Heavy Weight Muslin with Blackout Lining (also known as Passfoam) used on the inside (except for the back). Then, using client providing renderings, we cut out a different design from the front of each pod and inserted natural scrim into the cutout. Lastly, the client contracted with an artist to scenically paint the pods.
This really was a clever design. By lining the front and sides with Blackout Lining, but then cutting out the designs and inserting the scrim, a variety of lighting techniques could be utilized to emphasize the design and even trick the eye into thinking that the design is moving.
Not quite sure what I mean? Check out the video of Sonic Youth that Dan sent Megan:
It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is past, and the holiday season is starting in full swing. Now’s the time to think about what custom stage drapes and other soft goods you might need for your holiday show or party.
Need some ideas? See if these get your creativity going.
Specs: Gold Lightweight Velour Drapery, highlighted with festive red bows and large gold balls. Add Christmas Trees, Wreaths, whatever you can imagine to set that festive holiday mood.
Specs: A variety of Silver Satin drapes, from Austrians to Swags to Borders (and more) combine to evoke a romantic winter scene. Add a little white with White Voile or Lightweight Velour Drapes, along with twinkle lights and a few snowflakes here and there for sparkle.
Specs: Cool crinkly Metal Mesh gives a great industrial vibe, especially when lighted with spots in different colors. Think about supplementing the look with stretch shapes, other crushed or textured fabrics in grey, silver and black tones, and metal pieces in a variety of finishes (pewter, silver, stainless steel, chrome, rubbed bronze, etc).
Still stuck for an idea? Take a look at the Sew What? and Rent What? portfolios and Flickr for loads of inspirational photos and videos.
