[SML] Prop body

[Riter, Andrew]

The comedic possibilities during Curtain Call with the live actor (who was formerly dead) are entertaining!

Andrew M. Riter  
Assistant Technical Director, Head Lighting Technician
Chan Centre 

Phone 604 822 2372
andrew.riter at ubc.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> On Behalf Of Jon Ares via Stagecraft
Sent: Friday, January 7, 2022 10:22 AM
To: Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Cc: Jon Ares <jonares at arescreative.com>
Subject: Re: [SML] Prop body

[CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]

I could better give a list of things NOT to do when building a body, but that's a whole other thing.... we keep a (comical) dead body in our furniture room - originally built for a Michael Green Coarse Actor show eons ago, but used several times since.... a plywood cutout 'body,' then clothing applied to that, and stuffed.  Careful attention needs to be paid to the stuffing, to look human, but this method won't work well for a body that needs to be picked up and presumably flopped around like a real human.  (The head was also supposed to come off, so that was a wig head, with a wig, but turned and facing upstage when it was on the floor.). That body has been used many times, but it's clearly a fake.

When I directed "LOOT" at my school many eons ago, I cast a young woman who did lots of yoga and meditation... she was a great sport - wonderfully limber, and willing/able to not only be "stuffed"
upside-down* with limbs akimbo into a large wardrobe, but also able to lie perfectly still (and eyes open) in an open-casket situation, as the audience came in and filed past her.  She also spent a lot of time wrapped in bedding, and lying on a bed during the show.

*The wardrobe had a false back, so she could get in or out as needed.

All this is to say, if there's a way to safely cast a person to play the body, the comic opportunities are great.

 - Jon

On Fri, Jan 7, 2022 at 8:11 AM Bill Potter via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>
> Howdy Listers,
>
> We have a student production coming up that requires a dead “body” to 
> fall out of a closet when opened and then get moved around the stage a 
> bit. (The scene is pretty slapsticky.)
>
> Anybody in reasonable range of Southern New Hampshire have something for borrow or rent? We’d also consider making something if anyone has any good advice on whipping up a body prop.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill in NH
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--
Jon Ares
www.arescreative.com

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