Special Event Design

Side Show

Gary Brownell from Sagebrush Community Church in Albuquerque, NM brings us this carnivalous stage design.

To match their series artwork, they made it look like the band was playing on a vintage carnival ride (similar to a Tilt-a-Whirl). They constructed the “rides” out of sheets of 1/2 inch styrofoam for the front halves of the rides and secured it to their stage risers. The railing at the top of the rides was painted foam pipe insulation placed over the edge of the curved foam sheets. Then they ran chasing rope light around the edges of the rides.

The chain fence behind the rides was painted plastic chain draped from 1 1/2 inch painted PVC pipe to help give the look of a circus ride. LED “party bulbs” ($4.95) flashing different colors sat on top of the fence posts. All construction material was from Home Depot.

They used their existing chrome painted PVC truss as the backdrop.

The wacky shaped video screens, with a little bit of forced perspective, were 1″ styrofoam sheets edged in black gaffers tape and projected on from their front video projector to complete the circus ride look.

Gary had to make a few repairs during the series because determined 5 year old kids would get up on the stage and attempt to climb in the styrofoam rides.

Roughing It Pushers

4 responses to “Side Show”

  1. I am curious to see how you masked the screens, did you use Photoshop and mask the negative space, or perhaps Pro Presenter? Also how did you create the graphics to fit the unique spaces?

    Thanks in advance!

  2. Pip Bickford says:

    I never thought I’d see a take on Pink’s “Funhouse Tour” set on this site! LOL!! I love it!! Great job, Gary & team!!!

  3. Robert James says:

    You can use Resolume Arena to do screen Masking Vids. :)

  4. Kristine says:

    One day we can do this! Hope we can upgrade our technology in our church. This would be another level for us. thanks for sharing!

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