File puptcrit/puptcrit.0908, message 224


From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:02:37 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Bubble pipes/makers/machines



On Aug 26, 2009, at 8:29 PM, Pam Corcoran wrote:

> I would like to have bubbles float across my playboard - lots of them! 
> Anyone have experience with bubbles on a puppet stage? It would only 
> be for a few moments. I've been looking at stuff on line - and 
> everything has lousy reviews.
>
> Pam

Hey Pam,

   It is possible to do bubbles, but a bit better description of what 
you want to do is in order. "Bubbles that float across my playboard" 
could be anything from a few floating bubbles to a cascade of bubbles. 
A magical moment, a witch's cauldron, used to suggest an under sea 
setting or something else all together. In most cases the thing to 
consider first is the potential mess and how they are to be blown. If 
it is just a few, and you have a hand available, you can get one of 
those no spill dispensers and do it that way. If you need more of a 
steady "Lawrence Welk" sort of bubble thing, you can use a bubble 
machine. Trouble with those are that they use a small pan of soap with 
a wheel that turns to dip into the fan, and a fan that blows through 
the ring on its up stroke. It's easy to spill those and make a big mess 
- both of your puppets and the floor of where ever you are. The noise 
can be a problem too, depending on how you work. It is also a bit of a 
chore to place those where you will get the bubbles across the 
playboard. And a bit of a pain dumping the unused soap back into a 
container and cleaning the bubble machine before putting it away. 
Finding a place to clean it can be a pain at some sites.

  That being said, I have used bubbles in some shows, successfully and 
with out too much mess. I have blown then, had kids blow them, and used 
a bubble machine. I've used both battery and electric models. I don't 
have a "favorite" model, and none of them have had particularly long 
lives. That's part of buying fairly cheap models party store and 
Wal-mart models. If it were crucial I think I'd look into a more 
industrial model.

Also consider what the bubble residue may do to your stage, curtains, 
and the venue (especially if you are doing home shows - birthday 
parties and the like.) Staining may be an issue you want to think 
about.

Not trying to talk you out of it. Just trying to point out some things 
you may have overlooked. I know that when I first started using bubbles 
in shows I didn't think about ANY of that stuff - save for the clean up 
aspect.

Christopher

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