Most impressive Stage Effects (SpecialFX?) — Page 3

There was a lot of blood throughout, which I guess was its own special effects. What I was talking about was (a) an early scene in which a main character drops backwards, effortlessly, off a gym set (on a school playground) and you never hear a thud or anything. (Facing away from the audience.) I know it was probably accomplished with lots of rehearsal and a great mattress, but it was still a great moment. And (b) an extended sequence in which another main character is held underwater in a pool. He probably is able to take a breath during a short blackout, but it was pretty seamless.

P.S. My handle is clearly right there. It's not like I said "Lizzie" out loud and someone decided to spell it with a "y." Good lord. People have been doing this for years. Why?!

Updated On: 9/21/15 at 12:53 PM

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Original/B-way):

• action during the overture
• backstage perspective w/ the corp de ballet during "Think of Me" bows
• the boat & floating/rising candles on the lake
• chandelier crash (though dated - still exciting when you're there)
• former use of trap door for Phantom in "Masquerade"
• -Raul jumping into the lake

SUNSET BOULEVARD:

• "floating" Joe @ the beginning
• cars during "Car Chase"
• the rising house
• Joe's fall into the pool
• Norma's projection on the scrim @ the end

INTO THE WOODS (Original):

• appearance of Rapunzel's tower

INTO THE WOODS (Revival):

• the wolf in granny's bed (the flexing feet/paws)
• Vanessa's transformation as the witch
• the "wilting" of the witch's staff on the narrator's shoulder
• the witch's disappearance (wig & skin sleeve, too)

Sorry, Lizzie....it was the damn spell correct on my Iphone! Thanks for the info!

EvanK said: "The chalkboard in Matilda isn't a projection? I always thought it was?

"

Nope - that would be too obvious! It'd be bad to see a beam of light and also Trunchbull walks right infant of the board as it's happening... and the chalkboard moves forward.

American Idiot's video screens

Nickhutson said: "EvanK said: "The chalkboard in Matilda isn't a projection? I always thought it was?"

Nope - that would be too obvious! It'd be bad to see a beam of light and also Trunchbull walks right infant of the board as it's happening... and the chalkboard moves forward. "

Though, as pointed out, it's not a projection, it could have been accomplished with rear projection, which would have eliminated the problem of actors not being able to walk in front of it or seeing the projection beam.

I don't know for sure, but my guess is magnets guiding the chalk from the rear.

RE: Let The Right One In

Still holding your breath for 60 seconds is impressive, and to do it on stage. And 8x a week. Probably some stage magic included.

And why did this show not to go to Broadway?! It's brilliant. And would have been a nice little hit.

RE: Wicked, Defying Gravity - does anyone know how high up the actress on the lift goes? I know with the lights and sfx it might look higher than it actually is.

I don't know if anyone saw "If there is I haven't Found it Yet " at the Laura Pels wiht Jake Gyllenhaal but when they flooded the entire stage with about two feet of water that was pretty impressive.

EvanK said: "The only thing that bothers me is how slow the lift is on Broadway compared to any other production. Why is is such a gosh darn slow riser? I think the slightly faster speed is way more fluid and impressive."

I totally get you. I've seen the show multiple times, and the slow rise bothers me more each time I go. However, for new Wicked-goers (I love taking friends and family members that have never seen it before), just the feat of flight itself is so remarkable that they don't seem to notice how slow it really is. I think it's just for us super familiar Wicked geeks