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Preparing Scenery:
Do not cut out the pieces before mounting to
cardboard! Cut them apart, but leave extra paper around the edges, where
possible.
When mounting backdrops, use a piece of single
thickness cardboard (sometimes called chipboard in art stores) that is
several inches wider than the actual printed area, so that there is
something to clip to supports and also to help keep the viewing audience
from seeing into the sides of the stage. The bottom of the scenery
should be mounted evenly with the bottom of the cardboard, or cut to be
a straight edge after mounting, so that it sits evenly on the stage
floor. Be sure to use a low moisture, low wrinkling paste! Paste a
similar weight plain paper on the opposite side of the cardboard to
prevent curling.* Press them with weights to dry.
Prepare “wings” and “middle drops” with extra
cardboard extending to each side, also, so they can be easily clipped to
supports and also help to keep the view hidden on the sides. The shaped
edges need to be cut with a sharp craft knife, and the bottom edge
should be straight along the printed edge, so that it sits evenly on the
floor.
If very detailed scenery needs to be cut, such as
tree leaves, it is possible to mount the printed pieces on poster board,
cut the detailed edges, and then mount the pieces on slightly smaller
but similarly shaped pieces of heavier cardboard. This makes it easier
to cut the fine details, but gives the support required. Handle the
pieces gently to preserve the fine edges.
Preparing Figures:
Do not cut out the figures before mounting to
cardboard! Cut them apart, but leave extra paper around the edges, where
possible.
Figures should be prepared in a similar manner to
scenery. Large size figures should be pasted to single thickness
cardboard, and then cut out with a sharp craft knife. Small size figures
can be mounted on poster board and sometimes can be cut with small sharp
scissors. As usual, they may require pasting plain paper on the opposite
side to prevent curling.* Be sure to leave the “base” of the figures, so
there is something to set them into (or attach them) when using sticks
to move them.
Tip: It is a very good idea to keep
and carefully cut out the title of each figure that is printed on the
paper, and paste it on the back side of the cut out figure! This helps
to remember which figure is which!
* Some cardboard is laminated and may help to
prevent curling without pasting another layer on the reverse side. Check
with your art or craft supplier to see what types of cardboard they have
available for pasting paper up without curling. If you use a laminated
cardboard, be sure to paste the printed paper on the side that is NOT
the laminated side! Do not use double thickness cardboard if you have to
do fine cutting! |
