A Pair of Wings for a Stage Production

This site may help you get started.

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/howtomakecostumeswingshalloweencraftskids.html

Go to about three minutes in:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6fnWXFOyq8

I made some wings for halloween that expand sort of like a bird wing. It is more complicated than a basic wing so perhaps not what you are looking for. I wrote a post on it, although not a ton of detail about the wings but enough to give you an idea. http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/3689/Halloween-Projects-Part-1

I see you just left a comment to that halloween project post.

Are you looking to make an articulated wing? because if not the design I used is more than you need. If you are do a search on "articulated wing" lots of people have made these and have more details than I have time to provide. You can find instructables and youtube videos, so do a search.

I still have these wings but they are stored with a bunch of halloween stuff and not easy to get to now. The basic scissor design is what is sketched but you can find lots of designs based on this. Mine is made out of flat aluminum with holes drilled in it and little bolts holding them together as hinges.

Welcome to CR4, GSanchez!

Set and costume design is all about audience perception, so you need to consider how close the audience will be to the actors, the brightness and color of the light on the wings and how athletic the actor will need to be in the performance.

If they're only walking around you can use a wire frame covered with a painted & glittered lightweight cloth. Attach them to a pair of suspenders for easy costume change. For more strenuous movement you can use foam board cut to shape and strengthened with slats of a lightweight wood like bass or linden. Epoxy or duct tape them to a piece of heavy cloth like canvas, then sew the cloth to the back of a tee or sweat shirt. A small brace between the wings will keep them at the proper angle.

Whatever you do, remember the audience perception. Think about how ugly stage makeup appears when they do a closeup on TV. It's a parody in the closeup, but in the harsh stage lighting 50 feet from the audience it helps define the actor's face. In this case, the audience may see the wings, but only peripherally. They'll be focusing on the interaction between the characters. The impression is more important than the details. Good Luck!!!!

1. Decide on the design (appearance) you need. Impression is everything.

2. Decide how long you need them to last. 1 day? Weeks? Years?

3. Decide are they only for looks? Or do they need to do something? (e.g. open out)

4. Decide on the material. (for safety, fire, personal injury, etc.)

5. Decide on the effect to the wearer. (feel stupid? Proud? Consult.)

Hope this helps, as there are so many variables to consider.

jt.

Keep an angel in your heart, live kindly and well.

Bird type wings? Angel type wings? Airplane type wings?????

Are you talking costume wings, or structural wings to expand the width of the stage on which the actors are performing?

That was my question exactly. Without all the information necessary, everybody mentions "costumes" when he may be refering to the sidewalls. If so, are they hung and stationary or do they raise? Or perhaps they are self supporting and nailed in place or temporary?