And, you have to pronounce it like Dexter. (LubOrutOry)
So, last year, we got to see a childhood dream of mine come into fruition.
Now, I was pretty pleased with the results, such as they were. But, I KNOW it can be better.
Heck, I essentially had 20 days to prepare that lab as it was. And, if you are here reading this now in February, you know, 20 days is practically NO TIME.
20 days, to create a general concept, several pages of sketches, building a cage, a frame, wiring lighting, a table, my own makeup appliances, and rigging sound.
It was a little stressful…more than I cared to admit at the time.
While I’m not certain we’ll be doing it again this year, I’m running on the assumption we are. I can put it to use at the house as a change up in the future if nothing else.
Looking back at what worked, what didn’t, and what needs improving.
Fred performed his task admirably. The hastily constructed table he was on, however, did not survive transport too awful well. Duct tape held legs in place that night.
This table was really the brains of the operation as well. Holding the effects for Fred, and the sound effects, such as they were.
Now, the sound effects did not work. (I ended up with something akin to an hour to try to get them to work to begin with, so no real surprise) Either the track was too low, or the ipod couldn’t power the speakers well enough, but you generally couldn’t hear it as well as I would like.
Now, as a distraction, this whole getup worked rather well with certain groups. VERY young kids (3-5) tended to NOT forget about me in the corner. They would give that black curtain the evil eye.
OLDER (12+) kids would also know something was up with that cage. They’ld watch Fred, but keep glancing back at the curtain.
Ironically, ADULTS, and the kids ~5-12 typically fell into the trap PERFECTLY.
HOW, then, do we get the rest to fall in line?
A 3 fold plan:
1: FIX THE SOUND EFFECTS. I want a LOUD electrical sound coming from the table. Time to play with it. Better file, better equipment, whatever is needed. We need that sound eminating from the table. This SHOULD get the attention of the younger kids.
2: Add some visuals. Blinking lights and things. Build a whole console with lights and things for that switch to be thrown. Again, this adds to the immersion, and should draw more attention to what’s going on.
3: MAKE FRED SIT UP AND SCREAM! Power goes off, like normal, but when that power comes back on, have Fred SIT UP AND SCREAM. THIS not only is a startle scare that will prime them for me coming out…BUT, it’s a SURE FIRE way to get EVERYONE’s attention over to Fred to allow me unnoticed escape.
Now, then, to the cage…
The Cage performed adequately. It rattled, it creaked, and it allowed me easy exit, all as planned.
It also broke unintentionally, and forced me to be less animated than I would like. Even though we found a happy medium in there, there was room for improvement.
Now, sure, with a full summer, I’m sure I could design a new and improved cage…
But, Young Frankenstein has been playing quite often on cable of late, and it’s given me this idea…REMOVE the cage….
CHAINS instead. Oooo, just thinking of the sounds of lunging at the kids while chained….
Lots to think on.