We thought we had the the system solved to deliver the donut “magically” to the middle of the stage. Alas, using a foam bunny as our test subject ((before carving it into a donut)) we discovered that the foam caught on even the tiniest bit of friction. When the friction released, the bunny shot into the air like a, well, rabbit.
After fiddling with it, we got rid of all the complicated bits and switched to the bluefoam donut I made last night and this morning. The new system works like a champ. Whew. No more fail! I tried taking photos, but the line is too thin to show up on my camera.
Basically, we run a piece of 15 lb braided dacron ((black fishing line that I use for marionettes)) offstage, using screw eyes and tubing to control where it runs. The donut sits on a short ramp on the upstage side of the tv, out of the line of sight of the audience. While they are looking at other business onstage, a stagehand pulls the string and the donut slides up the ramp and into place.
The string on its bottom is held in place by a piece of clear tape. When the actor picks up the donut, the tape, caught by a screw eye, releases. Voila. Magic donut.
Now that you know how we do that, I’ll have to kill you.
When the villian says that, doesn’t the hero always get away? Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.
It just depends on which of us is the villain.
You explained it all, and I still don’t understand it . . . and I’m normally a highly visual thinker.
Does this mean I get to live?
Maybe just this once.