Select three lamps to use around the miniature stage. Choose two 8-inch lamps for the key and fill lights, and one 12-inch lamp as a back light. Place one 8-inch lamp on the right-hand side at the 7 o'clock position for the key light; place the other 8-inch lamp on the left-hand side at the 5 o'clock position for the fill light. Position the 12-inch lamp at the back of the miniature set for the back light.
Remove the lampshades from each lamp by unscrewing the lightbulbs and removing the shades. Once the shades are removed, replace the lightbulbs. This will permit the bulbs to be exposed. If the lamps have incandescent bulbs, replace them with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) to use with the cellophane paper. CFLs do not emit a lot of heat, and will prevent the cellophane paper from melting.
Create gel frames by molding three metal hangers into squares. For each hanger, uncoil the hook, open up the hanger, and then bend the hanger to make four 5-inch sides to create the square. Once you make the squares, cut 12 inches off the leftover portion of each metal hanger using a wire cutter. Bend the remaining 10 inches to fit around the body of the lamp.
Cut the selected cellophane paper into 7-inch by 7-inch squares using scissors. This will leave enough room to tape the cellophane around the sides of the gel frame. Tape each sheet onto the gel frame by folding over each side and securing it with clear tape.
Place each gel frame with the cellophane paper onto its corresponding lamp, and secure each frame using duct tape. All three lamps may contain cellophane paper to create stage effects if desired. Plug each lamp into a power strip, and move the lamps farther or closer to the miniature stage to accomplish the desired effect.