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How to Create a Magic Carpet Prop

Making a magic carpet prop for a play, song or performance number might seem difficult at first. After all, the audience must see the carpet and you need to give the appearance of flying. The theatre does not call for literal interpretations, however. The key is to help people understand and enjoy the concept of the prop. This can be done by using scrim and a handful of other items, and by following a few straightforward instructions.

Things You'll Need

  • Camera
  • Slide film
  • Scrim
  • Slide projector
  • Fan
  • Spotlight
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a magic carpet image on a 8.5” by 11” sheet of paper, either by drawing a replica of a carpet picture or printing an image of a carpet itself.

    • 2

      Photograph your magic carpet image onto slide film.

    • 3

      Set up a scrim behind your stage area. A scrim is a gauze-like backdrop used to block the back of stage areas. It extends from the rafters to the floor.

    • 4

      Set a fan behind the scrim, on either side of the stage. Turn the fan so that the air blows parallel to the scrim, then tilt the airstream slightly toward the scrim, creating large ripples over the fabric. Turn off your fan.

    • 5

      Project the image of your magic carpet onto the back of your scrim, using a slide projector. Because of the thin nature of scrim curtains, images projected onto the back are visible from the front of the fabric. This means that in a dark theatre your carpet image can be seen by the front of the audience.

    • 6

      Turn on the fan to create the illusion of a moving carpet.

    • 7

      Spotlight your actors so that the lights do not compete with the light from the projector. This means your actors might need to stand near the front of the stage.

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