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Well, for our school musical, we have to make huge eggs that ducklings(people) can "pop" out of. i thought of using paper mache, but i cant seem to think of what to use for the following for the eggs:
-the mold
-how to keep the mold still a mold
-how to make them stand up right
if anyone has any suggestions, plz let me know.
thnx so much!
~CJ
Wish I'd found your post sooner. I'm afraid this may come a bit late for you but maybe it could help someone else.
For huge objects that are at least partially round - like your eggs - I like to use a beach ball...a very large beach ball that is about 48" in diameter. (I bought mine on eBay, but you can find them at some novelty stores - search online for them.)
For the narrow end, you could just use wadded up paper maybe in combination with a balloon as your frame or armature. Because you will be creating a sculture that you will want to cut open, a beachball is perfect. The things I use the beach ball for have openings and cut outs so I can deflate the ball and reuse it over and over.
If you you plan to make something "solid" you would either need to use something else for your form OR plan to leave an opening where you can deflate your ball and pull it out, then patch your opening. I've never tried this, but I feel certain that patching it wouldn't be difficult.
I have found some 36" balloons at novelty stores, but they tend to be kind of pricey. You wouldn't want to have to buy a large number of them for a large project. I bought some from http://hornernovelty.com. Their website leaves a lot to be desired but I live near them and don't have to rely on their site. If you don't live near them, their site provides a phone #. Or do a 'net search to find another novelty shop.
IMO, beachballs are the way to go. The really big ones still aren't cheap, but they can be used over and over again. Or when you are finished with them you can give them away to family and friends with pools!
I hope this helps someone.
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Your method may be affected by the design requirements - will it be static (i.e. on stage at the start of the scene, or trollyed on) - will someone have to move it/roll it - how big is the person to go inside - how small can they curl up and for how long?
How do they need to get out? If it can be from behind, you could leave the back completely open. If it is like a chicken breaking out, you must have a jagged edge join that can be pushed open (complicated).
My wife made a very large egg once for a pantomime of Mother Goose so we have some experience.
It is generally easier to make it in two halves but you have to be absolutely sure that the two halves will match.
If it is to contain a person, it will need to be very strong - a lot of layers of fairly thick paper.
Three possible methods, any of which could use the beachball idea to help. Which is best depends upon your design requirements and availability of materials and drying conditions.
1 Chicken wire ( heh heh) bent to shape and spread with pulp.
2 Strips of corrugated cardboard stapled in place and covered in layers.
3 A big mould of clay, soil, firm sand etc. over which you lay plastic as a separator and then layer.
If you want more detail on any part of this, just e-mail me dopapier@aol.com
Best of luck. David
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