PROLOGUE TRANSFORMATIONS

Unlike many others, The Prologue of “Beauty and the Beast” is indeed the “Grab” — the proof to audience members that in attending the performance, they are in for a truly extraordinary and “enchanting” experience — valued far higher than the admission price they’ve paid. While other shows display a much slower burn of magical feat, “Beauty and the Beast” jumps right in! In under 2 short minutes, an old beggar woman becomes a beautiful Enchantress, and an arrogant human Prince is transformed into an animal so savage and wild, he seems more than worthy of the moniker “Beast”. For some working in Theatre, it’s a nightmare to conceptualize and make a reality. For others (known as “Crazy”, it’s a dream come true!

In this section, you’ll find a guide to how turn a potential scene of nightmares into an astounding and relatively enjoyable entryway to Fairytales and “Beauty and the Beast” for the production team, technical crew and actors — and a sensation certain to be heralded by audiences!

THE SHORT(ish) VERSION

By using a combination of digital/technical wizardry and speciality projection equipment and software, skillful lighting, a segment of scrim/projection film, heavy-weight monofilament line, a spring-loaded castle door, a little fog or dry ice (if the venue permits) and onstage wardrobe fast-change magic, the Enchantress and the Prince transform using different methods of stage illusion/magic - both of these methods unique and unexpected when used separately but when used together in tandem, the effect is utterly mind-blowing.

The Enchantress will transform via a specialty transforming costume which begins as a tattered patchwork beggar cloak and within seconds becomes a stunning fully built and supported Enchantress gown. Originally, this feat of wardrobe magic was created and designed by William Ivey for the Tony Awards performance showcasing the Broadway revival of Cinderella. While many professional and local community companies and schools have attempted its replication, there are few who truly achieve the fluidity, depth and “impossible” nature of this costume’s beauty whilst maintaining equally the function and successful operation. One who has however, is Costume Designer & Genius Travis M. Grant, who has offered to donate his services, time and materials to create a custom designed and built transforming gown for this production for the Beggar Woman/Enchantress that is guaranteed to work like magic each and every time!

The Prince’s transformation is equally mesmerizing but achieved by a method that is a polar contrast to the Enchantress’ in every way, design, shape, form and function. It’s entirely digital, and depending on technical/production team preference, doesn’t require the actor to ever be on the stage! It’s simpler in fact, if he is not. He doesn’t even have to open the castle door! (that’s what the fishing line is for!)

Using a Lightform mapping projector system against either a scrim or segment of projection film that is stretched firmly within the inside of the castle door frame —a combination of pre-filmed footage of the Prince acting out his blocking from the top of the scene and beginning the transformation physically, with pre-filmed footage of him dressed as The Beast emerging out of the transformation and reacting to what has just happened, plus added special effects to complete the merged videos, the Prince’s transformation can be earth shattering.

The door is opened by a crew member pulling on the monofilament line that is connected from the door to the castle wall from behind the set piece, and The Prince is “seen”; interacting and shaming The Beggar Woman. On cue, the Beggar Woman transforms into the Enchantress, the effect enhanced by lighting and available bells and whistles. The scene continues and once again on-cue, the Digital Prince transforms into the Digital Beast. The crew member releases the line, the door slams closed (thanks to the door spring that is attached at the bottom of the door). The lights change. The Enchantress exits. The set piece is struck from the stage… And “The Prologue” concludes with the entire audience giving the Prologue - those two short minutes- a standing ovation — and reconsidering the value and “Transformational Effects” that theatre can have.

NOTE: The hardest part of this will be keeping all the secrets and not letting anyone know how both of this moments were achieved. But it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL! The “How” must be kept on a “Need to Know” basis and should be as limited as possible. Once you know how a trick is done, it’s not a trick anymore!

Proof of Concept Videos/Images/Plans & Sketches: prince-int0-beast transformation

As the Enchantress’ Transformation is self-functioning, the major majority of the following reference materials below are for the Prince’s Transformation only. However, many of the reference videos feature T. Grant’s Beggar Woman-to-Enchantress demo video in different formats/ways as a placeholder for the Prince.

For those in need of a preview of the general look and effect of the Transforming Gown at work, T.Grant’s original video (as shared in Messenger) can be found HERE. It’s been uploaded to Youtube but as an ‘unlisted” video to protect T. Grant’s privacy and trade secrets/visibility. Please do not share the link address and do not allow it to be visible when sharing — this applies universally. To ensure compliance, prior to an unverified/non member viewing audience, please make sure to obscure the link or identifying information PRIOR- to allowing screen visibility and/or access.

Once this speciality piece has been built, a “How to” video will be published in this section demonstrating how to “set” and “reset” the gown so it functions flawlessly. This video also MUST remain absolutely top secret and CANNOT be shared or made public in any way. Travis has has worked too hard to perfect this garment’s design for its design/magic/engineering for its’ secrets to become public.

Please note: Prior to its publication here, anyone requiring this information or who will be assisting with dressing/storing/etc will be asked to sign an NDA agreement. This garment also must be kept/stored in a locked and secure location at all times upon delivery and continuously throughout the rehearsal process, performance run and strike. No exceptions — — yep, it’s that important!

Many thanks in advance for your understanding and militant compliance.

VIDEO 1: Demonstration of a Digital Transformation effect using two Costumes, 1 Actor and Special Effects (as shared through Facebook Messenger)

VIDEO 2: Using Lightform Projector to image map and project onto a screen attached behind a door frame. (This example uses a stock image of a closed ornate castle door as a background, and T. Grant’s Transformation video as placeholder for the Beast. In reality, the background would be dark/black as the door is a physical piece and the character transforming would be The Prince.)

[NOTE: The Enchantress footage shown in this video is fuzzy because of the quality of the source video. In reality, the footage filmed and used of the Prince and Beast would be high res footage and further edited for visual clarity and impact.]

VIDEO 3: A higher res version of a Digital Transformation effect using T. Grant’s Transformation Demo video as a placeholder for the Beast, added digital special storm effects, and a stock image of a castle exterior. This does not match exactly the parameters of our purpose, but allows a better visual understanding of the power of digital/technology-assisted transformations.

[NOTE: The Enchantress footage shown in this video is fuzzy because of the quality of the source video. In reality, the footage filmed and used of the Prince and Beast would be high res footage and further edited for visual clarity and impact.]