THE CANBERRA TIMES TWILIGHT PROCESSION

Saturday March 16, 1985

BUILDING FLOATS Information Sheet - 3

Written by an experienced procession entrant'

What to build your float on: : __ :-...:~-~ :~""':_".-7:.','_.;.·~ ~:-. , __ :_ :",- ~--,, -.,-:-·

Find a suitable vehicle for your float - pref~-~8:.'?.!Y -~~·fJf1at you can use for up to a week before the parade.

Ideally a large trailer - (vehicle trailer), with double bogie, brakes, etc., on which it is possible to build a platfbrm. At this stage think what will be towing· it - car, truck, tractor, or pulling it along by hand (which makes stopping it very difficult). Alternatively, use a flat bed truck with a wooden deck for a tray.

Remember that the most effective floats are.,those that disguise the type of vehicle underneath. Nothing looks so effective as - say - a space ship, a boat or a swan apparently gliding along by its elf!

Use your imagination:

Once you have your vehicle, then you can let your imagination go about what to build. It is most important to sketch, as accurately as possible, the design of the float so that you can gauge the scale of the various parts, its proportions and to help the builders in cutting material for construction. Good planning at this stag.e usually overcomes many of the problems that would otherwise arise at ~uilding dme, · and may even become insurmountable at that stage. Try and fOt"esee'. construction problems as you develop the design. In this way you can solve them in the most practical and economical way.

At this stage it is · a good idea to decide whether or not you are making a one-off float, or one that you intend to dismantle and use in subsequent years. The answer to this question will determine the level of workmanship that goes into construction, as well · as the construction details which should allow for quick and easy dismantling if its to be used again. It wiJl also determine the quality of materials used.

Remember: Colour and Movement are two important ingredients for an attractive and entertaining entry!

Planning the Construction:

The acquiring of materials can g·enerally be the most discouragin6 part of float building. Therefore it is important to organise this aspect of the exercise with care. A comprehensive list of materials should be prepared ranging from nails, screws, bolts, timber, steel, paint, costumes, special materials such as crepe paper, plastic ribbon, etc.

1985 CANBERRA FESTIVAL··· MARCH 9-18

. ' ' ' I

T HE CANBE HI{ A TI MFS T \.VIL IC, l Il PI{OCESS I() N

Ma ny o f th e l1 and y- ma n type it e ms will genern lly be ava ilable a mongs t the helpers wllil c subs tanti a l it e ms will ha ve to be purchased or· dona ted. Th e scrap heap a t A.P . 1\1. Wood Produc ts on the Monaro Highwa y is a good plac e to look for timber and th ey a lso sell second qua lit y ply wood . It may a lso be poss ible to borrow materials for use and return. This is an ex ,·ellent w_a y of ove rcoming material and financial diffi culti es . (Also the ___ person who 'le nds ' equipm ent usually can be counted on to he lp look after it by way o( lf~lping iri cons truction!).

:.~n:i~;=~~~•~ >"'•''r~t1 , : A large -noat ·can ta.k-e-- a-::-~consideraole amount of organisation in construction . It is importanf t9_ choosi 2i -Qf:..._?. 0 p~ople to -oversee the total exercise. These persons should have a thorough tmd.erstanding of what the final product will look like so that they work towards a common goal. They should be encouraged to meet frequently to di sc uss and solve any progress proble ms .

Sometimes it is appropriate to bring toge the r people with different areas of expertise. For . example , someone artistic with a flair for decoration may supervise the final

-- appearance of the float while someone with more practical skills supervises the construction and technical problems. ·

Wherever possible the work should be divided into 'packages' which can be entrusted to a 'team' or indi\iidual to complete by a specific time. · This applies , not only to the hard fabric and fittings, but costume, make-up, painting and also fe eding the workers - most important!

The pa ckages should be scheduled for completion in an appropriate sequence so that they c ome together in the most useful order, i.e. the framework is erected in time for the detailed task of fitting out and finally in decorating and most importantly, rehearsal of the activities and special effects that will take place during the parade.

The importance of the scheduling of th e various activiti es cannot be stressed too much. It is most important to work backward from the completion time and to determine when each stage or step needs to be finalised so that no major hold-ups are experienced in putting the float together.

Procession Day:

There should be as little work as poss ible left till the last day - which should be used to put the final touches to the float , to get costumes properly adjusted and, mos t importaI1tly, to get all those taking part in a mood to enjoy themselves. If its not going to be fun then it s houldn't be done a s this would defeat the whole purpose of the exercise.

Arrange to make your wait in th e marshalling a rea as comfortable as possible - arrange a meeting place, arrive in good time , bring something to drink , (toilets will be on site), and arrange for someone to take charge of any valuables and to park private vehicles. There will be limited shade areas in the marshalling area: remember to bring protective clothing or sunburn creams if its a hot day.

·1935 CANBERRA FESTIVAL··· MARCH 9-18

POINTS TO ACCOMPANY ILL USTRATION

Use I magination - Brain Storm Sessions useful to get ideas flowing

Obtain the promise of a suitable vehicle - get its critical dimensions on paper including location of exhaust, and possibility of pasting material to the floor

Draw up a plan, make a materials list and work out probable cost

Check plans against constraints like power lines trees on route, money available, help available participants on the day

Plan the sequence o f work with target dates for each step . The separate parts it can be divided '~co and who will be responsible for construction,

oration, costumes etc .

Decide where construction i s to tak e place.

Assemble materials. and get tank, t railer ~ r e . on site.

Stare erecting frame- make it secure so fall apart on the way co the procession

Leav e provision f o r getting on a~off t h~

flesh out the frame with the skin etc.leave provision for adequate ventilations etc.

Start decoration

Put skirt and finishing couch es - add nn' s , flower s etc.

~ ti ce routine s be fore the parade

ScLck to routine in the parade

Organise help for dismantling and storing materials

Have a debriefing session if its planned to do it again next year s o t~t any good ideas or faults are recorded for reference next y~ar .

~ I I -I

;a) ! __ , I

---~:-~--r---,-_===----~-- : : I I 1 \

I I I I • I I

,'/ , ' ', ,, ,,

,: \

DO'S

Plan your time ·- leave lot s for un expected