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What's A
BannerBox? - The BannerBox is a lightweight,
highly portable backdrop system engineered with Entertainers in
mind. It creates a pair of free-standing banners that frame
your performance area and instantly set the mood/theme for your
show.
  Being modular, the banners may be placed
side-by-side behind you to form a cohesive backdrop or moved further
apart to frame a much larger area when conditions permit.
The BannerBox2 can be used in the same way...OR
the included curtain pole can be used between the two, creating a
solid backdrop over 13-feet wide!
Both the BannerBox and BannerBox2 set up very quickly,
are extremely stable and basically make your current show look BIGGER!
Bigger-looking Show = Greater
Perceived Value = HIGHER FEES!
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Who Created the
BannerBox? - The BannerBox is the brainchild of Dan
Wolfe; a Professional Magician, Clown and occasional Magical
Engineer/Designer. Oh, yeah...he also owns Smoky Mountain Magic.
Over his 25 years in the business, Dan experimented
with various backdrop systems to give his performances a polished look.
He tried folding theatrical flats and screens, giant music-stand type things
which fell over when the audience applauded too hard, bulky folding frameworks
and heavy lighting trusses. Nothing quite fulfilled all of his
requirements of being portable, sturdy, attractive, easily changed and quick
to set-up.
After a series of concerts in Toledo, Ohio, Dan strapped
his PVC pipe and curtain scenery to the top of his station wagon and headed
home...certain that there HAD to be a better way.
Somewhere along the Ohio Turnpike...the BannerBox was born!
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What does "Solvent
Printing" mean?
- The banners in your BannerBox are fabricated from a special
canvas created for outdoor signs...VERY durable. Some places inkjet
print on that material. However if it gets wet, the ink will run and the
image will be ruined. Our Solvent Printing process uses inks that are
solvent based, forming a chemical reaction with the canvas. If they get
wet, they won't run.
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How big is the
BannerBox? - When set up, the BannerBox forms a PAIR
of 3-foot by 7 1/2-foot self supporting banners. The height is
completely adjustable. Imagine working in a room with an 8-foot ceiling
on a foot-high platform. A fixed-height backdrop would be unusable...but
not the BannerBox.
The BannerBox2 creates the same pair of
self-supporting 7 1/2-foot tall banners, but with the curtain pole
stung between them, the backdrop is over 13-feet wide. As with
the original, the BannerBox2 is adjustable in height...so is the
width.
When packed, the BannerBox case is 39 inches long and weighs
about 16 pounds. (Yes...that's with the poles, banners and
everything inside.) The BannerBox2 is also 39 inches long, but
weighs 20 pounds due to the additional three poles.
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How does it work?
- Dan has often thought that the concept of a folding projector
screen was haunting his brain when he developed the BannerBox...it certainly
works in a similar way. The rolled-up banner being raised from the
bottom seemed to make sense, keeping the weight at the bottom so the thing
doesn't fall over. The box naturally sits lower to the ground than a
projector screen and the idea of keeping the artwork rolled up and protected during
transport was naturally appealing.
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Is it REALLY
all that stable? - Yep! Because the weight of
the unit is concentrated at the bottom, it creates a very low center of
gravity. Combine that with the footprint created by the
floor-hugging "feet," and you'll find that the BannerBox must be
tipped to nearly a 45-degree angle before it'll even THINK of falling
over. It doesn't require additional weight to make it stable...just
gravity.
With the BannerBox2, the use of the curtain pole
makes the thing even MORE stable...if that's possible.
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How do you set it
up/tear it down? - See the DEMO
VIDEO for details. No video has been shot for the
BannerBox2, yet. However, it operates in basically the same
way.
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It really sets up in
less than two minutes? - Absolutely...even faster if
you can touch your toes. Carrying your stuff in from the parking lot may
take longer.
The BannerBox2 may require an extra minute or two due to
the additional support poles and curtain.
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Can I use the
BannerBox for outdoor shows? - The BannerBox is NOT
recommended for outdoor use and is not designed for that venue. If you
think about it, the BannerBox is built a bit like a sail. Using it
outdoors is a BAD idea.
Hypothetically with weights at the bottom and grounding
wires running to the top, it could be done. But I've seen the right wind
take down a circus tent! DON'T use it outside.
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Will the BannerBox
scratch a stage/gymnasium floor? - Each unit is
equipped with 14 rubber feet to avoid exactly that.
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What about the
artwork? - Art issues are covered on the Art
Options page
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Is the
curtain included with the BannerBox2?
- Nope. You could make your own or buy them locally for a
LOT cheaper than we could sell them to you. Your local
"Depot" or "Mart" stores should carry the proper
sized curtains...and you can pick PRECISELY the look YOU want!
(Who knows? You might even find them on
clearance!)
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