Gates of Olympus

The set

Reference frames

How we build it

Ideas from the parent community. Each piece is a job someone can take.

Backdrop

A 12 by 20 ft canvas drop cloth, painted by Ben Wilson: mountain top, dramatic clouds. Stands on its own frame. Schmidli drops below: painting reference, or for rent. Drop cloth, paint, spray paint.

The summit

Our three pallets, stacked and decked, dressed as rock. Three steps up the front for the kids. Pallets in hand. Plywood, burlap, paint.

Mountain peaks

Cardboard shapes skinned in burlap or paper mache, painted as rock. Tall ones to the sides, small flat ones near the camera. Big boxes, burlap, newspaper, glue.

Clouds

Pillow stuffing over chicken wire, sheets or paper lanterns. Around the summit and along the front, fog behind. Old pillows and comforters. Chicken wire.

Columns

Two at least, four ideally, plus two small ones by the camera. Cardboard tubes painted as marble. Carpet tubes, EcoSet, appliance boxes.

Throne and urns

A high-back chair sprayed gold. Two urns with olive trees by the steps. Maybe a gold eagle, torches, garlands. Thrift, Buy Nothing, fake branches, gold spray.

Hand props

To grab and pose with: bolt, trident, golden apple, laurel wreath, giant mallet, scythe. Easy extras: Medusa's head, lyre, bow, shield, winged helmet. Cardboard, foam, dowels, gold spray.

Other directions we looked at

Three other Greek myths: The Styx, Medusa's Lair and The Labyrinth.