Basically, it is helpful and a great place to start, but you will probably need to use your own creativity and this forum to supplement the ideas in the DVD.

Also, the Bible Buddies aren't used on the stage area, that I have seen, anyone else incorporating the buddies on stage?

My decorator did ask if I could "buy" the Power Lab Logo that is on the video, I told her no, but that would have been helpful

Sorry, this isn't that informative of an answer, hope it helps.

Blessings and good luck!

Lisa in FL

I made transparencies from the decorating dvd and am using them, but I made changes in the design so that we could do them easily and with less expense.  Will be done with that part of our design by tonight!

Our Plan for the main backdrop:

1.  5 shelves cut out of 1 1/2" styrofoam 4' by 8' sheets to look like the shelves in the dvd.  I cut out rectangles from the sheets leaving enough "frame" space to make the shelves sturdy.  We have wood holders for 1 1/2" styro that we use over and over again so the shelves are sturdy enough to stand.  I really don't have to worry, though, because our backdrop is against a gym wall.

2.  The shelves are painted a wild purple--like the video.

3.  Each shelf has a set of 12 beakers (as shown in the video--but we use less and use the styro cut out to make each shelf).  These are painted per video and will be glued to the shelves.  Very easy and dramatic.

4.  Haven't made the letters yet but will do so next week.

5.  For the table, we are using one of our church tables and decorating it to look like the table in the dvd.  Why in the world did the designer go to all the trouble to make a table when every church has tables that can be easily and quickly transformed!  (Last year I used a table and transformed it into a covered wagon--very quick, easy, and dramatic.)

6.  I ordered the tin paper from Group--no way would I order and handle the tin used in the video.

7.  We are making all the characters on 4' by 8' styro sheets, too.  Since we do those every year, we have to continue!  Everyone at our church expects them.  I, too, was surprised that the video did not include these.

Last year's video was also too complicated and I had to make lots of adjustments.  The whole idea of the video is to make things EASIER for VBS directors and designers.  I hope that next year Group decides to use materials that are easy to work with, inexpensive, and use items already on hand.  This is the 2nd year now that I have had to spend way too much time redesigning after paying for and viewing a disappointing video.

Suebeth in Edina

For the main area in the Sanctuary, I'm using 5 sheets of 4' x 8' foam then painting the shelves and beakers, etc. on them for the backdrop.  From previous years' experience, I'm going to start just painting on the foam and NOT cutting!  That way we can reuse the foam again the next year.  Just paint over it each year.  (that should add some strength to the foam, don't you think?  All those layers of paint!)  This will help with cutting some costs too!

I'm going to use last years foam to cut out the letters, etc. to make the Power Lab sign.

I'm also going to hang some of those silver emergency/survival blankets on the windows at the back of the sanctuary.  They can be seen from the Narthex and they will help black out the sanctuary for the puppet troupe to do a black light song called "Charged Up" on Thursday to go along with Max and Jesus giving us the power to live forever.  They were only 66 cents on-line and they are 84" x 52".  Those can represent the "metal" in the lab! 

Hope this gives you some ideas.  I don't usually post.  Not always sure my ideas are anything special. 

God Bless You ALL!

Regina

I do my best and leave the rest to God!

I then plan to decorate the "lab" with all sorts of crazy experiments gone wrong.  I found large fruit at Christmas Tree Shoppes, kind of like in the chadder video, and plan to drape vines growing on the walls, with the fruit "growing" from the vines.  I will have large planters on the floor. 

Bill Edwards