Lecture 10 - Moving Scenery PDF

Preview

Summary

Professor Sam Gross ...

Description

Stagecraft

Lecture 10 – Moving Scenery

Page 1

Moving Scenery Wagons – rigid platforms that rest on casters instead of legs. Casters should be spaced no more than 4' apart. Revolves/Turntables – Large, circular platforms that pivot on their central axis. Use rigid casters mounted perpendicular to the radius. Various methods of movement include: cable drive, chain drive, Tire drive, people Drive. Slip stage- a huge wagon slightly larger than the normal playing area of the stage. Only moves in two directions. Skids – Low-profile, sliding substitutes for wagons. Usually 1/2" or 3/4" plywood with furniture glides. Used for small set pieces and props. Lifts – An area of the stage that can be raised or lowed by mechanical means. Many orchestra pits are lifts. Fly Systems – rigging systems installed over the stage. Used for flying scenery and stage drapes. The Grid – The steel structural support of the fly system. Rope and Pulley – The simplest way to fly a scenic element. The rope is connected to the piece, goes up through a pulley, Then down to the operator. Rope Set system – A system of multiple ropes and pulleys. Batten – Scenery or drapes are attached. Manila Rope (lift lines and operating line) Loft Blocks - pulleys on the grid for the lift lines. Head Block – large block of pulleys to which all lift lines converge. Clew – Lift lines attach to the clew after passing over the head block. Operating line attaches to the bottom of the clew. Fly Gallery and Pin Rail – location and tie off point for the operating line. Sand bags – Used to nearly balance the scenery. Counterweight System – A system of cables, pulleys, rope, and counterweights. Batten, Trim Chain, Steel Aircraft Cable (Lift Lines) Loft Blocks, Head Block, Counterweight Arbor – holds stage weights to balance the scenery. ¾” rope operating line – controls location of counterweight arbor. Loading Gallery/platform – location where stage weights are loaded. Locking Rail – Location of rope locks – to lock operating lines.

Stagecraft

Lecture 10 – Moving Scenery

Page 2

The rope set system is simple but not very safe. It is an unbalanced system. In order to work properly there must be more weight on the batten than in the sand bags (batten heavy). This means there is always the possibility that a runaway batten will come down on top of the actors. If the ropes and sandbags are made from natural fibers they are always loosing strength over time and are susceptible to rot and deterioration. The ropes should be replaced every year and the sand bags at least every five years. The ropes and sandbags need to be constantly checked for wear, cuts, and rot. At the first sign of any one of these conditions they must be replaced.

Stagecraft

Lecture 10 – Moving Scenery

Page 3

The counterweight system is a Balanced System. Because it is balanced, runaways are less likely and the system can be used to move greater weight much more safely than the rope set system. Counterweight system rules: 1. Clear the stage before loading or unloading weights. 2. Don’t stack weights above the lip of the loading gallery. 3. Don’t carry anything in your pockets. They might fall. 4. Attach the scenery first, then load the counterweights. 5. Unload the counterweights before striking the scenery. 6. The operating line should be inspected at least once a year. 7. Replace natural fiber operating lines every five years. 8. Have the entire system inspected by a professional rigger every five years....