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area directly over the stage. roughly 2.5 times the height of the proscenium arch. contains the grid.
the fly loft
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a platform to hold some of the equipment used to fly scenery
the grid
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equipment behind the theory of theatrical flying
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what is the theory of theatrical flying based on
- counter balance
- mechanical advantage
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placing the two ends of your system in equilibrium
counter balance
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measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system
mechanical advantage
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simple way of flying scenery
- a pulley is attached to the grid
- a rope is fed through the pulley and attached to the scenery
- a stage hand pulls the other end of the rope and lifts the scenery
- if it is too heavy a counterbalance is added (sandbag) to assist the stagehand
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what are the problems with simple way to fly scenery?
- unbalanced scenery
- stagehand on stage
- stagehand stuck on stage
- scenery unable to be tied off
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batten pipe several feet longer than the opening of the proscenium arch
- attached to three to five pick lines
- lines are tied off to the pin rail
- fly gallery generally 15-20 feet above the height of stage deck so stagehands get clear view of the stage
- rope set system
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what's wrong with the rope set system?
- archaic and dangerous
- ropes and sandbags are under constant strain, stress, and deterioration
- the manila rope (abaca) is relative of the banana tree
- has to be raised to the high trim before it can be weighted
- has to be slightly scenery heavy at all times
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battens- steel cable has replaced the rope
- there is a counter weight arbor
- stage weights are loaded onto the arbor to counterweight the weight of the scenery
- counter weight system
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how to load a batten
- bring the batten to the stage deck. the arbor, preloaded with pipe weight will go up to the loading rail.
- attach the scenery or lights to the batten.
- load the counter weight on the arbor
- slowly release the break and test the weight of the arbor and scenery or lights
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rules of counter weight system
- stand clear of the area under the loading rail while weight is being loaded and unloaded
- don't stack counterweight over the lip of the loading rail
- don't carry anything except the tools you are using to the grid, catwalk, loading rail
- inspect all flying hardware and repair or replace any defective gear
- bolt all the hardware supporting the flown units
- attach the scenery before loading counterweights
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pipe used for rigging
batten
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one of three to five to lift batten in fly system
lift line
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attached to grid, redirects the lift line from the deck to the side of the stage house
loft blocks
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supports wire rope over a long run from the loft block to the head block
idler pulley
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redirects the lift line down to the arbor in a counterweight system or pin rail in a hemp system
head block
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in a hemp system the battens are operated from here, the lines are secured to a removable pin
pin rail
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rail through which all the line sets pass in a counter weight system
lock rail
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in a counterweight system, weight is loaded onto the arbor. a hand line (operating line) is tied to the top of the arbor, through the head block down to the lock rail, through a rope lock, around a tension pulley on the floor and back up the arbor where it is secured to the bottom
arbor
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operating line for the counterweight system
hand line
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lock for securing the hand line of the counterweight system, about 50 pounds, keeps arbor/batten from moving
rope lock
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pulley secured to the bottom of the counter weight system
tension pulley
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natural fiber rope ideal for lifting and a variety of uses. not perfect, hidden flaws, degrades over time
manila
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rope that is synthetic
- strong
- flame resistant
- resists stretching
- exceptional construction
- expensive
- parallel core polyester rope
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braided polyester rope
- twice the strength of manila
- tougher, easier to read damage
- no natural deterioration
- 3 strand polyester
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