From: lnewby@lacerta.unm.edu (Lew Newby)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: starting a thread
Date: 8 Apr 92 20:31:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: lynx.zarj4gp
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1992Apr3.184516.9255@linus.mitre.org> kraack@mitre.org writes:
>In article <1992Apr2.193901.3490@sparky.imd.sterling.com>, jim@IMD.Sterling.COM (Jim Nicholsen) writes:
>|> makes up the theater. The high school, a cluster of domes, may have been
>|> architecturally striking but everyone in the drama department dreams of
>|> the facilities in the 'turn-of-the-century' buildings that the surrounding
>|> schools have.
       I'm not sure where Steriling.com is but it has been my experience
       with the Virginia school systems that they tend to neglect the dramatic
       arts programs in all but a special few schools and that the majority
       wouldn't be capable even if funds were available to put on a production
        That required major Fly work.

>|> 
>|> jim
>|> 
>|> std disclaimer
>
>I currently work in a 1800 seat theatre with a full fly system.  Before
>we had this great facility, we used to do what we could to make a raised
>floor in a classroom exciting.  We got creative at times and decided to make
>our own fly's for changing backdrops.  Simple enough!  We had no room
>to fly into the ceiling, but we were able to change the backdrops.  Now,
>we just suspend it from one of our 36 free batons, weight the ballast, and 
>we are off!  

       This seems like it would be a nice place where may I ask is it?
         I have worked in a large variety of places including Arena Stage in DC
       Longwood College Theatre, Long Way Home Theatre in Radford Va., and
       the Fort Bragg Theatre Fort Bragg, NC. Each had it's own special 
       circumstances for thier fly system from noe at all to a full blown
       Electric system.

>
>As far the technology of batons goes,  I don't think it has changed much
>in the last twenty years.  Besides space and noise reduction,  there really
>isn't a whole lot to change.  I have noticed more wires being used than ropes
>for the suspension of batons.  But the 3/4" rope for the rails is all standard.
>I have seen a mechanical engine called a workhorse which can be attached
>to a rope and will hoist a heavy baton to weight it at the floor rather
>than from a loding platform in the ceiling.  It is moveable and not designed
>for actual running if the ropes but for help in balancing when a baton is too
>heavy.  
>
>The physics behind the fly system is very straight forward.  I have seen a 
>theatre that was not originally designed with flys that added them after
>the building was built.  It was very creative.  They only had 1/2 height 
>of the proscenium above the stage so they would double up backdrops in the 
>ceiling.  Worked well until you wanted to fly out flats!  The logistics 
>were intersting.  I wish I had time to study it more closely.  
>
>Maybe this will start a thread!!!
>Good idea for a newsgroup!!
>
>Steve
>kraack@mitre.org


-- 
  Lew Newby                        Falkor                            
  lnewby@vesta.unm.edu             The Luck Dragon
  The Bringer of Luck. Whether that luck may be Good or Bad who knows.
  What ever it may be don't blame me I have no control over it.