HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: wex@cs.ulowell.edu (Paul M. Wexelblat)
Subject: Re: Flash Pots
Originator: wex@cs.ulowell.edu
Reply-To: wex@cs.ulowell.edu
Organization: Univ. of Lowell CS Dept.
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 17:52:25 GMT


In article <1992Apr15.092604.20807@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk>, gjw@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Mr Garry J. Wardrope) writes:
|> pinette@fraser.sfu.ca (Gandolf the 23rd) writes:
|> 
|> >CONTINUITY LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
|> 
> >I HATE TO BE BLUNT, BUT THIS IS COMPLETETLY WRONG AND UTTERLY DANGEROUS!!!!!
> >Continuity when dealing with pyro can only be done "safely" with one
 thing and
|> >that is a Galvonometre guys!  Even your normal ammeter will set it
 off, and if
|> >you don't believe me, just ask a guy (seriously his work name) Pyro pete wh


And other stuff about accidents...

It looks as though a little clarification is in order about how
a typical ammeter works, (and a voltmeter/multitester)

A typical ammeter is a dead short -- that is, if you put
an ammeter across an open switch, it's the same as closing that switch.

This is because most of the current flows through a "shunt" (a
VERY ohmage resistor (like .0012 ohm)).  there is a voltage drop
across any resistor in a closed circuit, and the meter mechanism
is basically a voltmeter registering the voltage drop.

The typical internal resistance of an ammeter is the shunt
resistance.  the internal resistance of a voltmeter
is somewhat higher (200 to 5000 ohms) still low enough to possibly
be dangerous.  Putting a voltmeter across an open switch will
still give you the desired indication, primarily because the
rest of the flashpot firing circuit is a dead short waiting
to blow up at the (designed) weakest link.  In general, a battery
powered multitester, specifically one designated to use a FET
(Field Effect Transistor) input will have an internal resistance

		ON THE   VOLTAGE   RANGES ONLY
			^^^^^^^^
of 20,000 ohms minimum (usually much more) and will work ok
for low voltage DC circuit testing

Unfortunately, if you are using AC, there is enough inductive pickup
to have the meter lie to you; (this is a problem due to the high
internal resistance).  You can see this by setting the meter to
AC volts and picking up one lead.

So, how do we get an "Armed" indication.

A couple of choices come to mind (boy do I wish we had graphics, I
won't even try to do character pictures).

1. use a double pole switch for "arm", the second poles can connect
a light.-- this is not a true indication of flashpot continuity,
but will indicate that power is available.

2. Use a high impedence (resistance) LED indicator; I'll not
go into EE, but if you have a high enough resistance in series with your
LED you probably won't get blown up. Not recommended

3. Use commercially available equipment

4.

5. 

etc...

Hope this was some help

	...Wex
-- 
Nothing happens here

	...Wex
From: bernstei@caesar.cs.colorado.edu (Michael Bernstein)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Acting Newsgroup?
Date: 16 Apr 92 03:16:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: colorado.1992Apr16.031648.3945
Organization: University of Colorado at Boulder

In article <1992Apr10.210632.2175@unx.sas.com> 
 sasmsb@ize.unx.sas.com (Mark Britt) writes:

>Is there a newsgroup dedicated to the art of acting?

Aigh! Oh no!

In my opinion, acting is best learned by doing it.  If you want to exchange
war stories, then let's have one.  It's tremendous fun.

But if you want to spend time talking about how to become an ACTOR (in big
flaming letters), then I certainly hope not.

You could always try rec.arts.theatre, but THEY like to talk about MUSICALS.

Michael
From: stadler@Apple.COM (Andy Stadler)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Flash Pots
Date: 10 Apr 92 23:38:49 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

In article <1992Apr9.143215.12101@hellgate.utah.edu>
 jwindley%asylum.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Jay Windley) writes:
>In article <1992Apr8.215223.1@uncavx.unca.edu> sweeney@uncavx.unca.edu writes:
>>
>>you fail in control procedures.  Be sure your circuit has both an "arm" and
>>"fire" switch in parallel.
>
>Shouldn't this be in series instead of in parallel?  A parallel switch
>to me implies that closing either the arm or the fire switch will
>detonate the pot.  You want the current to have to go through two
>switches, both of which must be closed in order for the pot to fire.

Here's the SUPER DUPER pyro control circuit.  This is the one to use.


                    --  KEY                       -- FIRE
                  --                 (a)        --
          --------    ----------------*---------    -----------
          |                   |              |        |       |
          |                   |              ---(x)----       |
         ---                  _              Continuity       |
       -------                * Armed          Light          \ Nichrome
          | Battery           - Light                         / Igniter
          |                   |                               |
          |                   |      (b)                      |
          ----------------------------*------------------------


Here are the notes:

  (1)  The "key" MUST be a REMOVABLE on/off key which is essentially the
       power supply for the system.  The person in charge MUST remove the key
       and carry it in his/her pocket WHENEVER working on the flash pots.

  (2)  The "armed" light means the key is IN and ON and the power supply
       is working.

  (3)  You REALLY want a continuity light, as shown.  This is the only way
       to know that your igniters are properly connected.

  (4)  Everything to the left of (a) and (b) is the power supply.  You need
       one of these.  Everything to the right is the per-circuit igniter.
       You can build multiples of these for a nice multi-channel controller.

The circuit shown above is the heart of a really nice multi-channel controller
I built.  It adds an A/B switch to 8 fire buttons for a total of 16
independent firing channels.  Total cost about $35 at radio shack.
       
You can loan it out to your model rocket friends when you're between shows.
They'll think it's really cool.

--Andy      stadler@apple.com
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
From: rmontgom@orlith.bates.edu (Robert Montgomery)
Subject: Re: Flash Pots
Organization: Bates College, Lewiston, Maine
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 21:13:52 GMT
Summary: Put switches in parallel? 
Keywords: Boom Boom 

In article <1992Apr8.215223.1@uncavx.unca.edu> sweeney@uncavx.unca.edu writes:

(stuff deleted)
>you fail in control procedures.  Be sure your circuit has both an "arm" and
>"fire" switch in parallel.  Be sure ONE person is singly responsible for

HOLD ON!!! Don't you mean put them in SERIES? Otherwise they might go boom
at a rather inconvient time, and cause subsequent re-casting in your play.
               Just my two cents.

_____________________________________________________________________________
                              ROB MONTGOMERY
                                "MURDOCK"
rmontgomery@bat.bates.edu                          rmontgom@orlith.bates.edu
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like Bates College cares what        |     "There is no technical problem
I think, anyways.                    |     so complex it cannot be solved
                                     |     by brute force and ignorance."
_____________________________________________________________________________
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
From: nickn@polari.com
Subject: Re: starting a thread
Organization: Seattle Online Public Access Unix (206) 328-4944
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 21:44:24 GMT

There has been some progress in fly technology, but it's still
dominated by old installations. Some of the newer stuff goes with
aircraft cable and winches rather than rope and sand bags. But there isn't
much money spent on theater tech, look for it on Rock tours and countries
where theater is state subsized.
	I've done most of my tech work in amateur theaters with no fly
space, the occasional access to a real theater with flys was a treat.
One system was a futuristic one with winches and cables that was controlled
from a console. Easier to run, but lacked the smoothness and repeatablilty
of a hemp system. Perhaps the newer systems control that better.
	As for the half height fly space, what you have to do is
double hang the flies so they are folded in half when they are out.
This can be done by flying both the top batten and a bottom batten which
is breasted in, but it's a pain. I did remember seeing one old theater
which had a *double* high fly space. I never did figure out if it was
for repetory storage or because they wanted to use double rigged weights
for speed. It did seem like a nice luxury for the theater that has everything.

-- 
Nick Nussbaum			polari!nickn@sumax.seattleu.edu
US MAIL: 98104-0738		(e-mail address under construction)
From: porten@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Jeffrey  Porten)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Self-lighting candles
Date: 8 Apr 92 07:44:25 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

Anyone know where I can get self-lighting candles, or a sparker to set off
sterno with no apparent lighting?  I want to have a character wave his hand,
and have a bunch of candles light by "magic."

--
Jeff Porten, Annenberg School for Communication, UPenn
             Graduate Group in American Civilization, UPenn

As per usual, my opinions are my own, not Penn's, Pugwash's, or anyone else's.
From: sweeney@uncavx.unca.edu
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Prussian Blue
Date: 11 Apr 92 01:35:41 GMT
Organization: University of North Carolina at Asheville
Nntp-Posting-User: pickard

On an entirely different subject --

Can anyone tell me of a commercial outlet for Prussian Blue dry pigment?  Don't
tell me Gothic Color (or its present owner Long Island Paint) because the stuff
they sent me last year was the color of Prussian Blue, but the consistency of
sweeping compound.  It is virtually unusable for scenic paint.  

The Hausmann dry pigment of Parisian Blue is a close equivalent, but I hate to
pay the freight! 

Perhaps there is one among you who have this highly toxic, abhorrent old-
fashioned stuff in your shop and would love to get rid of it.  

The fact is, I can't paint without it.  And I'm out.  I should retire, maybe?

Get in touch with me at SWEENEY@UNCAVX.BITNET.

Thanx.
From: sweeney@uncavx.unca.edu
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Flash and Text
Date: 14 Apr 92 14:22:50 GMT
Organization: University of North Carolina at Asheville
Nntp-Posting-User: reynolds


Okay!  Okay!

                       MEA CULPA!!!

Of course the 'arm' and 'fire' switches should be connected in SERIES! I'm
afraid I let my fingers do the walking . . . alone.  As soon as I had posted my
comments on flash pots I realized I had just succeeded in embarrassing myself
on an unusually large scale.  I would like to say that I was just testing to
see how closely this bulletin board is read, but that would be really
irresponsible!  I hope nobody is hurt because of the error.  I apologize for my
careless mistake.

On the topic of Lighting Design Textbooks, I use Richard Palmer's "The Lighting
Art:  the Aesthetics of Stage Lighting Design" (Prentice-Hall, 1985).  This is
an unusual -- indeed, I believe unique -- book that is truly dedicated solely
to Design.  A prior knowledge of all the nuts and bolts is assumed, and one
would expect the reader to have already assimilated their Parker & Wolf,
Gillette, and Stanley McCandliss.  

I particularly like the first three chapters on the psychophysical
characteristics of light, which explore in depth human perception of color,
intensity and distribution.  Additionally, there are three chapters on
composition which include composition in Time, demonstrating a detailed way to
score the lighting for a show.  Two chapters on Style are a little shakier, but
I think any discussion on style must end up being fairly arbitrary.

Although this is a pretty advanced book, I have used it successfully three
times in my undergraduate level lighting design course.  I recommend it highly!


Sincerely yours,

The Fool on the Hill
SWEENEY@UNCAVX.BITNET
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
From: wex@cs.ulowell.edu (Paul M. Wexelblat)
Subject: Flesh Pots
Originator: wex@cs.ulowell.edu
Reply-To: wex@cs.ulowell.edu
Organization: Univ. of Lowell CS Dept.
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 15:35:39 GMT


I think it should be illegal to show flesh pots on stage.  It is immoral
and degrading and we let little kids into the theatres.  Ask
PeeWee Herman about all the bad things that can happen to you if you
use flesh pots.  Hooking them up to wires is EVEN WORSE.  I don't
care if you want to burn the flesh pots, you shouldn't be allowed to
show it on a stage!!!!  Even the though....

UM, ER, Rosanna, that's flAsh pots...

OH, That's different;
Never Mind....


[Remember Gilda!]
-- 
Nothing happens here

	...Wex
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
From: brown@slc8.INS.CWRU.Edu (Dan Brown)
Subject: Re: Flash Pots
Organization: Subversive Student Publications un-inc.
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 92 21:19:37 GMT

In an earlier posting mwetmore@zeus.calpoly.edu (Bullwinkle) writes:
>In article <1992Apr4.024250.19154@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> brown@slc8.INS.CWRU.Edu (Dan Brown) writes:
>>
>>Does anyone know where to get low amperage fuses of the screwing type??? 
>>I have made flash pots from fuses, but this requires a LOW amperage fuse...
>>
>>Basically, you need to carefully cut out the plastic top of the fuse, fill
>>it with something flamable, and tape over the hole. These are then screwed
>>into a light socket (with the power as definiately OFF as you can get it!!!)
>>and then ignited at the apropriate time by turning on the power remotely.
>>Handle with care at all times!
>
>Yikes!  This is *dangerous* and generally illegal.   I don't know where
>you might be working, but we tend to get lots of visits from the fire
>marshalls and we'd be hung from the highest yard-arm for something like
>that.  

It is dangerous and should be handled with care at all times. Keep a
couple good fire extinguisers on hand! 

>  Yes, it's cheaper, and yes it might work.  However:  Safety of your
>crew and house ought to come first.  Look in typical stage effects
>and special effects catalogs for that sort of stuff.  For some of the
>things you have to be licensed for pyrotechnics, and it definately
>takes a license to be manufacturing your own.

One of the plays that we used them for was "You Can't Take it With You."
Somehow homemade pyrotechics were appropriate! The fact that we were using
them to spice up the scene where the characters are having thier basement
blowup since they were making fireworks, made us all that much more
careful. 

Later.
Dan

-- 
Dan Brown
brown@ins.cwru.edu
From: gdrew@cs.umd.edu (Greg Drew)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: starting a thread
Date: 9 Apr 92 02:38:18 GMT
Organization: U of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science, Coll. Pk., MD 20742

In article <zarj4gp@lynx.unm.edu> lnewby@lacerta.unm.edu (Lew Newby) writes:
>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.
I'll second that.  I was introduced to backstage work my senior year in a 
Virginia high school.   We did actually have a theater, and 4 "pipes" raised 
and lowered by hand winches.  With a strong body turning the crank quickly,
you could just about notice movement :-)   We put on a production that called
for moving walls, etc.  and essentially rigged up our own special purpose
flys.  Ther original prototype used VERY light flats and bright orange 
100lb test monofilament fishing line scrounged from my basement.   By the time
wer were all done, it had been transformed into a crude counterweight (boxes 
filled with newspaper) counterweighted system.  It actually ran, and relatively
safely.  What we all would have given for a decent (or for that manner simply
functional) fly system.
						-- GDD
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Drew                          | Watch for coming attractions 
gdrew@trellis.cs.umd.edu           |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
From: pinette@fraser.sfu.ca (Gandolf the 23rd)
Subject: Re: Flash Pots
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 23:21:52 GMT
From: jwindley%asylum.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Jay Windley)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Flash Pots
Date: 9 Apr 92 20:32:15 GMT
Article-I.D.: hellgate.1992Apr9.143215.12101
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept

In article <1992Apr8.215223.1@uncavx.unca.edu> sweeney@uncavx.unca.edu writes:
>
>you fail in control procedures.  Be sure your circuit has both an "arm" and
>"fire" switch in parallel.

Shouldn't this be in series instead of in parallel?  A parallel switch
to me implies that closing either the arm or the fire switch will
detonate the pot.  You want the current to have to go through two
switches, both of which must be closed in order for the pot to fire.
--------------------------------+---------------------------------------
Jay Windley                     | jwindley@asylum.utah.edu
Department of Computer Science  +---------------------------------------
Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City   | "I have detailed files."  -- T2
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
From: jwindley%asylum.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Jay Windley)
Subject: Re: Acting Newsgroup?
Date: 16 Apr 92 14:09:10 MDT
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept

sasmsb@ize.unx.sas.com (Mark Britt) writes:
>
>|> You could try rec.arts.theatre, but THEY like to talk about MUSICALS.
>
>   Yeah, I know...and only from a spectator's point of view.  That's
>   why I quit reading that group.

Well, *I* like musicals.  I'm an actor and a "techie," both as
hobbies.

I'm interested to hear from those who have staged "Sweeney Todd."
Specifically from a set design standpoint -- integrating the
mechanical effects of the barber chair and the chutes was a fun
project to design, build, and run.  Anybody else think so?
--------------------------------+---------------------------------------
Jay Windley                     | jwindley@asylum.utah.edu
Department of Computer Science  +---------------------------------------
Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City   | "I have detailed files."  -- T2
From: clemon@lemsys.UUCP (Craig Lemon VE3XCL)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re:  NSI Dimmers
Date: 13 Apr 92 21:38:57 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Private UUCP "Twig" Node

In article <1992Apr11.071204.24801@sfu.ca> get@fraser.sfu.ca (Ge Thomson) writes:

>Ok, how did he do it?  I mean, I don't think there was any strings, since
>there was no impressions in his clothing and they had those rings around
>him, and he  went inside that case.  He even carried an audience member in
>his arms well     flying and then, as his finale, he went OUTSIDE and flew.
                                                           ^^^^^^^

> I would be very  >interested in knowing how this was done! > >Cheers, >
>/-Tim >get@sfu.ca >Tim_Lang@f924.n153.z1.fidonet.org > >

        Chroma-Key :-)

--
 Craig Lemon VE3XCL - Kitchener, Ontario. Amiga B2000  OS 2.04  UUCPv1.15D.
 +1 519 741 0297    +1 519 578 7817              | Silly people!  We all
 clemon@lemsys.UUCP clemon%lemsys@xenitec.on.ca  | know that the Universe
 IP/Packet: ve3xcl@ve3xcl.ampr.org [44.135.84.51]| revolves around UUNET!
From: sasmsb@ize.unx.sas.com (Mark Britt)
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Acting Newsgroup?
Date: 16 Apr 92 12:43:02 GMT
    <1992Apr16.031648.3945@colorado.edu>
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Originator: sasmsb@ize.unx.sas.com
X-Bytes: 1527

In article <1992Apr16.031648.3945@colorado.edu>, bernstei@caesar.cs.colorado.edu (Michael Bernstein) writes:

|> In my opinion, acting is best learned by doing it.

   True, but just as there are techniques for creating effects onstage
   there are techniques for acting.  I've been in 13 productions in
   the last three years, and I've learned a lot just by watching other
   actors and listening to directors--then taking with me the positives
   and leaving behind the negatives.  I'd like to be able to do the
   same in a newsgroup.

   As the only formal training I have in acting are a couple of classes
   from the local Arts council, I'd like to be able to exchange ideas
   with people such as myself (i.e. those who have already *gasp*
   *become* ACTORS).  Not how to break into the biz or the "big-time."
   To me, acting is my way of artistically expressing myself.  I'm
   not in it for the money; I'm in it for the joy of it.

|> You could always try rec.arts.theatre, but THEY like to talk about MUSICALS.

   Yeah, I know...and only from a spectator's point of view.  That's
   why I quit reading that group.


|> Michael

   mark

................,...................................,....................,
: Mark E. Britt : It takes guts to do that, my      : sasmsb@unx.sas.com :
: CBT Developer : daddy says, as another bug splats : (919)677-8000x6497 :
: SAS Institute : on the windshield. - Mike Cross   : I opine only for me:
................:...................................:....................:
Newsgroups: alt.stagecraft