Counter Weight Flying: Difference between revisions
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The reason for using a double purchase system is usually lack of vertical space. A Double Purchase system does not need as much height for the cradle, frame and runners as a single purchase system. In the Single Purchase set the cradle, frame and runners need to be the same as the full travel distance of the flying bar, in a Double Purchase system the cradle will only move half the travel distance of the flying bar. | The reason for using a double purchase system is usually lack of vertical space for the cradles. A Double Purchase system does not need as much height for the cradle, frame and runners as a single purchase system. In the Single Purchase set the cradle, frame and runners need to be the same as the full travel distance of the flying bar, in a Double Purchase system the cradle will only move half the travel distance of the flying bar. | ||
The Double Purchase sets in the New Athenaeum are located above the dock doors into Room1. Since the runners could not come down to the floor level due, to the door, Double Purchase sets were installed. | The Double Purchase sets in the New Athenaeum are located above the dock doors into Room1. Since the runners could not come down to the floor level due, to the door, Double Purchase sets were installed. | ||
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[[Image:DP-Counterweight.jpg]] [[Image:DP-Diagram.jpg]] | [[Image:DP-Counterweight.jpg]] [[Image:DP-Diagram.jpg]] | ||
The fact that the DP cradles are much bigger actually creates a problem when it comes to moving the bars with little or no weight on them. Since the bars are exactly the same as their Single Purchase neighbours the empty DP sets are naturally cradle heavy when unweighted and therefore do not ''exactly'' take double the weight of the flown piece at lighter loads. | |||
== Deading == | |||
Whether were flying using hemp sets or counterweight sets we need to be able to accurately fly the things on the bars to specific heights. Lighting need to know that their lights are returned to the height they were focused at if moved, masking may have two or three different precise positions during a performance and scenic elements and cloths during a busy show like a Pantomime can fly in and out numerous times. | |||
So, we need to be able to mark the rope in a way that allows us to return the flying bar to the same position again and again, this is called “Deading” and is slightly different for Hemp than Counterweight | |||
Dead marks at RSAMD consist of a broad band of white PVC tape and a narrow band of colour. The white is to help you see the dead in low light (performance) condition and the colour tape is for identification. | |||
[[Image:Deading.jpg]] | |||
==RCS Deading System== | |||
Generally the Grid Dead is marked with red in a 3 stripe (3 meters to grid), 2 stripe (2 meters to grid) and 1 stripe (1 meter to grid) | |||
* '''DO NOT''' Remove the grid deads | |||
* '''ALWAYS''' Remove old show deads after the production | |||
'''Hemp Deads''' | |||
Each hemp set has two cleats, an upper and a lower. | |||
White and coloured PVC Tape marks are wrapped around each of the 3 ropes individually and normally lined up with the top of the flyrail; This tape would mark the “OUT DEAD” i.e. when the flying piece is flown out to its highest point so that it cannot be seen by the audience. | |||
The “IN DEAD” is slightly different, all 3 lines are cleated off to the lower cleat when the flying piece is in its IN position i.e. when the flying piece is at the height required by the performance to be seen by the audience. During a show the Flyman will only have to uncleat the line from the top cleat and lower the scenery until the lines are supported by the bottom tied off cleat. After the cue he will then pull on the lines to raise the flying piece until the OUT DEAD tape marks are lined up with the top of the flyrail and cleat off again. | |||
Also when marking a dead on hemp rope, you do not need to exactly follow the above system of marks. The '1M' mark can be used for the out dead and you could do the same but with green tape just to highlight the in dead. | |||
'''Counterweight Deads''' | |||
Deading on the counterweight sets is much easier. We only have to dead one rope (the control line) and it is normally deaded just above the brake assembly as shown in the diagram above. Please use the system above to mark deads on the rope, using the same color ect. | |||
There are also permanent “Grid Deads” on each of the counterweight control line ropes, these are marked slightly differently to avoid confusion and are always red and white. (we don’t use red for anything else) . These Grid Deads warn the operator that the bar is approaching the grid, they are marked as 3,2 and 1 red stripes as a countdown to the point where the bar reaches the grid. These marks alert you as to when you should be slowing down and stopping. The more you fly the more used to the system you will get and the better you will be at stopping on a dead. Hitting a Counterweight Bar off the grid is considered VERY bad practice and normally carries the penalty of buying everyone else in the vicinity a beer in the pub that evening. | |||
'''Removing Deads''' | |||
This is an extremely important and often overlooked part of the performance process. All show deads (not grid deads) must be removed at the strike. I have seen flying mistakes time and time again where a poor operator flys in a scenic piece to a blue dead, as it says on the fly cue sheet, only to be shouted at that the piece is out of position. What has happened is that a blue dead from a previous show has been left on the rope through lazyness and the operator has stopped at that instead of his own blue dead. | |||
'''Please ensure deads are removed when they are no-longer needed.''' | |||
== Rigging == | == Rigging == | ||
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5. The floor manager may then instruct the attachment of the scenic item, checking all equipment, attachments and fixing points. | 5. The floor manager may then instruct the attachment of the scenic item, checking all equipment, attachments and fixing points. | ||
6. Once the scenic item is attached and checked, the floor manager will request | 6. Once the scenic item is attached and checked, the floor manager will request to the flyperson a specific number of weights to be loaded into the cradle. The flyman will pass this information to the Loading Gallery confirming the number or weights and cradle number. Stage crew may be required to maintain downward force on the bar to act as a counterweight against the loaded cradle either manually or by ropes slung over the bar depending on total weight of the scenic item. | ||
7. Once the cradle is loaded the loading gallery will inform the | 7. Once the cradle is loaded the loading gallery will inform the flyperson that the cradle is loaded confirming the cradle number and number of weights. The flyperson will pass the information to the Floor Manager confirming the cradle number and number or weights. | ||
8. The floor manager will then instruct the flyperson to remove the brake and clip and fly the bar. Again the crew may be required to act as counterweight until the weight of the scenic item is fully hanging on the bar. This will be the decision of the floor manager. | 8. The floor manager will then instruct the flyperson to remove the brake and clip and fly the bar. Again the crew may be required to act as counterweight until the weight of the scenic item is fully hanging on the bar. This will be the decision of the floor manager. | ||
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2.. Hard Hats & Steel toe capped shoes must be worn by all onstage during this procedure. | 2.. Hard Hats & Steel toe capped shoes must be worn by all onstage during this procedure. | ||
3. The floor manager will instruct the | 3. The floor manager will instruct the flyperson that the stage is clear to bring bar in until scenery is floating just above stage. The floor manager watches at all times and gives clear vocal instructions to the fly person as the bar approaches the floor. Walkie Talkies should be used where possible. | ||
4. The floor manager then manually guides the scenery onto the floor. Depending on weight and personnel this may be manually or using ropes slung over the bar to ensure that the bar and cradle remain in balance at all times. | 4. The floor manager then manually guides the scenery onto the floor. Depending on weight and personnel this may be manually or using ropes slung over the bar to ensure that the bar and cradle remain in balance at all times. | ||
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5. Once the loaded bar is in and the bar is at it’s lowest level, the floor manager will request that the fly person applies the brake and clip to the counterweight rope. The stage crew must maintain downward force on the bar to act as a counterweight against the loaded cradle. | 5. Once the loaded bar is in and the bar is at it’s lowest level, the floor manager will request that the fly person applies the brake and clip to the counterweight rope. The stage crew must maintain downward force on the bar to act as a counterweight against the loaded cradle. | ||
6. Once the rope is secured and clipped the fly person informs the loading gallery and floor manager. The floor manager then | 6. Once the rope is secured and clipped the fly person informs the loading gallery and floor manager that the bar is braked and clipped. The floor manager then requests to the flyperson that all weight be removed from the specified cradle. The flyperson then instructs the loading gallery to remove all weights from the specified cradle. The stage crew continues to apply weight on to the bar until the procedure is complete and the loading gallery confirms that the cradle is empty. | ||
7. When the cradle is clear of weights the loading gallery | 7. When the cradle is clear of weights the loading gallery communicates to the flyperson that the specific cradle has been completely de-weighted | ||
8. | 8. The flyperson confirms with the floor manager that the specific cradle has been de-weighted and the bar is safe to de-rig. | ||
9. Once the bar is de-rigged, the floor manager communicate to the fly person that the empty bar can be flown out. | 9. Once the bar is de-rigged, the floor manager communicate to the fly person that the empty bar can be flown out. | ||
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12. The floor manager remains watching at all times during this move and gives clear instructions to the flyperson if required due to the flyperson’s restricted view | 12. The floor manager remains watching at all times during this move and gives clear instructions to the flyperson if required due to the flyperson’s restricted view | ||
== Grid == | == Grid == | ||
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The highest area in the fly tower, this is where all the loft and header blocks send the steel wires which are attached to the cradle down through the grid floor to the bar. | The highest area in the fly tower, this is where all the loft and header blocks send the steel wires which are attached to the cradle down through the grid floor to the bar. | ||
The gaps at the edge of the grid area | When working on the grid you MUST empty your pockets and make sure any tools you need are attached to yourself or something that wont move. | ||
The gaps at the edge of the grid area are filled in with mesh panels. | |||
'''Please make sure that ropes run through the wire mesh are not rubbing.''' | |||
== Loading Gallery == | == Loading Gallery == | ||
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This is where the cradle is at its highest point of travel and so is weighted here. | This is where the cradle is at its highest point of travel and so is weighted here. | ||
The cradle is at the loading gallery when the 'Deck Dead' is level with the break on the fly floor. | |||
Please keep the weights stacked neatly and half weights in a separate pile (it makes it much easier) | Please keep the weights stacked neatly and half weights in a separate pile (it makes it much easier) | ||
== Intermediate Fly Floor == | == Intermediate Fly Floor == | ||
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Where all the fly bars are operated from. | Where all the fly bars are operated from. | ||
Please keep the fly floor tidy. The Head of Flys for each show is responsible for keeping the fly floor tidy and in a safe working order i.e Tidying rope, clearing rubbish, using appropriate rope deads, clearly marking chalk boards with bar information and removing them after the show. | |||
A copy of the Fly Plot and Fly Matrix for your show should be clearly displayed on the fly floor at all times the show is in fit up, tech/dress runs and performances. | |||
== Flying Bar == | == Flying Bar == | ||
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Metal bar onto which flown pieces of scenery, lighting, speakers, pyrotechnics etc. are attached to. | Metal bar onto which flown pieces of scenery, lighting, speakers, pyrotechnics etc. are attached to. | ||
The | The wire ropes which are attached to the flying bar, travel up to the grid, go through a series of pulleys and attach to the cradle via ''Short, Short Mid, Long Mid, Long'' steel wire rope. | ||
== Cradle == | == Cradle == | ||
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A metal frame into which counterweights are placed to counter-balance the weight of a flying bar. | A metal frame into which counterweights are placed to counter-balance the weight of a flying bar. | ||
== CounterWeights == | |||
Weights used to balance out heavy scenery which are placed into a cradle usually in two sizes 'whole' and 'half' weights. Whole weights in the New Athenaeaum Theatre are 12kg and Half Weights 7.5kg. Don't ask :-) | Weights used to balance out heavy scenery which are placed into a cradle usually in two sizes 'whole' and 'half' weights. Whole weights in the New Athenaeaum Theatre are 12kg and Half Weights 7.5kg. Don't ask :-) | ||
== Control Line == | == Control Line == | ||
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Metal hardware peices used as a secondary safety device when working with counterweight bars on stage. They are used by the flyman to grip the control line to itself. Commonly used during a fit-up or LX rig, the bar in question will usually be flown in to working height, then "braked and clipped" before the weight on the bar or in the cradle is adjusted. | Metal hardware peices used as a secondary safety device when working with counterweight bars on stage. They are used by the flyman to grip the control line to itself. Commonly used during a fit-up or LX rig, the bar in question will usually be flown in to working height, then "braked and clipped" before the weight on the bar or in the cradle is adjusted. | ||
[[Image:Rope-Clip.jpg]] | |||
== Loft Blocks & Header Blocks== | == Loft Blocks & Header Blocks== | ||
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These are lengths of steel wire rope which are used to hold scenery to fly bars. Normally made up by a specialist company and supplied marked with a Safe Working Load and Declaration of Conformity Certificate. | These are lengths of steel wire rope which are used to hold scenery to fly bars. Normally made up by a specialist company and supplied marked with a Safe Working Load and Declaration of Conformity Certificate. | ||
'''''Hanging Clamp''''' | |||
[[Image:Hanging_Clamp_Small.gif]] | |||
Double sided clamp with circular hole designed to fit round fly bar and hold scenery in place. These can be with the ring attached as in the picture or without. | Double sided clamp with circular hole designed to fit round fly bar and hold scenery in place. These can be with the ring attached as in the picture or without. | ||
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'''''Turnbuckle''''' | '''''Turnbuckle, Rigging Screw, Straining Screw''''' | ||
[[Image:US_Fed_eye_to_eye.jpg]] | [[Image:US_Fed_eye_to_eye.jpg]] | ||
Double ended twisting screw which allows small altertions in the height and level of a flying piece by either raising or lowering it. | Double ended twisting screw which allows small altertions in the height and level of a flying piece by either raising or lowering it. Can have jaws or eyelets at each end or one of each. Diagrams shows "eye to eye" | ||
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[[Image:Flying_Iron_Small.gif]] | [[Image:Flying_Iron_Small.gif]] | ||
Attachement between the scenery and the drift, | Attachement between the scenery and the drift, '''MUST''' be bolted through the flat and then attached normally to a straining screw which, in turn, is shackled to drift. | ||
