Treadmill

Main Idea

My project is going to be a recreation of an effect I saw in a show called "Fuersabruta" at the Edinburgh Festival. It's a man running on an over sized treadmill, which is on a moveable platform. As the man is running walls made from boxes fly at him and he breaks through them. To see clips of the show go to http://www.fuerzabruta.net/website/fuerza_eng.html.

The Moving Wall

For the wall I would rig tab track on two bars about two metres apart, running parallel across the stage. The two bars will be at fly floor level and tied off with brail lines to prevent the bars from swinging when the wall moves. Then hang a large rectangular frame between them. The wall of boxes would then be built within the frame. The wall of boxes will be made from 254x254x254 boxes eight high and eight wide. The bottom flaps of the boxes are left open so the boxes can be slotted over one another, making a wall that is easily broken through.

The Treadmill

My idea for the treadmill is a converyor belt or travelator set into Ath stage. I would remove two sections of the stage and replace it with the converyor belt. In the original show the treadmill is mounted on a steel frame on wheels, giving it height because the audience is viewing it from ground level. As the audience in the Ath will be veiwing it from above there is no need to raise the treadmill. The treadmill will still have a steel frame around it so it fits securely in the floor of the Ath and can rest on the beams under the stage. Legs will be put under the stucture too to give it extra support. The treadmill will need a high grip covering so the running man doesn't slip and fall. It will also need impact rollers to take some of the force from the running. Because the treadmill moves at a range of speeds it will need to be controled by a variable speed panel. The control panel will be under the stage and cues will be given to the opperator by the DSM, much like a trap cue. For added health and safety an emergency stop button will be wired in next to the DSM.

Costings

• Variable speed panel - £285.00,
• Emergency stop panel - £26.00,
• Custom built treadmill with frame and legs - awaiting estamation from Interbelt LTD,
• 4 x packs of 254x254x254 boxes - £59.52