Amy Worrall Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 We're performing our pantomime in a village hall. It has a stage with a proscenium, and indeed it used to be outfitted as a theatre… apparently when the council sold it to the local residents association, they gutted everything theatre relate from it. So now there's no tab track, no lighting bars… pretty much nothing you can hang anything from. In the wings, on stage left the wing space has a lower ceiling than the stage, so last year we duct taped black cloth to the overhang of the ceiling. On stage right, the ceiling height is not reduced, and last year we attempted a bodge by running some string between our freestanding set and the hinges of a door, then hung the black cloth from that. It just about worked, if nobody tugged on it and pulled the set over. Lighting wise, I'm bringing freestanding lighting stands that each hold four lanterns. Last year I brought three stands, and placed them all in the auditorium, but this year I'm thinking of bringing four stands: two in the auditorium for FOH light, and one on each side of the stage with LED PARs for side light. I mention these because they're another thing to get in the way in the wings… So, my question. What sort of thing exists that's freestanding, and would hold up some cloth to let me mask the wings a bit? The ceiling height on stage right is about 4.5m, and on SL it's about 2.5m. I don't need to go right up to the ceiling of course, as long as it's tall enough to properly mask a person and block any light from the door to backstage. I plan to use a very light cotton black cloth (I believe it's made for bedsheets, but apparently they sell more to theatres…) so the weight of the cloth is not an issue, but whatever I use to hold it up will need to be secure enough to not fall over if a cast member knocks it. We could use wooden flats, and indeed we have some… but the props that hold them up would get in the way, and we'd have to faff about painting them black… I'm not after perfect. This is, after all, a panto in a village hall. I'd just like to do something a bit better than last year, but without compromising safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 The key words to search on are 'pipe and drape' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Worrall Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 The key words to search on are 'pipe and drape' Brilliant, I shall have a look! (It's all in knowing what to search for, isn't it?) Thanks, Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontoprigger Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 you could use a tank trap system, it consists of flat plates that hold an upright scaff tube that you can fix horizontal bars to, to form a frame, they are often used in hotels and conference venues to mask off areas or split up rooms. Depending on the overall size of the stage you could also look at a simple scaffold frame and use adjustable bases to wedge the uprights between the floor and ceiling then fix horizontals to it. You could also fix boom arms to this to hold the lights and not need the stands. you would need to have a beam at the ceiling height or use some timber to span a couple of joists so as not to go through the ceiling if its plaster. http://www.kaoticuk.com/wp/wp-content/gallery/product-staging-pics/screw_jacks.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Just to be clear that image is jack legs referring to the 2nd part of your post. Tank traps look like this. But for holding up drapes, pipe and drape is the professional way to do it. http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/shop/images/products/t54250.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjadingle Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Pipe and drape is the professional way - depending on the distances involved (and budgets) you could get a basic DJ style goalpost system to hang your drapes from - would have the added bonus of giving you some rigging points on stage for your LX? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmiller056 Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Please remember to treat any drapery or cloth used to make it flame retardant. Make sure that the flame retardant product used is compatible with the material that your cloth is made from. Or use something that is certified to be flame retardant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontoprigger Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Just to be clear that image is jack legs referring to the 2nd part of your post. Tank traps look like this. But for holding up drapes, pipe and drape is the professional way to do it. http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/shop/images/products/t54250.jpgsorry thought that as the image was after the second part of the post, and also me thinking everyone would recognise an adjustable base, it was clear what it was..... As for the most professional, most professionals would use a venue they could hang the masking from...... There are many ways to achieve a pipe and drape system, tank traps, prop systems even truss systems, all depending on the height of the space, and the budget involved or as is quite often the case lack of budget involved...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 As for the most professional, most professionals would use a venue they could hang the masking from...... Bit arrogant isn't it? Also not very helpful... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Yep, can't wait for the 400+ year old thatched barn/wedding venue up the road from me to be pulled down so we can have a nice modern building with flying points! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_s Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 in my view, a professional is 'one who can identify and implement an appropriate solution for the venue in question', rather than 'someone who says "I can't work there, it hasn't got the right facilities"' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 in my view, a professional is 'one who can identify and implement an appropriate solution for the venue in question', rather than 'someone who says "I can't work there, it hasn't got the right facilities"'I always thought a professional is someone who is doing the job to pay their bills, i.e. it is their profession... though I like your definition better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 I know plenty of professional1 people who aren't professional2 ;) 1. earning money2. competent to do the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 I know plenty of professional1 people who aren't professional2 ;) 1. earning money2. competent to do the job And let's not forget that plenty of people are professional2 without being professional1 as well http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianknight Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Amy - we have a couple of tank traps in hire you can borrow if it helps - you just need to sort some 48mm tubing out (we have some lengths around the place - sod's law says they'll be too short). You've got my eMail - drop me a note with your dates and I'll put the tank traps to one side if you want to borrow them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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