broadway_lad Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 Hello! I'm new to this site, so I apologise in advance if this is in the wrong place. :( I would like to know if anyone has any websites that show how to build a trap door in a stage capable of bringing an actor up through it (automation etc.) . Also if anyone has any links to sites with videos on with them working. Cheers and I apologise again if this is in the wrong place :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 Buy or hire one from a reputable stage automation company.It will be expensive, but it will be cheaper than the lawsuits. Don't build one. Seriously - anything powerful enough to lift a person is powerful enough to kill them.Controlling these is not as simple as it looks, and there are a LOT of safety measures to reduce the likelihood of a variety of accidents. Would you attempt to build a lift/elevator to go in a block of flats? Stage elevators (or stage lifts in the USA) are at least as complex as those, usually even more so as the safety in terlocking systems require much more thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadway_lad Posted October 8, 2006 Author Share Posted October 8, 2006 Sorry! - totally phrased that wrong- dont want to build one just want sum pics and instruction on how they work realy for a project that I'm doing. Sorry if I've wrote it wrong :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 have a read herehttp://www.peopleplayuk.org.uk/images/objects/cropped2/300/sch200205200447-012.jpgthis pdf has some useful picturesHope this helpsPaaul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 My apologies for jumping on you like that - it's just that there has been a spate of "I want to build $stage_automation" recently. As to 'How they work' - they go up and down. Unfortunately I can't be more specific than that because there are a great many different ways to build the 'lift' section. The trap can either be an integral part of the lift (two trap floors which swap positon in a vaguely elliptical movement) or one that slides out of the way allowing the lift to come up.The latter is more common - I've not seen the former, but it sounds extremely useful. And rather complicated. Google is your friendThere are several manufacturers -you could email a few to ask if they have any documentation they could email you. The National Theatre has an interesting stage lift - The Drum Revolve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadway_lad Posted October 8, 2006 Author Share Posted October 8, 2006 No Probs! Thank you both for you help I greatly appreciate. :( :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Have a search for info on the Gaiety theatre on the Isle of Man. I had a tour of it last time I was over there - gorgeous theatre with an array of manually operated wooden machinery under the stage, restored to pretty much as it would have been in Victorian times, including a Corsican trap which is a very rare beast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GridGirl Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 I believe the theatre at Alexandra Palace still has all its Victorian stage machinery in place, though the theatre has been disused for quite some time. I'm pretty sure there's contact info on their webpage which is HERE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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