Tregilibob Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Our director would like to replace the house tabs with a gauze for the next production. I have no issue in doing that, but having not worked with gauzes before, would it be an issue as obviously it could not be stretched fully.If it was on the tab track, it would have to be two sections, weighted with chain, and then the pulley system used to open up after the reveal. We do not have any flying facilities, although I could (probably) create a way to roll the gauze up, it would not be easy, not much clearance up there. Any advice on whether it would work, with a reveal, or whether it would be a waste of time that way, and I need to work out how to keep in one piece and stretched? Thank you Tregi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Chief Running Brail Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 It will work to an extent. If you want to have a simple bleed through to reveal before opening it can be quite effective but if you want very subtle effects the gauze will need to be flat. I've used gauze tabs before for cabaret/variety shows and that is where they are most effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w/robe Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Does the gauze have to split as you will then have an overlap CS which will be more solid than the rest when you light behind. If the gauze tracked one way you could get it flat-ish before the show opened (and also you end up with a stock gauze) but it depends on the action if this is ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 We regularly use gauzes on tracks BUT this is always on a single-run swipe/wipe track.The problems I see you having with a pair of gauze tabs is that of allignment. To use gauzes well, as has been said, you need a very flat plane on which to direct the side/top lights giving the opacity effect. With tabs being slightly separated, that means you'll inevitably have a couple or three inches difference between one side and the other, and the side furthest downstage WILL catch the light at the join. Another possibility (and I'm assuming your stage isn't too large) is that smaller gauze tabs, especially older ones that have been used a lot, may have a stretch 'bend' on the leading edge. I've seen cloths that have a distinct concave leading edge both sides, so that when closed, to avoid a lens-shaped gap in the middle, there has to be some cross-over of the tabs, thus again defeating the object of gauze principles. So how to get over it? Do you have the option of hiring and hanging a single swipe track and using a full gauze? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tregilibob Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 Can't track it one way on our tab track, and don't think hiring in a tab track to use would work, nothing to fix it to, and being 3 floors up with very limited access for long things (4m screen was about as long as something has come up here in one piece) don't think it would get up here.The tab track separation in only about 2 inches, and I can see the problem with that regarding lighting. I think it is only for a quick reveal (Midsummers nights dream, in front of tabs on stage extension is "real life" behind is the forest and "faery world") and then an open, so an overlap of an inch might not be too noticable. I would be buying a new cloth(s) for this, we don't own any. Maybe a way to raise a gauze would be a better option.... Thank you for your help so far!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitlane Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Can't track it one way on our tab track, and don't think hiring in a tab track to use would work, nothing to fix it to, and being 3 floors up with very limited access for long things (4m screen was about as long as something has come up here in one piece) don't think it would get up here. This probably doesn't help in this case but for future reference you don't need clearance for 'long things' to get a tab track into the building. Triple E Unitrack, for example, comes in short lengths that are joined together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tregilibob Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 This probably doesn't help in this case but for future reference you don't need clearance for 'long things' to get a tab track into the building. Triple E Unitrack, for example, comes in short lengths that are joined together. Thank you, I know that, but still don't have anything to hang it off!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinnoble Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Some years ago we had the requirement for a similar thing for God Spell, where at the beginning they wanted projection onto the gauze from the front, then lights coming up behind to reveal the cast. the gauze had to then disappear quickly. We fixed the gauze at the top, stretched across the stage, then built a simple roller mechanism at the bottom with ropes and pulleys so you could just pull the bottom bar up and it would roll the gauze around the pole. the weight of the bar at the bottom meant its kept the whole thing stretched nice and flat, so worked well. Pity the play itself was so dire... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Maybe a way to raise a gauze would be a better option....Thank you, I know that, but still don't have anything to hang it off!!! Mildly confused - isn't the lack of anywhere to hang anything going to present at least as big a problem with contriving a way to fly your gauze as it would to putting in an additional tab-track? Is the gauze used only once?If so, may I offer a plan C.. Kabuki (solenoid would almost certainly be easier than traditional).Rather than struggling to fly the gauze out, drop it and strike it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tregilibob Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 there are timbers above the stage I can fasten something to for a raise, but not regular enough for a tab track (assuming the weight would need more regular supports than maybe 3 or 4 points to fly something to roll the gauze up in)kabuki does sound like a good idea, will run it past the director.will try to put a picture up tomorrow, can't get in the space at the moment. Thank you all for your continuing help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior8 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Is the gauze used only once?If so, may I offer a plan C.. Kabuki (solenoid would almost certainly be easier than traditional).Rather than struggling to fly the gauze out, drop it and strike it. I was about to suggest this myself - it is by far the best solution to your problem. Providing the gauze is set at the start and is only used once it could be easily dropped using a trick line suspension at the top as in this pic. If you are short of space you could perhaps save the batten etc and run a line through eyelets on the gauze itself and screw eyes in the rafters a sharp enough pull should do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tregilibob Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2259/photo0532k.th.jpghttp://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3073/photo0531z.th.jpghttp://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6820/photo0530l.th.jpg Should be three pictures showing stage front - 10m wide 4.15m tallAlso the tab track and distance I have to play with.The chunk of wood going across the stage is what the tab track is fixed to, and don't want to take down. There are timbers doing upstage to downstage which I can fix to, but these are fairly spread apart.Will talk to director today and say its two options - full gauze with kabuki drop (done them before, just not here) or twin gauzes with slight overlap in the middle, but ability to open and close during the performance. Have a feeling she will go with the second.... Thank you all Tregi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard the chandler Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 What type of track do you have that means you can't rope it off to one side only??? Another alternative is to use two vertical tensioned wires at the offstage edges and then wire runners http://www.flints.co...ng_Pulleys.html which stretch the gauze across the stage and allow you to concentina the gauze up and down as many times as you want. Can even be fitted with a chain bottom or conduit to give a really nice crisp bottom edge if you want. Is not that difficult to do and only really involves the addition of a single and a couple of double blocks to run the rope to your chosen side stage position. It avoids the issue of having to drag a gauze across the stage. However if it is a use once for 2mins bit then the drop method might be a good idea. depends how much fiddling about time you have really. Is the gauze used only once?If so, may I offer a plan C.. Kabuki (solenoid would almost certainly be easier than traditional).Rather than struggling to fly the gauze out, drop it and strike it. I was about to suggest this myself - it is by far the best solution to your problem. Providing the gauze is set at the start and is only used once it could be easily dropped using a trick line suspension at the top as in this pic. If you are short of space you could perhaps save the batten etc and run a line through eyelets on the gauze itself and screw eyes in the rafters a sharp enough pull should do the trick. Ah yes I see your problem with the track. Looks like an old T60 set up with actual overlap tracks rather than single run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tregilibob Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 Yes, track has an actual overlap!I like the idea of concertinaing (is that the right word?!) as I could fix the top to the wire track up there, using the existing system (take the house tabs off) and then haul it up...Will have a ponder and a chat... Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Hmmm... I'm still unsure as to why you feel you can't bring in a rented tab track - as has been said it will come in short (probably 3m) sections that can bolt together.If you're concerned about the weight of the track on these support beams, then I wouldn't worry too much as the timber beams look sturdy enough to take it from those photos (though of course this is subjective as we DO only have the pictures to go on). The added weight of the gauze will be nominal compared to the track, which leads me to suggest that just say that the 3 points of hanging would be sufficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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