Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Catwalk

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Elizabeth
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Topic: Catwalk
Posted: 4/04/08 at 2:09pm

I am curious as to how others go about determining who is allowed in the catwalk?

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Nanette
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Posted: 4/04/08 at 3:45pm

The only people who should be up there are the ones focusing.

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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Elizabeth
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 9:33am

Right. Being in a school setting, are students usually allowed to be the ones doing the focusing? Can students accompany an adult?

At my school, no students are 'ever' allowed in the catwalk, but how can I teach them about lights? I suppose I can bring the lights to them, to show them, but it just seems so unauthentic. I understand the liability issues, but this is a new theatre and so I was wondering if the administration was going a bit overboard and I can keep working them to give a little, or if I am being completely off-base - if students should never be allowed in the catwalk, then I won't press the issue. I just thought it was a bit harsh.

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Linda S
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:27am

It may have to do with the insurance policy. They may not have a choice.

Linda

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Nanette
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 6:06pm

I was a techie all though high school and lit all the pro shows that came through before the big center for the arts was built. I was only one of two students ever allowed in the cat walk.

You might want to talk one-on-one w/ admin, explain the situation, and see if you can't get permission (with a liability waiver from the parents) to take a student up for training.

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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Gaafa
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 6:46pm

How about 'Fall arrestor Harness' being used while on the catwalks?

The school would have to install anchor hook up lines above & along each walk though.

How do the students get on using Tallascopes & ladders for stage work?

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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whitebat
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:29pm

At our HS, all the lighting techs are students, so, yes, they go in the catwalks. One director let some other students in the catwalks, which was a mistake. It might help to do the focusing during a tech rehearsal when no actors are there. Our current show is at the middle school. We do not get to focus the lights, and the light booth is at a lower height than usual, I think. I have been told to keep people out of the booth, although I think it would be good to have a demonstration (not during rehearsal) so they can either get over their curiosity, or decide to run lights. They have backstage catwalks (maybe 8' off floor), which the students are allowed on.

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Elizabeth
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:35pm

Tallascopes?? Sorry, not familiar with this term. We have a scissor lift but only maintenance has the key to use it. In fact, I just had them re-string the back curtains because they were hung backward - thought it was kind of funny:-)

I understand. I guess I feel our catwalk is really safe, but I suppose bizarre accidents could occur. I do appreciate the input. I was truly curious as to how others handle it. This is the first time I have been a director in a theatre with a catwalk; usually directed in cafetoriums:-) I was looking forward to brushing up on my skills from college...and having a little fun with the students...teaching is the best way to learn, right?? Just disappointed.

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Elizabeth
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:44pm

Whitebat,

Can you tell me how many directors your school has? Is someone over the directors? How big is your school? Is it a city-school or more rural? Do your lighting techs have to take a course before they can do a show? Do they have a mentor? I would love any information you are able to give.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 4/05/08 at 11:12pm

This is a Tallasope;-

http://www.tallescope.co.uk/

Used widely in theatres, gymeatres & other spaces. normally they are used with two out rigger legs attached, however in most venues this never happens. [it is quite exiting when they fall off the edge of the apron & a give a great ride down into the auditorium!]

So I gather then that all the 'X" focusing is done by the maintenance bods, if it concerns the lift to do so?

The only restrictions we have with catwalks, is to be 'idiot checked' prior to going up, for loose missiles & objects in the pockets.

As suggested you can show them focusing on the Profiles & Fresnel's working from a clothes rack stand,on the deck. For throw, get them to work the lantern from a alcony or Ashtray in the house to simulate.

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
Elizabeth Walk-On Joined: 3/31/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Catwalk Posted: 4/04/08 at 2:09pm
	I am curious as to how others go about determining who is allowed in the catwalk?

	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 4/04/08 at 3:45pm
	The only people who should be up there are the ones focusing.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

Elizabeth Walk-On Joined: 3/31/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/05/08 at 9:33am
	Right. Being in a school setting, are students usually allowed to be the ones doing the focusing? Can students accompany an adult? At my school, no students are 'ever' allowed in the catwalk, but how can I teach them about lights? I suppose I can bring the lights to them, to show them, but it just seems so unauthentic. I understand the liability issues, but this is a new theatre and so I was wondering if the administration was going a bit overboard and I can keep working them to give a little, or if I am being completely off-base - if students should never be allowed in the catwalk, then I won't press the issue. I just thought it was a bit harsh.
	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:27am
	It may have to do with the insurance policy. They may not have a choice. Linda
	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 4/05/08 at 6:06pm
	I was a techie all though high school and lit all the pro shows that came through before the big center for the arts was built. I was only one of two students ever allowed in the cat walk. You might want to talk one-on-one w/ admin, explain the situation, and see if you can't get permission (with a liability waiver from the parents) to take a student up for training.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 4/05/08 at 6:46pm
	How about 'Fall arrestor Harness' being used while on the catwalks? The school would have to install anchor hook up lines above & along each walk though. How do the students get on using Tallascopes & ladders for stage work?
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

whitebat Celebrity Joined: 8/05/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 137	Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:29pm
	At our HS, all the lighting techs are students, so, yes, they go in the catwalks. One director let some other students in the catwalks, which was a mistake. It might help to do the focusing during a tech rehearsal when no actors are there. Our current show is at the middle school. We do not get to focus the lights, and the light booth is at a lower height than usual, I think. I have been told to keep people out of the booth, although I think it would be good to have a demonstration (not during rehearsal) so they can either get over their curiosity, or decide to run lights. They have backstage catwalks (maybe 8' off floor), which the students are allowed on.
	IP Logged

Elizabeth Walk-On Joined: 3/31/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:35pm
	Tallascopes?? Sorry, not familiar with this term. We have a scissor lift but only maintenance has the key to use it. In fact, I just had them re-string the back curtains because they were hung backward - thought it was kind of funny:-) I understand. I guess I feel our catwalk is really safe, but I suppose bizarre accidents could occur. I do appreciate the input. I was truly curious as to how others handle it. This is the first time I have been a director in a theatre with a catwalk; usually directed in cafetoriums:-) I was looking forward to brushing up on my skills from college...and having a little fun with the students...teaching is the best way to learn, right?? Just disappointed.
	IP Logged

Elizabeth Walk-On Joined: 3/31/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/05/08 at 10:44pm
	Whitebat, Can you tell me how many directors your school has? Is someone over the directors? How big is your school? Is it a city-school or more rural? Do your lighting techs have to take a course before they can do a show? Do they have a mentor? I would love any information you are able to give.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 4/05/08 at 11:12pm
	This is a Tallasope;- http://www.tallescope.co.uk/ Used widely in theatres, gymeatres & other spaces. normally they are used with two out rigger legs attached, however in most venues this never happens. [it is quite exiting when they fall off the edge of the apron & a give a great ride down into the auditorium!] So I gather then that all the 'X" focusing is done by the maintenance bods, if it concerns the lift to do so? The only restrictions we have with catwalks, is to be 'idiot checked' prior to going up, for loose missiles & objects in the pockets. As suggested you can show them focusing on the Profiles & Fresnel's working from a clothes rack stand,on the deck. For throw, get them to work the lantern from a alcony or Ashtray in the house to simulate.
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Topic: Catwalk( Topic Closed)
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