Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif

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wylieblanc
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Topic: creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif
Posted: 12/27/08 at 2:10am

I am directing The Foreigner in the spring and I need a lift so a character can literally melt onstage. I have an idea of using a counter weight lift so it is a controlled decent, however, I have no idea how to construct or install one. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Smile

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jungle16jim
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Posted: 1/02/09 at 4:09pm

Totally different idea we used when I did the show this Fall. I was very suspicious, but it looked pretty cool.

The platform was about 2 1/2 feet off the stage. During intermission, we inflated two air mattresses under the platform after lowering the door. Actors had to step over the rug during the act, but no one really caught on. When Ellard stepped with one foot onto the rug/mattress, we pulled the plugs and he crotched down as they deflated. Adding a bit of fog dressed up the effect which got cheers every night.

Very low tech, but totally workable.

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wylieblanc
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Posted: 1/02/09 at 4:50pm

What a great idea. I will have to definitely have to consider it. Thanks for the post.

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TimW
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Posted: 2/01/09 at 9:57am

I hope this doesn't come to late, but we used a counterweight system on our production.

We attached steel cable to each corner of the trap door and ran it under the stairs that go up to the bedrooms. This length will vary depending on set design, etc.

Under the stairs, bolt an arm on each side of the set at stage level for the pivot point, and a cross brace at the weight end. You will be attaching 2 cables to each arm.

The rest is mostly trial and error. We set the weight so we could attach it for the 'lowering' and detach it for the door drop, etc. Placement and length of the arm, length of the cable, etc. all depend on set design.

Just make sure that when the weighted arm goes up, that the weight doesn't go past your pivot point at stage level, this will effect your control of the door at the lowest point.

I know this may sound a little vague, but I hope this will head you in the right direction.

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vickifrank
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Posted: 2/01/09 at 12:59pm

Jim's suggestion reminds me of one I heard of using a car/ truck airbag. That might offer some advantage over airmattresses in height and volume.

I'm not sure I followed Tim's suggestion correctly--a drawing would definately help. But I think he's suggesting something similar to what I'm thinking. I was thinking that you could attach steel cables to each corner of the trap, but rig them through pulleys to weights hung below the elevated stage. If your actor weighs 160#, you have 4 weights each a little less than 40#. Platform is covered with spandex then a rug to keep the hole less visible. The only problem is the one that Tim's lever arms probably help: The actor may be dropping though a 2.5' raised plaform, but since the weights occupy space and thus have height, he drops less than 2.5'

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

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whitebat
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Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:48pm

What costume is Ellard wearing when he melts? We've "melted" a character by having a "dummy" costume with a very light counterweight. It was very dependent on the type of costume though.

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Topic: creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif( Topic Closed)

Author	Message
wylieblanc Walk-On Joined: 12/27/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif Posted: 12/27/08 at 2:10am
	I am directing The Foreigner in the spring and I need a lift so a character can literally melt onstage. I have an idea of using a counter weight lift so it is a controlled decent, however, I have no idea how to construct or install one. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

	IP Logged

jungle16jim Walk-On Joined: 7/16/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/02/09 at 4:09pm
	Totally different idea we used when I did the show this Fall. I was very suspicious, but it looked pretty cool. The platform was about 2 1/2 feet off the stage. During intermission, we inflated two air mattresses under the platform after lowering the door. Actors had to step over the rug during the act, but no one really caught on. When Ellard stepped with one foot onto the rug/mattress, we pulled the plugs and he crotched down as they deflated. Adding a bit of fog dressed up the effect which got cheers every night. Very low tech, but totally workable.
	IP Logged

wylieblanc Walk-On Joined: 12/27/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/02/09 at 4:50pm
	What a great idea. I will have to definitely have to consider it. Thanks for the post.
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TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 2/01/09 at 9:57am
	I hope this doesn't come to late, but we used a counterweight system on our production. We attached steel cable to each corner of the trap door and ran it under the stairs that go up to the bedrooms. This length will vary depending on set design, etc. Under the stairs, bolt an arm on each side of the set at stage level for the pivot point, and a cross brace at the weight end. You will be attaching 2 cables to each arm. The rest is mostly trial and error. We set the weight so we could attach it for the 'lowering' and detach it for the door drop, etc. Placement and length of the arm, length of the cable, etc. all depend on set design. Just make sure that when the weighted arm goes up, that the weight doesn't go past your pivot point at stage level, this will effect your control of the door at the lowest point. I know this may sound a little vague, but I hope this will head you in the right direction.
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vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 2/01/09 at 12:59pm
	Jim's suggestion reminds me of one I heard of using a car/ truck airbag. That might offer some advantage over airmattresses in height and volume. I'm not sure I followed Tim's suggestion correctly--a drawing would definately help. But I think he's suggesting something similar to what I'm thinking. I was thinking that you could attach steel cables to each corner of the trap, but rig them through pulleys to weights hung below the elevated stage. If your actor weighs 160#, you have 4 weights each a little less than 40#. Platform is covered with spandex then a rug to keep the hole less visible. The only problem is the one that Tim's lever arms probably help: The actor may be dropping though a 2.5' raised plaform, but since the weights occupy space and thus have height, he drops less than 2.5'
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
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whitebat Celebrity Joined: 8/05/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 137	Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:48pm
	What costume is Ellard wearing when he melts? We've "melted" a character by having a "dummy" costume with a very light counterweight. It was very dependent on the type of costume though.
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