Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: using a scrim without fly space

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Kim L.
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Topic: using a scrim without fly space
Posted: 9/11/10 at 8:59pm

I am interested in renting a scrim for our production. The problem is that we have no fly space in our theatre. My question is can I use a scrim that slides open (like a shower curtain) instead of flies out? I am hoping to project a gobo onto the scrim. The rental place said that I need to have a pipe at the bottom to keep the scrim taut. So, how do I get the pipe in and out when I am trying to slide it across? Any advice???

Edited by Kim L. - 9/11/10 at 9:00pm

Kim

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JoeMc
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Posted: 9/11/10 at 10:31pm

You can use a srim as a "traveler' which would be easier to handle if the venue has a 'Tab track'.

as scrim srechers applied to the off stage edge of the scrim & tied off in the wings, so when the scrim is tracked on it will stretch automaticly.

Heavy duty HoldOn Mnii Curtain Hooks

Your hire company may have some Holdons in stock as they are cheap enough.

er to use a chain in the scrims tail batten [pipe]pocket.

Vicki Franks is the one to help with scrim hire & the use of travelers.

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/

Edited by JoeMc - 9/12/10 at 7:25pm

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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SM_Ted
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Posted: 9/12/10 at 1:39am

You can use chain in the bottom of the scrim instead of pipe. It won't keep the scrim as taught as the pipe, but will still work.

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MartyW
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 7:50am

Another "option".. You say you have no fly, so you can't take it straight out the top, but if you have any space at all, you might consider a roll up. They are available for rent or purchase. For my last set I built two out of 2/4's and carpet tube..

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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David McCall
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 10:09am

Anybody that thinks you need a fly to do a musical should see a show at the Goodspeed opera house in Connecticut. Their proscenium is at 17', and their "grid" is at 18'. Wings are around 8' at best. They have totally mastered the art of roll-up scenery over the last century. They also slide pieces in from the sides in sections. Goodspeed productions are extremely high quality in every department.

David M

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DonnaFromCobalt
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 10:19am

Most rental scrims will not have travellers clips as they are designed to fly. Most likely, you will have to buy one that is especially made for your facility.

Donna Wymore
backdrop rental manager
Cobalt Studios

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Kim L.
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 2:58pm

So much information...thank you.

1. I could DESPERATELY use knowing how to manage the art of roll drops. David, are you are a part of Goodspeed? Would anyone there give me a few tips on roll drops? Wish I could take a road trip from Michigan to Connecticut!

2. Donna-the theatre I work with has a track and little individual "thingy's" that slide on the track. Are those the clips? Do most scrims come with grommets? Could I tie them on like you would do a backdrop?

Kim

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DonnaFromCobalt
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:31pm

Hi Kim,
Tying ties on a traveller track is tricking because the ties get all bunchy and can get hung up easily. Most scrims come with grommets but you can have traveller clips sewn on if you have the scrim made for you. Since I'm probably not allowed to post a picture with this post, you can e-mail me directly at rentals@cobaltstudios.net and I will send you a picture of what traveller clips look like. Also, roll drops (olios) take a little getting used to. They work on a pulley system. The backdrop needs to be trapiziodal in shape (bigger on the top than on the bottom) and the roll drum / tube must be at least 9" in diameter (a Sonotube is good for this).

Donna Wymore
backdrop rental manager
Cobalt Studios

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David McCall
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 4:14pm

If you click on the reply b utton in the upper right corner of each post you will be transfer to a new page for you to enter your reply. On that page there is Insert Image icon that should allow you to put an image in your post.

Unfortunately it didn't work when I tried it just a couple minutes ago. Something about "Error... Only members with sufficient permission can access this page.". It has worked for me before, and I've got lots of stars Ermm

Edited by David McCall - 9/13/10 at 4:16pm

David M

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David McCall
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Posted: 9/13/10 at 6:05pm

Unfortunately I have not worked at Goodspeed, and haven't used roll-up drops. There must be a lot on the subject on the internet.

BTW, I worked at the Tibbits Opera House in 1965 (Coldwater, Michigan).

David M

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Set Design and Construction
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Topic: using a scrim without fly space( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
Kim L. Star Joined: 2/03/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Topic: using a scrim without fly space Posted: 9/11/10 at 8:59pm
	I am interested in renting a scrim for our production. The problem is that we have no fly space in our theatre. My question is can I use a scrim that slides open (like a shower curtain) instead of flies out? I am hoping to project a gobo onto the scrim. The rental place said that I need to have a pipe at the bottom to keep the scrim taut. So, how do I get the pipe in and out when I am trying to slide it across? Any advice??? Edited by Kim L. - 9/11/10 at 9:00pm
	Kim

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JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 9/11/10 at 10:31pm
	You can use a srim as a "traveler' which would be easier to handle if the venue has a 'Tab track'. as scrim srechers applied to the off stage edge of the scrim & tied off in the wings, so when the scrim is tracked on it will stretch automaticly. Heavy duty HoldOn Mnii Curtain Hooks Your hire company may have some Holdons in stock as they are cheap enough. er to use a chain in the scrims tail batten [pipe]pocket. Vicki Franks is the one to help with scrim hire & the use of travelers. http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/ Edited by JoeMc - 9/12/10 at 7:25pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

SM_Ted Player Joined: 7/31/10 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Posted: 9/12/10 at 1:39am
	You can use chain in the bottom of the scrim instead of pipe. It won't keep the scrim as taught as the pipe, but will still work.
	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 9/13/10 at 7:50am
	Another "option".. You say you have no fly, so you can't take it straight out the top, but if you have any space at all, you might consider a roll up. They are available for rent or purchase. For my last set I built two out of 2/4's and carpet tube..
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 9/13/10 at 10:09am
	Anybody that thinks you need a fly to do a musical should see a show at the Goodspeed opera house in Connecticut. Their proscenium is at 17', and their "grid" is at 18'. Wings are around 8' at best. They have totally mastered the art of roll-up scenery over the last century. They also slide pieces in from the sides in sections. Goodspeed productions are extremely high quality in every department.
	David M
	IP Logged

DonnaFromCobalt Player Joined: 9/24/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 9/13/10 at 10:19am
	Most rental scrims will not have travellers clips as they are designed to fly. Most likely, you will have to buy one that is especially made for your facility.
	Donna Wymore backdrop rental manager Cobalt Studios
	IP Logged

Kim L. Star Joined: 2/03/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Posted: 9/13/10 at 2:58pm
	So much information...thank you. 1. I could DESPERATELY use knowing how to manage the art of roll drops. David, are you are a part of Goodspeed? Would anyone there give me a few tips on roll drops? Wish I could take a road trip from Michigan to Connecticut! 2. Donna-the theatre I work with has a track and little individual "thingy's" that slide on the track. Are those the clips? Do most scrims come with grommets? Could I tie them on like you would do a backdrop?
	Kim
	IP Logged

DonnaFromCobalt Player Joined: 9/24/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 9/13/10 at 3:31pm
	Hi Kim, Tying ties on a traveller track is tricking because the ties get all bunchy and can get hung up easily. Most scrims come with grommets but you can have traveller clips sewn on if you have the scrim made for you. Since I'm probably not allowed to post a picture with this post, you can e-mail me directly at rentals@cobaltstudios.net and I will send you a picture of what traveller clips look like. Also, roll drops (olios) take a little getting used to. They work on a pulley system. The backdrop needs to be trapiziodal in shape (bigger on the top than on the bottom) and the roll drum / tube must be at least 9" in diameter (a Sonotube is good for this).
	Donna Wymore backdrop rental manager Cobalt Studios
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 9/13/10 at 4:14pm
	If you click on the reply b utton in the upper right corner of each post you will be transfer to a new page for you to enter your reply. On that page there is Insert Image icon that should allow you to put an image in your post. Unfortunately it didn't work when I tried it just a couple minutes ago. Something about "Error... Only members with sufficient permission can access this page.". It has worked for me before, and I've got lots of stars Edited by David McCall - 9/13/10 at 4:16pm
	David M
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David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 9/13/10 at 6:05pm
	Unfortunately I have not worked at Goodspeed, and haven't used roll-up drops. There must be a lot on the subject on the internet. BTW, I worked at the Tibbits Opera House in 1965 (Coldwater, Michigan).
	David M
	IP Logged