Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: invisible flying line needed!!

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invisible flying line needed!!

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2427
Printed Date: 10/31/25 at 9:48am
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Topic: invisible flying line needed!!

Posted By: chrisby
Subject: invisible flying line needed!!
Date Posted: 5/29/07 at 4:25am

Hello all, thanks to those who wrote with suggestions for jack's beansalk! however i am facing another problem with it. the nylon line that i want to use keeps breaking, even though the beanstalk weighs only about 20kg and the line has a breaking strain of almost 40kg. we have ended up using a much thicker and quite visible nylon rope instead. the line runs from centre stage up though a pulley, off stage, through another pully and down to the operator. very simple. there is absolutely no reaction form the audience when the b/s goes up which is very dissapointing. so i really want to use an invisible line. does any one have any ideas??

thanks all

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flukes count.

Replies:

Posted By: Kurt Muller
Date Posted: 5/29/07 at 6:55am

Originally posted by chrisby

Hello all, thanks to those who wrote with suggestions for jack's beansalk! however i am facing another problem with it. the nylon line that i want to use keeps breaking, even though the beanstalk weighs only about 20kg and the line has a breaking strain of almost 40kg. we have ended up using a much thicker and quite visible nylon rope instead. the line runs from centre stage up though a pulley, off stage, through another pully and down to the operator. very simple. there is absolutely no reaction form the audience when the b/s goes up which is very dissapointing. so i really want to use an invisible line. does any one have any ideas??

thanks all

If a 40kg line is breaking at 20kg, obviously you have a sharp edge somewhere. How are you tying the line? Try tying the line to a grommet, and then attaching the grommet to the stalk with a wire or similar.

Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 6/01/07 at 9:39am

Not knowing the distance traveled, try this.

If your distance between the two pulleys is greater than the distance from the stalk to the first pulley, try doubling you line that breaks and ending it just after it goes through the first pulley.

From this point, secure the heavier nylon line to go through the second pulley and down to the operator.

If your distance between pulleys isn't great enough, run the doubled line through the second pulley and then attach your heavier line at that point.

This will give less stretch to the thinner line ( less distance to travel ), and the heavier line should make it easier for the operator to raise it.

Also, try to put a THIN coat of paint on the line to match the scenery behind.

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 7/03/07 at 6:01am

The fishing line would be only for the on stage view, prior to hauling up the growing stalk as it increases in diameter & weight.
The fishing line & stalk run over a roller, untill the larger stalk (rope) can be anchored when the stalk is fully grown.
Attach the fishing line to a small rope, which inturn is either tied or short spliced to a slightly larger one & so on untill the bean stalk is fully grown.
This way the fishing line only takes minimal wieght untill the larger line can be handled off stage.
I'd use a roller rather than a pulley, as your not festricted by the size of the pulleys reeves.
Preset the bean stalk upstage of a groundrow wall or the like. Lay the stalk out behind the growndrow so it will give the impression of searching movement from side to side as it grows to size.
A bit of smoke, lighting even sound effectswill focus the punters atention. Which I think has more impact than it growing straight up out of the deck.

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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}