Raising the curtain...s

Thu, 7 Dec 2006, 08:10 am

karlae7 posts in thread

Hi, Got a question... I've got a stage, it is circular but not rotating and is 6m in diameter. The stage is divided into 4 sections by scrim curtains, so imagine a pie with four slices cut out of it. I need a method of raising or drawing these curtains either horizontally or vertically at a slow pace, as they are acting as a 'mental barrier' which is lifted. The budget is $10,000, so not much in the grand scheme of things. I know I could use a pulley system, and rig it myself or get Showtech to do it, but the pulleys would need someone to pull them obvious, and we only have 2 SM's, myself and one other, but I'm going to be operating lights. Hiring extra crew isn't really an option as the directors are paying for us all to get to Adelaide. I'm also trying to decide whether to use 4 seperate small curtains, or to use 1 long curtain to cover the diametre and then 2 smaller curtains to cover the radius?? What do you all reckon? How shall I tackle this beast?

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karlaeThu, 7 Dec 2006, 08:10 am

LogosThu, 7 Dec 2006, 08:33 am

It sounds like one of those

It sounds like one of those impossible dreams that designers come up with that Stage Management and construction then have to create. I am assuming you can't afford electric motors operated from a central point such as the lighting desk. Just as a matter of interest (I'm in Adelaide) what venue are you using? That might help with pointers as to how to solve the problem. Would it totally destroy the action if the actors operated the curtains as part of the performance. That might be a way to go. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

MyLateralusThu, 7 Dec 2006, 12:02 pm

different directions

there is a couple of directions (literally) I think you could take this. you could set up the pulley system and take it up. you could draw the curtain horizontally off stage (like a lounge curtain). you could probably set it up without a pulley so it rolled up onto a bar above the space like a garage door rather then lifted (you'd still need someone pulling a rope). you could set up a dropping system where the curtain dropped all at once (we used one in the last production I was in, very dramatic). you could solve the problem with lighting by having cloth that was semi transparent so a lit scene from behind could be seen. or I suppose for dramatic effect you could have the curtain made of paper material of sorts, where the actor literally rips through the barrier. The changing of the space seems to be fairly integral to the performance, i'd probably look into using the performers onstage to change the curtains themselves as part of their performance.

Hope this helps a little. most ways I could think of need a stage hand to work. in my experience off stage actors are an obvious choice but if you need someone extra you might want to get a little devious and pop into the local high school and offer some of the upper year kids a work experience gig (most will probably drop everything for a chance to be in a professional production pay or not).

karlaeFri, 8 Dec 2006, 06:16 pm

Thanks to you both for

Thanks to you both for replying. The space we are using is the Nexus Centre(?) Space(?) Theatre(?)...who knows what its called. I like these suggestions. It's funny though..I asked the same question on ALIA.com in their forum and got all these responses about using DMX automated curtains, mechanised pulley systems, constructing makeshift fly towers etc etc... I am going to use scrim to that we can create silhouettes etc, which is lightweight so yeah. But yeah, actually integrating the acting/actors into tearing the curtains down, making them out of paper or simply dropping the curtains dramatically... fantastic!!! Thanks so much, I think I've heard all the suggestions now...unless you have any others???

LogosFri, 8 Dec 2006, 09:16 pm

When are you coming to

When are you coming to Adelaide. FRinge? If you have any enquiries or need any help my contact details are on my web site. I am Adelaide based. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

David AshtonFri, 8 Dec 2006, 10:18 pm

Qne idea you might consider

One idea you might consider is a central vertical pole and 4 'fans' of scrim which fold down to the floor, they could be lifted manually by the actors and held by velcro or lifted by line through pulleys at the top of the pole leading either offstage or to motor controlled spools[ like fishing reels]which could be controlled remotely.

stephendeanWed, 13 Dec 2006, 08:37 pm

There are a few

There are a few professionals in Adelaide that know most of the venues around town. I can probably put you in touch with them. These guys do rigging etc for ADT etc. We used one of them recently to rig a 3 metre 3 dimensional moon for an outdoor version of "A midsummer's Night Dream". A rather good looking effect.

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