Return-Path: X-Processed-By: Virex 7 on prxy.net X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.6) with PIPE id 18514183; Tue, 15 Feb 2005 03:01:33 -0800 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.6 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #296 Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 03:01:10 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.2 (2004-11-16) on prxy.net X-Spam-Status: No, score=-5.0 required=5.0 tests=ALL_TRUSTED,AWL,BAYES_00, URIBL_SBL autolearn=unavailable version=3.0.2 X-Spam-Level: X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4f2 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #296 1. Re: New Member looking for a little chinese by Bill Sapsis 2. Re Great Hall in Beijing by John Arrowsmith 3. Re: New Lighting System by "Sarah Clausen" 4. Re: venue information by Bruce Purdy 5. Re: Lighting Heat Load by "Karl G. Ruling" 6. Re: Car theft (was Sound effect) by "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" 7. Re: venue information by MissWisc [at] aol.com 8. Second ACN Public review by Erwin Rol 9. Laser saw guide by "Haagen Trey P Civ 34 TRW/SDAT" 10. Re: Laser saw guide by "Alf Sauve" 11. Re: Laser saw guide by "Delbert Hall" 12. Re: New lighting board by SB 13. Re: New lighting board by Greg Bierly 14. Re: Sound effect by Greg Bierly 15. Re: New lighting board by Jeff Grams 16. Re: New lighting board by Stephen Litterst 17. Curtain pipe safety cable by Tom Grabowski 18. Re: Sound effect by "Joker7" 19. Re: Curtain pipe safety cable by Bill Sapsis 20. Re: Curtain pipe safety cable by Dale Farmer 21. Re: Sound effect by "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" 22. Opinions on SP Controls Gear by "Stuart Baulch" 23. Re: Curtain pipe safety cable by "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" 24. Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought by "James, Brian" 25. Re: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought by "Andy Leviss" 26. Re: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought by "James, Brian" 27. Re: Curtain pipe safety cable by Barney Simon 28. Heat bending PVC, Safety?? by Michael Powers 29. Re: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought by "Andy Leviss" 30. Re: Curtain pipe safety cable by "Jon Lagerquist" 31. Re: Heat bending PVC, Safety?? by MissWisc [at] aol.com 32. Re: venue information by Bruce Purdy 33. Re: venue information--- What should be cut? by "James, Brian" 34. Re: Heat bending PVC, Safety?? by "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" 35. Absinthe (was Re: Heat bending PVC, Safety??) by Mike Brubaker 36. VW ? by "Klyph Stanford" 37. Re: VW ? by "Kevin Linzey" 38. Re: VW ? by "Klyph Stanford" *** Please update the subject line of your reply to use the subject *** line of the message you are replying to! Please only reply to *** one message subject in each reply. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 06:45:43 -0500 Subject: Re: New Member looking for a little chinese From: Bill Sapsis Message-ID: In-Reply-To: on 2/13/05 11:44 PM, Samuel Jones at sjones [at] ucla.edu wrote: > And you thought this would be boring? Why? Well, it actually was me trying to be polite. I don't know how many Chinese members we have on the list and I did not want to offend them with writing curses here. My experience has been that the Chinese take their major cursing much more seriously than we take ours. So I thought I'd keep it off list. Bill S. www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 800.292.3851 fax 267.278.4561 mobile We stand behind, and under, our work. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <7DYUfCLXtJECFwll [at] arrowsmith.demon.co.uk> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 12:36:39 +0000 From: John Arrowsmith Subject: Re Great Hall in Beijing In message <20050213205133.4561.qmail [at] web53605.mail.yahoo.com>, Maura McGuinness writes > >Hi all- > >I am new to the list and I was wondering who on the list has worked at >the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Maura - I believe the Liffey touring group of the Riverdance extravaganza went there in late 2003 ? From a TV show about it fairly recently, they seem to have done remarkably well at the Great Hall ... despite having had to pull everything out at very short notice just before opening night for a party (?) conference no-one had told them about. Maybe someone here has a Riverdance contact ... John -- Website Provider / Editor for http://www.rockchallenge.co.uk -- Website Provider / Editor for http://www.rockchallenge.co.uk, THE adrenaline-laden anti-smoking anti-drunkenness anti-drugs-abuse performing-arts explosion that's got around 14,000 UK 11-to-18s hooked. Check out the UK 2005 Tour Calendar, then go to see them on stage. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.7 - Release Date: 10/02/2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ This email and all attachments have been electronically scanned by Kingston Communications' email Anti-Virus service and no known viruses were detected. ____________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Subject: RE: New Lighting System Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 08:17:37 -0600 Message-ID: <0B70E9798A3B4E4080E46327FA359F2194BCDB [at] MIDL-MAILV.etclink.net> From: "Sarah Clausen" Hi Marty,=20 This could be a thorny subject. ;-) Not knowing the circumstances of the purchase of this console, or what services may or may not have been provided by a vendor, I really can't speak to this. All of our consoles are provided with user manuals and often quick guides to get people up and running. How Roger gets on with his dealer hasn't been mentioned yet. There are a lot of ways to purchase a console - often as part of a whole lighting system where training is usually purchased as well, but just as often as a 'one off' purchase from a dealer. If the console was purchased on it's own, then there likely wasn't any training purchased. I would agree with the poster who stated that everything the console does is in the user manual. If Roger has any specific questions about features he finds in that manual, I'll be happy to offer answers. Thanks - Sarah Sarah Clausen Product Manager Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Marty_Petlock [at] sarasotagov.com Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 6:52 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: New Lighting System For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Sarah Shouldn't the vendor be providing some help? At least a warning about the little pins from the power supply? Seems like just dumping a console at a high-school could eventually land ETC with some warranty issues. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 07:22:37 -0800 (PST) From: Roger Harrison Subject: new lighting system In-Reply-To: Hello everyone, well it finally happened, they replaced our per 1980's lighting system with a new ETC 24/48 ( wanted a 48/96) guess you can't have everything. My question is, is there a tutorial or video tutorial available on how to program the ETC board? I have download the offline editor and the quick notes and I have the manual. I figured out the basics enough to program a simple show but, I would like to know how this board really works. Any help would be great. Thanks Roger Harrison T.D. Aztec High School Marty Petlock Technical Facilities Manager Van Wezel P.A.H. Sarasota, FL. ********** E-mail messages sent or received by City of Sarasota officials and employees in connection with official City business are public records subject to disclosure under the Florida Public Records Act. ********** ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:43:12 -0500 Subject: Re: venue information From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: I find this "Venue information" thread to be of great interest. I will have to consider adding some "Local information" such as medical facilities to my site. When I built the site I had originally thought about including links to local hotels / motels and eating establishments, but my boss felt that would be opening a can of worms. (How do we determine who to list or not list without alienating the businesses we don't list - Do we charge for the "Advertising", etc.) We do list policies on the home page, and what I feel to be a fairly well organised repository of technical information about our facility. A few items need to be updated - once we get the new lighting board, I'll change that and a few other details. In the mean time, I would welcome any comments or suggestions for improvements. If you feel like taking a look, you'll find it at: http://www.thesmith.org/tech/index.html Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ From: "Karl G. Ruling" Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 10:05:18 -0500 Subject: Re: Lighting Heat Load Reply-to: kruling [at] esta.org Message-ID: <421077DE.14414.32F5F5 [at] localhost> In-reply-to: > > Theatres are funny. Most of the heat is generated at hiigh levels, by > the stage lighting. Of the 1KW which is fed to a 1KWuminaire, about > 80% comes out as heat. HVAcs engineers don't understand this. > How can an engineer forget the second law of thermodynamics? I am shocked. Shocked! :-) ALL the electrical energy eventually turns into heat. Some of the it is immediately turned into heat, and some of it is radiated as light, which is absorbed by the surfaces it hits and then turns into heat. Even if some of it is radiated as sound (e.g. a singing lamp filament) that sound energy eventually turns into heat. Okay, maybe some of it is radiated as low frequency radio waves, which travel through the walls to outside the theatre, but eventually they turn into heat, too, although they do this someplace else. Entropy increases. Resistance is futile. ------------------------------ From: "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" Subject: RE: Car theft (was Sound effect) Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 08:36:48 -0800 Message-ID: <00e401c512b3$6473be00$8d90fea9 [at] DrDoomsComputer> In-Reply-To: Oh yes. doom -- Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson, Risk International & Associates, Inc. - www.riskit.com Latest workshops for Educational and Entertainment Industry Performing Arts Personnel (Riggers, and Public Assembly and Educational Technicians) www.riskit.com/workshops International Secondary Education Theater Safety Association (ISETSA) - www.isetsa.org -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Greg Persinger Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 2:24 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: Car theft (was Sound effect) For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Doom, In Tennessee they booby trap them with a shotgun. It's a little messy but highly effective. :-) Greg Persinger Vivid Illumination Greg [at] Vividillumination.com ------------------------------ From: MissWisc [at] aol.com Message-ID: <156.4abf25b5.2f422fcd [at] aol.com> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:46:05 EST Subject: Re: venue information Cc: bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com In a message dated 2/14/5 8:43:51 AM, bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com writes: << When I built the site I had originally thought about including links to local hotels / motels and eating establishments, but my boss felt that would be opening a can of worms. >> A link to your local "Chamber of Commerce" or "Convention & Visitor's Bureau" would be a good compromise. Most of the legitimate businesses in the area are members and they usually have a current listing broken down by area. That also saves you the work of updating several links. Kristi ------------------------------ Subject: Second ACN Public review From: Erwin Rol Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 18:26:48 +0100 Message-Id: <1108402008.6386.176.camel [at] drake.home.erwinrol.com> the ESTA (www.esta.org) has send out a second request for comments on several of their draft standards, including ACN. the comments have to be handed in before April 27th 2005. More information can be found here; http://www.esta.org/tsp/documents/public_review_docs.php - Erwin ------------------------------ Subject: Laser saw guide Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 10:29:09 -0700 Message-ID: <67CADCB91D266042A8DAB3B981DCFD1404137E [at] AFAMAIL2.USAFA.afspc.ds.af.mil> From: "Haagen Trey P Civ 34 TRW/SDAT" =20 =20 For years there were many of us that lusted after the saw that Norm had on the New Yankee Workshop. It had a laser guide that appeared to where the=20 blade was going to cut. Due to little interest the that particular saw was discontinued. Now 5-8 years later interest is back and there are numerous=20 manufacturers. But wait. We don't need to spend the money on the new saw quite yet. =20 =20 I just installed a recently purchased laser guide on our radial arm and one of miter saws. Very slick. =20 www.avengerproducts.com =20 Takes the place of the outside washer next to the blade. They throw a very thin line on your work. Actuates by centrifugal force of the spinning arbor. I do not know how long they will last. =20 =20 Anybody else have experience with them? =20 =20 Trey Haagen Arnold Hall Theatre=20 USAF Academy =20 =20 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <009d01c512c2$803305b0$0400a8c0 [at] ALFOFFICE> Reply-To: "Alf Sauve" From: "Alf Sauve" References: Subject: Re: Laser saw guide Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:24:50 -0500 Really, cool. Fits handheld circular saws as well. But it must eat batteries since they provide 2 spares. However, did you notice a battery-less model is in the works! ------------------------------ Message-ID: In-Reply-To: From: "Delbert Hall" Subject: RE: Laser saw guide Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:18:19 -0500 There are several reviews of this product at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001X22CA/qid=1108408380/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-3908018-7205700?v=glance&s=home-garden -Delbert Delbert L. Hall 423-773-HALL (4255) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:38:43 -0500 From: SB Subject: Re: New lighting board Message-id: <005101c512cc$cb0fdd10$6701a8c0 [at] lighting> References: ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Purdy" > I have my heart set on an ETC Express 48-96. Besides being what I > believe to be an "Industry standard", occasionally even having tours come > with express cues on disk, it seems to be versatile enough for our needs. > > I'll finally be able to program cues in, but it can still serve as a > manual board for the many simpler one-off shows that make up the bulk of > our > schedule. > > So now, whilst I shop for the best price - and my boss tries to come up > with the money, this is your chance: Does anyone think that the Express > 48/96 that I have my heart set on would NOT be the best choice - and why? > (i.e. Since I have Colortran ENR dimmers I should get a Colortran board) I've had Strand, Colortran and now ETC and hate to say it, but ETC is the way to go. Why ?, 'cause it always works. I much prefer the old Strand Light Pallette OS and syntax, having had issues when I went to the Express, but eventually came to like ETC. 1) ETC tech support is much better then the others, far superior to Strand and C-Tran. 2) You are far more likely to be able to get an Express on rental in the unlikely event you have trouble. 3) Just about every touring event you encounter that has a show that needs cuing will have a disk for an Express, which assuming channel numbers stay the same, can save you a few hours at load-in time. 4) Off-Line Editor can save you a good bit of time, not having to program at the desk, running a console patch disk out of Vectorworks or Lightwright, etc.. 5) A larger pool of operators, including visiting folks being more familar with the desk, then they might be with Strand or C-Tran. 6) It's fairly cost effective to upgrade to Emphasis down the road, which can get you into ML's with a better control interface. Not the best for ML's certainly, but possibly a better option then 2 desks. A thought to ask for the Express 72/144 AND a remote focus unit. Maybe then they will setttle on the 48/96 and you'll still get the RFU. Tell them the RFU saves an extra crew person by not having to have the extra person man the console. Steve Bailey Brooklyn College 4 Express consoles on campus - 48/96 in the road house, 2 - Express 250's in the 2 Dept. of Theater spaces, 1 - Express 72/144 in the TV Center main studio. Emphasis on the way ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <9f117c770b09cd4a2accc9a6713cc3c0 [at] dejazzd.com> From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: New lighting board Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 16:06:54 -0500 > there was a DMX problem. Occasionally various random > lights would flash off and on. It was sort of like a slow motion > reverse > chase - flashing off instead of on. I had this same problem once > before when we rented an Express, but by > setting the baud rate to a slower speed the problem went away. This is similar to the problems we had. I would hit the reset buttons on all 6 control modules on the ENR rack after the console was plugged in and booted up. This usually took care of the problem but when things shut down overnight many times we would have the same problem on power up the next day. If we left everything on overnight it would not give us any problems. > We just borrowed an unused Colortran Encore from the local High > School, > and it's working fine. I'm still wanting the Express, but I hope > to study the manual and get to know the Encore in the mean time. I > welcome > an opportunity to learn something new, and add to my "knowledge > toolbox". I thing the Encore is a powerful board it just has a slightly different syntax than the ETC stuff. I have the XL that doesn't have a two scene mode, only 48 subs. It plays very nicely with the ENR rack but I too hope for an ETC eventually. The manual leaves a lot to be desired on the Encore but the console does have a lot of useful features once you learn them. Someone on list did send me a never released copy of a DOS online editor for the Encore. I have never tried using it but could come in handy some day. Greg Bierly Technical Director Hempfield HS ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: Sound effect Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 16:09:51 -0500 May ask what makes yours such a desirable target? > the next time from my parking spot next to my condo, and > left another car in its place, still running. Both times car was > discovered more than twelve miles away still running but some the worst > for joy rides. Doomster ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 17:44:13 -0500 From: Jeff Grams Subject: Re: New lighting board In-reply-to: Message-id: References: Steve is so right. As mainly a sound operator I'm called upon to run one of our Expresses (24-48 and 48-96) during a focus and they are just great to work with. Especially after many years with a Strand multi-Q and then a mini light palette. j. > >----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Purdy" > >> I have my heart set on an ETC Express 48-96. Besides being what I >>believe to be an "Industry standard", occasionally even having tours come >>with express cues on disk, it seems to be versatile enough for our needs. >> > >I've had Strand, Colortran and now ETC and hate to say it, but ETC is the >way to go. Why ?, 'cause it always works. I much prefer the old Strand >Light Pallette OS and syntax, having had issues when I went to the Express, >but eventually came to like ETC. > >Steve Bailey ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 18:14:32 -0500 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: New lighting board Message-id: <421130D8.4EB38071 [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References: SB wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > > I've had Strand, Colortran and now ETC and hate to say it, but ETC is the > way to go. Why ?, 'cause it always works. Just to be the dissenting vote, while I agree with the comments about ETC tech support being amazing, I spend more time on the phone about my Obsession than I do about my Strand. My 300 console has never frozen, and has only forced me to call tech support once. And I had the replacement part faster than I had anticipated, and at no charge. I get monthly tips on programming shortcuts, or mastering difficult techniques. I love both my boards equally. They have their strengths and their purposes. I'm not trying to denigrate ETC, just doing my part to combat Strand's poor market image. (Undeservedly poor, IMO) Steve LItterst -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ From: Tom Grabowski Reply-To: tomgrab [at] utpa.edu Subject: Curtain pipe safety cable Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 17:44:32 -0600 Organization: UTPA Message-ID: <20050214174432375.00000003584 [at] TGRABOWSKI> This weekend during one of the University's dance company's performance th= ere was an incident with a cyc ripping and dropping the bottom pipe to the = floor (with about half of the cyc fabric). The space is not one of my spac= es but I am being consulted for the replacement. The curtain in question w= as 100' x 20' full wrap cyc with a (I think) 1" emt for the bottom weight t= hat was 14 years old. It was not being used for the performance so it was = gridded for storage. I do not know what started it to rip but the entire b= ottom pipe came down to the floor (about a 24' fall) during a scene change.= = What I would like to know is what are standards, customs and/or recommenda= tions for attaching a safety from the top pipe behind the fabric to the bot= tom pipe. Should it be done differently for a curtain that is permanently = hung rather than a show curtain that is up for week at a time? What is the= best way/material for the job? My main performance space is a thrust thea= tre with no counterweight rigging so my riggings skills are on the rusty si= de. Thanks for the help. = *** Tom Grabowski University of Texas-Pan American Designer/Technical Director Communication Department Tomgrab [at] UTPA.edu Edinburg, Texas 78541 956/381-3588 FAX 956/318-2187 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <002601c512ef$6657a1f0$0100a8c0 [at] tricia> From: "Joker7" References: Subject: Re: Sound effect Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 23:46:27 -0000 Thanks all for some great ideas have sorted this one now with some samples and lend of a copy of Adobe Audition 1.0 worked out quite successfully. Thanks Chris http://teaup.port5.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:41:31 -0500 Subject: Re: Curtain pipe safety cable From: Bill Sapsis Message-ID: In-Reply-To: on 2/14/05 6:44 PM, Tom Grabowski at tomgrab [at] utpa.edu wrote: > This weekend during one of the University's dance company's performance there > was an incident with a cyc ripping and dropping the bottom pipe to the floor > (with about half of the cyc fabric). The space is not one of my spaces but I > am being consulted for the replacement. The curtain in question was 100' x > 20' full wrap cyc with a (I think) 1" emt for the bottom weight that was 14 > years old. It was not being used for the performance so it was gridded for > storage. I do not know what started it to rip but the entire bottom pipe came > down to the floor (about a 24' fall) during a scene change. > What I would like to know is what are standards, customs and/or > recommendations for attaching a safety from the top pipe behind the fabric to > the bottom pipe. Should it be done differently for a curtain that is > permanently hung rather than a show curtain that is up for week at a time? > What is the best way/material for the job? My main performance space is a > thrust theatre with no counterweight rigging so my riggings skills are on the > rusty side. Thanks for the help. Tom. I think, no...wait a sec.... I know that they made a big mistake with the cyc bottom pipe. Unless it is in performance mode the pipe never be stored in the bottom of the curtain. There are several reasons for this a) The obvious one. If the pipe is stored in the shop on the pipe rack, then it can't fall onstage and kill someone. b) See a c) The pipe pocket is the most worn spot on the cyc. it gets drug across the floor. It gets wet. It rots. The weight of the pipe pulling against it doesn't help either. If you want your cyc to last longer, put the bottom pipe in only when you need it. d) The curtain is more likely to tear when there's weight in the bottom. if something brushes against the cyc when there is no weight, then the fabric moves away easier. With weight there's resistance and when there's resistance, you get a hole. usually the hole starts out the size of a finger. You know...the finger of an 8 yr. old ballerina from Aunt Suzie's dance class who was just being curious. (wow. what's this thing???? oooops.) e) see a Zat help? Bill S. www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 800.292.3851 fax 267.278.4561 mobile We stand behind, and under, our work. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4211482F.6D24FC03 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:54:07 -0500 From: Dale Farmer Subject: Re: Curtain pipe safety cable References: Tom Grabowski wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > This weekend during one of the University's dance company's performance there was an incident with a cyc ripping and dropping the bottom pipe to the floor (with about half of the cyc fabric). The space is not one of my spaces but I am being consulted for the replacement. The curtain in question was 100' x 20' full wrap cyc with a (I think) 1" emt for the bottom weight that was 14 years old. It was not being used for the performance so it was gridded for storage. I do not know what started it to rip but the entire bottom pipe came down to the floor (about a 24' fall) during a scene change. > What I would like to know is what are standards, customs and/or recommendations for attaching a safety from the top pipe behind the fabric to the bottom pipe. Should it be done differently for a curtain that is permanently hung rather than a show curtain that is up for week at a time? What is the best way/material for the job? My main performance space is a thrust theatre with no counterweight rigging so my riggings skills are on the rusty side. Thanks for the help. I've never seen any sort of safety rigging on a bottom weight for a drop or scrim. The cloth should have far more strength in it than is needed to support a reasonable bottom weight. If there is some sort of formal investigation, I'd be interested in seeing the outcome. Was the bottom weight reasonable? one inch EMT is pretty light, only about, IIRC, five or so pounds for a ten foot stick. My experience is that the bottom weight is usually a chain, or 0.5-0.75 inch black iron pipe, which would be much heavier. ( 15 or so pounds for a ten foot piece? I'd have to go weigh one to be sure. ) I'd examine the rip. Was there any sort of damage or rot there? Once it got going good, then it has enough leverage to take it the rest of the way across. Check stitching, look for dry rot, old repairs, fireproofing with wrong chemicals, cleaning history, etc. --Dale ------------------------------ From: "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" Subject: RE: Sound effect Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 16:53:51 -0800 Message-ID: <006b01c512f8$d1112bc0$8d90fea9 [at] DrDoomsComputer> In-Reply-To: Handsomeness, =E9lan, and it is a Honda Accord. The choice of thieves in this country, every nine seconds. Who knew? Maybe they ought to look at American? Made cars ....... for something????????????????? Maybe, maybe. doom --=20 Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson, Risk International & Associates, Inc. - www.riskit.com Latest workshops for Educational and Entertainment Industry Performing Arts Personnel (Riggers, and Public Assembly and Educational Technicians) www.riskit.com/workshops International Secondary Education Theater Safety Association (ISETSA) - www.isetsa.org -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Greg Bierly Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 1:10 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: Sound effect For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- May ask what makes yours such a desirable target? > the next time from my parking spot next to my condo, and > left another car in its place, still running. Both times car was > discovered more than twelve miles away still running but some the worst > for joy rides. Doomster ------------------------------ From: "Stuart Baulch" Subject: Opinions on SP Controls Gear Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:08:26 -0500 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: One of my venues is in the market for a VGA over CAT5 transmitter set. The one manufactured by SP Controls is coming in about 40% below similar units from Kramer, etc. I haven't had any experience with SP Controls gear and can't find any reviews online. Does any one in the group have any experience with the manufacturer and specifically, the "CatLinc VGA". http://www.spcontrols.com/overview_distribution.htm Thanks, Stuart B ------------------------------ From: "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" Subject: RE: Curtain pipe safety cable Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 17:11:26 -0800 Message-ID: <008701c512fb$63b78530$8d90fea9 [at] DrDoomsComputer> In-Reply-To: Unfortunate, but quite common, though seldom reported. Doom -- Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson, Risk International & Associates, Inc. - www.riskit.com Latest workshops for Educational and Entertainment Industry Performing Arts Personnel (Riggers, and Public Assembly and Educational Technicians) www.riskit.com/workshops International Secondary Education Theater Safety Association (ISETSA) - www.isetsa.org -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Dale Farmer Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 4:54 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: Curtain pipe safety cable For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Tom Grabowski wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > This weekend during one of the University's dance company's performance there was an incident with a cyc ripping and dropping the bottom pipe to the floor (with about half of the cyc fabric). The space is not one of my spaces but I am being consulted for the replacement. The curtain in question was 100' x 20' full wrap cyc with a (I think) 1" emt for the bottom weight that was 14 years old. It was not being used for the performance so it was gridded for storage. I do not know what started it to rip but the entire bottom pipe came down to the floor (about a 24' fall) during a scene change. > What I would like to know is what are standards, customs and/or recommendations for attaching a safety from the top pipe behind the fabric to the bottom pipe. Should it be done differently for a curtain that is permanently hung rather than a show curtain that is up for week at a time? What is the best way/material for the job? My main performance space is a thrust theatre with no counterweight rigging so my riggings skills are on the rusty side. Thanks for the help. I've never seen any sort of safety rigging on a bottom weight for a drop or scrim. The cloth should have far more strength in it than is needed to support a reasonable bottom weight. If there is some sort of formal investigation, I'd be interested in seeing the outcome. Was the bottom weight reasonable? one inch EMT is pretty light, only about, IIRC, five or so pounds for a ten foot stick. My experience is that the bottom weight is usually a chain, or 0.5-0.75 inch black iron pipe, which would be much heavier. ( 15 or so pounds for a ten foot piece? I'd have to go weigh one to be sure. ) I'd examine the rip. Was there any sort of damage or rot there? Once it got going good, then it has enough leverage to take it the rest of the way across. Check stitching, look for dry rot, old repairs, fireproofing with wrong chemicals, cleaning history, etc. --Dale ------------------------------ Subject: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:27:59 -0500 Message-ID: <89DE71075FCD6E44A4D117FBFBBD801C09F9B14C [at] fangorn.cc.vt.edu> From: "James, Brian" THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU I appreciate the people who have given ideas and looked the venue = sheets. Some really good thoughts and ideas have come out of this = process.=20 Hopefully, I will have these finalized and posted on the web in the next = few days. Another idea I had, actually came up from an advance today, is a listing = of known used frequencies in the venue. Thinks like ALD devices, = wireless networks, wireless com and etc that may cause problems with a = tours wireless systems. ------------------------------ From: "Andy Leviss" Subject: RE: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:33:40 -0500 Organization: Duck's Echo Sound Message-ID: <000401c512f5$ffa4b900$a19afea9 [at] AndyLeviss> In-Reply-To: > Another idea I had, actually came up from an advance today, > is a listing of known used frequencies in the venue. Thinks > like ALD devices, wireless networks, wireless com and etc > that may cause problems with a tours wireless systems. Yes, yes and yes! I spent last season as the assistant sound engineer for a national broadway tour with 28 wireless mics, ten frequencies worth of wireless intercom, and 8-10 two-way radios. I can count the number of venues that provided me with a list of trouble frequencies on one finger. My life would have been infinitely easier if those were more common. That venue was on a college campus, and they even went so far as to include other frequencies used on campus but not specifically by the building, and noted which were which (ie, ones that are used elsewhere on campus and so don't often interfere, but that you should be aware of, all the same). --Andy Sound engineer, Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Coloring Book Webmaster, http://OneFromTheRoad.com Tools, Toys, and Tales for the Theatrical Technician -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 2/14/2005 ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:38:25 -0500 Message-ID: <89DE71075FCD6E44A4D117FBFBBD801C09F9B14E [at] fangorn.cc.vt.edu> From: "James, Brian" Would you prefer that on the tech sheet it's self, or as an optional = info sheet on the venue website? -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net]On Behalf Of Andy = Leviss Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 7:34 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- > Another idea I had, actually came up from an advance today,=20 > is a listing of known used frequencies in the venue. Thinks=20 > like ALD devices, wireless networks, wireless com and etc=20 > that may cause problems with a tours wireless systems. Yes, yes and yes! I spent last season as the assistant sound engineer for a national broadway tour with 28 wireless mics, ten frequencies worth of wireless intercom, and 8-10 two-way radios. I can count the number of venues that provided me with a list of trouble frequencies on one finger. My life would have been infinitely easier if those were more common. That venue was on a college campus, and they even went so far as to include other frequencies used on campus but not specifically by the building, and noted which were which (ie, ones that are used elsewhere on campus and so don't often interfere, but that you should be aware of, all the same). --Andy Sound engineer, Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Coloring Book Webmaster, http://OneFromTheRoad.com Tools, Toys, and Tales for the Theatrical Technician --=20 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 2/14/2005 =20 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42115516.7090809 [at] JosephCHansen.com> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:49:10 -0500 From: Barney Simon Subject: Re: Curtain pipe safety cable References: In-Reply-To: Tom Grabowski wrote: >...an incident with a cyc ripping and dropping ... 1" emt for the bottom weight that was 14 years old... > > Sorry to hear of your problems, I agree with everything that has been said; and I have a few thoughts to add. First the cyc should not be stored up with the bottom weight if it is not in use for any amount of time. I can see the decision to leave the pipe if the cyc were not being used for this show which is only a couple of days, but I suspect that the practice was to fly it out for stage access and again the thought of removing 100' of pipe is a bit daunting, we typically make our cycs that size with one of a variety of pocket styles to facilitate the installation or removal of the pipe . I also agree that 1" EMT sounds lighter than most installations I have worked on, but not to say to is wrong, it probably works fine [We sent out a rental to a theatre last fall with the 1" black pipe we have and were lectured by the client how wrong that was and they we should never send out that light weight stuff again]. >...customs and/or recommendations for attaching a safety from the top pipe behind the fabric to the bottom pipe. > The problems with this are that if the cyc is ever backlit, that happens with the safeties? My wife's theatre has a trip system on her rear cyc because she lacks fly space, but not because of safety. I will ask the wisdom of the list about what the estimated life of a cyc is. I have often told clients that 15 years is about what to expect. I have rental drops going on 75 years old, but what should clients actually expect? Barney Simon Joseph C Hansen, Co. Drapes, Drops, and Dance Floors ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 21:01:00 -0500 From: Michael Powers Subject: Heat bending PVC, Safety?? Message-id: <1108432860.421157dc4029c [at] mail-www2.oit.umass.edu> MissWisc [at] aol.com wrote: Just curious... what kinds of fumes come from this product when it's heated? Respirator needed? and Joshua Webb wrote: I've heard rumors of noxious fumes resulting but never experienced this first hand. Does it fall into the realm of "Urban legend"? First off, good questions! Questions like these should always be asked if you're not familiar with a product or technique. I will give you a hint however, to find out if a product gives off dangerous fumes, byproducts during a process, check the MSDS sheets. They will tell you the by products of burning, if the machined dust is toxic or just a nuisance and a lot more. Now, here's the scoop. First, heat bending PVC pipe is done by electricians and plumbers all the time, it is not a process that I or any other theatre technician dreamed up. Grainger's and McMaster Carr et. al. sell several devices to perform the task. The instructions that come with those machines and the MSDS sheets for Polyvinyl Chloride pipe both say about the same thing. The following is copied from the MSDS sheets: "Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards. Upon prolonged heating sufficient in time or temperature to cause mass melting, polyvinyl chloride will decompose and form hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas. The decomposed residue will burn in the fashion of a hydrocarbon tar." "Hazardous Decomposition Products: CO, CO2, HCl, unknown hydrocarbons, and trace quantities of vinyl chloride monimer." "Inhalation: Any dust generated from cutting this material is considered to be in the nuisance category." Unless you heat the pipe far beyond the malleable stage, charring or burning it, you don't need to wear a respirator when heat bending it. Depending on how long and how hot a piece gets you may be able to smell small amounts of vinyl chloride monimer but brand new PVC emits trace amounts of this on it's own. Sniff a bit the next time you're in the plumbing section of Home Depot or Lowe's et.al. You can always smell it a bit with brand new PVC products including pipe and tube. Remember, our noses are notoriously poor at determining between safe and dangerous odors. A pine forest at 2 miles away can give off a strong aroma but it won't hurt you. Carbon Monoxide sprayed in your face is odorless, but it'll kill you. The same holds true for things that make some people nauseous. A bean burrito make make your stomach queasy, but it's only dangerous to the people next to you. Absinthe (I've been told) tastes good and feels cozy and warm in the tummy, but can be deadly. Hope that answers your questions. Michael Michael Powers, Technical Director UMass Amherst 112 FAC West Amherst, Ma. 01003 413-545-6821 Voice 413-577-0025 Fax mfpowers [at] theater.umass.edu mptecdir [at] aol.com ------------------------------ From: "Andy Leviss" Subject: RE: Venue Sheets Thank you and a new thought Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:10:25 -0500 Organization: Duck's Echo Sound Message-ID: <000501c512fb$2299c040$a19afea9 [at] AndyLeviss> In-Reply-To: Regarding venue RF frequency info, Brian asked: > Would you prefer that on the tech sheet it's self, or as an > optional info sheet on the venue website? I'd put it on the tech sheet, so that the TD will get it when advancing the show and pass it on to the audio dept. Also, now that I think of it, while it wasn't always in the advance packet, I do remember another venue that had a copy of such a list posted up near the backstage patch panels, which is also a good thing. If you've got it in the tech sheet/packet, and then have another copy in a sheet protector near the backstage patch point, and perhaps even an extra loose copy to give to the road audio guys when they get there for the in, you'll have all your bases covered and the road crew will love you forever. --Andy http://OneFromTheRoad.com Tools, Toys, and Tales for the Theatrical Technician -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 2/14/2005 ------------------------------ From: "Jon Lagerquist" Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 18:26:17 -0800 Subject: Re: Curtain pipe safety cable Reply-to: jon [at] lagerquist.com Message-ID: <4210ED49.4655.1D09640F [at] localhost> In-reply-to: References: On the other hand we find that 3/4" EMT is fine for almost all of our uses. And the most we tend to use is 3/4" pipe. > I also agree that > 1" EMT sounds lighter than most installations I have worked on, but not to > say to is wrong, it probably works fine [We sent out a rental to a theatre > last fall with the 1" black pipe we have and were lectured by the client > how wrong that was and they we should never send out that light weight > stuff again]. Jon Lagerquist Technical Director [at] South Coast Repertory Costa Mesa, CA ------------------------------ From: MissWisc [at] aol.com Message-ID: <8c.20ad187e.2f42c821 [at] aol.com> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 22:36:01 EST Subject: Re: Heat bending PVC, Safety?? Cc: mfpowers [at] theater.umass.edu In a message dated 2/14/5 8:02:12 PM, mfpowers [at] theater.umass.edu wrote: <> Never tried it myself, but in literature I've read it's very bitter... hence the fashion of serving it over crushed sugar and waiting a bit for them to mix. And the effects are similar to alcohol which fits what you say too. Kristi ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 22:11:06 -0500 Subject: Re: venue information From: Bruce Purdy Cc: MissWisc [at] aol.com Message-ID: In-Reply-To: <156.4abf25b5.2f422fcd [at] aol.com> >> In a message dated 2/14/5 8:43:51 AM, bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com writes: >> << When I built the site I had originally thought about including links to >> local hotels / motels and eating establishments, but my boss felt that would >> be opening a can of worms. > A link to your local "Chamber of Commerce" or "Convention & Visitor's Bureau" > would be a good compromise. Most of the legitimate businesses in the area are > members and they usually have a current listing broken down by area. That > also saves you the work of updating several links. > > Kristi Great idea Kristi! I'll look into that compromise. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House > From: MissWisc [at] aol.com > Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:46:05 -0500 (EST) > To: bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com, stagecraft [at] theatrical.net > Subject: Re: venue information > > ------------------------------ Subject: RE: venue information--- What should be cut? Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 22:52:53 -0500 Message-ID: <89DE71075FCD6E44A4D117FBFBBD801C09F9B15A [at] fangorn.cc.vt.edu> From: "James, Brian" Lets change directions on this topic a little bit, For those that access these sheets, what are the bits of information you = hate to see on these sheets, or think is a waste to put on them? Is there anything that is a waste? We have a lot of good ideas to add, but maybe there are some things we = should consider cutting? ------------------------------ From: "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" Subject: RE: Heat bending PVC, Safety?? Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:11:13 -0800 Message-ID: <000001c51314$64a696c0$8d90fea9 [at] DrDoomsComputer> In-reply-to: No URBAN Legends. You heat plastics to a high degree and you receive emissions and they are toxic. As long as you know what the product is made of, and check the MSDS and follow the instructions, .. you will be better. Remember that when you are doing this type of project that there may be others around you who are not protected with the same type of PPE that you have. IAQ in this and all instances is crucial. Doom -- Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson, Risk International & Associates, Inc. - www.riskit.com Latest workshops for Educational and Entertainment Industry Performing Arts Personnel (Riggers, and Public Assembly and Educational Technicians) www.riskit.com/workshops International Secondary Education Theater Safety Association (ISETSA) - www.isetsa.org -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Michael Powers Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:01 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Heat bending PVC, Safety?? For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- MissWisc [at] aol.com wrote: Just curious... what kinds of fumes come from this product when it's heated? Respirator needed? and Joshua Webb wrote: I've heard rumors of noxious fumes resulting but never experienced this first hand. Does it fall into the realm of "Urban legend"? First off, good questions! Questions like these should always be asked if you're not familiar with a product or technique. I will give you a hint however, to find out if a product gives off dangerous fumes, byproducts during a process, check the MSDS sheets. They will tell you the by products of burning, if the machined dust is toxic or just a nuisance and a lot more. Now, here's the scoop. First, heat bending PVC pipe is done by electricians and plumbers all the time, it is not a process that I or any other theatre technician dreamed up. Grainger's and McMaster Carr et. al. sell several devices to perform the task. The instructions that come with those machines and the MSDS sheets for Polyvinyl Chloride pipe both say about the same thing. The following is copied from the MSDS sheets: "Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards. Upon prolonged heating sufficient in time or temperature to cause mass melting, polyvinyl chloride will decompose and form hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas. The decomposed residue will burn in the fashion of a hydrocarbon tar." "Hazardous Decomposition Products: CO, CO2, HCl, unknown hydrocarbons, and trace quantities of vinyl chloride monimer." "Inhalation: Any dust generated from cutting this material is considered to be in the nuisance category." Unless you heat the pipe far beyond the malleable stage, charring or burning it, you don't need to wear a respirator when heat bending it. Depending on how long and how hot a piece gets you may be able to smell small amounts of vinyl chloride monimer but brand new PVC emits trace amounts of this on it's own. Sniff a bit the next time you're in the plumbing section of Home Depot or Lowe's et.al. You can always smell it a bit with brand new PVC products including pipe and tube. Remember, our noses are notoriously poor at determining between safe and dangerous odors. A pine forest at 2 miles away can give off a strong aroma but it won't hurt you. Carbon Monoxide sprayed in your face is odorless, but it'll kill you. The same holds true for things that make some people nauseous. A bean burrito make make your stomach queasy, but it's only dangerous to the people next to you. Absinthe (I've been told) tastes good and feels cozy and warm in the tummy, but can be deadly. Hope that answers your questions. Michael Michael Powers, Technical Director UMass Amherst 112 FAC West Amherst, Ma. 01003 413-545-6821 Voice 413-577-0025 Fax mfpowers [at] theater.umass.edu mptecdir [at] aol.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.1.2.0.20050214235856.040d8ea8 [at] mail.insightbb.com> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 23:59:35 -0500 From: Mike Brubaker Subject: Absinthe (was Re: Heat bending PVC, Safety??) In-Reply-To: References: http://www.feeverte.net/faq-absinthe.html#B At 10:36 PM 2/14/2005, MissWisc [at] aol.com wrote: >In a message dated 2/14/5 8:02:12 PM, mfpowers [at] theater.umass.edu wrote: ><but can be deadly. >> > >Never tried it myself, but in literature I've read it's very bitter... hence >the fashion of serving it over crushed sugar and waiting a bit for them to >mix. > >And the effects are similar to alcohol which fits what you say too. ------------------------------ From: "Klyph Stanford" Subject: VW ? Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:06:09 -0500 Message-ID: I am having a line weight issue with Vectorworks. I am using VW 10.5. I have placed all lighting units on the plot into their own class, and changed the line weight for that class to .7mm. But on screen and in print, the units are retaining their original line weight. What am I missing here? Thanks in advance. Happy to be back, Klyph Stanford 336.575.7235 "Let's go get drunk on the light once more." Georges Seurat ------------------------------ From: "Kevin Linzey" Subject: RE: VW ? Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:11:11 -0500 Message-ID: <001201c5131c$c40ac7a0$6800a8c0 [at] KLinzeypc> In-Reply-To: Klyph, The line weight for the instrument is part of the symbol. In order to change the line weight you have to edit each symbol def. Kevin ---------------------------- Kevin Linzey Nemetschek North America Integrated Products Engineer ----------------------------- > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf > Of Klyph Stanford > Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:06 AM > To: Stagecraft > Subject: VW ? > > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > > --------------------------------------------------- > > I am having a line weight issue with Vectorworks. I am using VW 10.5. > > I have placed all lighting units on the plot into their own > class, and changed the line weight for that class to .7mm. > But on screen and in print, the units are retaining their > original line weight. > > What am I missing here? > > Thanks in advance. > > Happy to be back, > > Klyph Stanford > > 336.575.7235 > > "Let's go get drunk on the light once more." > Georges Seurat > ------------------------------ From: "Klyph Stanford" Subject: RE: VW ? Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:17:02 -0500 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Thanks. I was afraid that was going to be the answer. Klyph Stanford 336.575.7235 "Let's go get drunk on the light once more." Georges Seurat -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Kevin Linzey Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:11 AM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: VW ? For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Klyph, The line weight for the instrument is part of the symbol. In order to change the line weight you have to edit each symbol def. Kevin ---------------------------- Kevin Linzey Nemetschek North America Integrated Products Engineer ----------------------------- > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf > Of Klyph Stanford > Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:06 AM > To: Stagecraft > Subject: VW ? > > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > > --------------------------------------------------- > > I am having a line weight issue with Vectorworks. I am using VW 10.5. > > I have placed all lighting units on the plot into their own > class, and changed the line weight for that class to .7mm. > But on screen and in print, the units are retaining their > original line weight. > > What am I missing here? > > Thanks in advance. > > Happy to be back, > > Klyph Stanford > > 336.575.7235 > > "Let's go get drunk on the light once more." > Georges Seurat > ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #296 *****************************