Return-Path: X-Scanned-By: RAE MPP/Clamd http://raeinternet.com/mpp X-Scanned-By: This message was scanned by MPP Lite Edition (www.messagepartners.com)! X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 23683261; Thu, 14 Jul 2005 03:02:03 -0700 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.10 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #457 Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 03:01:24 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.4 (2005-06-05) on prxy.net X-Spam-Status: No, score=-5.6 required=5.0 tests=ALL_TRUSTED,AWL,BAYES_00 autolearn=ham version=3.0.4 X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4f2 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #457 1. ACAD blocks by DBlack [at] lancaster.k12.pa.us 2. Re: ACAD blocks by "rufus" 3. Re: Flamability info by "C. Dopher" 4. Dressing room mirror accessories by 5. Re: Scrim too high by "C. Dopher" 6. Dressing Room issue/question... by "Steve Jones" 7. popcorn machine by "David R. Krajec" 8. Re: Scrim too high by Stephen Litterst 9. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Steve Larson 10. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "Don Taco" 11. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "Andy Leviss" 12. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Stephen Litterst 13. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Pat Kight 14. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Jerry Durand 15. Re: Popcorn Machines by Johan Godwaldt 16. sound question by ken frederickson 17. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Wood Chip-P26398 18. Re: sound question by "Jeffrey Kanyuck" 19. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by MissWisc [at] aol.com 20. Re: sound question by Mat Goebel 21. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "James, Brian" 22. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Steve Larson 23. Inexpensive Flooring Systems? by "Cara Sloat" 24. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "Steve Jones" 25. Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? by Jerry Durand 26. Re: Scrim too long by "Brendan Bartholomew" 27. Re: sound question - parallel resistance calculations by "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" 28. Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? by Stephen Litterst 29. Re: sound question - parallel resistance calculations by Stephen Litterst 30. Re: sound question - parallel resistance calculations by "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" 31. Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? by "Davis, Thomas J" 32. Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? by Steve Larson 33. Re: Laser and Water cutting (was large air tank needed) by "Frank E. Merrill" 34. Re[2]: Scrim too high by "Frank E. Merrill" 35. Re: large air tank needed by "Storms, Randy" 36. Re: large air tank needed by Wood Chip-P26398 37. Re: large air tank needed by "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" 38. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Stuart Wheaton 39. Re: large air tank needed by Dale Farmer 40. Re: large air tank needed by "Jon Ares" 41. Re: large air tank needed by Dale Farmer 42. Re: large air tank needed by "Jon Ares" 43. Re: large air tank needed by "Jerry Durand" 44. Re: large air tank needed by "Jerry Durand" 45. Re: sound question - parallel resistance calculations by John Bracewell 46. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 47. Re: Scrim too high by "Bill Nelson" 48. Re: sound question by "Bill Nelson" 49. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "Bill Nelson" 50. Re: Popcorn machines.. by Bruce Purdy 51. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by Bruce Purdy 52. Re: Dressing Room issue/question... by "Bill Nelson" *** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: DBlack [at] lancaster.k12.pa.us Subject: ACAD blocks Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 09:41:20 -0400 Message-ID: Hey Kim, Do you happen to have dwg blocks of altman units? I've tried to find them for a few days now and have had no luck. I have ETC but not Altman. Thanks, Daniel How's things going? ------------------------------ Message-Id: <200507131412.j6DECbUs032461 [at] ns1.ldassistant.com> From: "rufus" Subject: RE: ACAD blocks Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 09:11:09 -0500 In-Reply-To: Our i-drop website at www.ldassistant.com has the blocks. Regards, Rufus Warren III Voice 708-499-0107 Fax Line 708-499-0046 E-Mail rufus [at] design-drafting.com Web Site www.design-drafting.com autodesk authorized developer HP developer Design-Drafting.com * LDassistant.com * ACADlight.com * CADunit.com * Donenow.com * AutoBLOCK2000.com ________________________________________ Design & Drafting is a division of Chicago Stage Equipment Co. Inc. -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of DBlack [at] lancaster.k12.pa.us Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 8:41 AM To: Stagecraft Subject: ACAD blocks For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Hey Kim, Do you happen to have dwg blocks of altman units? I've tried to find them for a few days now and have had no luck. I have ETC but not Altman. Thanks, Daniel How's things going? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:54:47 -0400 Subject: Re: Flamability info From: "C. Dopher" Message-ID: In-Reply-To: <42D46FBD.5CE26CB7 [at] cybercom.net> On 7/12/05 9:34 PM, "Dale Farmer" wrote: > RICHARD FINKELSTEIN wrote: >> Greetings. I am starting on a show for production in a very strict fire code >> enforcement locality and am looking at use of a material not traditionally >> used in theatre. > Contact your local fire inspector and work with him/her on an acceptable > method of using the material. Trying to bullshit the inspector with high > power > outside experts tends to backfire. Honey, not vinegar. Richard, you should have samples of the material (fireproofed, ready to go) on hand for the inspectors, in case they want to conduct a flametest. And they will. They don't care what the MSDS say, particularly since fire resistance is not what an MSDS is usually put together to describe. Cris Dopher, LD ------------------------------ From: Subject: Dressing room mirror accessories Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:55:48 -0400 Message-Id: <20050713155548.YACX10527.lakermmtao12.cox.net [at] smtp.east.cox.net> A while ago there was some discussion about pre-made caged to go around light bulbs for dressing room mirrors. Did anyone find them? Thanks, Randy ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:59:48 -0400 Subject: Re: Scrim too high From: "C. Dopher" Message-ID: In-Reply-To: <200507121751.j6CHpFGv008866 [at] moose.scu.k12.ca.us> On 7/12/05 1:59 PM, "Brendan Bartholomew" wrote: > I had to order a black scrim (60' w x 30' h) for my new space based on > the construction drawings. Now that we've taken it out of the box and > hung it we've discovered that there are 4' to 6' that won't hide when > flown all the way out. Does anyone have a clever idea on how to fix > this? Thanks, I assume that the scrim is the correct size for the intended purpose and that you're simply describing a storage problem. Use the KISS principle and just westcoast the sucker. You can avoid major wrinkles by bagging the scrim along it's length with muslin (60' x 3') that is pre-rigged with a few grommets and 'biners. When it comes time to store the scrim, line up your help, fly the scrim into their arms, then everybody lifts the scrim, pulls the muslin (which can hang down behind the scrim or not) underneath the scrim bundle, and clips it to itself at the top, where you've already tied it up to the batten. Once set up, storing and deploying become a two-minute process. You can even leave the bottom pipe in the pipe pocket. Cris Dopher, LD That explanation was entirely too long for the simplicity of the solution, sorry. ------------------------------ From: "Steve Jones" Subject: Dressing Room issue/question... Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:09:38 -0500 Organization: Plaza Theatre In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I am seeking some feedback from others that bring touring groups into their facility that may be in a similar predicament as us. Our theatre was built in 1934 as a vaudeville / movie house. Renovated and reopened this past April. During the renovation, they didn't really have anyone with a theatre background invovled (unfortunate choice) and that has led to some choices / omissions that I now must deal with. There was very limited space in the building other than auditorium and stage. The "cellar" below the stage was a junk room and had a dirt floor and was useless. It was convereted to the dressing room. It is a very nice area now w/ private restrooms, makeup counters/mirrors/lights, etc. But the problem is that it is ONE dressing room. There was not enough space to accomodate a men's and a women's dressing room. Instead, the architect put two "changing stalls" in the dressing room. Very similar to what you might find in a clothing store. No opportunity for a "star" or private dressing room. And there are no other spaces that could be temporarily converted. Anyone have a similar situation? Any idea on reactions I might get from touring groups? I am negotiating contracts for the season and am making sure this issue is addressed before signing. I am not sure there was a better solution than this when the the renovation was done - I just know I need to work with it now. ************************************* Steve Jones, Director Plaza Theatre 115 E. Main Street Glasgow, KY 42141 Voice: (270) 361-2101 Fax: (270) 651-2511 http://www.glasgowplazatheatre.org ------------------------------ From: "David R. Krajec" Subject: popcorn machine Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:37:47 -0500 Message-ID: In-reply-to: The first thing that leaps to mind is "Why do you want your theatre to have a floor that's as sticky as a movie theatre?" I would advise also buying a backpack style vacuum cleaner to clean up after every performance. Otherwise, you're going to have a trashy looking facility. Also, remember the bug/rodent issue. My 2 cents. David K. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:46:52 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Scrim too high Message-id: <42D5457C.5E3D2B40 [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References: "C. Dopher" wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > I assume that the scrim is the correct size for the intended purpose and > that you're simply describing a storage problem. > > Use the KISS principle and just westcoast the sucker. That solves the storage problem, but what happens when the scrim neeeds to fly out during a show? -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 13:18:40 -0400 Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Just make sure from the get-go that they know the situation. Include it in the contract if necessary. Steve > From: "Steve Jones" Any idea on reactions I might get from > touring groups? I am negotiating contracts for the season and am making > sure this issue is addressed before signing. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <01f001c587d1$a9b8eab0$e28aaa43 [at] DonTaco> From: "Don Taco" References: Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 10:38:20 -0700 From: "Steve Larson" > Just make sure from the get-go that they know > the situation. Include it in the contract > if necessary. > > Steve > >> From: "Steve Jones" > > Any idea on reactions I might get from >> touring groups? Things can always be worse. We once played at the 'grand opening' of a renovated burlesque house in Eastern Oregon. I never heard an explanation, perhaps the renovation wasn't complete, but the 'dressing room' was the casket display room of the mortuary next door. We were mostly amused by it, but the stripper we shared it with was more than a little creeped out. ------------------------------ From: "Andy Leviss" Subject: RE: Dressing Room issue/question... Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 13:45:16 -0400 Organization: Duck's Echo Sound Message-ID: <004b01c587d2$a200a3c0$a19afea9 [at] AndyLeviss> In-reply-to: Don Taco wrote: > I never heard an explanation, perhaps the > renovation wasn't > complete, but the 'dressing room' was the casket display room of the > mortuary next door. We were mostly amused by it, but the > stripper we shared > it with was more than a little creeped out. By you, or the caskets? ;o) --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: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.13/47 - Release Date: 7/12/2005 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 14:07:02 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... Message-id: <42D55846.B0451A1F [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References:

Don Taco wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > Things can always be worse. And on the flip side -- our building was equipped with more star dressing rooms than offices. My office "suite" (it has two rooms, technically) was originally a star dressing room. Budgets have prevented us from removing the wall between the bathroom and the dressing area, so I still have a shower, although we had the toilet removed a few years ago. Steve L. -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42D55A9C.9040704 [at] peak.org> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:17:00 -0700 From: Pat Kight Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... References:

In-Reply-To: Don Taco wrote: > We once played at the 'grand opening' of a renovated burlesque house in > Eastern Oregon. I never heard an explanation, perhaps the renovation > wasn't complete, but the 'dressing room' was the casket display room of > the mortuary next door. We were mostly amused by it, but the stripper > we shared it with was more than a little creeped out. > > Hell, Don, back before you and I got involved in our own theater, legend has it they used to pull a U-haul up to the loading door, string a lightbulb inside and use that for a dressing room... -- Pat Kight kightp [at] peak.org ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.1.2.0.20050713111256.029ce7b0 [at] 192.168.0.13> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:18:52 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... In-Reply-To: References:

At 10:45 AM 7/13/2005, you wrote: >We were mostly amused by it, but the > > stripper we shared > > it with was more than a little creeped out. > >By you, or the caskets? ;o) 1. I used to work in a building that had been a mortuary. We tested electronics, mainly for the military and dissected parts that failed. I guess not much changed. 2. The owner of an electronics assembly house that used to be in San Jose also ran a mortician training facility next door. It wasn't unusual to see people walking around the electronics office area with "LA CORONER" on their T-shirts. He also used the training facility for electronics training, one door was marked "Do Not Enter. Morticians only out of respect for the dead." I didn't open that door. 3. There's a restaurant in town here that used to be a mortuary. Good food, just don't think of what used to be in the kitchen. ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: From: Johan Godwaldt Subject: Re: Popcorn Machines Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 14:21:09 -0400 Steve I checked online, not knowing your budget and found at least one machine. I am in the midst of equipping a concession stand for our youth soccer association have spent much time searching online. If you have a restaurant supply place near you they will be able to help you best. Some of our equipment will be slightly used, but will cost us about 40 cents on the dollar. Here is one that I found online, it grabbed my attention because of the free shipping. http://www.bigtray.com/productdetails.asp? catid=12700&sku=STRG14Y&s=popcorn&rn=1 Johan Godwaldt Technical Director SUNY Oswego Theatre 47 Tyler Hall Ph# 315 312 2987 Fax 315 312 3394 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20050713183903.8439.qmail [at] web50802.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:39:03 -0700 (PDT) From: ken frederickson Subject: sound question In-Reply-To: I kinda understand the concept of combining impedance loads in parallel. the more load you add in parallel the lower the impedance on the amp...at some point you drop below the rated impedance of the amp...approaching a short circut??? Is there an easy way of explaining why by adding speakers you are dropping the resistance? going in the other direction makes sense, when you wire in series. pos to neg. adds the resistance. at what point should you stop adding, and what are the negatives to adding like 42 speakers to one channel of an amp??? on an amp rated at 500w per channel at 4 ohms how high is too high and how low is too low?? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <014D202957F6D8118924000F20D7342B0831589F [at] az33exm01.corp.mot.com> From: Wood Chip-P26398 Subject: RE: Dressing Room issue/question... Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:45:37 -0700 During my long but sporadic acting career, the backstage dressing and undressing became VERY casual, very quickly, even after I matured. Actors, especially non-Equity will put up with the most deplorable conditions just to get on stage and get applause. If having a single dressing room with stalls is your major concern, don't sweat it. When actors have to strip to undies or less just off-stage to get the costume changed in time, your situation sounds just fine. I've been in a lot worse. If you have a STAR that insists on a private dressing room, just have your supporting actors change in the bathroom. They will do that to get the STAR on their resume. -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Steve Jones But the problem is that it is ONE dressing room. There was not enough space to accomodate a men's and a women's dressing room. Instead, the architect put two "changing stalls" in the dressing room. Very similar to what you might find in a clothing store. No opportunity for a "star" or private dressing room. ------------------------------ Message-Id: Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:09:50 -0400 From: "Jeffrey Kanyuck" Subject: Re: sound question Think of it as having 500 cars trying to go down one road with a stop light on the way. But, then you put in 4 more roads going to the same place each with a stop light for those same 500 cars, it's then easier to disperse the cars to that point. Congested roads vs. Noncongested roads. Jeff >>> kenfrederickson [at] yahoo.com 7/13/2005 2:39:03 PM >>> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- I kinda understand the concept of combining impedance loads in parallel. the more load you add in parallel the lower the impedance on the amp...at some point you drop below the rated impedance of the amp...approaching a short circut??? Is there an easy way of explaining why by adding speakers you are dropping the resistance? going in the other direction makes sense, when you wire in series. pos to neg. adds the resistance. at what point should you stop adding, and what are the negatives to adding like 42 speakers to one channel of an amp??? on an amp rated at 500w per channel at 4 ohms how high is too high and how low is too low?? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: MissWisc [at] aol.com Message-ID: <213.4a2b29b.3006c10c [at] aol.com> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:10:04 EDT Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... If necessary, you can always put up a drape to create a temporary "star" dressing room. My experience is actors are more concerned with cleanliness (surfaces and air/water), adequate supplies (tissues, toilet paper, good lighting, chair/stool), and temperature than with how fancy the place is or how many people are in the room. Put it in your tech specs and contracts so they are informed. As for the modesty issue, anyone who's been in theatre for very long has learned to look away when someone else is changing. Kristi ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:31:05 -0700 From: Mat Goebel Reply-To: Mat Goebel Subject: Re: sound question In-Reply-To: References:

Well, it all depends. If the amp does not have a rating for any impedance below 4 ohms, then it probably isn't supposed to be loaded down that low. Now having said that, it would probably operate just fine at 2 ohms, but you would be shortening it's life expectancy significantly. If you did this you would also want to keep your cable runs *very* short. On 7/13/05, ken frederickson wrote: > on an amp rated at 500w per channel at 4 ohms how high > is too high and how low is too low?? --=20 Mat Goebel Audio Engineer / Sound Designer www.matgoebel.com Mobile: 510.693.1448 ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Dressing Room issue/question... Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:35:49 -0400 Message-ID: From: "James, Brian" We had a similar problem, and we were able to put a pipe and drape in = the space that made a little corridor into the "far" dressing room and = separated the room in half. It was not ideal, but the tour groups used = it with minimal complaints. -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net]On Behalf Of Steve Jones Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:10 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Dressing Room issue/question... For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- I am seeking some feedback from others that bring touring groups into = their facility that may be in a similar predicament as us. Our theatre was built in 1934 as a vaudeville / movie house. Renovated = and reopened this past April. During the renovation, they didn't really = have anyone with a theatre background invovled (unfortunate choice) and that = has led to some choices / omissions that I now must deal with. There was very limited space in the building other than auditorium and stage. The "cellar" below the stage was a junk room and had a dirt = floor and was useless. It was convereted to the dressing room. It is a very = nice area now w/ private restrooms, makeup counters/mirrors/lights, etc. But = the problem is that it is ONE dressing room. There was not enough space to accomodate a men's and a women's dressing room. Instead, the architect = put two "changing stalls" in the dressing room. Very similar to what you = might find in a clothing store. No opportunity for a "star" or private = dressing room. And there are no other spaces that could be temporarily = converted. Anyone have a similar situation? Any idea on reactions I might get from touring groups? I am negotiating contracts for the season and am making sure this issue is addressed before signing. I am not sure there was a better solution than this when the the = renovation was done - I just know I need to work with it now. ************************************* Steve Jones, Director Plaza Theatre 115 E. Main Street Glasgow, KY 42141 Voice: (270) 361-2101 Fax: (270) 651-2511 http://www.glasgowplazatheatre.org=20 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:40:14 -0400 Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: We have a 20' x 60' dressing room. Curtains can be adjusted depending upon the number and mix of actors. They also have dressing screens within their area. Last show we created a green room area. By show's end the curtains were all pushed back and they enjoyed one large room. The ages of the actors was 13-17. No problems. Steve > From: MissWisc [at] aol.com > Reply-To: "Stagecraft" > Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:10:04 EDT > To: "Stagecraft" > Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > If necessary, you can always put up a drape to create a temporary "star" > dressing room. ------------------------------ Subject: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:47:45 -0400 Message-ID: From: "Cara Sloat" Hi: I'm a mechanical engineer working on a "budget" theatre school in Manitowaning, Ontario. (The building is slightly larger than they could afford, so only basic finishes are going in now, the rest later as money comes available.) The architect has proposed that the theatre's main space will be "sprung", by depressing most of the space's concrete slab 3.5" and laying in (for now) a) 1x4" studs every 16" b) 2x4" studs every 16" laid crosswise on the 1x4" studs. c) a plywood sub floor d) vinyl tile flooring on top. My experience in theatre makes me think that tape etc. will cause the vinyl tiles to be pull up, and I worry that loose tiles could be hazardous to performers... I told them that the performers would probably prefer painted, varnished plywood over the tile, but I don't know that much about these things. We are thinking maybe a second 1/4" layer on top of the subfloor, so that if it gets beat up they can just take out the entire panel and put a new one down. I haven't made any recommendations about the sprung assembly. Is this a good plan? Opinions? Better recommendations? _________________________ Cara Sloat Designer =20 Sustainable EDGE Ltd. 285 Yorkland Blvd.=20 Toronto ON. M2J 1S5 416.488.4425 x 242 =20 csloat [at] s-edge.com=20 www.s-edge.com=20 =20 ------------------------------ From: "Steve Jones" Subject: RE: Dressing Room issue/question... Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 14:41:26 -0500 Organization: Plaza Theatre In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I'm not worried so much about "actors" as I am touring music acts, etc. For example, we are looking to bring in Patty Loveless and Kathy Mattea. They have bands that have male members. They are female "stars". Not sure how that will play out yet. Steve ************************************* Steve Jones, Director Plaza Theatre 115 E. Main Street Glasgow, KY 42141 Voice: (270) 361-2101 Fax: (270) 651-2511 http://www.glasgowplazatheatre.org > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf > Of Wood Chip-P26398 > Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 1:46 PM > To: Stagecraft > Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > > --------------------------------------------------- > > During my long but sporadic acting career, the backstage > dressing and undressing became VERY casual, very quickly, > even after I matured. Actors, especially non-Equity will put > up with the most deplorable conditions just to get on stage > and get applause. If having a single dressing room with > stalls is your major concern, don't sweat it. When actors > have to strip to undies or less just off-stage to get the > costume changed in time, your situation sounds just fine. > I've been in a lot worse. > > If you have a STAR that insists on a private dressing room, > just have your supporting actors change in the bathroom. > They will do that to get the STAR on their resume. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf > Of Steve Jones > But the problem is that it is ONE dressing room. There was > not enough space to accomodate a men's and a women's dressing > room. Instead, the architect put two "changing stalls" in > the dressing room. Very similar to what you might find in a > clothing store. No opportunity for a "star" or private > dressing room. > > ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.1.2.0.20050713125422.029d94c0 [at] 192.168.0.13> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:56:09 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? In-Reply-To: References: At 12:47 PM 7/13/2005, you wrote: >a) 1x4" studs every 16" >b) 2x4" studs every 16" laid crosswise on the 1x4" studs. >c) a plywood sub floor >d) vinyl tile flooring on top. Doesn't there need to be a layer "b.5" of more 1x4 pieces for the plywood to sit on? Otherwise the parts directly over layer "a" won't have any spring. ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <200507131951.j6DJpoGv011138 [at] moose.scu.k12.ca.us> From: "Brendan Bartholomew" Subject: RE: Scrim too long Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 13:00:01 -0700 In-Reply-To: I did specify the scrim to be too high, should have measured for myself. I called the manufacturer and they said they could trim the top of the scrim to the new height for $100-200 in 1 or 2 weeks. We'll trip it out for the upcoming show then send it to be trimmed. Thanks for all the help. Brendan Bartholomew Technical Director/Production Manager Mission City Center for the Performing Arts ------------------------------ From: "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" Subject: RE: sound question - parallel resistance calculations Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:01:41 -0400 In-Reply-To: Message-Id: <20050713200145.GZWT26128.tomts5-srv.bellnexxia.net [at] p3m866> > I kinda understand the concept of combining impedance loads > in parallel. the more load you add in parallel the lower the > impedance on the amp...at some point you drop below the rated > impedance of the amp...approaching a short circut??? Is > there an easy way of explaining why by adding speakers you > are dropping the resistance? Each speaker behaves like a resistor. The voice-coil is a length of wire, muich like any other wire-wound resistor. (It's really not quite that simple with ac signals are going through them, hence the term "impedance" and issues of inductance. But treating them as resistors in this case is adequate.) The math for calculating multiple resistors in parallel is one of the fundamentals of electricity. The formula is this: 1 ------------------------------------------- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - + - + - + - + - + - + ... - R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Rn A typical speaker might be rated at 8-ohms. Or higher. Or lower. In any case, putting several of them in parallel quickly results in a very low composite resistance. When it's lower than the rating of the amp, it's too low. A couple of rules of thumb: 2 resistors in parallel results in 1/2 the resistance of each. For example, 2 8-ohm resistors in parallel is 4-ohms. Any combination of resistors in parallel will always have a lower resistance than the lowest resistor in the set. For example, if you put a 2-ohm resistor in parallel with a 10,000-ohm resistor, the result will be a little tiny bit less than 2-ohms. Most solid-state amplifiers don't mind high impedance loads, so there's a rarely a issue with the total resistance being high. When you need to run many speakers on one amp, you're better to run a transformer system. I'm sure there's someone else on this list that can tell you more about that. Jim Theatrewireless.com ******************************************** DISCLAIMER: Don't do anything I say just Because I said it. ******************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:07:00 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? Message-id: <42D57464.6A251DFB [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References: Cara Sloat wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > The architect has proposed that the theatre's main space will be > "sprung", by depressing most of the space's concrete slab 3.5" and > laying in (for now) > > a) 1x4" studs every 16" > b) 2x4" studs every 16" laid crosswise on the 1x4" studs. > c) a plywood sub floor > d) vinyl tile flooring on top. As Jerry observed, there's nowhere for this floor to spring, since it's laid directly on the concrete slab. As to your question about the vinyl tiles, your instinct is right, that's not the correct surface. In both of our theatres, the top covering is 1/4" tempered hardboard (masonite). It should be fine simply painted black (or whatever the current production needs). Varnishing might be a mistake since it could make the floor slippery for any dancing. Steve Litterst -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:07:03 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: sound question - parallel resistance calculations Message-id: <42D57467.93098563 [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References: "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > When you need to run many speakers on one amp, you're better to run a > transformer system. I'm sure there's someone else on this list that can > tell you more about that. Paging Dr. Bracewell. Dr. Bracewell to the lectern, please. Steve L. -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ From: "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" Subject: RE: sound question - parallel resistance calculations Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:14:21 -0400 In-Reply-To: Message-Id: <20050713201426.SABB27245.tomts25-srv.bellnexxia.net [at] p3m866> > > --------------------------------------------------- > > When you need to run many speakers on one amp, you're > better to run a > > transformer system. I'm sure there's someone else on this > list that > > can tell you more about that. > > Paging Dr. Bracewell. Dr. Bracewell to the lectern, please. I found a pretty good article about 70-volt audio distribution systems at http://www.svconline.com/mag/avinstall_distributed_speaker_systems/. Jim ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:56:22 -0400 Message-ID: <3CF87682970858499CA56707FB1F092B0A91F2 [at] wscc-s-003000.westshore.edu> From: "Davis, Thomas J" 5 years ago, we had our floor redone as part of a theater rehab. The original was fir flooring laid over 2x4 sleepers on a concrete slab, and while we didn't have to deal with vinyl tile, it wasn't a very comfortable surface for performers, and was remarkably weak between the sleepers (several patched holes where piano broke through). The solution the flooring guys came up with was to use 2 layers of 1/2"ply with a rubber "spring" (I will try to find a brand name for this gizmo) laid on 1' centers under the bottom layer of plywood. We then had a layer of pine flooring laid over the top (soft enough for nails and screws). To date, we have had no problems with this system, and every dancer to use it so far has approved of the "feel." You might want to go with a third layer of 1/2" ply topped with masonite if wood flooring proves too expensive. The one caveat I would stress is that I have no idea what the load rating for the rubber springs is (I'll see if I can find out), although it holds a grand piano with no problem. If you ever are in the area (Ludington-Manistee Michigan), come by and take a look. Tom Davis West Shore Community College -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Cara Sloat Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 3:48 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Hi: I'm a mechanical engineer working on a "budget" theatre school in Manitowaning, Ontario. (The building is slightly larger than they could afford, so only basic finishes are going in now, the rest later as money comes available.) The architect has proposed that the theatre's main space will be "sprung", by depressing most of the space's concrete slab 3.5" and laying in (for now) a) 1x4" studs every 16" b) 2x4" studs every 16" laid crosswise on the 1x4" studs. c) a plywood sub floor d) vinyl tile flooring on top. Cara Sloat ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:06:38 -0400 Subject: Re: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Definitely 1/4" tempered masonite on top. No tiles. They'll be nothing but problems and headaches until they are torn up and replaced with masonite. Steve > From: "Cara Sloat" > Reply-To: "Stagecraft" > Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 15:47:45 -0400 > To: "Stagecraft" > Subject: Inexpensive Flooring Systems? > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Hi: > > I'm a mechanical engineer working on a "budget" theatre school in > Manitowaning, Ontario. (The building is slightly larger than they could > afford, so only basic finishes are going in now, the rest later as money > comes available.) > > The architect has proposed that the theatre's main space will be > "sprung", by depressing most of the space's concrete slab 3.5" and > laying in (for now) > > a) 1x4" studs every 16" > b) 2x4" studs every 16" laid crosswise on the 1x4" studs. > c) a plywood sub floor > d) vinyl tile flooring on top. > > My experience in theatre makes me think that tape etc. will cause the > vinyl tiles to be pull up, and I worry that loose tiles could be > hazardous to performers... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:11:15 -0500 From: "Frank E. Merrill" Reply-To: "Frank E. Merrill" Message-ID: <1242116832.20050713171115 [at] tcon.net> Subject: Re: Laser and Water cutting (was large air tank needed) In-Reply-To: References:

Howdy ! Tuesday, July 12, 2005, Dale Farmer wrote: > There is also a water jet cutting system that uses the stream of > water as an optical guide for a high power laser beam. My fertile imagination suddenly conjures a summer water toy with a surprise twist! Oh, you have to drag that 500 pound power supply around behind you but it is still VERY cool! Best regards, Frank E. Merrill MERRILL STAGE EQUIPMENT Indianapolis Established 1946 www.merrillstage.com mailto:Lamplighter [at] tcon.net ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:17:38 -0500 From: "Frank E. Merrill" Reply-To: "Frank E. Merrill" Message-ID: <1695170683.20050713171738 [at] tcon.net> Subject: Re[2]: Scrim too high In-Reply-To: References:

Howdy ! Tuesday, July 12, 2005, Jon Ares wrote: > Just out of curiosity Barney (and others)...how do you cut fabric > like that straight? And especially scrim.... I'd really like to know an easier way to do the job, because we cut the fabric three or four threads at a time, making sure that we are cutting in a straight line. THAT is what teenagers are for! We've tried scribing a line and then cutting along the line. we've tried a chalk line, but that just made a mess on the sewing table and we NEVER got rid of the chalk dust on the scrim (CHALK that one up under the list of dumb ideas). We've tried a length of aluminum track channel as a sytraight edge. The only way we've found that guarantees a straight edge is to cut the scrim a few threads at a time. Best regards, Frank E. Merrill MERRILL STAGE EQUIPMENT Indianapolis Established 1946 www.merrillstage.com mailto:Lamplighter [at] tcon.net ------------------------------ Subject: RE: large air tank needed Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:14:04 -0700 Message-ID: <555928311F8B2943B65FC7197942C3B7323AFB [at] es1.bsdnet.wednet.edu> From: "Storms, Randy" I was in the break room today, lamenting to all present my urgent need = for an air compressor with a large air tank, when one of the maintenance = guys said "Why don't you just use the one in the basement...?" After they got me breathing again, he showed me what he was talking = about: A 5HP, 80 gallon air compressor; hidden away in a boiler room = *DIRECTLY BELOW MY STAGE*!! Seriously, I think somebody up there likes me! Cheers, -- r. Randy Storms rstorms [at] bham.wednet.edu ------------------------------ Message-ID: <014D202957F6D8118924000F20D7342B0836D374 [at] az33exm01.corp.mot.com> From: Wood Chip-P26398 Subject: RE: large air tank needed Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:56:00 -0700 Randy, Randy, Randy, how often do you have to be told to wander around your backstage? I have discovered MANY things-both good and bad- back in the corners, under shelves or other crap, behind doors both locked and unlocked, under the stage, in the catwalks, on the grid, in the pit, out the back door, in cabinets, in the light booth, in the ticket booth, in the janitor's closet (especially in the janitor's closet), talking to the maintenance guys and asking what they "borrowed". Someone before you had the good insight to buy the equipment, someone after him was stupid enough to store or hide it because they thought it was useless, and you are the one to re-discover it. Ok, Randy started it, what was the best and worst thing you ever found while wandering backstage? I once found a complete set of 12 wireless mics complete with receivers in a cardboard box in the paint room. -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Storms, Randy ...when one of the maintenance guys said "Why don't you just use the one in the basement...?" After they got me breathing again, he showed me what he was talking about: A 5HP, 80 gallon air compressor; hidden away in a boiler room *DIRECTLY BELOW MY STAGE*!! Seriously, I think somebody up there likes me! ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" Subject: RE: large air tank needed Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 20:02:34 -0400 Message-ID: <002601c58807$59f3b6a0$6601a8c0 [at] Dell> In-Reply-To: > Ok, Randy started it, what was the best and worst thing you=20 > ever found while wandering backstage? The best: I once took a job teaching lighting design at a small midwestern college = and during my first week I was walking through the scene shop when I = happened to think, "I wonder what's under that big pile of sawdust?" ...and found a Mole-Richardson 10" Fresnel. The worst: (I think I've mentioned this before) an adaptor with a male pin = connector and a male 1/4" phone plug. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42D5B313.4080409 [at] fuse.net> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 20:34:27 -0400 From: Stuart Wheaton Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... References: In-Reply-To: Steve Jones wrote: > I'm not worried so much about "actors" as I am touring music acts, etc. For > example, we are looking to bring in Patty Loveless and Kathy Mattea. They > have bands that have male members. They are female "stars". Not sure how > that will play out yet. > Get a really nice RV donated by somebody for those shows and park it as close to the stage door as you can... You might need to run a phone extension in, and make sure it is warm and comfy and well stocked. Stuart ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42D5B512.AB91D3E4 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 20:42:58 -0400 From: Dale Farmer Organization: The fuzz in the back of the fridge. Subject: Re: large air tank needed References: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > > Ok, Randy started it, what was the best and worst thing you > > ever found while wandering backstage? > > The best: > > I once took a job teaching lighting design at a small midwestern college and > during my first week I was walking through the scene shop when I happened to > think, "I wonder what's under that big pile of sawdust?" > > ...and found a Mole-Richardson 10" Fresnel. > > The worst: > > (I think I've mentioned this before) an adaptor with a male pin connector > and a male 1/4" phone plug. Scary things I've found in theaters. 2P&G cable, male connectors on both ends. Edison to various audio adapter cables. XLR, TRS, banana posts. The back room of the snack bar. (unbelievably filthy) Extra stage weights duct taped to the side of the weight cart in a counterweight system, for a badly overloaded lineset. Not in a theater, but at an outdoor festival, power feeder cables that had been run over by a lawn mower. Still energized, in an area open to the public. Cool things I've found: Large air compressors in the basement, feeding about 0.25% of their capacity for control air for the HVAC system. Socapex cables that the onsite folks were afraid to use, since they didn't know what they were for. Old dressing rooms in a vaudeville house that had been converted to a movie theater. Huge old coal fired furnace in the basement too. The limelights were still there, and most of the stage still existed behind the screens. I was working as a ticket taker there. Not at a theater, but at the same festival I mentioned above, they had a stuffed bengal tiger sprawled out on the floor in the hallway. Just outside the office of the corporate counsel. (it was a large museum. Taxidermy, not plush) --Dale ------------------------------ Message-ID: <005901c5880f$9e67fff0$0600000a [at] BRUTUS> From: "Jon Ares" References: Subject: Re: large air tank needed Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 18:01:51 -0700 > Randy, Randy, Randy, how often do you have to be told to wander around > your backstage? Hopefully this find works out for Randy. Sometimes these things are wonderful - sometimes they make you cry, like a little boy outside a candy shop with no money. I too 'found' an ENORMOUS air tank, and adjacent rotary compressor (see archives) in the back room of a physics lab our school (pretty much) never used to its capacity. I thought this would be a wonderful addition to the (still being constructed) scene shop. They said yes, I could have them... until I saw the necessary 440V electrical service for the compressor. That was the deal-buster. ("It's not in the drawings, and we don't have money to add it.") - Jon Ares www.hevanet.com/acreative ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42D5BAE2.6D953C2E [at] cybercom.net> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 21:07:46 -0400 From: Dale Farmer Organization: The fuzz in the back of the fridge. Subject: Re: large air tank needed References:

Jon Ares wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > > Randy, Randy, Randy, how often do you have to be told to wander around > > your backstage? > > Hopefully this find works out for Randy. Sometimes these things are > wonderful - sometimes they make you cry, like a little boy outside a candy > shop with no money. > > I too 'found' an ENORMOUS air tank, and adjacent rotary compressor (see > archives) in the back room of a physics lab our school (pretty much) never > used to its capacity. I thought this would be a wonderful addition to the > (still being constructed) scene shop. They said yes, I could have them... > until I saw the necessary 440V electrical service for the compressor. That > was the deal-buster. ("It's not in the drawings, and we don't have money to > add it.") > > - Jon Ares > www.hevanet.com/acreative Don't move the compressor, move the compressed air. Run a pipe. Keeps the noise of the compressor well away as well. --Dale ------------------------------ Message-ID: <006701c58811$fe517520$0600000a [at] BRUTUS> From: "Jon Ares" References:

Subject: Re: large air tank needed Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 18:18:51 -0700 > Don't move the compressor, move the compressed air. Run a pipe. > Keeps the noise of the compressor well away as well. > Good idea, except the lab is about 1/5 mile from the theatre/scene shop. Opposite ends of the campus. - Jon Ares www.hevanet.com/acreative ------------------------------ Message-ID: <55409.127.0.0.1.1121305758.squirrel [at] localhost> In-Reply-To: References: Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 18:49:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: large air tank needed From: "Jerry Durand" On Wed, July 13, 2005 4:56 pm, Wood Chip-P26398 wrote: > Ok, Randy started it, what was the best and worst thing you ever found > while wandering backstage? How about the oddest thing, too? My wife found the star's copy of the script in the lighting grid. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <55634.127.0.0.1.1121306276.squirrel [at] localhost> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 18:57:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: large air tank needed From: "Jerry Durand" On Wed, July 13, 2005 6:18 pm, Jon Ares wrote: > Good idea, except the lab is about 1/5 mile from the theatre/scene shop= . > Opposite ends of the campus. When I worked in the semiconductor business, they piped air that far without thinking about it as a backup between buildings. Of course, we found out the other building had turned off their compressor to save on power bills. So THAT'S why ours was always running. ------------------------------ Message-Id: <5.2.0.9.0.20050713221920.0329ed60 [at] pop.lightlink.com> Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:42:49 -0400 From: John Bracewell Subject: Re: sound question - parallel resistance calculations In-Reply-To: References: > > > When you need to run many speakers on one amp, you're > > better to run a > > > transformer system. I'm sure there's someone else on this > > list that > > > can tell you more about that. That depends on several factors. The first, of course, is how many speakers? The second concerns the sound quality you need to reproduce. The third is whether or not all speakers have the same impedance and wattage ratings. If you only have a few speakers and your amp will take the load, connect in parallel. That subject has already been given a good explanation. If too many for parallel connection but still not a lot, you could make a series/parallel combination. Say you need to drive six loudspeakers and all six are sixteen ohm units all rated to handle 100 watts. Connected in parallel across the amp, they would present a load of 2.66 ohms. That's probably too lowf or most power amps. You could connect three pairs of the speakers in series, then connect the pairs across the amp in parallel. The series combination would give you 32 ohms per pair, and combining the pairs in parallel would present a load of 10.66 ohms (32 divided by 3). The series/parallel combination is workable but does mean that slight differences in the speakers may be noticeable. You also have to make the cables that set each pair in series. However, if you're only going to run the combination for a short period of time, it's probably worth considering. If you have several loudspeakers with different impedances and different wattage ratings, then you are probably better off using a 70-volt system, especially if this happens to be a permanent or long-term installation. The cost, however, is not inconsequential if you need top quality. Transformers that can handle a wide frequency response, especially at large power levels, are costly. Cheaper transformers are available, but this is certainly one situation in which you get what you pay for. The advantage of the 70-volt line is that each loudspeaker can be given a transformer that matches its impedance and power rating. So each unit delivers approximately the power level you would hear from any other unit in the system. Attempting to load unequal impedances and, to some extent, wattage ratings in a series/parallel combination is a real headache. It's almost certain that one or more speakers will be very loud while others hardly contribute anything to the combined output. Anyway, I don't know if this really helps, but it's my thought on the question presented. -- JLB ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 04:10:03 GMT Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... Message-Id: <20050713.211035.20469.80974 [at] webmail26.lax.untd.com> There could be some AEA rule compliance issues, but most actors appear to be pretty immodest, especially when it is time for the transmitter packs and wireless microphones to be placed on them, and this remains true with regard to major 'stars' hosting televised 'award' shows. /s/ Richard the problem is that it is ONE dressing room. There was not enough space to accomodate a men's and a women's dressing room. Instead, the architect put two "changing stalls" in the dressing room. Very similar to what you might find in a clothing store. No opportunity for a "star" or private dressing room. And there are no other spaces that could be temporarily converted. Steve Jones ------------------------------ Message-ID: <3441.64.28.63.47.1121318843.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:27:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Scrim too high From: "Bill Nelson" > That solves the storage problem, but what happens when the scrim > neeeds to fly out during a show? Is there binding tape down the side edges of the scrim? Are the edges of the scrim hidden behind legs in the wings? If so, there is at least one way to do the job, but it is far from ideal. 1) You can dead hang the top of the scrim at trim height - assuming the top will be hidden by a border. You then fasten lines to the side tapes at about 1/3rd of the way up the side tapes. These lines fasten to the flying pipe. The problem is that the side tapes have to be strong enough to support the weight of the scrim and bottom pipe/chain. Or you can use two adjacent flying pipes - if there are no instruments, boarders etc between them. I don't recall seeing an answer to the question about whether the full scrim height is needed. If it isn't, the best solution would be to get the scrim recut to remove the excess height. If you think the full height is needed, you might reconsider whether you reall need scrim coverage from deck to borders. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <3473.64.28.63.47.1121320504.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:55:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: sound question From: "Bill Nelson" > going in the other direction makes sense, when you > wire in series. pos to neg. adds the resistance. at > what point should you stop adding, and what are the > negatives to adding like 42 speakers to one channel of > an amp??? You might be able to do that, if the amp has enough power to handle that many speakers. You would have to hook them up in a series/parallel arrangement. > on an amp rated at 500w per channel at 4 ohms how high > is too high and how low is too low?? That depends on the amp. Some are rated for load impedances from 2 ohms to 16 ohms. But most function best at either 4 ohms or 8 ohms (most efficient power transfer with the least distortion). If the amp in your example will handle that range of impedances, it might also be rated at 1000 watts/channel into 2 ohms, 225 watts into 8 ohms and 100 watts into 16 ohms. Note that the watts times ohms parameter is not necessarily identical for the different load impedances. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <3482.64.28.63.47.1121321161.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 23:06:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... From: "Bill Nelson" > I'm not worried so much about "actors" as I am touring music acts, etc. > For > example, we are looking to bring in Patty Loveless and Kathy Mattea. They > have bands that have male members. They are female "stars". Not sure how > that will play out yet. If you have a large enough loading dock, you can put a small walled tent on the dock for the male band members. A lot of the bands travel in one or more buses - which can be used for dressing facilities if necessary. All they need is parking with ready access to the stage. Bill ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 02:08:02 -0400 Subject: Re: Popcorn machines.. From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > Our theatre now shows movies and we rent one when needed, but are looking to > purchase. Can anyone make a brand / model recommendation? Steve, after rebuilding, re-wiring and otherwise repairing our cheaply made popcorn popper one too many times, and then running in to a problem getting parts, I convinced the powers that be to invest in a "Real" machine. The old one - a "Star" brand - was a cheap unit designed for bars and such. (Low volume use). I would recommend avoiding such equipment like the plague. I have a feeling that that is what you'll find at BJ's or Costco as well. If you are equipping a commercial theatre concession stand, I highly recommend a Gold Medal brand machine. They are well built, and have excellent support should you need it. If you are on a tight budget, look in to a used Gold Medal machine rather than a new "Cheapie" machine. Like with any other tool, a cheap one is no bargain! A good tool will last longer, work better, and make you happier. For a variety of Gold Medal poppers in your size range, you can check out: http://www.gmpopcorn.com/pop_medium.htm Hope this helps. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 02:27:16 -0400 Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > There was very limited space in the building other than auditorium and > stage. The "cellar" below the stage was a junk room and had a dirt floor > and was useless. It was convereted to the dressing room. It is a very nice > area now w/ private restrooms, makeup counters/mirrors/lights, etc. But the > problem is that it is ONE dressing room. There was not enough space to > accomodate a men's and a women's dressing room. Instead, the architect put > two "changing stalls" in the dressing room. Very similar to what you might > find in a clothing store. No opportunity for a "star" or private dressing > room. And there are no other spaces that could be temporarily converted. Steve, as your venue is so similar to mine in many ways, I find your situation interesting and somewhat enviable. Our dressing rooms are also under the stage, but they are a bunch of very small rooms. Often shows that play our stage would prefer a large room. Of course it all depends on the show. We have no shower facilities (and no place to install one), but although contracts often call for them it's never presented a problem so far. My point is, so long as your situation and limitations are clearly spelled out in advance, performers are *usually* flexible. Whereas I can not join all my separate dressing rooms into a large greenroom, you can divide your one room into multiple spaces if need be. Pipe & Drape has already been suggested, or you could build / use stage flats for temporary dividers. Just discuss your situation with the artist or their representative. If they balk, so be it - book someone else. I thing most will be flexible if they aren't blindsided when they arrive at your venue. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: <3524.64.28.63.47.1121323282.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References: Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 23:41:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Dressing Room issue/question... From: "Bill Nelson" Interestingly enough, the place where I have encountered "modesty" problems have been in community theatres. Many years ago, I spent some time at UBC in British Columbia. I was staying in a co-ed dorm - where the rest rooms were co-ed. There never seemed to be any problem - the one or two very modest persons just waited until the middle of the night when traffic was low to take their showers. Bill ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #457 *****************************