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 37010140; Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:01:03 -0700 X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.6 required=5.0 tests=AWL,BAYES_50,EMPTY_MESSAGE, NO_RECEIVED,NO_RELAYS autolearn=no version=3.1.5 X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.5 (2006-08-29) on localhost 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 #996 Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:00:23 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #996 1. Re: Roll Drop by "Delbert Hall" 2. Re: source for triple swivel casters by "Jason Salvatori" 3. Re: Sound discussion stuff by "Paul Schreiner" 4. Re: Flamiing desserts by clindau 5. Re: Flaming Dessert by Pat Kight 6. Re: LDI by Loren Schreiber 7. Re: USITT Tech Expo by Loren Schreiber 8. Re: LDI by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 9. Re: LDI by "Limbacher, Jon E." 10. Re: LDI by Andrew Vance 11. Re: Areas of interest by John McKernon 12. Re: Areas of interest by "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" 13. Re: Roll Drop by Steve Shelley 14. Re: Roll Drop by KEITH ARSENAULT 15. Re: Roll Drop by Steve Shelley 16. Re: LDI by "John Penisten" 17. (Old) an explosion in a theatre by Jerry Durand 18. Re: Flaming Dessert by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 19. Strand submasters by Stephen Litterst 20. Re: source for triple swivel casters by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 21. Re: USITT Tech Expo by "Mike Katz" 22. Re: Off topic posts by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 23. Re: Digital electronics by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 24. Re: Sound discussion stuff by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 25. Re: Flaming Dessert by "deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com" 26. Re: Digital electronics by Jerry Durand 27. Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre by Clive Mitchell 28. Re: Flamiing desserts by Clive Mitchell 29. Re: Off topic posts by Clive Mitchell 30. Re: Areas of interest by Clive Mitchell 31. Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre by Jerry Durand 32. Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com" 33. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "Haagen Trey P Civ USAFA/CWTMC" 34. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "Laura McMeley" 35. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by Jerry Durand 36. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "Kurt Cypher" 37. Re: Areas of interest by John McKernon 38. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by Stephen Rees 39. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by Stephen Rees 40. Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre by "Alf Sauve" 41. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by Jerry Durand 42. Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre by Stephen Rees 43. Re: Stage Crew Blacks by CB 44. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "Paul Schreiner" 45. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by Stephen Rees 46. Re: Strand submasters by Ian Schmidt 47. Re: Off topic posts by Josh Ratty 48. Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre by Clive Mitchell 49. Re: source for triple swivel casters by "Sam Fisher" 50. Re: Stage Crew Blacks by Rigger 51. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by Rigger 52. Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre by Jerry Durand 53. Re: Strand submasters by "John Gibilisco" 54. What we missed at LDI by John McKernon 55. Re: Group interviews for high school techs?? by Christopher Haas CEHAAS 56. Re: LDI by Herrick Goldman 57. Re: Roll Drop by Stuart Wheaton 58. And now for something completely gangsta by Herrick Goldman 59. Re: Flaming Dessert by "Michael Powers" 60. Invisibility Cloak by John Arrowsmith 61. Re: Flaming Dessert by "Bill Nelson" 62. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "Bill Nelson" 63. Re: Off topic posts by "Bill Nelson" 64. Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" *** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 07:45:02 -0400 From: "Delbert Hall" Subject: Re: Roll Drop In-Reply-To: References:

Elbin Cleveland at the Univ. of South Carolina is an expert on building roll drops. I have heard him speak on this subject and he is very knowledgeable. The phone number that I have for him is 803-777-7299 (office). Thirty feet is an awful long roll drop. I have heard good reports on aluminum flag poles being used for the roller so you might want to look for a flag pole manufacturer/supplier. Good luck. -Delbert -- Delbert L. Hall ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre 423-773-4255 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1caebf780610240541xe1b53fdndf9ee6d5ccb349a4 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:41:04 -0400 From: "Jason Salvatori" Subject: Re: source for triple swivel casters In-Reply-To: References: > Does anyone have a good source for triple swivel casters in stock? I > tried Production Advantage, but they're out. Right now my only source > is in the UK, but I'd like to save some shipping. They don't carry them as stock, but if you give your dimensions and specs, Algood (pronounced all-good) will custom make them for you in 1 to 2 days. Check http://www.algood-casters.com Located in the Toronto area. Jason Salvatori Technical Director Vaughan City Playhouse ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Sound discussion stuff Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:28:27 -0400 Message-ID: <6E497ADB607656479C24E6D7BF6B505A06876907 [at] exchange.rmwc.edu> In-Reply-To: From: "Paul Schreiner" > >Bzzt! Thanks for playing...E-C is a minor sixth. >=20 > Dang! Not only did you catch it (eight semi-tones, what was=20 > I thinking) but you caught me out on sound! AND beat me to=20 > being able to correct Frank Wood! Don't feel bad. I've been immersing myself in music theory lately, cuz I'm (on top of everything else, like performing) composing some original music for our production of Kindertransport. Octatonal tuning kinda forces one to have a good grasp of those relationships... :) ------------------------------ Message-ID: <453E159F.2040703 [at] mninter.net> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:31:11 -0500 From: clindau Subject: Re: Flamiing desserts References: Doh! I meant alcohol, not lamp oil. The alcohol evaporates fast enough that any excess is not a danger to the actors. Lamp oil. Geez. Cindy ---------------------------------------- For our production of Christmas Carol, the Cratchit's pudding has a small square of flameproof fabric (the name of which escapes me at the moment) attached on top to which a little lamp oil is applied and lit just before Mrs. C brings it onstage. It's then snuffed with its cover and the scene goes on. They don't eat it. This doesn't solve the problem of how to eat the dessert, but that's how we do a small easily extinguishable flame (for this production at least). Hope this helps. Cindy Lindau Guthrie Theater ------------------------------ Message-ID: <453E18C8.7040800 [at] peak.org> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 06:44:40 -0700 From: Pat Kight Subject: Re: Flaming Dessert References:

In-Reply-To: Bill Nelson wrote: >> Our next production calls for a flaming dessert to be brought >>onstage, lit and consumed onstage. I am trying to get the director to >>consider another type of spectacular dessert that doesn't involve flame >>due to NFPA 160. With the proximity of the audience to the effect >>(15'), I don't think that faking the flame would look very good. Any >>suggestions? And no, I can't shoot the playwright. > If your local Fire Marshal will agree, using drinkable ethanol might be > the best choice. Hopefully the desert will contain enough impurities to > give some color to the flame. Even then, reduced lighting would probably > be necessary. This is a good point. The real flaming desserts I've had have burned so blue that you could barely see the flames unless the room lights were doused. Given that, I wonder if it would be possible to fake the whole thing by using a long match to "light" the dessert and then having the actors *behave* as if it were on fire. > > I am assuming it is some sort of cake that will absorb liquid. The idea > would be to use a minimum of alcohol, just enough to produce flame for the > length of time needed. This means that there is no pool of alcohol to > spread flames if the dessert were dropped. And the alcohol can easily be > extinguished with water. > > An option would be a metal cup hidden in the top center of the dessert. In > the cup would be a short length of kerosene lantern wick. Enough wick > would be used to hold the required amount of kerosene without dripping out > of the wick. This would require that a chemical fire extinguisher be > present in the wings. Or, perhaps, a can of sterno placed in the center of the dessert? -- Pat Kight kightp [at] peak.org ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.2.20061024062721.045473f0 [at] mail.sdsu.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 06:48:11 -0700 From: Loren Schreiber Subject: Re: LDI In-Reply-To: References: Not being a sound guy or a lighting guy I went to LDI just to have an excuse to ride my bike for 700 miles of perfect weather (up and back). That was fun! This was only my second visit to LDI and after USITT it looked pretty big to me. However, it seems like every exhibitor has an LED "something" or a sound and/or lighting board with a touch screen that will do everything, including change the oil in your car. Ho hum. It appears product differentiation will be the most significant problem for vendors in the future. I was very impressed by Fisher's booth--for its design and the way it showcased products like Navigator. Stage Technologies has had a similar product, Visual Creator, out longer (I believe) but you would not have known it from their rather spartan booth. Of course, Fisher is local to Las Vegas so they have and edge. I'm sure the advantage is reversed for PLASA. Clancy's counterweight assist was indeed cool, but at $10K a pop, unlikely to show up on my locking rail anytime soon. A little underwhelmed by the rest. Nice to see some old friends there too. (Hey Bill, I thought you told me MY ticket was the winning ticket for the Harley?!) And nice to see the Long Reach Long Riders banner over the "Behind the Scenes" booth too. Loren Schreiber, Technical Director School of Theatre, Television and Film San Diego State University Long Reach Long Riders announce dates for the 2007 Charity Ride. Check out www.lrlr.org for more information, and then join us! ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.2.20061024064837.044f5c40 [at] mail.sdsu.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 06:56:33 -0700 From: Loren Schreiber Subject: Re: USITT Tech Expo In-Reply-To: References: Greetings All, USITT in Phoenix will host the eleventh biennial Tech Expo and the committee and I are looking for some good ideas to showcase at the event. Got a new widget, process, tool, device, etc. that will make our job easier or more productive? Want to be published in a nationally recognized theatre journal? Then send your idea in. Details are in recent issues of USITT Sightlines, or you can write me if you have questions about how to enter. WE WANT YOUR IDEAS! Don't be shy. You must be a member of USITT to enter, but you do not have to attend the event. Loren Schreiber, Chair USITT Tech Expo Committee Long Reach Long Riders announce dates for the 2007 Charity Ride. Check out www.lrlr.org for more information, and then join us! ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:56:41 GMT Subject: Re: LDI Message-Id: <20061024.065723.833.648299 [at] webmail34.lax.untd.com> Does anybody remember when most, if not all, of the computerized = lighting control boards were sold in different colors of the SAME = aluminum case with both the keyboard and the monitor mounted in it? = /s/ Richard ________________________ It appears product differentiation will be the most significant = problem for vendors in the future. Loren Schreiber ------------------------------ Message-ID: <29D44C682550C9448E8693A79485BBC7017DDC69 [at] a339server1.agent339.lighting.net> From: "Limbacher, Jon E." Subject: RE: LDI Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:06:12 -0500 What about the micro vision with the Fred Flintstone wheel? I believe it was a nice shade of purple. I still wish they would bring back that wheel, it had a nice feel. Jon -----Original Message----- From: ladesigners [at] juno.com [mailto:ladesigners [at] juno.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 8:57 AM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: LDI For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Does anybody remember when most, if not all, of the computerized lighting control boards were sold in different colors of the SAME aluminum case with both the keyboard and the monitor mounted in it? /s/ Richard ________________________ It appears product differentiation will be the most significant problem for vendors in the future. Loren Schreiber ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <1870E404-A874-43A2-B1E9-B2CACB9F73D5 [at] gmail.com> From: Andrew Vance Subject: Re: LDI Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:28:22 -0400 On 24 Oct, 2006, at 10:06 , Limbacher, Jon E. wrote: > What about the micro vision with the Fred Flintstone wheel? I > believe it was > a nice shade of purple. I still wish they would bring back that > wheel, it > had a nice feel. I programmed my first show in college on a Microvision 2, though I believe they had moved on to grey by that point. I do have an old Microvision in our shop that hasn't been used in years, but we just can't bring ourselves to get rid of it. -- Sincerely, Andrew Vance Lighting Designer atvanceld [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:35:52 -0400 Subject: Re: Areas of interest From: John McKernon Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > There were? I didn't notice. I decided a couple LDI's ago that I was gong > to simply stop paying attention to every new LED thingamabob that came out. The younger people on this list aren't likely to understand the reference, but my take on the LED thing is that it's this year's MR-16 striplight... On the other hand, the Gordie Brown show at the Venetian has a plexi wall surround lit exquisitely with LEDs. - John ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" Subject: RE: Areas of interest Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:53:41 -0400 Message-ID: <011701c6f77c$328cee20$6701a8c0 [at] Dell> In-reply-to: > On the other hand, the Gordie Brown show at the Venetian has=20 > a plexi wall surround lit exquisitely with LEDs. Which shows that, like any other tool, LEDs (or moving lights or = whatever the current fad may be by the time you read this) may be over-used, but = that doesn't mean that they're not sometimes used well. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:45:11 -0400 Subject: Re: Roll Drop From: Steve Shelley Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Greetings; In 2001 theatre for a new audience produced edward bond's show "Saved" at the american place theatre on 46th street in nyc. Scenery designed by doug stein, executed by hudson scenic. The front curtain was a roll drop, wrapping onto a tube approx. 24" in diameter. aircraft cable wrapped around the two ends, which were (at least) sheathed in metal (aluminum? Steel?). Since the operation of the roll drop often took place in silence, there was no small amount of racket from the aircraft cable as it twisted around the tube. If memory serves, the sound designer ended up miking it. I think the hudson contact was neil mazzella (chief executive officer), I'm uncertain as to the current status of mr. stein. Hth, shelley On 10/24/06 2:23 AM, "Bill Nelson" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > >> Not that it does Moe much good, but to answer Jason's question, the tube in >> the bottom of both of our oleo drops is a custom fabricated unit that >> separates into, I think, three pieces. Although it looks pretty good from >> the house, the tube is anything but straight and the drop is extremely >> squeaky when the tent is quiet. > > When you have multiple section, you have to make sure that there cannot be > any shifting at all at the joins. Straight bolts through tight fitting > holes will not do it. > > Think automobile hubs/rims. They self center and, when properly tightened, > do not shift. The same type of connections could be used for rolls. > > Bill > -- Steve Shelley SoftSymbols Designer MrTemplate [at] Earthlink.net www.fieldtemplate.com ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: From: KEITH ARSENAULT Subject: Re: Roll Drop Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:02:45 -0400 miking it ? to make it louder ? am I missing something ? On Oct 24, 2006, at 11:45 AM, Steve Shelley wrote: Since the operation of the roll drop often took place in silence, there was no small amount of racket from the aircraft cable as it twisted around the tube. If memory serves, the sound designer ended up miking it. Keith L Arsenault International Arts & Entertainment Group Tampa, Florida www.iaeginc.com 813 831 3465 office 813 205 0893 cellular iaeg [at] aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:21:36 -0400 Subject: Re: Roll Drop From: Steve Shelley Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Yeah. The aircraft cable was wrapping around grooves in the ends of the tube (so the cable didn't slide off and the tube was rolling), so it acoustically created what you'd expect as the tube went up or down; clicks, creaks, and pops. since the tube was at least 30 feet long (actually more like 36?), the sound sort of reverberated inside the tube. I presume the director (robert woodruff) wanted to acoustically reinforce the tension of the moment (?). Just a guess. s On 10/24/06 12:02 PM, "KEITH ARSENAULT" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > miking it ? > > to make it louder ? > > am I missing something ? > > On Oct 24, 2006, at 11:45 AM, Steve Shelley wrote: > > Since the operation of the roll drop often took place in silence, > there was > no small amount of racket from the aircraft cable as it twisted > around the > tube. If memory serves, the sound designer ended up miking it. > > Keith L Arsenault > International Arts & Entertainment Group > Tampa, Florida > www.iaeginc.com > > 813 831 3465 office > 813 205 0893 cellular > iaeg [at] aol.com -- Steve Shelley SoftSymbols Designer MrTemplate [at] Earthlink.net www.fieldtemplate.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <87e6786e0610240929j2c82984bq10ebc0558be68556 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:29:44 -0500 From: "John Penisten" Subject: Re: LDI In-Reply-To: References: Now it's called the Congo Jr, but they forgot your wheel. Best, John On 10/24/06, Limbacher, Jon E. wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > What about the micro vision with the Fred Flintstone wheel? I believe it was > a nice shade of purple. I still wish they would bring back that wheel, it > had a nice feel. > > Jon ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:40:49 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: (Old) an explosion in a theatre Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061024093645.01f421b0 [at] interstellar.com> Aren't you glad we don't do effects this way now? >AN EXPLOSION IN A THEATRE. > >Mr. John McCullough bad a benefit last night at the Fifth-Avenue >Theatre, and played in "Brutus" and "The Taming of the Shrew," In >the storm scene in the second act of " Brutus," a dull noise >followed by a cry of agony, came from behind the scenes and was >beard by the actors on the stage. The audience did not hear the cry, >and thought the noise a part of the play. It had been caused by the >explosion of a box of what are known as magnesium pellets, use to >make a representation of lightning. The right hand of Joseph >Scullon, the gas man attached to the theatre, had been shattered in >the explosion, some of his fingers being destroyed. He was taken to >the New-York Hospital. The stage carpenter said last evening that >Scullon had been sick and had just resumed his duties. In the storm >scene he represented lightning by placing a magnesium pellet on a >wire disk over an alcohol lamp, and by touching a spring the lighted >pellet was propelled across the scene from the third wing on the >left. He held a box which contained about three quarters of a pound >of the pellets in his right hand, and it is believed that a spark >ignited them. There was no alarm behind the scenes, where appliances >for extinguishing fire are always ready for use. Scullon has a wife >and family, and lives at No. 361 Third-avenue. It is not believed >that he is permanently disabled. The pellets were not thought to be >more dangerous than powdered resin or lycopodium blown-through a >tube against a light. > >The New York Times, December 11, 1880. -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:14:01 EDT Subject: Re: Flaming Dessert In a message dated 24/10/06 00:27:37 GMT Daylight Time, tomgrab [at] utpa.edu writes: > Our next production calls for a flaming dessert to be brought > onstage, lit and consumed onstage. I am trying to get the director to > consider another type of spectacular dessert that doesn't involve flame > due to NFPA 160. With the proximity of the audience to the effect > (15'), I don't think that faking the flame would look very good. Any > suggestions? And no, I can't shoot the playwright. My Christmas pudding is a lot closer to my guests than 15', so I think it slould be tolerably safe, provided you don't overdo the spirit. But it seldom a spectacular effect, as the alcohol just burns with a dim blue flame. Crepes Suzette are a bit more spectacular, as they are flamed in the pan over heat. All this is common sense advice. Being in the UK, I don't know what NFPA160 says. But naked flames are quite common in our theatres, and in France and Germany too. If it is legal to go ahead with the effect, the lighting will need to be pretty dim for it to show, and there should be crew with a suitable extinguisher keeping an eye on it. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-ID: <453E4B2F.1020008 [at] gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:19:43 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Organization: University of Delaware Subject: Strand submasters I've got a Strand 300 console and I'm wondering if I can put a dimmer into an inhibitive submaster. (There's a rehearsal going on right now, otherwise I'd just try it.) We have one dimmer of house lighting we'd like to toggle off for just a second or two to cover an entrance, but I don't want to have to break it into its own channel and then have to program that channel into the entire show. If I could just make an inhibitive sub for that dimmer alone, that would allow me to make that moment happen more easily. Thanks, Steve L. -- Stephen Litterst Technical Operations Supervisor litterst [at] udel.edu Center for the Arts 302/831-0601 University of Delaware ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <553.167eb1ff.326fa5ab [at] aol.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:21:47 EDT Subject: Re: source for triple swivel casters In a message dated 24/10/06 00:51:46 GMT Daylight Time, bpmunroe [at] gmail.com writes: > Triple swivel casters are 3 swivel casters mounted in a triangle > pattern to a piece of plate steel. Above this plate steel is a > mounting plate. The two plates are attached together by a bearing, > allowing them to rotate. The upper mounting plate is attached to a > wagon or platform. > > This allows the casters to rotate about the center of the bearing > without the shifting or throwing that would occur if the swivel > casters were mounted directly to the platform/wagon. These are always > sometime refered to as "Zero-throw" casters. Thanks for the information. I wish they had been around when we started to use wagons (trucks) many years ago. I have spent a lot of time trying to beat into stagehands' heads the fact that if a truck arrives at its position travelling north, it will only leave it willingly going north. Only a couple of inches, maybe. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-ID: <7cd95e180610241034v2c12fc50hd88b4facda95e838 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:34:49 -0400 From: "Mike Katz" Subject: Re: USITT Tech Expo In-Reply-To: References:

Loren, How do we enter a device, Do we pay the $50 entrnce fee up front when we register for the conference. I ve got some gizmos that might be fun. Do tell us what to do! Mike Snip > committee and I are looking for some good ideas to showcase at the > event. Got a new widget, process, tool, device, etc. that will make > our job easier or more productive? Want to be published in a > nationally recognized theatre journal? Then send your idea in. > Details are in recent issues of USITT Sightlines, or you can write me > if you have questions about how to enter. WE WANT YOUR IDEAS! Don't be shy. snip -- Mike Katz Technical Director MIT Theater Arts 617.253.0824 ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:57:43 EDT Subject: Re: Off topic posts In a message dated 24/10/06 02:21:05 GMT Daylight Time, psyd [at] cox.net writes: > OTOH, FW gets what he tends to troll for. As the related posts on > electronics and digitla audio confirm, Frank has a long and devorated > history of posting blatant falsehoods as gospel, and having two or three > contradicting URL's showing that he is absolutely wrong. He does this on > other topics that cannot easily be disproven as well, so he sorta invites > this sort of response. I have a sneaking suspicion that he may do this > when he is bored. In any case, he also has a long history of not > responding to facts that contradict his point of view, and 'ignoring' the > information from industry participants, as well as industry leaders. > Until Frank kerbs these tendencies, he will reap similar responses. It is true that I am somewhat old-fashioned. I have lived throug big changes both in the electronics industry, in theatre sound, and in stage lighting. When I started out, it was valves (tubes), 1/4" tape and vinyl discs, and Strand Patt.23, 123,223 and 264 lanterns. Valves I have dissmissed, apart from high-power transmitters. 1/4" tape is no longer a good solution, although I can still wield a mean razor blade. Lighting has changed less, and its principles not at all. Facts, I think you have a confusion about. You, and many others, tend to confuse them with widely held opinions. That pi=3.14129+, e+ 2.1728+ are facts, in a decimal notation. The Chinese used to have a curse: "May you live in interesting times". I have. I have. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <374.c810291.326faefd [at] aol.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:01:33 EDT Subject: Re: Digital electronics In a message dated 24/10/06 02:44:10 GMT Daylight Time, psyd [at] cox.net writes: > > Well, this site refers to a perfectly normal analogue microphone, with the > >ADC built in to it at a very early stage. > > You gave up too early. These folk have a ton of stuff. > Do your tests and get back to me.. For a microphone, to be digital means from the transducer onwards. A digital transducer, I should be interested in. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:05:33 EDT Subject: Re: Sound discussion stuff In a message dated 24/10/06 03:08:43 GMT Daylight Time, psyd [at] cox.net writes: > >Bzzt! Thanks for playing...E-C is a minor sixth. > > Dang! Not only did you catch it (eight semi-tones, what was I thinking) > but you caught me out on sound! AND beat me to being able to correct Frank > Wood! OK, I got it wrong, I put the C at the bottom. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:08:11 -0400 Subject: Re: Flaming Dessert From: "deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com" Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Add a little table salt for a yellow flame. Steve > From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com > Reply-To: "Stagecraft" > Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:14:01 EDT > To: "Stagecraft" > Subject: Re: Flaming Dessert > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > In a message dated 24/10/06 00:27:37 GMT Daylight Time, tomgrab [at] utpa.edu > writes: > >> Our next production calls for a flaming dessert to be brought >> onstage, lit and consumed onstage. I am trying to get the director to >> consider another type of spectacular dessert that doesn't involve flame >> due to NFPA 160. With the proximity of the audience to the effect >> (15'), I don't think that faking the flame would look very good. Any >> suggestions? And no, I can't shoot the playwright. > > My Christmas pudding is a lot closer to my guests than 15', so I think it > slould be tolerably safe, provided you don't overdo the spirit. But it seldom > a > spectacular effect, as the alcohol just burns with a dim blue flame. Crepes > Suzette are a bit more spectacular, as they are flamed in the pan over heat. > > All this is common sense advice. Being in the UK, I don't know what NFPA160 > says. But naked flames are quite common in our theatres, and in France and > Germany too. If it is legal to go ahead with the effect, the lighting will > need > to be pretty dim for it to show, and there should be crew with a suitable > extinguisher keeping an eye on it. > > > Frank Wood ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:13:39 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: Digital electronics In-reply-to: Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061024110833.01ed82a0 [at] interstellar.com> References: At 11:01 AM 10/24/2006, FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote: >For a microphone, to be digital means from the transducer onwards. A digital >transducer, I should be interested in. Ok, I don't know if this exists (yet) but is totally feasible... Normal condenser microphone (where the membrane is one plate of a capacitor). The movement of the membrane changes the value of the capacitor. Instead of reading this as an analog voltage, the capacitor is used to generate a high frequency (yes, a very tiny amount of this will try to become audio using the membrane as a speaker, ignore this as insignificant unless you buy gold speaker wires). This frequency is read digitally and reported to the mixing board over a digital interface. There, all digital. Oh, and reading membrane capacitors by frequency is common in transducers for air pressure and such. -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:09:51 +0100 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre References: In-Reply-To: In message , Jerry Durand writes >Aren't you glad we don't do effects this way now? Stuff that. Where can I buy a three quarter pound box of magnesium pellets and their launcher. :) -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <67z7s2FZYlPFFwD$ [at] ntlworld.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:06:17 +0100 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: Flamiing desserts References:

In-Reply-To: In message , clindau writes >Doh! I meant alcohol, not lamp oil. The alcohol evaporates fast enough >that any excess is not a danger to the actors. Lamp oil. Geez. > >Cindy >---------------------------------------- > >For our production of Christmas Carol, the Cratchit's pudding has a small square of flameproof fabric (the name of which escapes me at the moment) >attached on top to which a little lamp oil is applied and lit just before Mrs. C brings it onstage. It's then snuffed with its cover and the scene goes on. >They don't eat it. This doesn't solve the problem of how to eat the dessert, but that's how we do a small easily extinguishable flame (for this >production at least). >Hope this helps. Lamp oil, liquid paraffin or kerosene has the following useful characteristics. It burns nice and bright, it needs a wick to burn and will tend to soak into and remain in a wick. Alcohol has the following useful characteristics. Isopropyl alcohol burns with a bright flame and virtually no smoke. Will soak into a wick but also drips out again easily. Can be extinguished with water if things go badly wrong. My choice would be a small tin with a small oil soaked rag. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:55:12 +0100 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: Off topic posts References: In-Reply-To: In message , FrankWood95 [at] aol.com writes >I agree with Tony. It is even doubly off topic, having drifted into >digital sound systems. But it's not a topic which really belongs on >Stagecraft. But guns and speakers share many common qualities. They're expensive, hurt people, damage hearing, go bang and emit smoke. -- Davie Dimmers. Super top head theatre techie and cone puncher. ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:50:33 +0100 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: Areas of interest References:

In-Reply-To: In message , John McKernon writes >The younger people on this list aren't likely to understand the >reference, but my take on the LED thing is that it's this year's MR-16 >striplight... Nah. LED is here to stay. It just needs to filter down to the few final products that are actually designed well for both installer and programmer. Unfortunately that means that quite a few flash in the pan LED companies are going to go down in style. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:21:57 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre In-reply-to: Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061024111956.01edc308 [at] interstellar.com> References:

At 11:09 AM 10/24/2006, Clive Mitchell wrote: >Stuff that. Where can I buy a three quarter pound box of magnesium >pellets and their launcher. :) Possibly at the next Winter Blast, but you might have to use them up on site (depends on how they're classed, 1 pound bags of magnesium filings are ok to take home). Warning, I'm manufacturing co-chair, so if you were their I'd expect you to build something interesting. :) -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:24:58 -0400 Subject: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls From: "deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com" Message-ID: In-Reply-To: A bit of trivia: What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? Those who know for sure should hold off and see what kind of crazy answers will pop up. Steve ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:31:41 -0600 Message-ID: <67CADCB91D266042A8DAB3B981DCFD14FD4EE1 [at] AFAMAIL2.USAFA.afspc.ds.af.mil> In-Reply-To: From: "Haagen Trey P Civ USAFA/CWTMC" Ooh. Oooohh. Pick Trey. Nicola Tesla. There used to be a museum here in Colorado Springs. Trey H=E4agen Arnold Hall Theatre V: (719) 333-2721 F: (719) 333-2099 -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of = deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 12:25 To: Stagecraft Subject: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- A bit of trivia: What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? Those who know for sure should hold off and see what kind of crazy answers will pop up. Steve ------------------------------ Message-ID: From: "Laura McMeley" Subject: RE: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:32:25 -0500 Message-ID: <006f01c6f79a$cde4dc70$0601a8c0 [at] tdolighting01> In-Reply-To: I'll take a stab. How about Nichola Tesla? > -----Original Message----- > From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of > deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:25 PM > To: Stagecraft > Subject: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls > > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > A bit of trivia: > > What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? > > Those who know for sure should hold off and see > what kind of crazy answers will pop up. > > Steve ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:36:13 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls In-reply-to: Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061024113459.01ee2e10 [at] interstellar.com> References:

At 11:24 AM 10/24/2006, deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com wrote: >A bit of trivia: > >What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? Since that was so easy, how about "Why is his statue there?" as in, what did he invent that is used in modern theater that Frank Wood doesn't completely understand? -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:37:51 -0400 From: "Kurt Cypher" Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls In-Reply-To: References:

On 10/24/06, deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com wrote: > A bit of trivia: > > What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? > > Those who know for sure should hold off and see > what kind of crazy answers will pop up. > > Steve As a hint, if memory serves me, there's another statue of the same inventor on the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. And, to keep it on-topic for the list, I'm sure out of his many patents, a few of them have been used in Stagecraft applications. I think some were even recently discussed on-list. Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:44:20 -0400 Subject: Re: Areas of interest From: John McKernon Message-ID: In-Reply-To: >> The younger people on this list aren't likely to understand the >> reference, but my take on the LED thing is that it's this year's MR-16 >> striplight... > > Nah. LED is here to stay. It just needs to filter down to the few > final products that are actually designed well for both installer and > programmer. Just like MR-16 striplights are still here (hooray!). My point was that not every problem in the universe is going to be solved by LED's, just as MR-16's aren't useful for everything. When MR-16 striplights first came out, people used them just for the sake of using them, much as people with lots of money are doing with LEDs now. > Unfortunately that means that quite a few flash in the pan LED companies > are going to go down in style. Yep! - John ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:01:30 -0400 Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls From: Stephen Rees Message-ID: In-Reply-To: It is indeed Nicola Tesla. He is commemorated because he was responsible for designing and installing the hydro power turbines that gave electricity to Buffalo for the Exposition in 1902. He gave us alternating current which could be delivered at much greater distances than Edison's DC current. The stuff in Colorado is related to his experiments in sending wireless energy through the atmosphere - largely unsuccessful but eventually [60 years later] seen in the form of the radio transmitters that let the US communicate with its submarines anywhere in the world. An amazing guy. Steve Rees SUNY-Fredonia On 10/24/06 2:32 PM, "Laura McMeley" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > I'll take a stab. How about Nichola Tesla? > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of >> deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com >> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:25 PM >> To: Stagecraft >> Subject: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls >> >> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see >> --------------------------------------------------- >> >> A bit of trivia: >> >> What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? >> >> Those who know for sure should hold off and see >> what kind of crazy answers will pop up. >> >> Steve > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:02:17 -0400 Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls From: Stephen Rees Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Would that be Mr. Robertson who gave the square-drive screw?? Steve Rees On 10/24/06 2:37 PM, "Kurt Cypher" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > On 10/24/06, deziner [at] theatreinthepark.com > wrote: >> A bit of trivia: >> >> What inventor is honored by a statue on Goat Island? >> >> Those who know for sure should hold off and see >> what kind of crazy answers will pop up. >> >> Steve > > As a hint, if memory serves me, there's another statue of the same > inventor on the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. And, to keep it > on-topic for the list, I'm sure out of his many patents, a few of them > have been used in Stagecraft applications. I think some were even > recently discussed on-list. > > Kurt ------------------------------ Subject: RE: (Old) an explosion in a theatre Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:04:42 -0400 Message-ID: From: "Alf Sauve" Did anybody but me wonder about: =20 "The right hand [snip] had been shattered in the explosion, some of his fingers=20 being destroyed."=20 AND "It is not believed that he is permanently disabled." They must use a different definition of "disabled" back then. Alf ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:07:53 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls In-reply-to: Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061024120635.01f9ef40 [at] interstellar.com> References:

At 12:01 PM 10/24/2006, Stephen Rees wrote: >He gave us alternating current which >could be delivered at much greater distances than Edison's DC current. The FW confusing part is he invented 3-phase motors/power. I know how much FW loves figuring out neutral currents in 3-phase dimmers. -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:13:03 -0400 Subject: Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre From: Stephen Rees Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Yes. I think it involved bushel baskets of parts and a wheelbarrow. Steve On 10/24/06 3:04 PM, "Alf Sauve" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Did anybody but me wonder about: > > "The right hand [snip] had been shattered in the explosion, some of his > fingers > being destroyed." > > AND > > "It is not believed that he is permanently disabled." > > > > They must use a different definition of "disabled" back then. > > Alf > > ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20061024114917.00c57560 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:49:17 From: CB Subject: RE: Stage Crew Blacks >Cool, but how many of us can become 2 dimensional? Some of the posters haven't yet begun to aspire to such heights... There is half a chance that I might get the call to get on a plane and zoom across the country to fill in for an A2 tomorrow night untill the end of the weekend ad Dead Bob's in Orlando (yes, all three of my 'Dead Bob' T's and my 'Dead Bob' hoody are already packed). IF this happens, anyone there have a decent mountain bike that I can rent/borrow? I can survive without my roadbox for half a week, I can even survive without the espresso machine and the grinder, but without transport I'm, spending $50 a day on cabs or sitting in the hotel watching one square girlfriend or another. Oh, and if there is an excellent espresso within walking/biking distance of 'Bob's', that'd be great info! Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:04:10 -0400 Message-ID: <6E497ADB607656479C24E6D7BF6B505A06876BA9 [at] exchange.rmwc.edu> In-Reply-To: From: "Paul Schreiner" > It is indeed Nicola Tesla. He is commemorated because he was=20 > responsible for designing and installing the hydro power=20 > turbines that gave electricity to Buffalo for the Exposition=20 > in 1902. =20 Wasn't that the 1901 Pan Am Expo, and not 1902? The one McKinley got shot at? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:15:24 -0400 Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls From: Stephen Rees Message-ID: In-Reply-To: YEP! One and the same. Sorry. Steve On 10/24/06 4:04 PM, "Paul Schreiner" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > > >> It is indeed Nicola Tesla. He is commemorated because he was >> responsible for designing and installing the hydro power >> turbines that gave electricity to Buffalo for the Exposition >> in 1902. > > Wasn't that the 1901 Pan Am Expo, and not 1902? The one McKinley got > shot at? > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:26:45 -0400 From: Ian Schmidt Subject: Re: Strand submasters In-reply-to: Message-id: <453E7705.8070100 [at] gmu.edu> Organization: George Mason University References: Stephen Litterst wrote: > I've got a Strand 300 console and I'm wondering if I can put a dimmer > into an inhibitive submaster. (There's a rehearsal going on right > now, otherwise I'd just try it.) > > We have one dimmer of house lighting we'd like to toggle off for just > a second or two to cover an entrance, but I don't want to have to > break it into its own channel and then have to program that channel > into the entire show. If I could just make an inhibitive sub for that > dimmer alone, that would allow me to make that moment happen more easily. > > Thanks, > > Steve L. Steve, Yes I believe it is possible but i think that you will need a channel for it to go into the sub. You may need to break up the channel with all your houselights into 2 channels one with that one specific dimmer and then the other with all the rest. Ian -- Ian Schmidt Master Electrician Center for the Arts George Mason University office 703-993-8895 fax 703-993-4092 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:46:25 -0400 From: Josh Ratty Subject: RE: Off topic posts In-reply-to: Cc: sdwheaton [at] fuse.net Reply-to: josh.ratty [at] verizon.net Message-id: <013401c6f7ad$7988d010$13f85743 [at] Rattys> -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Stuart Wheaton Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 10:04 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: Off topic posts Stuart --My shooting has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's driving. Best signature line ever, EVER. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <+F9aDtJiaoPFFwQa [at] ntlworld.com> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:33:22 +0100 From: Clive Mitchell Subject: Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre References:

In-Reply-To: In message , Jerry Durand writes >Possibly at the next Winter Blast, but you might have to use them up on >site (depends on how they're classed, 1 pound bags of magnesium filings >are ok to take home). > Remember I'm in the UK so anything that even hints of pyro is forbidden. >Warning, I'm manufacturing co-chair, so if you were their I'd expect >you to build something interesting. :) I'm really a kind of propane bursts and big mutha of a creamer mortar type of dude. No subtlety whatsoever. Then again, I do tend to buy primarily gerbs for Guy Fawkes night because I like the different spark characteristics and they're a nice close vicinity effect. (Mines too!) -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com ------------------------------ From: "Sam Fisher" Subject: RE: source for triple swivel casters Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:44:26 -0400 Message-ID: <008501c6f7b5$93f8dfa0$180aa8c0 [at] ftoffice.local> In-Reply-To: We just sold out, but typically have some on the shelf, $95 each. We could drop ship if you like. Sam Fisher General Manager / VP Fisher Theatrical, LLC. 410-487-0100 office 410-487-0090 fax ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre All information contained in this email, including any attachments, is to be treated as Confidential. -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Jared Fortney Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 3:56 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: source for triple swivel casters For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Does anyone have a good source for triple swivel casters in stock? I tried Production Advantage, but they're out. Right now my only source is in the UK, but I'd like to save some shipping. Frank, tell me you've got a dozen on the shelf between your long guns and your hand guns... Thanks, -Jared Fortney Rigger Cirque du Soleil's Corteo Currently in Washington, D.C. ------------------------------ Message-Id: In-Reply-To: References: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:30:36 -0400 From: Rigger Subject: Re: Stage Crew Blacks Cc: Lamplighter [at] tcon.net ('Frank E. Merrill') At 2:46 AM -0700 10/24/06, Joel Harari wrote: >Cool, but how many of us can become 2 dimensional? I can, but it requires an awful lot of Drambuie. (...Or, better yet, Pimm's.) -- Dave Vick 20/20 Design rigger [at] tds.net ------------------------------ Message-Id: In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:34:12 -0400 From: Rigger Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls At 11:36 AM -0700 10/24/06, Jerry Durand wrote: >what did he invent that is used in modern theater that >Frank Wood doesn't completely understand? Ummmmm, everything? -- Dave Vick 20/20 Design rigger [at] tds.net ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:56:15 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: (Old) an explosion in a theatre In-reply-to: Message-id: <7.0.1.0.0.20061024155129.01f4b3a8 [at] interstellar.com> References:

At 02:33 PM 10/24/2006, Clive Mitchell wrote: >Remember I'm in the UK so anything that even hints of pyro is forbidden. That's why people travel to HERE to attend. :) >I'm really a kind of propane bursts and big mutha of a creamer >mortar type of dude. No subtlety whatsoever. I would NEVER accuse some WPA members of being subtle. :) >Then again, I do tend to buy primarily gerbs for Guy Fawkes night >because I like the different spark characteristics and they're a >nice close vicinity effect. (Mines too!) Something like this (from this month's "Do It" that I didn't get to go to)? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZM22ekPhug -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 Skype: jerrydurand ------------------------------ Message-ID: <001301c6f7d8$7a69f9c0$6500a8c0 [at] om.cox.net> From: "John Gibilisco" References: Subject: Re: Strand submasters Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:54:15 -0500 Steve, If it indeed is toggling on and off how about writing a soft key macro that calls [dimmer] 100 [at] 0 * and a second soft key to repatch. [dimmer] 100 If the 300 does not have soft key macros on the surface you can assign the macros to a sub handles. [Rec] [Sub] 12 [Macro] 4 * or write the macros into a cue. If you need to fade out and up I would have to experiment. John G ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:24:47 -0400 Subject: What we missed at LDI From: John McKernon Message-ID: Jason Kantrowitz sent me these links, they're definitely best-of-show candidates...;) http://www.houseofrave.com/glowing-illuminating-hair-gel.html http://www.houseofrave.com/ultra-led-finger-lights.html http://www.houseofrave.com/flashing_sandals.html - John ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Group interviews for high school techs?? From: Christopher Haas CEHAAS Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 23:10:43 -0400 Message-ID: Illinois has a big High School festival which includes auditions and de= sign tech portfolio presentations.=A0 I don't know if HS students from out o= f state can attend, but we always went there to recruit when I was the TD= at Ball State in Indiana. SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference) has high school auditions at the= ir spring conference and I believe info is available at www.setc.org. hth Chip=A0Haas Technical=A0Director Department=A0of=A0Theatre The=A0University=A0of=A0North=A0Carolina=A0at=A0Greensboro 336-334-3891= ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 23:40:20 -0400 Subject: Re: LDI From: Herrick Goldman Message-ID: In-Reply-To: <16594303.1161707864499.JavaMail.root [at] m41> CONGO CoNgO CONGO! A congo cOnGo CoNgO.....dance with me. I got a nice purple shirt. I've even programmed on the thing. RPN Yay! EOS looks cool but I'm still for the grandMA. I'm sure I'll see EOS on Bway and in colleges and It will be great eventually. Rock and Roll won't have it. I'm so jammed I can't even begin to collate my week in Vegas for you all. I'll try and write a summary soon. -H On 10/24/06 12:29 PM, "John Penisten" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Now it's called the Congo Jr, but they forgot your wheel. > > Best, > John > > On 10/24/06, Limbacher, Jon E. wrote: >> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see >> --------------------------------------------------- >> >> What about the micro vision with the Fred Flintstone wheel? I believe it was >> a nice shade of purple. I still wish they would bring back that wheel, it >> had a nice feel. >> >> Jon > -- Herrick Goldman Lighting Designer, NYC www.HGLightingDesign.com 917-797-3624 "To the scores of silent alchemists who wreak their joy in darkness and in light bringing magic to life, we bow most humbly. "-CDS ------------------------------ Message-ID: <453EDF09.9000102 [at] fuse.net> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 23:50:33 -0400 From: Stuart Wheaton Reply-To: sdwheaton [at] fuse.net Subject: Re: Roll Drop References:

In-Reply-To: Delbert Hall wrote: > Elbin Cleveland at the Univ. of South Carolina is an expert on > building roll drops. I have heard him speak on this subject and he is > very knowledgeable. The phone number that I have for him is > 803-777-7299 (office). Thirty feet is an awful long roll drop. I have > heard good reports on aluminum flag poles being used for the roller so > you might want to look for a flag pole manufacturer/supplier. Good > luck. I've built a few in this range. 30 feet with a 6" Aluminum tube. Motor driven, manual control or Dmx or show control operated, as quiet as the motor you can budget for. Biggest noise source is drill shavings and rivet parts trapped in the tube. I think it is Gerriets in Europe that makes some beautiful sectional drums, aluminum and carbon fiber, about a meter per section, stiff, spans 40 feet easily. Don't even look unless you have a really FAT wallet. I installed one built by Stewart Filmscreen once that was at least 25 feet long, nice unit. Stuart ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:02:32 -0400 Subject: And now for something completely gangsta From: Herrick Goldman Message-ID: Www.gizoogle.com Go ahead gizoogle yourself. My website comes out pretty funny. -- Herrick Goldman Lighting Designer, NYC www.HGLightingDesign.com 917-797-3624 "To the scores of silent alchemists who wreak their joy in darkness and in light bringing magic to life, we bow most humbly. "-CDS ------------------------------ Message-ID: <58f67b0f0610242218g682ef2c3j2a97adedf14af836 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:18:12 -0500 From: "Michael Powers" Subject: Re: Re: Flaming Dessert "Bill Nelson" Writes: <<....... Before use, the torches were dipped in kerosene and the excess was shaken out. ............ taken outdoors and quenched in a bucket of water immediately after the actors exited........>> Bill, This may surprise you, but the best way to extinguish Kerosene torches is not to dip them in water, but to dip them in a bucket of ..Ta Da.... Kerosene. I've been doing it this way for over thirtyfive years, it works great. A water dousing can produce spattering and sizzling that can result in painful burns or scalds. It can also result in sputtering and poor burns when relighting the torch for the next use. Kerosene, unlike gasoline, sterno or alcohol, does not produce flammable vapors at room temperature. Unlike the scenes in the old cowboy movies where a broken or thrown kerosene lamp starts an instant major roaring fire, a real kerosene lamp when thrown or broken usually goes out. If the flame actually survives the initial trauma, it can spread but slowly. Kerosene needs a wick of some sort to provide a large evaporative surface, that when heated, creates the vapor that is flammable. It is not "explosive". The wick, like a candle wick, doesn't actually burn but merely chars from the proximate heat of the actual flame. I admit when I was first told of this method of extinguishing a kerosene torch my initial reaction was abject disbelief and fear. When my boss at the time, a California Pyro Technician, grabbed a torch and proceeded to demonstrate, I was diving for cover and trying to remember where the nearest extinguisher was located. The result, a dead torch and no sputtering or sizzling. The torch was already primed for it's next use and did not need to be wrung out or dried to get rid of the water. A few years later this knowledge proved very useful when I worked an outdoor drama "Young Washington". It had a large cast of about 120. I handled (among other things) over 20 kerosene torches that came and went from both sides of the stage numerous times during the night. Many times a torch would come off stage, be extinguished and then need to enter again, re-lit within a few minutes. Water dousing would have made this impossible. We fastened the "dousing pail" to sheet metal tray something like a large cookie sheet. This prevented any chance of the pail tipping or being knocked over. It also served as a catch tray for any drips or splashing. The torches were hung top down over a short section of rain gutter that sloped down to the dousing pail. Any dripping from the dousing simply ran back to the pail. We did discover that a torch that needed to go back on stage right away needed to have any excess kerosene squeezed out. -- Michael Michael Powers Director of Operations Central Lighting & Equipment 1720 Fuller Rd. Suite 150 West Des Moines Iowa 50265 515-277-4190 877-977-4190 Fax 515-277-2295 515-557-0178 cell michael [at] clelights.com ------------------------------ From: John Arrowsmith Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 07:08:12 +0100 Message-ID: <200610257812.556148 [at] arrowsmiths> Subject: Invisibility Cloak Darn it ... went to http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/20/ap/tech/mainD8KS6M800.shtml to check out the invisible copper cylinder story, but there were no photos ... nor even a video :(( John :) -- John Arrowsmith (john [at] arrowsmith.demon.co.uk) Voluntary website provider / editor for the annual schools / colleges anti-substance-abuse performing-arts extravaganza called UK Rock Challenge at http://www.rockchallenge.co.uk ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1055.205.215.254.87.1161758359.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References: Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 23:39:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Flaming Dessert From: "Bill Nelson" > This may surprise you, but the best way to extinguish Kerosene torches > is not to dip them in water, but to dip them in a bucket of ..Ta > Da.... Kerosene. I've been doing it this way for over thirtyfive > years, it works great. A water dousing can produce spattering and > sizzling that can result in painful burns or scalds. It can also > result in sputtering and poor burns when relighting the torch for the > next use. I am aware that dipping them in kerosene would normally be best, but then they would have to be shaken out to get rid of the excess. Since the torches were just about ready to go out on their own, the water dip worked fine. There was no risk of splatter or sizzling. There was enough kerosene in the wick to keep water from being absorbed. > I handled (among other things) over 20 kerosene torches that came and > went from both sides of the stage numerous times during the night. > Many times a torch would come off stage, be extinguished and then need > to enter again, re-lit within a few minutes. Water dousing would have > made this impossible. Fine, but we didn't have that constraint. They were lit once, then not used until the next night. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1248.205.215.254.87.1161760731.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:18:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls From: "Bill Nelson" >>He gave us alternating current which >>could be delivered at much greater distances than Edison's DC current. I seem to recall that the really high voltage cross country stuff is DC. There are a number of reasons for doing so. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1270.205.215.254.87.1161761556.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References: Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:32:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Off topic posts From: "Bill Nelson" > That pi=3.14129+, e+ 2.1728+ are facts, in a decimal notation. Close, but both are wrong. 3.14159+ and 2.71828+ Bill ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 07:54:10 GMT Subject: Re: Inventor watching over Niagara Falls Message-Id: <20061025.005423.8266.709030 [at] webmail37.lax.untd.com> The Pacific Intertie carries One Million Volts Direct Current from a = dam in the State of Washington to Sylmar [Los Angeles], California = where a huge inverter facility turns it back to Alternating Current. = I have been told that the water flow and therefore the amount of = power produced by the dam is controllable by the automation in = Sylmar, based upon current demand that is monitored 24/7 and that the = LA Dept. of Water and Power employees watch the regulation take place = but have never have had to override the system except for routine = maintenance. For some reason that was not adequately explained to me, = Southern California Edison has an inverter plant close by, but only = receives 800,000 volts, and everybody calls the inverters 'valves'. /s/ Richard _____________________________________ >>He gave us alternating current which could be delivered at much = greater distances than Edison's DC current. _____________________ I seem to recall that the really high voltage cross country stuff is = DC. There are a number of reasons for doing so. Bill ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #996 *****************************