Return-Path: X-Processed-By: Virex 7 on prxy.net X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.1.8 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #70 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 03:00:09 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #70 1. Re: plays as scenes in movies by "Hofmann, Christopher" 2. Re: plays as scenes in movies by Loren Schreiber 3. Update on plays in films by "RICHARD FINKELSTEIN" 4. Re: plays as scenes in movies by IAEG [at] aol.com 5. Re: winch question by usctd [at] columbia.sc 6. Re: plays as scenes in movies by Boyd Ostroff 7. Re: Update on plays in films by Richard Niederberg 8. Re: plays as scenes in movies by IAEG [at] aol.com 9. Re: plays as scenes in movies by "Michael Eddy" 10. Re: Update on plays in films by Richard Niederberg 11. Re: Update on plays in films by Richard Niederberg 12. Re: Hoffend Vortek system by Mike Brubaker 13. Hoffend Vortek, Frank Wood, LONG by Mike Brubaker 14. Re: plays as scenes in movies by clindau 15. Re: plays as scenes in movies by "Tony Deeming" 16. Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes by "Dougherty, Jim" 17. Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... by "Michael Finney" 18. Re: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes by Richard Niederberg 19. Re: plays as scenes in movies by "Tom Heemskerk" 20. Re: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes by Richard Niederberg 21. Re: plays as scenes in movies by "Lee A. Saylor" 22. Re: theatre museum / play scenes in movies by Paul Puppo 23. Re: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes by Richard Niederberg 24. Re: winch question by Jerry Durand 25. Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... by Steve Larson 26. Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... by Steve Larson 27. Re: Program copy resource by CB 28. Re: plays as scenes in movies by CB 29. Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... by Bsapsis [at] aol.com 30. Re: winch question by Bsapsis [at] aol.com 31. Question for Cosmo by Bsapsis [at] aol.com 32. Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... by Steve Larson 33. Life in Small Theatres by "Joe Golden" 34. Re: Hoffend Vortek system by Nathaniel.G.H.Wells.00 [at] Alum.Dartmouth.ORG (Nathaniel G. H. Wells 00) 35. Re: winch question by Jerry Durand *** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:54:20 -0400 Message-ID: <56439B09A4ADDC46876BDFF2BBD35DF001C1741C [at] ex1.capecod.edu> From: "Hofmann, Christopher" Noises Off.... -Chris Sure I can run sound - up is loud! - Kenny Kool=20 ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.1.1.2.20040713061849.032ceeb0 [at] mail.sdsu.edu> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 06:20:31 -0700 From: Loren Schreiber Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies In-Reply-To: References: Then there is the great example of 17th Century theatre workings in "The Adventures of the Baron von Munchhausen" Loren ------------------------------ From: "RICHARD FINKELSTEIN" Subject: Update on plays in films Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 09:26:55 -0400 Message-ID: Thanks all for some great responses, especially of the obvious....Spiderman II...stupid that I forgot that one as I just saw it two days ago. Rather nice set actually for Earnest Act II. Now a clarification. What I would really like to emphasize most in this page that I am developing is great theatre scenery that appears in the world of film. There are a number of reasons for my preference Indeed there are thousands of "lets make a play" movies and of course thousands of movies OF plays (like so much of the Shakespeare canon). But again the ones I am interested in are those where scenes of opera, plays, ballet are inserted into films not about those plays opera, ballets....and where real great sets are used. Some of the great examples offered so far are Amadeus. This academy award design by Theatre designer Patrizia von Brandenstein (wife of Stuart Wurtzel) had the opera sets designed by Josef Svoboda. Spiderman II is another great example with it's Importance of Being Earnest set shots. Fanny and Alexander is great because it shows period scenery. While Waiting for Guffman has a play in it by the nature of the premise and plot it doesn't really offer a showcase for theatre scenery. So I hope this narrows and clarifies the nature of the scope. I will soon have a page up for folks to look at (I'm listing contributors) I think many folks like reading the responses online but there has been a suggestion to continue the thread offline. So continue your great contributions either way! Richard Finkelstein rfinkels [at] msn.com ------------------------------ From: IAEG [at] aol.com Message-ID: <85.106b946a.2e2541b4 [at] aol.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 09:46:28 EDT Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies In a message dated 7/13/04 6:24:00 AM, lschreib [at] mail.sdsu.edu writes: << Then there is the great example of 17th Century theatre workings in "The Adventures of the Baron von Munchhausen" Loren >> i have always wondered where that was shot, , or was it a studio set ? any one with knowledge ? very best, Keith Arsenault IAEG - International Arts & Entertainment Group Tampa, Florida www.iaeginc.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2365.129.252.241.105.1089730461.squirrel [at] webmail.columbia.sc> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:54:21 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: winch question From: usctd [at] columbia.sc One more note on the pile-up drum or a Yo-yo drum is that as cable is piled on your speeds and torques change as the diameter of your "drum" is getting larger. If you are in a setting that you would need very exact positioning, the pile up could be a problem as well. My thought on the idea below is that if you do not have helical grooves on the drums there is no guarantee that the cable will wrap nicely. The next problem I see if you do use two grooved drums would be synching the two separate drums properly. -- Eric Rouse TD-University of SC, Columbia Freelance Foyboy > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > How about, instead of reducing the length, the goal is to maintain the > length but reduce the width (reducing the drum diameter). Please excuse > the art. Take two, smaller drums above one another: > > O > > O > > Connect them with a belt or chain: > > O > | | > | | > O > > Connect the end of the lift line to the belt or chain. This end now > travels around the full assembly, rather than one drum. > > | > | <--lift line > | > O <--drum > | | <--line/belt > | | > O <--drum > > The end result might look something like this in the other view: > > | > | > =||||||= > |||||| > |||||| > =||||||= > > This would give you the effect of a much larger drum (for the purposes of > number of wraps, physical width of drums, etc.). > > Mike > > At 04:19 PM 7/12/2004, Bsapsis [at] aol.com wrote: >><< You wind up with a tall, skinny drum. >> >> >>What you are describing, if I have the image correct in my head, is >> called a >>pile up drum. You take and wrap the wire rope over itself..."piling' up >> on >>itself. > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:15:54 -0400 (EDT) From: Boyd Ostroff Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies In-Reply-To: Message-ID: On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 IAEG [at] aol.com wrote: > Then there is the great example of 17th Century theatre workings in "The > Adventures of the Baron von Munchhausen" > > i have always wondered where that was shot, , or was it a studio set ? It was filmed at Cinecitta in Italy, same place they filmed Cleopatra (after abandoning the disastrous first try in England). If you're a fan of this film or Terry Gilliam then you should really pickup a copy of his biography "Gilliam on Gilliam", edited by Ian Christie (ISBN0-571-20280-2). He devotes over 30 pages to Munchausen, complete with 7 or 8 page of storyboards and photos. It's quite a fascinating tale. I found this whole book to be quite an inspiration personally. And I have always been struck by just how embarrassingly bad those period operas looked in Amadeus. Svoboda certainly has earned his place in theatre history, but his work on that film is horrible. But of course that's just my personal opinion... Boyd Ostroff ooo Opera Company of Philadelphia Director of Design & Technology ooooooo 1420 Locust St, Suite 210 ostroff [at] operaphilly.com ooooooo Philadelphia, PA 19102 http://tech.operaphilly.com ooo (215) 893-3600 x225 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:22:45 -0700 Subject: Re: Update on plays in films Message-ID: <20040713.072416.2524.0.ladesigners [at] juno.com> From: Richard Niederberg How about the Hotbox Dancers' 'Take Back Your Mink' sequence, led by Ms. Adelaide, in 'Guys & Dolls'? /s/ Richard ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ From: IAEG [at] aol.com Message-ID: <65.2e21b7c2.2e254f09 [at] aol.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:43:21 EDT Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies In a message dated 7/13/04 7:18:40 AM, ostroff [at] operaphilly.com writes: << And I have always been struck by just how embarrassingly bad those period operas looked in Amadeus. Svoboda certainly has earned his place in theatre history, but his work on that film is horrible. But of course that's just my personal opinion... >> have an opinion on Twyla's choreography while we are at it ? the combo was sort of a vaguely contemporary take on a period piece, not sure that 's the direction I would have gone in, , but then no one asked, very best, Keith Arsenault IAEG - International Arts & Entertainment Group Tampa, Florida ------------------------------ From: "Michael Eddy" Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:48:30 -0400 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: >If you're a fan of this film or Terry Gilliam then you should really pickup a copy of >his biography "Gilliam on Gilliam", edited by Ian Christie >(ISBN0-571-20280-2). He devotes over 30 pages to Munchausen, complete with >7 or 8 page of storyboards and photos. It's quite a fascinating tale. I >found this whole book to be quite an inspiration personally. I too am a huge fan of Gilliam and love Munchausen. I will have to check out the biography. You should also check out "Lost in La Mancha", which I saw on DVD last weekend. It is a documentary about the unmaking of a film, Gilliam's try at making a version of the Quixote tale. From the website - "Filmmaker Terry Gilliam takes on his alter-ego, Don Quixote, in this unique first-hand look at the 'un-making' of a major motion picture." I recommend it highly and he speaks about his supposed reputation of being out of control and over budget, as well as a good history of is films. They have a website - http://www.lostinlamancha.com/ Michael S. Eddy Lighting&Sound America michael [at] plasa.org www.lightingandsoundamerica.com ------------------------------ Cc: ladesigners [at] juno.com Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:49:47 -0700 Subject: Re: Update on plays in films Message-ID: <20040713.075001.2568.0.ladesigners [at] juno.com> From: Richard Niederberg How about the Salzburg Festival competition sequence in 'The Sound of Music'? /s/ Richard ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ Cc: ladesigners [at] juno.com Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:54:54 -0700 Subject: Re: Update on plays in films Message-ID: <20040713.075510.2568.1.ladesigners [at] juno.com> From: Richard Niederberg How about the 'Punch and Judy' Puppet Theatre sequence in 'Charade' (Hepburn/Grant)? > /s/ Richard ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.1.1.0.20040713101245.0297abd0 [at] mail.insightbb.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:14:36 -0500 From: Mike Brubaker Subject: Re: Hoffend Vortek system In-Reply-To: References:

Is there more information about this anywhere on the web? I did a quick google search and came up with nothing. Mike At 04:21 AM 7/13/2004, Jason wrote: >For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see >--------------------------------------------------- > >I heard that the Royal Opera House in London about a month ago had their >automated rigging failed and had 2000 pounds parts of scenic rip their alum >trust battens apart spearing the deck and lifting it and one just about >spearing a cello player within inches. ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.1.1.0.20040713101642.029690e8 [at] mail.insightbb.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:19:34 -0500 From: Mike Brubaker Subject: Hoffend Vortek, Frank Wood, LONG Due to his continuing troubles with AOL, Frank Wood contacted me off-list with some questions about the Vortek and the discussion that we were having.

Here is his first question:

I have to deal with this in a roundabout way, because, in spite of following Noah's advice, the version of AOL that I am running, here in France, does not post to the list in a way that it will accept. So, whem there's something I really want to post a message about, I have to rely on someone's good will. In this case, all I want is information.

From the posted messages, I deduce that this is some sort of powered flying system, with winches on the grid. I should like to know more, and a pointer to their web-site might be all I need.

Some years ago, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, installed such a system.This was manufactured by Alsthom Brown-Boveri, well thought of names in engineering in Europe. Computer controlled, obviously, and capable of positioning any line within 3mm, solely on the drive: no brakes. Very accurate position sensors is a part of the story, but the rest is hidden from me. I don't know how to make an electric motor, of any sort, stand still and sustain its full load. They ddo!

My response:

Your deduction is right. Hoffend & Sons has been building rigging of all sorts for years. They've always done quite a few hoists for arena scoreboards, speaker clusters, and the like. In the past few years, they decided to stop building any manual counterweight rigging and only do work on motorized rigging. They put their resources into developing the Vortek system.

Vortek is designed to be almost a commodity product. The winches are standardized units with most of the parts that would generally require replacement available off-the-shelf. The hoists themselves are nothing unusual--they are a standard winch. Hoffend designed a control system that most closely resembles lighting controls (at least in overall logic). Part of that system is load sensing that gets them over the other major weakness of powered rigging--once you hang your lights, scenery, or whatever on the batten, you teach the controller what the load should look like. If, then, there is deviation from this profile outside of certain bounds, the lineset stops moving until the operator fixes the problem.

Check out their web site:

http://www.hoffend.net/vortek.asp

As I side note, I am not employed by Hoffend or any rigging company; I work for a theatre consultant in the US.

Frank's answer:

(He quoted a portion of my paragraph, above)

This worries me. "teaching the controller" implies training: having a profile deviation, and stopping winches implies bent bars. You tell me of no positional information to the control system. I'll go on their website, and get back to you.

Frank's next answer:

I just did..I find no reference to positional control.

From what I have seen, and heard, I shouldn't touch their equipment with a bargepole, for any serious purpose.

Post this to the stagecraft list if you please, attributed to me. Or don't.

My response to Frank, as I left out some relevant information, and apparently it isn't in Hoffend's material on the web site:

They are able to position the batten at a given height precisely and with accuracy that rivals the systems that you mentioned (within 3mm). This is a fundamental part of the system. The winches stop when the controller senses that the load (bar and/or what is hung on it) has contacted something that it shouldn't (the floor, scenery, an actor, etc). The amount of acceptable deviation is set by the user. From trying this out (letting a running batten touch my hand with the deviation set to 2 pounds), the system is much more sensitive and stops more quickly than any counterweight system I have ever used.

There are a lot of other people on this list that have better information than I do--I hope that they will jump in and correct and clarify!

Mike ------------------------------ Message-ID: <40F407AC.4010603 [at] mninter.net> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 11:02:52 -0500 From: clindau Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies References: "Shakespeare in Love" and "A Midwinter's Tale" (aka In the Bleak Midwinter"). The latter was written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. From the IMDb database: "Out of work actor Joe volunteers to help try and save his sister's local church for the community by putting on a Christmas production of Hamlet. Cindy Lindau Guthrie Theater Minneapolis MN ------------------------------ Message-ID: <018101c468f4$e1a173e0$0a01a8c0 [at] Tony> From: "Tony Deeming" References: Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:17:23 +0100 How about "Kiss Me Kate" - The Taming of the Shrew"? ----- Original Message ----- From: "RICHARD FINKELSTEIN" To: "Stagecraft" Cc: Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 3:29 PM Subject: plays as scenes in movies > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > OK. It's summer and time for a fun challenge" And I'd love to include the > results as an Artslynx resource. > > I have always, as a set designer, been fascinated by movies that have a > sequence or more shot in a theatre with a show going on. I always thought > that a list of such shows would be great to have! > > Of course there are movies that are really filmed stage shows....we could > list those too > or even theatre-dance movies about a theatre/dance company or artist. Of > course these have performance shots. > > But the ones that most interest me are those where there are isolated > theatre performance scenes. > > So whichever of these three categories, send me suggestions of my list. Feel > free to annotate. Here are a few to start with....... > > > Movies with isolated theatre performance scenes: > > Bergagman's "Fanny and Alexander" - includes a beautiful scene of a 19th > century theatre show with great period effects > > > Movies on theatre topics which show live shows within: > > The turning point > Topsy Turvey > The Dresser > The Red Shoes (you can see Massine dancing!) > > > Movies of shows as though they are performed on stage: > > Stop the world I want to get Off > Oh Calcutta > > "Making of" theatre pieces: > > "Moon over Broadway" profiling the difficulties with creating "Moon over > Buffalo" > > > ------------------------------ Subject: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:05:06 -0400 Message-ID: <3C0B8A669CB61042968C367F36A2BAEC8C3131 [at] bengal.middlebury.edu> From: "Dougherty, Jim" Has anyone yet mentioned _A Night at the Opera_? Or _The Adventures of = Baron Von Munchausen_? - Jim Dougherty ATD, Middlebury College Theatre Department ------------------------------ Subject: Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:13:46 -0700 Message-ID: From: "Michael Finney" I've been lurking in the background on this discussion, and I had a quick question: Does anybody know of a central listing of theatre oriented museums or displays? A Google (and Teoma and Mooter) search returned a few decent hits, but really no central list. The reason I ask is that my company has gotten involved in the museum world a bit lately and we're discussing "things that might make interesting touring exhibits"...and theatre machinery can be pretty darned entertaining! Feel free to respond off-list. BTW: there is an interesting little theatre museum in Amsterdam if anybody ever gets there. It's off the main drag a bit, but within a 15 minute walk of the central station (and the other museums). Only takes an hour or so to go through, but it's got great examples of "parlour theatre" stuff, and a couple of interesting models of wing and border machinery. And, if you speak English, you can have a good time explaining things to charming English tourists who then buy you beer (especially if you can take them to the closest place to buy a pint of Guinness!). Don't you love this gig sometimes? Michael Finney Thinkwell Design & Production mfinney [at] thinkwelldesign.com =20 http://www.thinkwelldesign.com =20 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:21:35 -0700 Subject: Re: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes Message-ID: <20040713.102140.2568.2.ladesigners [at] juno.com> From: Richard Niederberg How about 'South Pacific' w/ cross-dressing sailors doing their show? /s/ Richard ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ Message-ID: <62099.142.179.101.174.1089740076.squirrel [at] etainternet.com> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:34:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies From: "Tom Heemskerk" > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Has anyone mentioned "Cyrano"? There's a bit where he gets upset at a show, goes backstage to the hemp rail (on his horse) and flies in all of the drops at once (with his sword). ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:48:41 -0700 Subject: Re: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes Message-ID: <20040713.104852.2568.3.ladesigners [at] juno.com> From: Richard Niederberg How about the 'opening the curtain to reveal Debbie Reynolds singing behind it while the antagonist lip-syncs' scene of 'Singing in the Rain'? /s/ Richard ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ From: "Lee A. Saylor" Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 12:58:54 -0500 Organization: Lawrence Arts Center Message-ID: <000c01c46903$13099530$6901a8c0 [at] ADMINAIDE> In-Reply-To: How about the theatre scene from the movie 'Tombstone' with Kurt Russell (as Wyatt Earp) watching the touring troupe? ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: From: Paul Puppo Subject: Re: theatre museum / play scenes in movies Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 11:09:05 -0700 How about a real live functioning 18th century court theatre? Drottningholms Slottsteater is just outside of Stockholm. It is a lovely little theatre with a forced perspective raked stage and ALL the original stage mechanics! I think it was in some film, maybe Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead? It has electric candles that don't "blink", they flicker, that is, the "flame" moves. So, out of the corner of your eye you see the moving candle flame! Very convincing. If you ever in that part of the world check it out! Paul Puppo ILLUMINEERING 547 Green Street San Francisco, CA 94133-3905 (415) 397-8776 phone/fax http://www.Nifty-Gadgets.com mailto:Paul [at] Nifty-Gadgets.com ------------------------------ Cc: ladesigners [at] juno.com Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 11:30:39 -0700 Subject: Re: Movies, er, films with theatrical scenes Message-ID: <20040713.113043.2568.4.ladesigners [at] juno.com> From: Richard Niederberg How about 'Six Weeks' (Moore/Moore)? /s/ Richard ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20040713114242.0267aa48 [at] localhost> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 11:44:24 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: winch question In-Reply-To: References:

At 07:54 AM 7/13/2004, you wrote: >My thought on the idea below is that if you do not have helical grooves on >the drums there is no guarantee that the cable will wrap nicely. The next >problem I see if you do use two grooved drums would be synching the two >separate drums properly. Ok then, back to what I originally said. The two drums are covered with a WIDE notch belt. It can have helical groves in it for the cable to follow. The belt keeps the drums in sync. So, the cable does NOT stack up, it winds up in one layer following the grove in the notch belt which is driven by one pulley and drives the other one. ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 16:25:59 -0400 Subject: Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Besides Sweden and Amsterdam, there is a beautiful theatre in Copenhagen near the palace. There is an old theatre in Bayreuth (not the Wagner Opera Haus). There are many court theatre around eastern Europe that are magnificent. Don't forget the theatre at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. I don't have my collection of guide books of theatres/museums that I have visited around the world, these just come to mind. The theatre museum in London. Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza is unbelievable. I visited there in 1971 during a museum worker's strike. Bribed the cartaker with 2000 Lira and spent two hours all over that stage taking pictures as I chose. The Roman theatre at Orange, France. Many others I can't remember their names along the Mediterranean. Many of the Russian theatres are accessible with a small bribe. Steve on 7/13/04 1:13 PM, Michael Finney at mfinney [at] thinkwelldesign.com wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > I've been lurking in the background on this discussion, and I had a > quick question: > > Does anybody know of a central listing of theatre oriented museums or > displays? A Google (and Teoma and Mooter) search returned a few decent > hits, but really no central list. The reason I ask is that my company > has gotten involved in the museum world a bit lately and we're > discussing "things that might make interesting touring exhibits"...and > theatre machinery can be pretty darned entertaining! Feel free to > respond off-list. > > BTW: there is an interesting little theatre museum in Amsterdam if > anybody ever gets there. It's off the main drag a bit, but within a 15 > minute walk of the central station (and the other museums). Only takes > an hour or so to go through, but it's got great examples of "parlour > theatre" stuff, and a couple of interesting models of wing and border > machinery. And, if you speak English, you can have a good time > explaining things to charming English tourists who then buy you beer > (especially if you can take them to the closest place to buy a pint of > Guinness!). > > Don't you love this gig sometimes? > > Michael Finney > Thinkwell Design & Production > mfinney [at] thinkwelldesign.com > http://www.thinkwelldesign.com > > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 16:35:05 -0400 Subject: Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Nearly forgot the Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court, at one time a theatrical space. Teatro Farnese in Parma. And of course, all those Greek theatres. Visit "Theatre and Playhouse" by Richard and Helen Leacroft, Allardyce Nicoll's, "The Development of the Theatre" and the Izenour books for more theatres. I haven't taught in several years, so my notes that would list many, many more aren't available. Steve ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20040713132432.0182c1d0 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:24:32 From: CB Subject: Re: Program copy resource >"let's think, how would they do it at the MET" ? > >that usually was the end of the argument Well, I will commonly do sound inexpensively or voluntarily for film and television projects (theatre as well, but it doesn't realy apply to a typed credit..) that have either artistic merit or a buncha fun built in. I insist that my name be placed in either all caps or not at all, they get to choose. Most budget projects tend to use really cheap titling, and my name ends up looking like Chris "Chris" Babble by the time it gets to the screen. Anytime I'm offered "How would they do it on a Hollywood Production?" I usualy respond, "First, they'd offer me a huge check. Then they'd give me a budget to do it like a H'wood Production." Be careful there, Kieth. The trick is to know the answer before you ask the question. ; > 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... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20040713133238.0182c1d0 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:32:38 From: CB Subject: Re: plays as scenes in movies >All the Judy Garland/Mickey Roney "lets put on a play" shows. Then you *have* to include the 'Little Rascals' "My dad's got a barn!" episode. 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... ------------------------------ From: Bsapsis [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:06:48 EDT Subject: Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... In a message dated 7/13/04 4:35:58 PM, tiptd [at] theatreinthepark.com writes: << Nearly forgot the Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court, at one time a theatrical space. Teatro Farnese in Parma. And of course, all those Greek theatres. Visit "Theatre and Playhouse" by Richard and Helen Leacroft, Allardyce Nicoll's, "The Development of the Theatre" and the Izenour books for more theatres. I haven't taught in several years, so my notes that would list many, many more aren't available. >> OK. I'll be the dummy and ask the question....yo Steve! When did you get time to go to all these places??? And the $$$$ for them? I know it sounds glamorous when I write from South Africa or Finland or wherever, and believe me, I'm not complaining......but I spend most of the time working. You know the drill. Beautiful city. Great weather. Wonderful scenery and architecture and me in a small dark theatre. Don't get me wrong, I do get some time to look around, but not nearly enough. I want Steve's job. Bill S. Sapsis Rigging, Inc. www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 800.292.3851 fax 267.278.4561 mobile We stand behind, and under, our work. ------------------------------ From: Bsapsis [at] aol.com Message-ID: <1cc.25aeb732.2e25ad54 [at] aol.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:25:40 EDT Subject: Re: winch question In a message dated 7/13/04 2:46:21 PM, jdurand [at] interstellar.com writes: << OK then, back to what I originally said. The two drums are covered with a WIDE notch belt. It can have helical groves in it for the cable to follow. The belt keeps the drums in sync. So, the cable does NOT stack up, it winds up in one layer following the grove in the notch belt which is driven by one pulley and drives the other one. >> I suspect I'm not the only one who is having trouble envisioning this set up. Jerry. How about a sketch sent over to me and I'll get it put up on my website? Then we can all go and see what it really looks like and if it will work...or not. Whatcha think? Bill S. Sapsis Rigging, Inc. www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 800.292.3851 fax 267.278.4561 mobile We stand behind, and under, our work. ------------------------------ From: Bsapsis [at] aol.com Message-ID: <1e1.254591b7.2e25adee [at] aol.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:28:14 EDT Subject: Question for Cosmo Sorry for the bandwidth folks, but I need to speak with Cosmo and I've lost his e-mail address. So, Cosmo. Could you contact me at either bsapsis [at] aol.com or Bill [at] sapsis-rigging.com Thanks Bill Sapsis Rigging, Inc. www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 800.292.3851 fax 267.278.4561 mobile We stand behind, and under, our work. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:29:12 -0400 Subject: Re: ISO theatre museum other worthy recipent... From: Steve Larson Message-ID: In-Reply-To: I spent two years with Uncle Sam in Germany. Traveled to 16 countries on leave or weekend pass. My wife is a travel agent and travel agents used to get lots of cool passes and stuff. Visited another dozen or so countries doing that. Now we mainly travel overseas on travel agent familiarization trips. Dirt cheap, tour guide and 4 and 5-star hotels. Still not bad. The fam trips do require you to "inspect" the hotels and usually provide you with a classy lunch. We had a tour guide in Moscow and St. Petersburg that liked ballet, theatre, and opera. She got us "inexpensive" tickets to the Bolshoi, Nord Ost (the show taken over by terrorists two night after we saw it) and opera in St. Pete. If someone wanted to see it, we got in. She was great. When I have free time, I don't go to Nascar races or the beach. I travel to experience the rest of the world. Just got back from four wonderful days at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. As a freelance photographer, I got passes and parking free. You just gotta ask sometimes. I work for a not-for-profit theatre with a salary well below what I made teaching on the university level for 27 years. But.....I am happy working with professionally minded volunteers who want to work and will do about anything I ask them. Rule one- appreciate them, tell them, and they will come. And... we try to treat every actor and technician like a professional would come to expect. Steve on 7/13/04 5:06 PM, Bsapsis [at] aol.com at Bsapsis [at] aol.com wrote: > OK. I'll be the dummy and ask the question....yo Steve! When did you get > time to go to all these places??? And the $$$$ for them? > I want Steve's job. > > Bill S. ------------------------------ Subject: Life in Small Theatres Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 15:24:43 -0700 Message-ID: From: "Joe Golden" I am posting this on behalf of Sue Brandt with SoCal USITT. Life in Small Theatres Los Angeles 2004 Saturday August 7, 2004=20 Join us for a day long Theatrical Conference at the Annenberg School for Communications. Los Angeles has a thriving small Theatre community. Against all odds shows are produced in spaces that were once hardware stores, restaurants or sweat shops. This conference is an opportunity for those who live, work and design in these spaces to talk trade ideas and war stories. Its also a chance to elaborate your theatres commitment to historic preservation by bringing your most archaic lighting instrument for the Badass Leko Contest.=20 The Schedule:=20 9am Check-in=20 10am Keynote by Alys Holden - Author of Structural Design for the Stage. She is currently the Technical Director of the Center Theatre group at the Mark Taper Forum.=20 Sessions are from 10:30am to 5pm. Lunch is included=20 Production Managers and Owner Sessions=20 contracts=20 liability=20 Managing self produced Vs outside productions=20 Production Managers Round table=20 Technical Director and Designers Sessions=20 Fire Laws for converted spaces=20 Ancient fixtures how to maintain them=20 special effects on the fly=20 Lighting special effects=20 Special events=20 Bring your favorite old moldy lighting fixture to compete in the Badass leko contest=20 Please fill out and return the information below. Sign-up for 4 sessions. Session 1=20 Contracts or=20 Fire laws in converted spaces=20 Session 2=20 Liability or=20 Ancient Fixture Maintenance=20 Session 3=20 Managing Productions or=20 Special Effects on the Fly=20 Session 4=20 Production Managers Round table or=20 Lighting Special Effects=20 Lunch - Please pick one Sandwich=20 Roast Beef=20 Turkey=20 Vegetarian=20 Cost $40.00 Includes: * 4 sessions * Lunch=20 * Membership in the SoCal Section of USITT Annenberg School for Communication University of Southern California 3502 Watt Way Los Angles, CA To reserve your spot Mail your check to Southern California Section USITT PO Box 2197 Costa Mesa CA 92628-2197 ------------------------------ Message-id: <34197863 [at] newsneezy.Dartmouth.ORG> Date: 13 Jul 2004 18:40:45 EDT From: Nathaniel.G.H.Wells.00 [at] Alum.Dartmouth.ORG (Nathaniel G. H. Wells 00) Subject: Re: Hoffend Vortek system --- You wrote: Is there more information about this anywhere on the web? I did a quick google search and came up with nothing. Mike At 04:21 AM 7/13/2004, Jason wrote: --- Start of quoted text: I heard that the Royal Opera House in London about a month ago had their automated rigging failed and had 2000 pounds parts of scenic rip their alum trust battens apart spearing the deck and lifting it and one just about spearing a cello player within inches. --- end of quoted text --- --- end of quote --- I did some checking around with some people I know in London and got this information about this accident. It apparently happened last year and involved an aluminum truss batten hitting another one and caused failure of one the battens. The accident was investigated and turned out to be a structural problem with the battens not being to spec. All the battens have been replaced during the past year. Hope this helps. Nathan ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20040713221201.026a1b78 [at] localhost> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 22:12:43 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: winch question In-Reply-To: References: At 02:25 PM 7/13/2004, you wrote: >I suspect I'm not the only one who is having trouble envisioning this set up. > Jerry. How about a sketch sent over to me and I'll get it put up on my >website? Then we can all go and see what it really looks like and if it will >work...or not. Will do. I'll actually post it on mine and give a link. I'll try to do it in the morning. ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #70 ****************************