apperently saftey dosent matter during rehearsals :rolleyes:

[TupeloTechie]

So I was watching a rehearsal today and I see a batten going out real shaky. The batten is holding (3) 12'x4' Hollywood flats and 3 pieces of fabric about 12'x3'. I go backstage to see what is going on and I see 8 people hoisting up this batten with an empty arbor. I say STOP and have them bring it in and tell them to lock it. But the director tells them over com to bring it up and they tell me and I say "no its not safe, your an idiot if you do that." Well apparently they tell the director that I called all of them idiots and she blows up on me. I tell her that its not safe and that they shouldn't do it. She says that they need the practice doing it and that we have done it before unweighted. I say that it doesn't matter if we have done it before, its not safe and very idiotic. So now the director despises me... great!

ps. What happened to the punching bag?

[beachcombah15]

hahaha funny story about punching bags...I walked into the shop backstage the other day to find that my crew has completely gone against my rule and hung a punching bag in the middle of the shop. The next day, one of my techies comes in with a cast on here hand, her response when I ask her what happened, she said "I punched the punching bag too many times." Needless to day I took it down that day and locked it up.

[willbb123]

I am so glad my HS didn't have a fly system. I am also glad I'm not in HS.

This is now the third time I've responded a topic like this, and its really getting old.

You need to make sure this never happens again. Other times I said go to the director, then go to the administration. By now I've realized that student concerns are often ignored. So go to your parents. Tell them the director is making students work in unsafe conditions. Tell them that you feel that your safety (and life) is at risk. Administrators will listen to parents. Have your parents talk to other parents. This will make things happen.

This is the third time I've said this, and I NEVER want to say it again.

Originally Posted by willbb123

I really don't want your next post to be talking about an accident.

After Thought: I am assuming you are in HS cause of the nature of the situation and the directors reaction to you saying its not safe. I apologize for my assumption if you are not.

[tech2000]

Originally Posted by TupeloTechie

I tell her that its not safe and that they shouldn't do it. She says that they need the practice doing it and that we have done it before unweighted.

That would never happen in my hs theater! Our director actually has common sense! (Something it seems this director lacks...)

Originally Posted by TupeloTechie

ps. What happened to the punching bag?

That would be dangerous with my crew...

[fredthe]

Whover has the final technical authority in the facility really needs to have a talk with the director...

The "Punching Bag" forum is still there, but from the comments, it may now only be accessable to supporters.

-Fred

[TupeloTechie]

Yes it is a high school. The guy in charge of the place has no idea how to weight it or has any safety knowledge or common sense...

[tech2000]

I hope he isn't the one to teach the students how to operate the fly.

[willbb123]

It amazes me that you can become a theater teacher without any safety classes. Unfortunately its going to take a few accidents to change anything.

Originally Posted by fredthe

The "Punching Bag" forum is still there, but from the comments, it may now only be accessible to supporters.

Yes the Punching bag forum is only visible to supporters.

[TupeloTechie]

Originally Posted by tech2000

I hope he isn't the one to teach the students how to operate the fly.

There isn't anyone to teach the students how to operate the fly. I learned at my old school.

[fredthe]

Originally Posted by TupeloTechie

The guy in charge of the place has no idea how to weight it or has any safety knowledge or common sense...

Another reason why counterweight systems don't belong in High Schools... but there are many already in place.

Thankfully, you saw what was happening, and were able to stop it. The director may be mad at you, but you may have prevented a terrible accident. Please, don't let the director's attitude stop you from doing the same thing in the future.

As was said previously, it's time to get the parents involved and have them raise the safety issues to the administration.

-Fred