Gaff it?

[LekoBoy]

Why is it that dancers can move so gracefully on stage, then trip over a painted line backstage?

[philhaney]

Originally Posted by cdub260

You know, while I absolutely understand the need to make your cabling as safe as possible, there's this little part of me that says "Why bother?" I've seen dancers trip on a tape line holding down a dance floor, at nearly every dance show I've ever worked!

Originally Posted by LekoBoy

Why is it that dancers can move so gracefully on stage, then trip over a painted line backstage?

There's a reason we call those instruments on the floor trees "Shin Busters", "Knee Knockers", "Crotch Kickers", etc.

I used to be the company stage manager for a ballet company, and the worst story I heard (it was before my time) was about a line of dancers with their hands on the waist of the girl in front of them. They bent over at the waist and backed off stage at speed into the wings. The one leading the pack took the corner of a gell frame on a Leko right in the kidney. It wasn't pretty...

[gafftaper]

Although I love the holy tape, I never gaff cable. If it's loose split the pins, it's a sign of poor electrical contact so it needs to be done. I have a 2 cubits worth of tieline (peace through cubits) choked around the female end of all cables. I can secure the female end to the batten or whatever is near in a way that the male end is not going to fall out. For example tie it so it lies flat on top of the batten.

If the connection needs to hang out in space where there is no where to secure the connection I do the following:
-plug the two ends together
-bring the tie line across from the female connector's cable to the base of the male connector
-wrap both ends of the line around the cable twice and tie a nice bow.

[philhaney]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

... I have a 2 cubits worth of tieline (peace through cubits) choked around the female end of all cables...

Would that be a traditional 18-inch cubit or the distance from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow?

Originally Posted by gafftaper

... If the connection needs to hang out in space where there is no where to secure the connection I do the following:
-plug the two ends together
-bring the tie line across from the female connector's cable to the base of the male connector
-wrap both ends of the line around the cable twice and tie a nice bow.

I was taught to do the same thing (which I do), and as for loose connections, I always split the pins (I have a small Proto flat blade screwdriver on my keychain that I use for just that purpose).

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

...choked around the female end of all cables...

Choked, as in Lark's Head?

Too easily removed, in my opinion. I prefer either a square knot, or clove hitch finished with a half hitch. And yes, always on the female end.

For the past sixty years, movie gaffers have used sash cord, with the knot covered by friction tape.

[gafftaper]

Yes a lark's head. My cable doesn't move very far and some times I want that knot of tie line a little closer or a little farther from the connector, so I prefer the looser lark's head.

Originally Posted by philhaney

Would that be a traditional 18-inch cubit or the distance from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow?

As for the length of the cubit. I put the tip of the rope in my hand, wrap around the elbow and bring it back up to my hand and cut. There was a lot of joking about Metric vs. Imperial measurement here a year or so back and in jest we decided we could all get along by using cubits as God intended. But the truth is two cubits is just about the perfect length for tie line. It's a little long at times but you never run out of line when you have a bunch of cable to tie to in an odd space. Peace through Cubits

[quarterfront]

But the truth is two cubits is just about the perfect length for tie line.

+1

Now, to be honest, we do measure them to 36" when we cut a batch.

[gafftapegreenia]

I still haven't voted on this poll, because my vote of "occasionally in certain cases" isn' t available.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by gafftapegreenia

I still haven't voted on this poll, because my vote of "occasionally in certain cases" isn't available.

Remember, Charc is an "all or nothing" kind of guy, living in a black and white world. It's either safe, or it's not. Do or die.

Go Hard or Go Home!

[Sayen]

Originally Posted by cdub260

You know, while I absolutely understand the need to make your cabling as safe as possible, there's this little part of me that says "Why bother?" I've seen dancers trip on a tape line holding down a dance floor, at nearly every dance show I've ever worked!

This is where we need to start training performers. Teach them the basics of what's backstage, and not to touch anything. My high school actors know enough not to touch cables - we don't tape down any more than we need to for safety now, and I haven't had problems for a long time. But I swear, every other group and outside rental lets performers run around and amuck through my theater, tearing everything up. I hate to generalize, but...sheesh! If my hyperactive performance centered adolescents can pull it off, anyone can.

I do have a great email from one of my renters, who was onstage while I wasn't at the theater. The wing floodlights were on, but no direct lights overstage. The renter emailed to tell me dancers were tripping in the dark...on a flat, bare stage!