More Flying

JackMVHS

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Hi, in case you don't know who I am, you can check out my New Member post:
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/new-member-board/11144-hey-there.html

My school is putting on "Beauty and the Beast" this spring and I am the technical director. The director has been going to showings at other schools for the past year or so and was in awe when she saw an actor fly off stage, which means that she now wants us to do this.

I haven't looked too much into it yet and wanted to get some details from you guys. I know that it is way to dangerous to do it ourselves, and we were never considering it, safety is a priority. I am wondering if any of you know of a place around the Twin Cities in Minnesota that specializes in flying actors on stage.

We were also wondering if they set up and operate during the performance, or if they set up and train our crew to operate it. Do you know around how much this might cost and if there are any requirements our theatre must meet?

Thanks in advance!
~JackMVHS
 
Sorry to dissapoint you but CB has a no discussion of "how-to" of rigging policy. This is so that neither the Site nor an individual user is sued. I'm sure that if you post your general location someone will know a rigging specialist in that area who will be able to help.
 
We can tell you how to fly someone... Here it is... It takes some pretty advanced technolgy to do...





You need to know how to use a telephone and how to write a check for at least 5000 dollars.

There are 3 companies in the US that do this regualy. Those being Hall and Associates,Flying by Foy, and ZFX. They all should be able to help you.

Most likely the company will operate the gear through the entire run. Now, if you want to rent the complete show, my "summer home" has the complete set with a foy flying package. It would still require you bring a foy person out to install and run the rig, but it would be one less truck to pay for. I believe zfx also has a rental set.
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If necessary, disregard the specific questions, because I mostly would like to know if anyone has any info on rigging specialists in the Twin Cities.

Sorry,
~JackMVHS
 
If necessary, disregard the specific questions, because I mostly would like to know if anyone has any info on rigging specialists in the Twin Cities.

Sorry,
~JackMVHS

Rigging specialist and person to fly someone are two different things. Give a ring to the 3 companies I mentioned, they are used to travel.
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If necessary, disregard the specific questions, because I mostly would like to know if anyone has any info on rigging specialists in the Twin Cities.
You can search for certified riggers (arena or theatre) in your area at Search for an ETCP Certified Technician. I highly suspect each of them will offer the same advice you're getting here. Contact information for the above companies may be found in the Glossary entry: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/glossary/7904-flying-effects.html.
 
Sit down and discuss that this one effect, lasting about one minute on stage, will cost upwards of 10,000.00 The transformation does not require that the person be flown. I am also working on a production of B&B this summer, and I'd rather the 10k go towards a totally cool set and some extra lights.
 
Sit down and discuss that this one effect, lasting about one minute on stage, will cost upwards of 10,000.00 The transformation does not require that the person be flown. I am also working on a production of B&B this summer, and I'd rather the 10k go towards a totally cool set and some extra lights.

I agree completely, we didn't know how much it would cost and were just looking into it.

Thanks!
 
My school is putting on "Beauty and the Beast" this spring and I am the technical director. The director has been going to showings at other schools for the past year or so and was in awe when she saw an actor fly off stage, which means that she now wants us to do this.


Who flew off stage? I did a production of Beauty and the Beast as an electrician last year and I can't imagine anyone flying off stage?
 
Who flew off stage? I did a production of Beauty and the Beast as an electrician last year and I can't imagine anyone flying off stage?

I believe it was the enchantress at the verrrrrrry beginning.

Why they did this, or how they paid for it, I do not know, as it was a public school...
 
Why they did this, or how they paid for it, I do not know, as it was a public school...

They probably did it themselves using inappropriate equipment. Somebody's Dad said, "$5,000! I can do that with some parts from Home Depot for a couple hundred bucks." For more information on this technique read this thread.

Another interesting point to consider. We recently had a post from a school that had the money and decided to hire a pro company to do a flying show. However their district Risk Management office found out about their plans and shut them down. In their opinion the act of flying a student, even with a professional flight company, was too dangerous.

I would call whoever you buy your gel from and ask them if there is anyone in the area who would set this up. As was said before, I bet they will tell you to call Foy, Hall, or ZFX. Some of these companies will stay to supervise the effect during every performance while others set it up, train your crew, and then leave you in charge... which costs less (it still isn't cheap). Call all three and talk to them about what you want to do.
 
Look holmes, just 'cause your production didn't do it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen elsewhere. Aerial transformations for Bn'B are common, owing to the fact that the original production on B'way and the touring companies do have aerial FX.

And so do a majority of high schools now. My co-workers and I do it all-the-time.

I love squints who think they know about rigging/flying.:evil:

Wow... am I your new target?

I was asking because I wanted to know, not because I think that everyone else should do it exactly the same.
 
Wow... am I your new target? ...
No one is (or should be) "targeting" anyone.

It appears a re-iteration of ControlBooth's Core Values might be warranted.
The cornerstone values of our community is mutual respect between members. We pride ourselves in having a mature, civil, yet fun atmosphere where members are able to debate their differing opinions without resorting to flame wars . Our community enthusiastically welcomes new members, and we are always eager to offer helpful advice to both the novice and seasoned veteran alike.
 
I was talking to someone from a high-school that did Peter pan flying with fall-arrest harnesses and wire rope... And the Physics teacher rigged it...
He described it to me in detail and the more he told me the louder I asked him to not tell me any more. He must of thought I was kidding.

Yeah when one of the wire ropes cuts a quarter inch into a curtain track by the end of the run, I think there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with your setup.

This is EXACTLY why only a few specialists should be able to do these effects. It is extremely dangerous and too many people with little to no rigging experience decide that it is simple and that they can do it cheap.
 

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