Recent content by Terrence MacArthur

I don't doubt it, but i only started with theatre in the mid '60s. Don't have much real practical knowledge of stuff earlier than that, and wasn't gonna say they did it before that, even though logic says they pretty much had to.

Heck, I do wish it was a Vectorworks file. Even though my best friend is one of AutoDesk's senior programmers and I can get a copy whenever i want, I haven't had AutoCad on one of my computers since about '02.

I'd also like to know the answer to what's the best one under $500. The last couple times we used ours we had some glitches, so it may be time to replace it. No, I don't even remember exactly what it is, the last time it got taken out and used was well over a year ago, and I just don't recall.

How long ago was that manual written? Lots of things that were OK 40 odd years ago are now seen as too dangerous. Not because they're any more or less dangerous, but because safer and reasonably affordable options have come on line.As for it being stupid and a possible liability, I'll admit...

Reminds me of the old Broadway system of sticking super short scenes into a play so that while the scene was in progress on the apron the stagehands could change the set unseen by the audience. Take a look at the scripts for some old stuff, like Damn Yankees from the '50s.

I'm wondering if the insurance people might have softened their position fof any student under 18 who had been through the lift training if they had a signed informed consent from their parents. That 18 years old limit sounds as if the insurance people were worrying about the parents suing for...

Suppose you wanted to use 2 winches to lift and lower (static lift) 250 pounds, which included a performer. Two half ton winches would only give you 2000 pounds, less than a 10 to 1 ratio. Two 1 ton winches would be a bit of overkill. Are there any such things as 3/4 ton winches?

It might have been, but I'm not sure that would work on this one. I didn't even consider that when I was still thinking I could just use the flys because I don't like the idea of adding in the weight of the second arbor to the scenery arbor, then somehow disconnecting them. Not even sure it...

The platform going down then back up would be visible to the audience, so a scissor lift, probably the simplest way to do it, wouldn't be a great idea. A spot on only the actor and everything else dark MIGHT fix that, but I don't think so, and, anyway, the deal is the whole stage needs to be...

As BillConner implies, it depends on the "grid" whether it's safe or not. Assuming this was purpose built as part of a theatre, someone somewhere must have the data that'll tell you whether or not it's safe to rig anythtng from it. Assuming you mean using the grid to support whatever it is...

I think EVERYONE has become more risk averse, and it HAS affected technology at the college level. Understand that I was a theatre student in NY in '72, and am again now in Utah. A couple nights ago we were striking a show, someone was up on a genie detaching a wooden structure that probably...

Where I'm at now with this thing is that I want to use some kind of AC motor lifting devices, one concealed in each stairway. I like hydraulics, but that would need too much extra stuff, electric motors would just need cords. So the fly system handles the platform when it's not being used, it...

OK, sorry 'bout that. Just seemed that the first one started off pretty vague and ina wrong direction, and now it's more specific.

Yup, him. Did a gig as the shrink on Law & Order too, I think. I think U of Minn was a Masters. Or he started at Weber and finished in Minn? The guy who runs the Musical Theatre program knows him, told me he went to Weber. I didn't think to ask about details or anything. I do know they...

I didn'ti mnd taking, and even paying for, the CLEP. Helll, I like tests - they give me a chance to show off and boost my ego. I just didn't want the 3 credits going on my transcript. I mean, I took the test, I passed, so I obviously know the stuff. So give a waiver for that GenEd...