Looking at low budget ways / tips / helps to track a hollywood flat on flybar

kalollcell

New Member
Hello, I am carpenter and am new to this forum. Looking for some help and advice.

Our local community is working on a performance for the senior. The designer wants to hang a hollywood flat (approx 21' tall x 6' wide) on the flybar and have it track on/offstage. Is there a way to build / purchase something and build it from scratch? I am thinking of using some form of Aluminum channel but am not sure how to hook them up to have the stage crew to control the rope from the ground.
Is a very low budget performance therefore any help will be grateful. thank you!

Kalo Cell
 
First things first, make sure someone on your team knows what they are doing with the rigging. Make sure you do the math, use quality load rated equipment and don't do things that are not recommended by the manufacturer. If you don't absolutely KNOW with rigging, don't do it. That's a heavy flat that could cause serious injury.

I would start by figuring out the exact weight of the flat and calling some places like Rosebrand, iWeiss, and Georgia Stage (who specializes in curtains and track) to see if they sell a curtain track that can handle your project. From there I would call my local rental shop and around town to other theaters to see if anyone has the gear I need to do it properly. Don't just throw any old curtain track up there. Know that you are following manufacturer approved use of rated materials.

@What Rigger? @egilson1 are our resident riggers. Do you guys have any additional suggestions?
 
Is a wagon an option? 21x6 is pretty tall, but it’s just a matter of weighting the base and bracing the flat, rather than building a track attached to the flybar. Also cinder blocks and sandbags are a lot cheaper than specialized rigging equipment.
 
Depending on the load, unistrut makes carriers for their strut and is an economic option for this type of thing. The down side is there is no simple turn key solution for operating lines.

Standard duty traveler track might work as well, but it all depends on the weight of the flat.
 
Depending on the load, unistrut makes carriers for their strut and is an economic option for this type of thing. The down side is there is no simple turn key solution for operating lines.

Standard duty traveler track might work as well, but it all depends on the weight of the flat.
Yeah, +1 for the unistrut idea, again as Ethan said- depending on the load.
 
I agree with the guys above, the most readily available hardware will be the Unistrut. Be aware that when you use trolleys with Unistrut you lose the ability to bolt through the back of the strut. You either need to use a purpose made trolley track hanger:
1672533042643.png



Or you'll need to use "Back to Back strut" along with a "Parallel Pipe clamp".
 
yeah unistrut is the way to go for a one off like this. lots of hardware options and your local trade suppliers all sell it. Keep in mind if you're attaching this to a batten and moving it manually (a guy walks behind it, rather than a hand line), its best to immobilize said batten somehow. Guy lines from the end of the pipe over to the wall and tied off somewhere. Not a classy look to have the whole thing swaying left to right when it hits its mark...
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back