westcoasting

One of the many methods for dealing with a backdrop, particularly with limited flyspace. (Another is tripping). Often one will hear the term "Just westcoast the drop into the hamper." One method is while the batten is at working height (4'-6' above stage) the bottom of the drop is gathered to the top and using the tielines that attach it to the batten, is tied every five feet or so. The batten is then either flown out or the drop is put into a hamper or bag starting at one end or the other. This method is particularly effective when dealing with scrims.

Sometimes known as fan-folding, an easy way to fold a drop involving one person at each side and coordination with the fly person bringing in the batten slowly. This method also has the advantage of not taking up the entire stage surface to fold one drop. Once the drop is vertically fan-folded, the ends are folded toward the center. For those renting backdrops, the drops should be folded in the same manner that they came to you. Rental shops appreciate this, even though they will want to unfold the drop to inspect for damage, then refold it.

One legend of the origin of the term is that theatres on the west coast of the US usually didn't have as much flyspace as those on the east, so alternate methods of flying a drop out of view were used.

The term has also been applied to multi-cable, where during the load-out of a production, the male end of each cable is put into a cable trunk (Cadillac) and coiled until the female end is reached. Then the next is done similarly. No ties are used, as the cable will be removed from the box and machine-coiled at the lighting shop.