Rigging Certification -- Operator Purdue University Theatre April 8, 2006 Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Introduction Batten down the scenery Tie one off That’s bull Principles of loading battens Safe loading practices Tie one off Safety tie-offs That’s bull Out-of-weight scenery and using a bull-line safely Time for hemp (rigging) Principles of hemp rigging installation and operation Keepin’ it real, yo. Maintaining the rail log Daily inspection Knot again Common knots Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Lineset operation Rope lock Two jaws and a lever arm Lever arm has a cam, which pinches the two jaws together against the rope NEVER used to hold an out-of-weight batten Hand line direction is the same as batten direction To fly a batten in, the hand line should be pulled down To fly a batten out, the hand line should be pulled up When unlocking a lineset, always assume the possibility of an out-of-weight condition Grasp rope tightly Excessive slack above the lock indicates a pipe-heavy condition Excessive slack below the lock indicates an arbor-heavy condition In a possibly excessive out-of-weight situation, use a tie-off method for safety Always pull downward Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Principles of Loading Battens Counterweight systems designed to be used in balanced conditions Loading scenery or (lighting/sound equipment) is an inherently unbalanced condition Keep unbalanced conditions safe: loading practices should keep all weight low to the ground, and not rely on the lock rail to hold weight in the air Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Safe loading practices Fly operator is in control of the entire operation Gives clear to stage crew to begin loading the batten Gives direction to loading crew to begin loading counterweights Tests lineset for balance Ensures safe practices and conditions at all times Ensures personnel are clear of moving scenery and battens Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Loading procedure Give clear to stage crew to load batten Load batten In some situations, scenery will be lying or resting on the floor, and the batten will not carry the load; in these situations, use a bull line or other method for keeping the batten flown in When stage crew indicates the batten is loaded, give direction to loaders to load arbor Load counterweight to arbor When loaders indicate arbor is loaded, announce a balance test Slowly raise the batten to test for balance Direct loaders to add or subtract weight as needed The Hansen Theatre has two loading bridges, at 50’ and 60’ above stage level. When a batten is “in,” the arbor is “out,” enabling weight to be loaded to the arbor when the batten is in and loaded. A loaded batten should rarely need to be lifted off the stage in an unbalanced condition. Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Cadence (or calls) Moving a batten “Onstage, lineset #2, legs one, coming in downstage” “Lineset #17, seventh electric, going out, upstage” Direct stage crew to begin loading or unloading scenery (or equipment) “Stage crew/TD/ME/etc. begin loading/unloading lineset #3” “Master Electrician, lineset #15 is yours” Direct loaders to load arbor “Weight rail please load 4 bricks, lineset #6” Testing for balance “Checking weight, lineset #12” Direct loaders to remove weight from arbor “Weight rail, please remove 4 bricks, lineset #12” “Weight rail, please strip lineset #9 to pipe weight” Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Cadence (or calls) From the stage crew, to the fly operator, when loading is complete “Fly rail, lineset #4 is yours” “Fly rail, lineset #5 loaded and ready for weight.” From the stage crew, to the fly operator, when unloading is complete “Fly rail, lineset #15 is yours” “Fly rail, lineset #6 is stripped of lights/scenery/etc.” Always demand (and wait for) confirmation that crews have heard your direction (a simple “thank you”) Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Runaway linesets An excessively unbalanced lineset may “runaway” or “run” If a lineset begins to run, DO NOT TRY TO STOP IT! Shout a warning and take cover immediately! Depending on which part of the system is heavy, the arbor will fly up or down (as will the batten), and crash to the grid or the floor Either way, much crashing, smashing, weeping, and gnashing of teeth will likely ensue Runaways are caused by human error Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Tying off a lineset Two methods (at Purdue) Rope twist or wrap Wrap front and back handlines around each other For additional force, place a length of 3/4" pipe between front and back lines, and use it to twist ropes Prussik knot Cinch knot around front and back handlines, tied to lock rail Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Out-of-weight scenery Often scenic elements, when loaded onto a batten, are resting on the ground, and the batten does not take the weight immediately As the batten is flown out, it takes progressively more of the weight from the floor, until the unit is floating Choose a method to control the unbalanced condition Partial arbor loading Bull rope Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Bull-line (preferred) Attach weight to batten Loop a strong rope over the batten With a single rope, loop over batten at center lift line With multiple ropes, space evenly along the batten, at lift lines Load arbor fully (or to a safe, controllable amount) Use bull lines and hand line of lineset to control batten Fly batten out until weight is off the stage floor, or arbor is at another gallery Load arbor with additional, controllable counterweight as needed Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Partial Arbor Loading Attach weight to batten Load arbor with a controllable amount of counterweight Fly batten out until arbor is at another gallery Load arbor with additional, controllable counterweight Continue process until load is counterweighted and off the stage floor Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Principles of Hemp Rigging Before there were linesets, there was hemp In essence: a rope is passed through blocks above the stage; on one end is attached a load, on the other is an operator Loads can be counterweighted, by attaching sandbags to the offstage end of the rope Ropes are tied off to a pin rail offstage Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Safe Hemp Rigging Practices Use the right knot! Tie cable swags or battens with cloves and half hitches Use bowlines for loops Use nylon runners and ’biners when available Tie off to the pin rail correctly Always dress your rope Never load a non-counterweighted hemp line above 40# When operating hemp lines, avoid abrading the rope Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Maintenance and Inspection At the operating rails, each lineset should be labeled as follows: Show title Unit Weight (bricks above pipe weight) Special notes (e.g., “Dead Hung”) Update the lineset schedule as necessary Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Maintenance and Inspection Examine the rope lock, rail, rope, arbor and counterweights to ensure all are operating correctly, and show no signs of excessive wear Examine the scenery or equipment on each batten to ensure all connections are tight and secure Run linesets to ensure nothing feels or sounds different (rough, noisy, slippery, etc.) Contact the production technical director, production sound engineer, or master electrician, as appropriate, if anything looks out of place Never assume the system is operating properly! Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019

Knots Bowline Clove hitch Prussik Knot Sheetbend Used to put a loop in a line 60% efficient Clove hitch Used to secure a line to a rigid body (like a batten) 75% efficient Prussik Knot Used to secure a lineset to the lock rail Sheetbend Used to join two lengths of rope Can be used to join ropes of different sizes Purdue University Theatre 5/3/2019