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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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