rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft

dancekal-td@ wrote:
> For a rapidly approaching show, I am looking to build an inverted roll
> drop. I won't have any fly space and I need to fly a 23'-0" x 42'-0"
> scrim. If anyone has already done this, I would rather NOT re-invent
> the wheel. As usual, there is little time and less money.
>
> Any ideas, other than "cut it"?
>
> tia
>
> Michael S. Drury

Michael,

Where is the scrim - up or down stage?

Does it move more than once?

How long is it "out"? "In"?

Is it framed by legs and borders?

Inverted as in an olio, rolling up from the bottom, or rolling down from
above, between borders? Which?

Motorized winch or counterweight?

How much time is this cue allowed?

Stretchy scrim as a roll drop is devilish at best.

Option: If it plays upstage, it could be dropped down, both batten and
goods hidden on the deck behind a simple ground row that is out of the
way of the performers [yes, flying lines would be there, but depending
on how/when it plays, they could be unhooked/hooked in the blackout,
scene, or act change and flown out]. It's those details we need to know.

A 42' wide scrim won't play nice unless the roll drum is super rigid and
properly rigged. This is a LOT of counterweight on only two working
lines at each end of the drum [olio style]. And, at that width you are
dealing with a LARGE drum diameter, perhaps 24"+ - are you sure you have
the room for a rolled scrim?

Option: You could just as easily do a traveler scrim, depending on the
time available for the cue, having stretcher clamps already on in the
wing where it 'stores' and adding them to the 'live' end after it
crosses the stage to smooth it out before the LX cue comes up, etc.

Details would help. Lots of good tech folk on this NG, so I hope you get
an answer that helps.

Regards,
Bert Morris