Automation – Scenic
AUTOMATION
1) Facility available on larger sound mixing desks allowing channel muting or even fader moves to be taken under the control of a computer to ensure accurate and repeatable mixing.
2) Describes the method used instead of stage crew for moving bits of set or actors around stages on productions with sufficient budget. See MOUSE, SPADE, DOG, KNIFE.
Scenic Automation on Theatrecrafts.com
AXIS
(plural AXES). An individually controllable moving element controlled by a scenic automation or powered flying system. For example, a system controlling three flying pieces will have three axes of automation.
BRIDGE LIFT
An elevator which raises and lowers sections of the stage floor, usually by electrical or hydraulic means.
CHARIOT AND POLE
Forerunner of the modern mouse and stage method of stage automation. Method of scene changing developed in 1641 by Giacomo Torelli, consisting of slots in the stage floor which supported uprights (known as poles) on which flats were mounted. The poles were attached below stage level to chariots, mounted on casters which run in tracks across the stage. The chariots were connected to ropes via pulleys enabling all flats to be changed via a single winch.
CONTINGENCY
An alternative plan of action if a piece of technology fails to operate. Large-scale productions have to continue wherever possible to avoid having to give the audience refunds. So if a small piece of the set fails to work or gets stuck (particularly automated scenery) the cast and crew will have rehearsed an alternative choreography to work around it while the crew repair it. For example in The Lord of the Rings The Musical in London, when the revolving stage with multiple lifts had a safety sensor triggered, the automation went into 'E-Stop' mode, a thunderclap sound effect was triggered, the stage lifts went to a flat floor (once it had been found safe to do so) and the actors for the next scene were rushed into new positions, while the actors on stage immediately adopted a new choreography.
It's vital that contingencies are worked out in advance so that as soon as something goes wrong, the show can continue, and the audience will hopefully be unaware.
CUE LIST
A list of sound, lighting, automation, scene change, video, followspot (etc) cues in order of their appearance in the show. Each cue is given a unique number, and the list includes a brief description of what it does (e.g. for Lighting: Blackout, Dim Downstage Wash, Red Spot Upstage; for Sound: Preshow Music, Fade Out, Snap Music to Quiet etc. )
Cue is often abbreviated to 'Q".
Also known as a Plot Sheet.
DEAD MAN
Also known as DEADMAN'S BUTTON (DMB). This is a handle that has to be squeezed by a technician in order for a pre-programmed automation sequence to take place. If for any reason the relevant technician is not in position, the system does not allow the sequence to run.
DOG
1) Colloquial term for a wire rope grip. Occasional a rope 'dog' or a girder 'dog' - a device that clamps.
2) See MOUSE.
Submitted by Chris Higgs.
E-Rigging - How to Install Wire Rope Clips
DRIVE AND GUIDE
Names given to the two SPADES inserted into a piece of scenery when used with an automation system. The DRIVE spade connects into the MOUSE, and the GUIDE spade simply keeps it lined up correctly on the automation track.
DROP AND SLIDE DOOR
Mechanised cover for a scenic automation trapdoor. Also known as a SUNROOF.
EMERGENCY STOP
Also known as E-STOP, all scenic automation or powered flying systems have an emergency stop facility built into them. The pressing of any e-stop button in the system will immediately halt any movement and prevent any further movement until the system is reset.
FEEDBACK
(Automation) Process by which information about the position of a piece of scenery is fed back into an automation system to ensure it's running correctly.
GO BUTTON
1) A button on a lighting or automation control console that executes a cue. The button is usually labelled GO.
2) (Trade Name) A remote control for a computer running QLab software.
HYDRAULIC
A system of controlling machinery or moving scenery using oil or water under pressure to move a piston or 'ram'. Used in many large-scale shows to automate scene changes.
IMPRESSARIO
1) Now more likely to be called a Producer, the Impresario organised and financed the performing arts. Term originated in the Italian opera, in the mid 18th Century.
2) Automation control console and system by AVW Controls in London, UK.
AVW Controls website
KNIFE
See SPADE.
LIMIT SWITCH
Part of a scenic automation or powered flying system - a switch positioned to send a signal to the controller when it's reached the end of it's travel.
MCC
(Automation) Motor Control Cabinet / Centre. The equipment containing the drivers and controller hardware for automation motors.
MOUSE
Moving part of a scenic automation system. Mice are pulled along tracks by cables under the stage floor, which has a groove cut in it following the track. The mice can be made useful by inserting a metal SPADE through a wheeled piece of scenery into the mouse, which then pushes or pulls the scenery with it. The scenery sometimes has additional guide pins which move in additional guide tracks which allow the scenic piece to move in more complex directions.
In the USA, a Mouse is called a DOG, and the Spade is a KNIFE.
PERFORMER FLYING
A manual or electrically driven system for lifting performers off the stage and allowing spectacular stunts and aerial sequences to be performed.
PLC
Acronym for Programmable Logic Controller. An industrial computer custom-designed to control electrical equipment, first introduced in 1968 to control manufacturing equipment in factories. The PLC software is very reliable and is used in many different industries, including to control scenic automation equipment.
REFERENCE CHECK
Regular check on automated scenic items that they are lining up correctly with known points / marks on the stage. This ensures that the system is correctly calibrated and the scenery will be positioned accurately during the show. The reference position for trucks that move around the stage deck is usually offstage and out of the audience's sightline. For flown pieces, the reference is to a specific height (e.g. 1000mm) above the stage deck.
REVOLVE
A turntable built into the stage floor on which scenery can be set and then driven into view. Can be electrically chain driven either as part of an automation system or via simple start/stop controls, or manually rotated. A revolve can also be built on top of an existing stage.
A partial revolve with a stationary centre section is known as a DOUGHNUT REVOLVE.
In the US, a Revolve is often known as a TURNTABLE.
German: drehscheibe
See also WAGON STAGE, JACKKNIFE STAGE.
SAFETY EDGE
A safety sensor on the edge of a piece of automated scenery (usually a moving platform) that the automation system uses to detect something or someone out of place and take appropriate action.
See also STAGE EDGE.
SHOW DECK
A false floor built on top of the theatre stage, which contains technical elements such as automation tracks or revolves, concealed lighting or smoke effects. In some large shows, the show deck completely replaces the existing theatre stage, which is put back into position when the show has finished it's run.
SPADE
Thick metal blade which is inserted through a piece of moving scenery into a MOUSE to allow the movement of the scenery to be controlled by an AUTOMATION system.
In the USA, a Spade is called a KNIFE (and the Mouse is a DOG).
There are usually two spades inserted into a piece of scenery or furniture; one is the DRIVE (connected to the Mouse which is attached to the motor system) and the other is the GUIDE.
SPADING UP / SPADED UP
The act of preparing an item of scenery to be moved by a scenic automation system using a MOUSE / SPADE system.
SPIKEMARK
(Trade Name) Software built by scenic automation company Creative Conners to use with their automation systems.
Creative Conners website
SPROCKET
A wheel with protruding teeth which is used to convert the linear motion of a chain into rotation (or vice versa). A sprocket wheel is used on a bicycle to drive the chain which drives the wheels. A sprocket is also used on a film projector to pull the film down through the projector past the gate where it pauses intermittently in synchronisation with a shutter which allows light to shine through each frame as it is held in position. Once the shutter closes, the sprocket pulls the next frame into view, and so on.
SUNROOF
(US) Mechanised cover for a scenic automation trapdoor - also known as a Drop & Slide Door.
TRUCK
1) Wheeled platform on which a scene or part of a scene is built to facilitate scene changing. (e.g. "This scene happens on the balcony truck"). Also known as WAGON.
2) (TV/film - verb) To move a wheeled camera sideways.
3) (Theatre - verb) To move a wheeled platform onto or off stage. (e.g. 'Let's truck the cottage scene in a the end of the second verse')
WAGON
(also known as TRUCK). A large wheeled platform which can be moved around the stage either manually by crew or by a scenic automation system. See also WAGON STAGE.