creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3694
Printed Date: 5/19/24 at 12:21pm
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Topic: creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif
Posted By: wylieblanc
Subject: creating a counter weight lift w/o a hydraulic lif
Date Posted: 12/27/08 at 2:10am
I am directing The Foreigner in the spring and I need a lift so a character can literally melt onstage. I have an idea of using a counter weight lift so it is a controlled decent, however, I have no idea how to construct or install one. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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Replies:
Posted By: jungle16jim
Date Posted: 1/02/09 at 4:09pm
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Totally different idea we used when I did the show this Fall. I was very suspicious, but it looked pretty cool.
The platform was about 2 1/2 feet off the stage. During intermission, we inflated two air mattresses under the platform after lowering the door. Actors had to step over the rug during the act, but no one really caught on. When Ellard stepped with one foot onto the rug/mattress, we pulled the plugs and he crotched down as they deflated. Adding a bit of fog dressed up the effect which got cheers every night. Very low tech, but totally workable. |
Posted By: wylieblanc
Date Posted: 1/02/09 at 4:50pm
| What a great idea. I will have to definitely have to consider it. Thanks for the post. |
Posted By: TimW
Date Posted: 2/01/09 at 9:57am
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I hope this doesn't come to late, but we used a counterweight system on our production.
We attached steel cable to each corner of the trap door and ran it under the stairs that go up to the bedrooms. This length will vary depending on set design, etc.
Under the stairs, bolt an arm on each side of the set at stage level for the pivot point, and a cross brace at the weight end. You will be attaching 2 cables to each arm.
The rest is mostly trial and error. We set the weight so we could attach it for the 'lowering' and detach it for the door drop, etc. Placement and length of the arm, length of the cable, etc. all depend on set design.
Just make sure that when the weighted arm goes up, that the weight doesn't go past your pivot point at stage level, this will effect your control of the door at the lowest point.
I know this may sound a little vague, but I hope this will head you in the right direction.
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Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 2/01/09 at 12:59pm
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Jim's suggestion reminds me of one I heard of using a car/ truck airbag. That might offer some advantage over airmattresses in height and volume.
I'm not sure I followed Tim's suggestion correctly--a drawing would definately help. But I think he's suggesting something similar to what I'm thinking. I was thinking that you could attach steel cables to each corner of the trap, but rig them through pulleys to weights hung below the elevated stage. If your actor weighs 160#, you have 4 weights each a little less than 40#. Platform is covered with spandex then a rug to keep the hole less visible. The only problem is the one that Tim's lever arms probably help: The actor may be dropping though a 2.5' raised plaform, but since the weights occupy space and thus have height, he drops less than 2.5' ------------- _____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people |
Posted By: whitebat
Date Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:48pm
| What costume is Ellard wearing when he melts? We've "melted" a character by having a "dummy" costume with a very light counterweight. It was very dependent on the type of costume though. |