Head blocks usually multiple-wheel blocks, i.e.

Head blocks: located above the rigging rail, is a set of loft blocks where the multiple lines rising from the rail spread out over the grid to individual loft blocks. Lack of a Grid makes maintenance difficult and temporary rigging almost impossible. In some theatres built on the cheap the grid dispensed with, and the rigging is underhung from the ceiling beams. Grid may be made of channel iron or of bar grating or similar lightweight metal grate old theatres the grid and beams were of wood. The Grid can supporting lightweight temporary rigs, called spot lines. Often main loft blocks located on or above pairs of heavy support beams with a gap between, called loft block wells.Ī floor made of channel irons or bar grating (subway grating) fills the area between. Pulleys are also called Blocks, a naval term for pulleys on a ship, or Sheaves.īlocks may sit directly on the grid with pulley (wheel) up, called Overhung, or be fastened above grid to the ceiling, pulley hanging down, called Underhung. Gridiron, or Grid for short, on which are located the pulleys for the fly system. Scene loft or fly space: the large open area located above stage curtains and flown scenery are stored here when 'flown out'. Well equipped theatres often have a flyrail on both stage left and right. Rope systems are often used for temporary or custom rigging, as rope systems are easier to adapt than counterweight or winch systems. Today the main fly system is rarely a rope system but rope systems are often included Pin rail may be located at floor level or on a catwalk above floor called the flyrail. The lower bar used to tie off scenery at low trim (playing height). The upper bar is used to tie off ropes when the battens are at high trim (flown out for storage). Rope systems were borrowed from square rigged sailing ships, a wooden rail with holes for belaying pins provides tie-off points for the ropes. The flys are run by the flymen, and under the control of the Head Flyman.īorrowed from sailing ship industry, majority of terminology including the term 'rigging' comes from sailing ships. Part of Carpentry, involves own set of skills so is almost a separate department.

Fly Systems RIGGING SYSTEMS: operation and safety rulesįly or rigging system: allows safe support and quick change scenery and lighting used in proscenium theatre.

Brick rigs flight controls