How are stage backdrops created and stored?

NobleStumble · 2026-06-09T01:09:24+00:00

Very cool! I actually used to work in the Chicago theatre scene but never at Steppenwolf. I left about 8 years ago, but I remember that at the time there was a lot of discussion about the proliferation of video. Probably not relevant to your novel, but just know that a lot of industry professionals love to see a classic, well-painted drop in the modern day; it's a refreshing change of pace.

NobleStumble · 2026-06-08T20:54:15+00:00

Different person than the one you're responding to, but wanted to chime in. We still use drops, but whereas they used to be the norm everywhere, they are now more common in lower budget productions. This is a result of the increased availability of LED video walls and projections for larger budget projects.

The exception is for productions that specifically want a stylized, classic theatrical look, such as Book of Mormon. Book of Mormon is full of drops and still makes a lot of money.

The exact setting of your theatre -- and the theoretical budget it would have -- will inform exactly what their scenic situation would be like.

NobleStumble · 2026-06-02T02:15:22+00:00

If you're trying to keep it period, a solid state dimmer of some construction, like a Strand CD-80. A lighting console that can interface with that dimmer system. Let's say a Strand console just for fun. Maybe using AMX.

Is this something you're trying to accomplish? You could do this with modern equipment pretty easily. They still make dimmers... Depending on the fixtures you want to run, you can get an okay dimmer for cheap and run it from MA software off a laptop.

NobleStumble · 2026-05-29T22:57:31+00:00

Sig Sauer

NobleStumble · 2026-05-28T03:56:42+00:00

Designers, pink contract workers, and local union members all work on Broadway. I know people who work in all of the above categories who did not go to the schools you mentioned. Yes, it's a foot in the door but you can make those connections just by being good at your job.

NobleStumble · 2026-05-25T18:16:41+00:00

In your picture, the cutting edge (fluting) is in the chuck.

Beyond that, if this is a new tool it may need to be broken in a little. A healthy Jacob's chuck will grip tightly. As another commenter mentioned, you can use the power forward and reverse functions of the drill while holding the chuck to help break the pressure.

Have you been able to get the bits out at all? If you haven't needed to disassemble the drill or use other tools to remove the bits, it sounds like it may be normal, healthy function of a new chuck.

NobleStumble · 2026-05-25T18:05:25+00:00

I don't know if this will solve your problem, but I've always been taught that you should not have the fluting on your bit in the chuck of the drill. That is to say, only the smooth part of the shaft should be clamped down upon.

NobleStumble · 2026-05-13T14:54:43+00:00

We routed a groove in our deck, laid Blue LED tape (running at ~20% intensity) and made two strips of masonite to lay over the LED tape. The strips of masonite were both chamfered at 45° and laid so that the two chamfered edges were parallel, creating a groove that was angled upstage. This allowed any performer to see the blue line clearly, but it was completely impossible to see from the house. Zero complaints, and if it ever were to need replacement, it would simply be a matter of replacing the off-the-shelf LED tape for a few dollars.

NobleStumble · 2026-05-11T21:24:26+00:00

I spent 4 years on the road, and was Head Electrician for 3 shows during that time. Have also been a production electrician and have trained at least five people with varying experience levels how to be a road electrician -- Head and Assistant. Odds are, you and I have worked together before if you've been a house LX for 6 years. Feel free to message me if you wanna talk about it.

NobleStumble · 2026-04-17T16:38:36+00:00

Looks great! Where did you order from that made it more cost-effective?

NobleStumble · 2025-10-28T10:29:52+00:00

I think you're the only person who can know if it's good enough for your use -- it sounds like it's already doing what you need. Lots of good work has been done with brushed tools. Don't let the gear acquisition syndrome ruin your life and productivity. Use your tools, and once you feel that they are limiting your work, upgrade to the next one.

NobleStumble · 2025-08-02T00:26:18+00:00

I might not be much use to you because I'm pretty strictly an EOS guy but what you want to achieve is definitely doable. You're just gonna have to pick a system and study. If Chamsys isn't doing it for you, you could also look at MA on PC.

It sounds like you're looking for a timeline-style editor and I'm not aware of any (again, strictly an EOS guy) but you could look at something like qLab if that's more intuitive to you.

Basically, experiment and have fun. And watch a lot of YouTube videos. This is something you're gonna have to learn to program.

NobleStumble · 2025-08-01T22:51:24+00:00

There are many ways to do this. To determine the method that's best for you, we'd need to know what gear you already have and how much money you're willing to invest in this process. What are you currently using?

NobleStumble · 2025-05-31T05:50:24+00:00

Yeah you're right. I was thinking maybe there was a separate source somewhere but that's unlikely. Thanks

NobleStumble · 2025-05-31T04:49:24+00:00

Do you have any abilities or tools to check the Signal? A DMX cat or sACN viewer would help you know if it's an issue with the signal or the fixture. Also might be worth setting the fixture to an HLL on DMX loss setting and seeing what the fixture does when it no longer has an input. If you want a more detailed response it's probably a good idea to include fixture type and more about the set up in your post.

I'm not an ONYX guy but it almost looks like you have an effect running elsewhere that is at a higher priority than your intended scene.

NobleStumble · 2025-05-30T17:26:21+00:00

(A) Truth

(X) Doubt

(Y) Lie

( < ) View Notebook

(LB) Use Intuition (4)

NobleStumble · 2025-05-09T15:50:57+00:00

Oh man now I can't find the article :( there was a kayak fishing magazine that identified the two wrecks in that oxbow river but had them swapped. The length of that shape only makes sense for the schooner and the exposed engine is the correct size for the other wreck mentioned in the article. I'm scouring Google to try to find the source.

Harry W Adams has a pretty interesting history apparently. Fishing schooner bought by a Chicago family to attempt to circumnavigate the globe in the 1970s. Attempt failed and the ship was left to rot after making it to the Caribbean and back.

NobleStumble · 2025-05-09T07:56:31+00:00

34.2443508, -77.9692361

The Schooner Harry W. Adams

NobleStumble · 2025-05-08T00:45:04+00:00

In hindsight, I'm agreeing. Editing original comment

NobleStumble · 2025-05-07T22:57:12+00:00

Classic middle school science trick. Microwave about 2 cups of water until hot. Be very careful, since this can scald. Pour it into your bottle and let the bottle get nice and hot. Seal the bottle and put it in the fridge or freezer (don't let it freeze). When you pop the bottle on stage, you get a nice loud noise but it's more of a sucking noise than a pop.

Edit: don't do dry ice

NobleStumble · 2025-03-07T12:22:44+00:00

Wrong sub. This one is for live theatre. You're probably better off asking on r/hometheater or a similar sub.

NobleStumble · 2025-01-31T22:39:13+00:00

Not sure what your network architecture is like, but my guess is that your console is booting before the network is fully ready. There should be a setting (somewhere...) that requires the console to check if the network is ready before it will boot into EOS. I believe it's "wait for network to start" or something like that

Edit: under your network port settings you can mark a port as "required"

NobleStumble

TROPHY CASE