MagicQ PC: Cham Sys

Today Mr Hancock showed us how to use the basic functions of Cham Sys, a stage lighting designer on the computer.

·        Patch > choose dim/media > generic dimmer > patch it >

·        36@1-001 (how many @ universe-DMX address)

·        Visualiser > view visualiser > new window pop up of stage

·        Playbacks as submasters

·        ‘int’ controls intensity of light

·        ‘rec’ records > ‘S’ over fader saves it

·        ‘clr’ clears lights

·        Playbacks as cuestacks

·        Record over same ‘S’ to form cue stack > ‘>’ plays

·        Chase automatically cycles

·        ‘Cue stack’ brings up cue stack

·        Under ‘timing’ double click ‘chase’ and change to ‘cue’

·        Selects a group of lights

·        ‘grp’ – group --- ‘all dimmer’ --- ‘X’ wheel

·        FX

·        ‘fx’ button – ‘add fx’ --- ‘intensity’ --- choose for different effects

Tower: Health & Safety

Aluminium Access Tower

- 2.7m Platform
- 4.7m Working Height

• Wear gloves
• Never work alone - pairs (no more)
• Max 2 people in tower at one time
• Wear a hard hat for access
• Always work with appropriate stabilisers
• Never move the tower with people or materials on top
• Push the tower from the base to move
• Brakes always on except for moving tower
• Lift stabilisers 25mm from ground for moving tower
• Never climb the outside for any reason

Speakers

What is the difference between Active and Passive speakers?

·         Active speakers have an inbuilt amplifier.

·         Passive speakers do not have built-in amplifiers and need to be connected to one via a speakon cable.

-          Explain how speakers may differ when used for the main PA for the audience as opposed to monitor speakers.

·         Main speakers send out the majority of the sound that the audience hears. They are often larger than monitor speakers, and there are often more of them as well. They can come as floor-standing or put on stands.

·         Monitor speakers direct the sound back towards the performer(s). They often lie on the floor, but can also be placed on a stand. They give an unbiased sound so that the performer(s) can hear a true response.

-          Explain what a full range speaker system is.

·         A full-range speaker is a type of loudspeaker whose range is enlarged with the use of a whizzer cone. They can cover almost all frequencies audible by the human ear. Smaller systems often have a smaller range.

-          What unit do we measure the power of a speaker in? What unit do we use to measure its loudness?

·         The power of a speaker is measured in watts (W).

·         The loudness of a speaker is measured in decibels (dB).

Rigging Lighting: Health & Safety

• Tower for FOH lighting rig at 4.5m
• Ladder for stage lighting rig at 3.5m
• Always use a safety bond

1. Preparation
2. Hook over rigging bar       [(IWB)- internally wired bars]
3. Attach the safety bond
4. Tighten hook clamp
5. Plug in 15A

Lighting: Beam Angle and Wattage

• Fresnel
  650 watts
  6-60° beam angle
  
• PAR can
  1000 watts
  fixed beam angle
  
• Profile Spot
  650 watts
  18-34° beam angle
  
• Flood
  500 watts
  wide fixed beam angle

Rigging Tabs

Rigging tabs is typically a three person job – you have the rigger, the spotter, and someone to take the weight (of the curtain).

The different tabs are hung from different bars - there is the cyc bar which is the furthest back and is arced, the border bars which are straight, 48mm pipes, and the leg bars or swivel arms which are 25mm bars on a swivel bracket.

We were rigging, taking down, and moving legs:

·         First, we had the task of taking down the curtain.
·         We set up the ladder safely and positioned it beneath the leg bar.
·         The spotter steadied the ladder and the weight taker lifted the tab to relieve the tension. Both people wore hard hats.












·         The rigger climbed the ladder and undid the bows (easier to release) which kept the tab up, and so it fell down to the weight taker.
·         We then moved the tab to where we wanted it.
·         To tie the leg onto the bar, we started from the centre and worked our way out.
·         We took the top of each pair of tie lines and wrapped it fully around the bar once. We then tied a bow. This made it more secure and sturdy.

Sound

Equipment:
DI Box
PA
Dynamic mics
Hanging mics
Cables (patch panels)
Wireless transmitters
Condenser mics
Mixing desk
Speakers
Amplifier

Input Source

(vocals/instruments/mp3/etc.)

↓

Microphone

↓

XLR Cables (3 pin)

↓

Patch Panel

↓

Mixing Desk

↓

XLR Cables (3 pin)

↓

Amplifier

↓

Speakon Cable

↓

Speakers

Amplifier & Speaker

- two in one = active speaker

- separate = passive speaker

13A           à           IEC

PFL - Pre-fade listen

         - listen to input through headphones to check volume levels

Gain (sensitivity) - initial input level - signal to noise ratio

Faders - sliding knobs which control sound level

Health & Safety

Tripping Hazards

• tape down cables (fire exits, walkways, etc.)
• don't leave equipment lying around

Electrical Safety

• no water (or food) on stage
• be careful with smoke fluid
• don't use cables that look damaged
• don't overload circuits - know the equipments' current

Fire Safety

• be careful with rigging of lighting
• illumination distance
• treat set/props with flambar if needed
• know where fire extinguishers are
• keep fire doors shut - do not prop open

Sound/Light

• look after your hearing and eyesight
• don't look directly into lights
• don't expose yourself to loud noises

Risk Assessment: Ladder Safety

Risk Assessment: Setting up Staging

Risk Assessment: Manual Handling

Setting Up Stage Blocks

• First, we took the block tops and laid them on the floor with the underside facing upwards.
• We loosened the clamp bolts to allow enough room for the legs to slot into place

• We then slid the legs (250mm) into the clamps and tightened the bolts to keep them steady.

• To secure them further, we took an 8mm Alan key and tightened each bolt with a half turn at a time to ensure each bolt was equal.
• When all the legs were steadily in place, we took both ends of the stage blocks and flipped it over so that it was upright.

• We repeated the process with another stage block which had longer legs (500mm).
• When both blocks were complete, we set them up as shown.
• Finally, we took the blocks down in the reverse order they had been set up.
  
  Each stage block top is 2x1m
  There are four heights:
  1000mm (stage height)
  750mm
  500mm
  250mm

Stage Plan

Control Box - this is where the lights and sound are controlled from. They are the best seats in the house because the people operating them need a clear view of the performance.

Store Cupboard - this is where everything from materials and tabs, to mics and stands are kept.

Under-Stage Storage - a variety of props are kept under here, and there is also a passage to the trap door.

Steps - these lead down to the under-stage storage.

Trapdoor - this leads from the under-stage storage to onstage and is used as a stage entrance in some performances.

Prompt Corner - this is where the prompt (DSM) and calls the cues via mics.

Off-Prompt - this is the side of the stage which is not prompt corner.

Fire Exits - emergency exits in case of a fire.

3D Stage

Proscenium Arch - the arch over the opening to the stage, provides us with stage left/right wings

Front of House Tabs (Grand Drape) - opens/closes when the show begins/finishes

Legs - mask the wing spaces and frame the stage

Borders - mask the roof, rigging, etc. and frame the top of stage

Backdrop - can be painted or just general filled cloth

Cyclorama - a slightly curved drape at the back of the stage, the curve gives the feel of infinity if lit well

* Teaser - border just upstage of proscenium arch

* Tormentor - leg just upstage of proscenium arch

* Gauze (Scrim) - stage curtains for moody effects with lighting, lit front = 'solid' curtain, lit behind = 'invisible' curtain

* Groundrow - low flat scenery, often horizon, hides base of backdrop or cyclorama

Ladder Climbing with a Spotter