[SML] Platforming to go on the road

[Kristi R-C]

I just built a set with two, two-story wagons with a spiral staircases. After tipping the top platform upside down and bolting the legs in each corner, we tipped it 90 degrees onto its side carefully guarding the legs, then wrapped a couple of huge bowlines around the platform and a batten. A couple of my HS kids and I raised the batten to lift the platform with leg assembly up, while other students gently slid the whole thing into the legs-down position and then guided each corner into place on the lower wagon while the fly crew and I gently lowered it in. With cross-bracing and the stairs, they are very sturdy. 


With ACTF, you don't know for certain that you will have at the space, though. 

Does it have to be 8' high? I cut mine in so that the platform is closer to 7' and wish I would have taken off another 6" as it would still clear performer's heads and be just a touch less "tall" visually.  

Can you make the platforms 4'x4' rather than 4'x8'? 

Can you use some kind of pre-existing platform system?  (Tait makes things this tall for touring that assemble in minutes.)

Can you use a crank-up Genie lift or a drywall lift to help carry the weight? 

What kind of truck are you using to transport from school to Indy?


Old-school parallels with a drop-in top platform might be a solution, too. 

HTH


Kristi R-C
(Who never thought she'd be able to offer advice on scenic build... but here she is playing TD and loving it. Thanks to lots of folks here.)


---- Original Message ----
From: Paul Anderson via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
To: Stagecraft Mailing list <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Cc: Paul Anderson <panderson at hope.edu>
Sent: Wed, Feb 8, 2017 8:44 am
Subject: [SML] Platforming to go on the road



I work for a small 4 year college and basically build scenery that sits on the stage till strike.  The only shows I've built for packing in a truck were already designed with that in mind.  


Our current production is being entered for ACTF participation and is being designed by what are basically not designers.  So far they have a platform setup that is 8 feet in the air.  The thought of raising heavy platforms that high scares me.


Not having done this I'm not sure what my options are.  One thought I suppose is that there could be some sort of legging system put on each platform while upside down, then roll those assemblies upright one at a time and tie together.  Some sort of folding gate legs and simple plywood tops instead of framed platforms is something I've also seen done.


There is some masking underneath which could be load bearing.  But one corner is to be black scrim with some action to be revealed under the platform.  And one platform has to have a trap to get into this underneath playing area.


Any suggestions welcome.



-- 

Paul Anderson
Technical Director for Theater
Hope College
Holland, MI
616-395-7104


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