[SML] Automatically lifting a black masking curtain?

[Joe]

For a stage illusion, I would like the ability to lift a black curtain from the floor, approximately 8' wide x 4'-6" high, to hide some activity on stage.
We currently have a black-out on that side of the stage, but lighting on the other side of the stage provides enough ambient light, that the stuff I want to hide is visible if you are looking. Of course, the activity on the other side does distract the audience, but I am hoping to improve the situation.
I can have items preset on the stage floor. My current thinking is to have some actors, who will be on that side of the stage, lift up an 8' long pole that has the curtain. Then, drop it at the reveal. But, we prefer that those actors leave the stage in the blackout.
I am wondering if there might be a way to mechanize this temporary masking. I can't use any rigging from above in this part of the stage. Nor can I do anything to the stage floor or use a trap.
The masking comes up in relative darkness, so human assistance in that aspect is acceptable, if I cannot motorize it.  It should go up within 3 or 4 seconds, but should drop very quickly.
Attached is a PDF with some ideas.  One mentions the idea of a motorize tape-measure type device. Is such a thing available?  I welcome comments.
-Joe Dunfee
 717-203-8670 Cell
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