[SML] Automatically lifting a black masking curtain?

Mon Sep 15 17:51:34 UTC 2025

Thanks for the comments so far.
Mr. Riter, I do need the structure to collapse as well.
I should add more about the effect as I am imagining it now. We are faking a human cannonball done over about a 40' distance.  The performer can sneak back onstage behind the masking curtain. There are also two spectators around, who will also be behind that masking. At the moment of the cannon shot, it will shoot out some smoke and debris, and at the same time the hidden guys will throw the performer up (how far is yet to be determined). A small spotlight will follow the performers theoretical path out of the cannon and will be timed to hit the performer as he hits the top of his throw. Then the black masking cloth drops, and he either lands on his own feet, or is caught by the two guys who were spectators. Perhaps they never really let go of him, and only lift him up 4 feet.
Actually, I would prefer that those two people I called spectators be completely hidden all the time, and are not seen before or after the human cannonball lands.  That would require that they be in black ninja outfits, on a black floor, with a black curtain behind them. Then the performer, can simply hold a small black cloth in front of himself, and drop it when he is thrown up. But, currently we don't have that set-up as an option. Though, after writing this, I really think this is an easier way to do it. Perhaps the maroon curtains behind them will be dark enough, as long as I can add a "curtain of light" coming from above, upstage of them. The ninjas would have to throw him more forward to cross into that curtain of light. Though, I would also turn on another spotlight from a side angle, and onto him as he lands.
-Joe Dunfee
 717-203-8670 Cell

    On Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:39:13 AM EDT, Riter, Andrew via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:  

Similarily, use the version 2  with the hinged uprights, and some trick line for someone (the magician behind, tech offstage) to pull the trick line, popping the hinges?

If the top hanger can stay in place:

2 verticals lifted into place with the top cross member attached

The curtain is tied to the top piece with a slip rope.

Pull the rope through and out, and the drape drops, but the structural elements remain.

I don’t use solenoids (not my department), but I believe they tend to be noisy.  Many threads here about them being too noisy for their application.

Good luck.

Andrew M. Riter 
Assistant Technical Director, Head Lighting Technician
Chan Centre 

Phone 604 822 2372
andrew.riter at ubc.ca

From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net>On Behalf Of Jerry Durand via Stagecraft
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2025 3:18 AM
To: Joe via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
Cc: Jerry Durand <jerry_durand_california at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [SML] Automatically lifting a black masking curtain?

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If falling sideways is ok, you could just use two poles hinged over center at the bottom which has the support base.  Gravity holds them locked.  Pull them over center the other way and it all falls down.

On 15-Sep-25 12:52, Joe via Stagecraft wrote:

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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