Fly crew
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A fly crew operates a fly rail during a theatrical production. Their responsibilities include bringing battens in and out and keeping the fly system in balance.
[edit] Safety
The job is often dangerous and carries a high degree of risk due to the large amount of weight that must be handled quickly by the system. A run-away line for example may injure the operator and others in the way of the moving equipment. When the crew adds or removes counterweights they are often working at heights of 6 stories or more in what is known as a fly loft. Safety harnesses may be used to protect fly crew members.
[edit] History
Historically, off-duty sailors were used as fly crews in theaters because they had a solid understanding of knots and ropes thanks to their experience with sails. They communicated with one another using high-pitched whistles. Because of this, whistling was not allowed in theaters to prevent it from accidentally being interpreted as a flyrail command. It is still considered 'bad luck' to whistle in a theater.
Assistant Stage Manager · Automation Carpenter · Carpenter (theater) · Deck Carpenter · Dresser · Deck Electrician · Flymen · Light board operator · Property Master · Second Audio · Sound Operator · Spotlight Operator · Stagehand · Stage Manager · Wardrobe Supervisor
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