News & Notices
Announcements
October 15 Deadline for School Rigging Inspections
Schools seeking free stage rigging inspections from USITT have until October 15 to apply for the Rigging Safety Initiative.
Any school that hasn't had a stage rigging inspection in years should apply here.
Schools with active theatre, drama, or music programs, and a counterweight, dead hung, or motorized stage rigging system may apply. Schools can save thousands of dollars and prevent potential rigging accidents by participating in the Rigging Safety Initiative.
If approved, a certified rigging contractor in the area will provide a free inspection and safety training. USITT pays the contractor directly; the school must assume any additional expenses.
The program, funded by a $10,000 grant from JR Clancy in 2011, has reached over 75 schools in 24 states so far. It provides a free stage rigging inspection and four hours of safety training for schools that demonstrate a need. Schools not immediately chosen will remain in the system until they are funded.
Besides JR Clancy, ETC, H&H Specialties, Shepard Exposition Services, and many individual donations support this program. For more information, visit www.usitt.org/rigsafe.
Tech Expo Countdown Begins
From Mary McClung's 2013 Tech Expo entry Polyurethane Cold Foam Mask Making.
This is the last month to get things together for the 2015 Tech Expo! The deadline to submit ideas is Friday November 2.
- Take a look at brief instructions on how to get started and format an entry.
- Here is a link to the entry form for the 2015 Tech Expo Catalog and Exhibit.
Look at recent challenges and their creative and ingenious solutions that can be submitted for Tech Expo. Or dust off something that is not so recent. The ingenuity, originality, and creativity of the solution is what counts. Submissions that are chosen will be reviewed by both text and graphic editors. There is also help available for the display at Stage Expo.
Tech Expo is also a juried exhibit and can be a valuable asset for promotion and tenure. As a portfolio and resume credit, Tech Expo also looks impressive.
ETCP Exam Fees to Increase $50
The Entertainment Technician Certification Program is raising its rates for examinations as of January 1, but those who apply before then can lock in the current rate for a year.
The exams for ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and ETCP Certified Rigger – theatre or arena – now cost $600 each, with a $100 discount for members of ETCP Council organizations including USITT, PLASA, and IATSE. That cost will rise $50 per exam after December 31. Candidates have a year from the time they apply to take the three-hour exam.
Candidates must have over 3,000 hours of work experience to qualify, and computer exams are offered at 190 testing centers around the country. All three ETCP exams also will be offered at LDI 2014 on November 22 in Las Vegas. The application deadline for those tests is October 30.
Practice tests with 50 questions are available for $35 here.
For more information, visit www.etcp.plasa.org, or direct questions to Certification Manager Meredith Moseley-Bennett at etcp@plasa.org or 212-244-1505, ext. 705.
Stage|Set|Scenery Inaugural Event Set for June
The stage is set for Stage|Set|Scenery – World of Entertainment Technology, which will take place for the first time on the Berlin Exhibition Ground from June 9 to 11, 2015.
Stage|Set|Scenery is the international trade fair and congress for theatre planning; architecture, film, and event services; stage, lighting, sound, video, and media technology; make-up, costume, and stage-set design, acoustics; and studio, exhibition, and museum technology.
Fifty per cent of the display area has already been booked. Organizers anticipate around 300 exhibitors and 7,500 visitors. Bosch Rexroth AG, Bühnenplanung Walter Kottke Ing. GmbH, Bühnenbau Wertheim GmbH, Elation Professional B.V./A.D.J. Supply Europe, ETC – Electronic Theatre Controls GmbH, Fülling & Partner Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Gala Systems Inc., GERRIETS GmbH, A. Haussmann Theaterbedarf, HOAC Schweisstechnik GmbH, J.R. Clancy, Kunkel Consulting International GmbH, Maquinas Iberica- Ingenieria Escenica SL, Müller-BBM GmbH, Räder-Busch GmbH, SALZBRENNER STAGETEC MEDIAGROUP, SBS Bühnentechnik GmbH, Serapid ,skena Planungsgesellschaft mbH, Studio Hamburg Media Consult International (MCI) GmbH, Studio Babelsberg GmbH, TÜCHLER Bühnen- & Textiltechnik GmbH, Waagner-Biro Austria Stage Systems AG, and Wenger Corporation are among those who have confirmed attendance.
Standards Up for Review, Volunteers Sought for New Projects
Three standards are available for public review by PLASA and the organization is looking for volunteers to work on four more standards projects.
Draft standards for theatre fire safety curtain systems and for personal fall arrest systems on portable structures can be reviewed here through November 3.
BSR E1.22, Entertainment Technology - Fire Safety Curtain Systems, is a revision of the existing standard from 2009. It is being updated to align it with NFPA 80 requirements. The draft standard describes the materials, design, fabrication, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of fire safety curtains and systems used for theatre proscenium opening protection.
BSR E1.39, Entertainment Technology - Selection and Use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems on Portable Structures Used in the Entertainment Industry, establishes minimum requirements for the selection and use of personal fall arrest systems on portable structures in the entertainment industry. The standard establishes minimum requirements for products and portable structures used in the service of PFAS.
BSR E1.47 - 201x, Recommended Guidelines for Entertainment Rigging System Inspections, offers guidance on inspecting entertainment rigging systems. The documentation will be available and comments accepted through October 6.
PLASA is seeking help with four new standards projects: BSR E1.37-4 File Transfer Control to Provide Firmware Upload Capabilities; BSR E1.54 PLASA Standard for Color Communication in Entertainment Lighting; BSR E1.55 Standard for Theatrical Make-Up Mirror Lighting; and BSR E1.56 Rigging Support Points Design, Fabrication, Installation, and Testing.
Anyone interested in joining a working group should download an application here.
For more information, contact: Karl G. Ruling, technical standards manager, PLASA, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036; karl.ruling@plasa.org.
