Stage Mechanics & Special Effects & How to Work With Them

If you plan on acting for the stage, you should be familiar with the most common stage mechanics and mechanisms. In this video learn all about the rigs and ropes, winches and rakes, revolves and rails.

You'll also get some advice on how to perform and rehearse with these different theater mechanics.

CHAPTERS:
Intro: 0:00
Raked Stage: 0:43
Stage Revolve: 1:35
Revolving Set: 3:01
Elevated Stage Floor: 4:22
Rail System: 5:19
Spotlight: 6:41
Automated Lighting: 7:12
Flying System: 7:46
Track System: 8:45

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CREDITS:
Chess photos by Michael Brunk

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Hamilton: Disney+
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Augment your acting career with tips, tactics, and tech! Your host, Doug Fahl, has acted in hundreds of theater, film and commercial productions over the past 35+ years. This channel is focused on helping new actors as well as seasoned performers who want to get advice on a variety of related topics. Our videos explore a variety of topics including acting techniques, how-to videos on casting, rehearsals, and performances; and advice on how to manage your career for the long haul.

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[teaandoranges]

Don’t wait until after tech to voice your concerns over the look of the show. That’s what tech is for.

Also, this is excellent content. Very concise, perfect for students. Thank you.

[PrestonBircher]

Excellent Intro to Tech 101 !!! As a professional lighting designer... dealing with moving lights generally also means more "specials" and marks that the actor needs to hit. This also allows the pool of light to be smaller — more precise. Many actors are not as used to being that precise with the blocking. But mixing pre-programmed automated lighting... now the actor has to know their marks down to the millimeter! Or they're performing in the dark. Not to mention that most LED lights don't have the classic incandescent "hot spot" allowing an actor to know when they are in middle of the pool of light. It can be very deceiving.

Just thought I'd add my 2-cents into the convo. Keep the videos coming!

[breannac]

I showed this video to my middle school theater classes and they found it very fascinating. Thank for all the great descriptions and fun visuals.

[Arlofan]

Am I in a show with any of these? No. Am I in a show at all? No. Am I watching this entire thing? Of course.

[jesusrendon]

this really helps me. I never knew there were so many different stages

[samuelhodges]

I thank you for sharing this. This is cool and good to know.

[jimc]

Just a quick note for those who want to work in the professional world concerning an actor giving their opion of how the show looks - set, costume, sound, lighting, etc.etc., etc., The Producers, Directors, Deparetment Heads, Designers and Technicians could care less if you like the tech or not. Unless you notice a safety concern, keep you opion to yourself. Failure to do so will ensure you wait more tables than act in shows because you will find youself back in the wanna be world of acting called non-professional theater.

[davidleavitt]

When doing a touring bus and truck show, how much rehearsal is needed at each new theatre? Dressing rooms stage left at one, vs stage right at another? Flys, rigging, lights, stage abnormalities if any (size and such)?

[jackcope]

if you want to voice tech or artistic concerns, do not wait till after tech, and go to the director first, they will then talk to the crew if they care

[yuezhongdigital]

Nowadays, the stage mechanics technology is updating, if anyone want to know more about the technology and the applying, welcome to contact with us.

[theCranesUS]

How would one get into set building? I enjoy building things large and small using various materials. Set building seems right in line with what I like doing; build it, admire it for 30 minutes then move on to the next project.

[pedpedpedped]

Have you ever seen Adele at Las Vegas show?, at the end of the show she disappear I think it’s elevated stage floor but It’s so fast. It’s very impressed stage mechanic

[houlaperes]

Hi fantastic. I don’t speak English very well, I’m going to try explain that I would like to do in our theatre play.
I like the effect track system or winch or travelator, and how do it do?, we need a doble floor?, are there a guide inside the floor, or is only a cable those do it the action?, if you have more information about that effect, please send me some link to watch how do they do it. Fantastic video and I’m sorry for my English.

[jackcope]

I have been working in production shops for a while and am going to school for theater tech; whenever he says not to touch something, DO NOT TOUCH IT. Do not touch other people's props, other people's costumes, and absolutely do not touch tech, we are protective of our gear, and many techs do not have the human skills to be nice about it.

[grollboll]

Do you have any examples of what practitioners use the revolving stage??

[jessicacarlson]

What about the girl who was killed by the rotating stage in Disney in 1974?

[FILMFRAT]

Awesome tutorial! Really appreciate it! I make filmmaking related tutorials also. Any support would mean alot! Thanks again

[johnclapshoe]

Spotlight, American?
Followspot, British?
Dome, Australian?
Different words, same thing.