286 Entertainment Rigging jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Production Supervisor, Installation Technician, Operations Coordinator and more! ENTERTAINMENT RIGGING Whether it’s a rock show, corporate event or permanent construction installation, R.I.G. Has the talent and ability to organize, design and hang your next project. We routinely specialize in atypical access while creating safe, efficient solutions to the most complicated rigging challenges.
Rigging in entertainment can be broken down into two main subjects – theatrical rigging and arena style rigging. All the same skills apply in both genres. The first takes place in a theatre, and typically involves the theatre's permanent fly system. The other in an arena or 'exposed structure venue' such as a convention center, ballroom, warehouse etc. Many arena riggers find themselves hanging a full proscenium theater in an arena environment.[1]
Circus rigging, comprising aerial acrobatic apparatuses that support human beings under dynamic loading conditions, and stabilization rigging for large scale fabric tension structures (big tops), is, perhaps, under appreciated in the general rigging field, and may be considered by some to be a separate field. However, the principles of physics and the standards of engineering that apply to theatrical and arena rigging still hold true in circus rigging, and much of the same equipment and many of the same devices are commonly used. All the same skills apply in this genre as well.
Chain motors and trusses are not used as often in tented circuses as in arena or theater rigging, however arena circuses make regular use of them. In both tented and arena circuses, crane-bars or frames stabilized by guy cables, hung from fiber rope block and tackle systems are common, as are systems supporting and tensioning safety nets.
High (or low) wire rigging, while simple in principle and application, requires substantial load-path capacity, as wire walkers generally require high tension in their systems.
Automation rigging is used by many circuses, to fly both human beings and scenic or prop elements.
In theatrical rigging the venue may have anything from a dead pull scenery flying system, a hemp rigging system, a counterweight rigging system, a winch or hoist driven automated rigging system, or any hybrid of the aforementioned, used to fly props, people and scenery.
Both of these rigging disciplines have four basic stations.
Maintains safe perimeters underneath high work being done, maintains a safe path and perimeter around aerial work platforms, monitors the movement of aerial work platforms, assembles rigging on the ground for high work being done, attaches gear and assemblies to lines for high work being done, marks or 'lays ' out points on the floor and moves designators for high work (rigging points and laser plumbs), assembles and checks out motion control systems, makes attachments to lifting frames, lighting trusses, audio, video and scenery for hoisting or flying, does visual and mechanical safety inspections.
Has all of the skills and responsibility of a ground rigger and must also be able to operate an aerial work platform, must be able to identify suitable structure and attachment for rigging, must be able to lift 100 lbs, must have advanced rope skills, be able to apply rope work mechanical advantages, as well as knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods and the proper applications of different rigging systems..
Is virtually identical to a bucket rigger, only they apply their trade while standing, sitting on or hanging from an exposed structural member.
Has all of the previous skills and responsibilities of the other 3 riggers and they must also have exceptional rope skills. They must also be very physically fit and able to pull their own body weight up into structural ceilings on belay while applying personal fall protection as they go. They must be proficient with harness positioning systems and advanced rope friction and hauling systems.
Most entertainment rigging training is done either by apprenticeship or formal training through unions i.e. IATSE.[2]
In US, the recognized entertainment rigging certification is the E.T.C.P. arena and theater rigging certification programs as well as S.P.R.A.T rope access training.[3]In UK the PLASA NRC (National Rigging Certificate) is the recognized entertainment rigging certification.[4]
Donovan, Harry (1999). Entertainment Rigging. SAP.
A rigger is one who works on ropes, booms, lifts, hoists and the like for a stage production, film, or television show.
The term 'rigger' originally referred to a person who attended to the rigging of a sailing ship. In the age of sail, trading followed seasonal patterns with ships leaving port at set times of the year to make the most of winds. When not at sea sailors would seek employment ashore. Their skill with ropes and booms found use in the theatre.[1]
The original canvas backdrops used in the theatre moved with ropes and pulleys, being developed from techniques used for sails. It is from these roots that modern fly systems emerged. This also gave rise to the tradition in British theatres of never whistling on stage as the riggers would use the same whistled instructions on stage as they did aboard ship. A misplaced whistle could be taken as an instruction to the riggers to change the set.[2]
The term rigger is still used for people backstage in theatres, the road crew for a live concert, conventions and trade shows, and by extension to similar jobs such as those who are responsible for fastening chain motors (like CM Lodestar, EXE Rise, Chainmaster) by wire rope to the structural steel of a building.[3]
With the birth of the film industry, just as stage actors adapted their techniques to the new medium so did those back stage. The complexity of the new environment giving rise to specializations such as those in the film industry who rig scaffolding for film sets and camera rigs; also termed as a standby rigger if they are on site and 'on call' all of the time.[4]
In the theater and film industry, a wire rigger is a worker in the special effects/stunts film crew who 'flies' actors. They are responsible for rigging special harnesses to attached wires which in turn are run through a series of 'blocks' (pulleys) to a control area where a wire rigger raises, lowers or traverses an actor wearing the harness. Wire riggers also rig up rails along which travels a 'skate' from which the wire is attached. Many plays and feature films (e.g. Peter Pan, Harry Potter, Superman) use this technique.[5]