Custom Stage Curtains Theatrical Lighting Rigging Design

Custom Stage Curtains
Theatrical Lighting
Rigging Design/Installation/Inspection
800-426-6790
513-831-6650
www.facebook.com/beckstudios
Since 1856
www.beckstudios.net
Thank you for your interest in Beck Studios, Inc.
We are proud to say we have been in the stage equipment business for over 150 years. We provide quality curtains,
rigging, and lighting. Whether the venue large or small, your system dead hung or motorized rigging, our staff has
the knowledge and the expertise to complete your project from the design stage to the final installation.
We are proud to be a part of USITT’s Rigging Safety Initiative, created to fund inspection’s
of theatrical rigging in secondary schools across America.
We are a member of both Plasa & USITT.
We are an ETCP certified employer and have on staff both ETCP Riggers and Electricians.
Our management has over 150 cumulative years of experience. We assist owners, architects,
engineers and theatre consultants regardless of whether the venue is simple or complex.
Contact our experienced sales staff and put our knowledge to work on your next project.
Phone 513-831-6650 Fax 513-831-6681
www.beckstudios.net
www.facebook.com/beckstudios
The Beck Studios Team
and I stand behind
our work and are
committed to quality
and safety. You have
my word on it!
Dan
Dan Ilhardt
President, Beck Studios, Inc.
Beck Studios inc. Established 1856
Since the earliest days of Beck Studios, in 1856 to
be exact, our focus has been on our customers, the
Theatre, and the growth of technology in the Theatre.
Over the last 150 plus years the Theatre has become
more complex and has seen tremendous growth in
technology, throughout its history Beck Studios has
been a part of that process. At Beck Studios, every
project, large or small is safely completed within budget
and to the customer’s expectations.
We have the personnel, the tools and the experience
needed to design your venue space to achieve optimal
use within your budget.
“They operate with honesty and great integrity- I trust beck Studios.”
Darrel R. Ziegler ASTC, Westlake Reed Leskosky, Associate Principal
We have on staff, personnel with expertise in design, installation, lighting and sewing. Our
installation crews include ETCP Certified Riggers.
“They have become a firm at the top of our list when we need quality theatre systems
planning, project coordination and an installers system program to execute complex
performance venue projects”
Van Phillips, Jones & Phillips Associates, Inc., Theatre Consultant
Our project management team is adept at coordinating our projects with various trades. The Theatre is an ever
changing industry. We make every effort to provide state of the art equipment and to keep our staff trained accordingly.
“We have been involved with three quite different projects in recent years and my
experience has been positive in every case.”
David W. Weiss, Design For The Theatre, Theatre Consultant
The bottom line is this: when your project is complete, you will have a safe stage
facility, exceeding your expectations. Our goal is always safety and customer
satisfaction.
“Our closeout inspections of the systems that they installed
reveal that operational safety is foremost in Beck Studios’
planning and installation procedures.”
Charles I Swift, MIES, ASTC, Graham, Swift & Company, llc., Principal Consultant
Custom Sewing
We maintain and operate a sewing
room on our premises with
staff experienced in sewing and
design. We continually evaluate
labor and materials to ensure
our curtains are top quality and
all projects are completed to the
owner’s satisfaction.
Beck Studios offers a broad
spectrum of draperies including
basic stage masking curtains
and backdrops, to elegant act
curtains. However, we aren’t
limited to stage curtains. We can
also supply curtains for worship
facilities, curtains to divide or
create spaces, acoustical pullup banners and architectural
curtains. We have also been involved in many unique “one of a kind” projects. We have been
fabricating curtains for over 150 years and we continue to take pride in each
project … no matter how large or small.
All curtains are supplied with a warranty.
Curtain Finish Options
Beck Studios Inc. has been manufacturing all types of quality stage draperies, acoustical curtains,
acoustical pull-up banners, masking curtains, scrims and drops for over 150 years and we continue
to take pride in each project … no matter how large or small.
All our curtains are supplied with a warranty and the highest quality craftsmanship in the industry.
Blind grommets
Zero fullness with grommets
50% full w/ hidden snap hooks
100% full with grommets
75% full with grommets
Curtain with lining
• Since 1918
e • Wilmington OH
The Murphy Theatr
atre.org
www.themurphythe
Lighting
Traditionally theatrical lighting has been used to set the mood or tone of a scene and to draw attention to a particular
element or cast member. While these same uses are true today in theatres around the world they are also true off the
stage in many other applications.
The use of lighting in museums, educational facilities, corporate buildings, churches, hotels, and even building
exteriors has become quite common. With the advances in LED technology the use of adaptable lighting is endless.
• Restaurants can use lighting elements to highlight logos, menu boards, or use color to highlight design
elements and even increase bar sales
• Convention centers and hotels can use lighting to create dramatic impression as guests enter their venue
• Churches and house of worship can use lighting to enhance their teaching by setting the mood and
drawing attention to certain elements during their teaching
• Corporations can project logos onto walls, floors, and ceilings as well as highlight the unique architecture
of their building
• Exteriors of buildings can come alive with color, logos, and even dance to holiday music through the use
of today’s LED technology
Beck Studios is your choice for theatrical lighting, sales, installation, and rigging inspections. We
employ factory trained technicians for many of the industry’s top brands and ETCP Certified
Electricians as well as ETCP Certified Riggers.
Whether you need to replace a single instrument or you want to design a control point that will allow
you to run your facility’s lighting from your desk Beck Studios can meet your need.
Lighting is a very flexible and manageable resource that you can use to bring your facilities, events, and presentations
to life. There are as many possible lighting configurations as there are ideas, so contact us today to explore how
Theatrical Lighting can work for you.
Photo courtesy of ETC
Photo courtesy of ETC
Photo courtesy of ETC
Theatrical Rigging
Rigging systems are used in many theatres all over the world. The use of rigging allows curtain closures, moves
scenery and allows lighting to be maneuvered into different positions. It can also be used to create set changes and
special effects. When done correctly it is a safe method for moving battens and provides a safe environment for stage
hands and students.
There are two main types of rigging: automated and manual. The system that works best for you would depend on
your facility and budget. Some theatres utilize both on their stage.
• Manual Rigging: The term manual rigging includes several different methods but the most common is the simple
counterweight set. It is both affordable and practical for any size system.
• Automated Rigging: When automated rigging was first introduced into the industry, it was customized and
mainly affordable only to major performing arts centers. In the last few years automated rigging systems are built
as standard equipment. It is available with a range of speeds, capacities, mounting options and control systems.
Motorized rigging is now practical for any theatre, no matter how large or small.
We have a well equipped machine shop on our premises. We have on staff qualified carpenters and welders for
fabricating brackets or any custom items required for installation.
Contact our sales staff for any questions you may have. We can provide the expertise to design a system for your
performance space that meets your needs, your budget and creates a safe environment for students and stage hands.
Beck Studios takes great pride in the success of our employees who have been recognized with our industry’s
certification as Entertainment Technician Certification Program Certified Riggers. The high
standards of safety and professionalism required to obtain and maintain this certification should
be the minimum standards you look for in rigging designer and provider.
Annual Rigging Inspections
It is not always easy to tell when components of your rigging system are not working properly.
An inspection should be done before you find your equipment is no longer working, or even
worse, after an accident has occurred. All stage rigging systems should be inspected on a
regular basis to insure equipment is safe and in proper working condition. Inspections can
identify potential hazards as well as the need for maintenance.
OSHA also requires that all hoisting machinery be inspected annually.
1926.1501(a)(6)
All inspections provided will be by a Beck Studios employee who is both
trained by JR Clancy and an ETCP certified theatre rigger.
Rigging inspections include an operation check on all line sets, Visual and hands-on
inspection of all battens, terminations to the battens and arbor lift lines, loft blocks, mule
blocks, head blocks, arbors, floor blocks, rope locks, operating lines and lock rail.
You will receive a written evaluation, and hazardous conditions and equipment problems
will be identified. The inspection shall include corrections and repairs listed according to
safety priority. You will also be given a rigging log book that should be updated as repairs
and inspections occur.
Some of the benefits from routine inspections:
Reduces theater owner’s liability risk
Identify problems early and minimize repair cost.
Recognize and correct poor practices such as counterweight sets left unbalanced, spreader plates improperly
located, lock down collars not secured, etc
Common issues with older rigging systems:
Non rated hardware used for load bearing terminations to structure or in assembled equipment
Malleable non rated cable clips used instead of pressed sleeves or forged clips
Cast iron counterweight arbor tops and bottoms
Sheaves improperly grooved for the diameter of cable they hold
Not enough spacers for counterweight arbors
Fire safety curtains are not operational or up to current codes
Routine inspections have not been performed and no log book has been kept
How to schedule your inspection:
• Contact Beck Studios for a quotation for your rigging inspection. Our quotes are a flat fee
that includes all travel and miscellaneous expenses.
• In order for us to provide a rigging inspection we will need the following:
• Name and address of facility
• General description of equipment to be inspected
• We will need access to all overhead rigging. Let us know if there are catwalks, a grid
iron, or if a man lift will be required. If a man lift will be required we will need to
know the maximum height that we will need to reach.
• Dates and hours that the space will be accessible
We are also proud to be part of USITT’s Rigging Safety Initiative.
The program was created to fund safety inspections and training for
secondary schools across America.
www.usitt.org
DIY Stage Curtain Measuring
If you are thinking of replacing curtains in an existing facility, renovating or even building a new auditorium we have
included a guide line to help you get started:
1. Height of existing curtains. Look for a label to see if the curtain has been identified by description, height and
width. Usually the label is sewn to the band at the top of the curtain. If not, get a dimension from the top of the
band to the floor, if it is a full length curtain. If not full length, from the band to the bottom of the curtain.
2. Width of Curtains. Again, check the tag but if one is not visible measure the band across the top of the curtain.
3. Determine the fullness used in Pleating. Most stage curtains have 50% fullness but it can vary, particularly with
the main curtain to 75% and 100%. Sometimes masking curtains are sewn flat. If you measure the sizes of the pleat
we can determine fullness.
4. Determine the finish required. We will need to know if the curtain gets grommets, S-hooks or tie lines. If another
method has been used photos can be very helpful.
Ceiling of Stage
Side Wall of Stage
Side Wall of Stage
DIY Stage Curtain
Measurement
Worksheet
Line of Proscenium
Stage Floor
Stage Floor
Elevation of Proscenium Looking From back Stage
Auditorium Floor
Apron Height
1. Enter your measurements
in the circles to the left to
determine your curtain
requirements.
2. You can fax a copy of this page
to us at 513-831-6681
3. If you’d like us to come out
and measure your stage and
provide you other project
input, just pick up the phone
and call us at 1-800-426-6790
Stage Floor Plan
Closest Seat
If you do not have curtains in your facility please use this guideline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Height and width of Proscenium opening.
The dimension of Wing space on either side of the opening.
The dimension from the back of the Proscenium wall to the rear wall.
The dimension of the apron from the Proscenium out and also the height of the apron from the auditorium floor.
Note construction of the ceiling and dimension the spacing of beams or potential rigging supports.
Please make note of any obstructions on the floors, walls and ceiling. Again, photos can be very helpful.
Additional forms are available for downloading on our website. www.beckstudios.net
There are many options for Theatrical Curtains, particularly with fabrics and materials. We would be pleased to assist
you with your selection and insure your curtains are fabricated to your needs and budget.
Beck Studios, Inc.
1001 Tech Drive
Milford, OH 45150
1-800-426-6790 • 513-831-6650 • Fax 513-831-6681
[email protected]
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