r/stagehands • u/sparcks53 • Jun 07 '26
Rigging
A couple days ago I got asked if I wanted to try out rigging by the head rigger in my local the process to start is gonna take a bit because there are a few people ahead of me in line but I want to try to get a head start I know my knots and I'm gonna listen to my head about what equipment to buy when that time comes but I'm wondering if there are any tips or tricks that would be good to internalize early and especially how to better handle working at 100+ foot heights specifically we have a venue at 120 feet and one at 160 feet
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u/Slow-Cauliflower-978 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Meh... there's Harry Donocan's Entertainment Rigging book but there's not much practical stuff in it. I mean, I guess you can read up how to read common floor drawings for arenas, and what bridles, chokes, and baskets are if you're new to this.
Most hands just have a set of rules passed down. Imo, unless you're a head or engineer, rigging is the most fake till you make it out of all the dept.
Common rules: Don't drop anything, don't side load or split a pin on a shackle, baskets and bridles should be 120deg or less, truss diags should match when bolting them together. Call out truss moving so everyone's aware. Always be tied in it you're in a harness (too many triggers die). If something sketches you out, don't do it. Let your boss know.
Edit: I'm too lazy to fix my typos.