May we present the “Strike the Set” show! (long)

[Gizmo]

Other theatre tech geeks? If there was an interesting set piece, and you wanted to see how it was constructed, or how to get it on and off stage easily, or if there is some trick to it, I could see my husband wanting to watch, so he could stealborrow ideas. But he'd respect closed doors, and gtfo requests, since he is a professional amateur

Yeah, this. I have a hall setting I do yearly and I have less than 2hrs put up and less than 2hrs take down whilst avoiding other people and not getting in their way. I'm always looking for quick/safe/easy put up/pull down solutions. However when I'm told to gtfo I damn well do and I'd not demand entry when doors are closed either.


40 minutes to tear down? You guys rock!

[wolfie]

Those customers deserved some compensation for being denied the show they wanted to see. What would be appropriate? Find out what drive-in theater is closest to their home, and give them 2 tickets to see "Closed for the Season".

[Chromatix]

I remember fraternizing with one of the cast members after a show on a cruise ship (she approached me, FTW), and I asked her what happens if a staff member gets fired in the middle of a cruise. I joked that they probably hold a person stretched out like a hammock, swing back, then swing forward and release to see them in the ocean. Funny if it were to happen to a patron.

Yarrrr, walk the plank!

[XCashier]

...who the hell goes into a theatre *after* the show is over? O______o??? Seriously, I need someone to explain this logic to me, because it makes about as much sense as going to a movie when the end credits are already rolling or showing up to a dinner party after all the food's been eaten/put away.

Well, to be fair, it is interesting to watch things being built or torn down. Many people watch construction sites (from a safe distance, usually behind some sort of fence). And there are videos online where you can watch buildings being blown up (like old Las Vegas Casinos).

On the other hand, the staff made it very clear that they didn't want unauthorized people in the theater while the set was being struck, and for good reason. One mishap, something goes flying and some schmuck in the audience gets hurt, then BAM! Lawsuit! So yeah, public safety > public entertainment. And these asshats should've known that, or at least known to stay out of places clearly marked "Do Not Enter".

[raudf]

I'm easily fascinated by the "behind the scenes" stuff, so watching would have actually made my day. I used to love going to the warehouse and watching the people sort and stow the boxes when I was kid. I also learned a lot of equally fascinating curse words there too.

However, I can understand exactly why the cruise staff wouldn't want people around during set strike. I don't care how well designed a ship is to reduce pitching, it can and will rock, especially during really rough seas. Heavy items being moved + potential rocking = lawsuit waiting to happen!

If the SCs had really wanted to watch the set strike, they could have made arrangements with cruise staff that let them both watch and still be safely out of harm's (and crew's) way. What they did was stupid, potentially dangerous and well, their yelling could have distracted the crew at the wrong time and someone in the crew could have gotten rather badly hurt.