CAMELOT Theatrical Special Effects

I just finished reading the latest (and too infrequent!) copy of the "NetHEADS!" newsletter from "Uncle Bill" Sapsis of Sapsis Rigging Inc. also available on-line at his webHEADS! site. I cannot recommend it strongly enough to anyone involved backstage; I've been quoting sections of it in every Theatre Tech class I've taught over the past few years. In case you wonder about the title ("HEADS!") that's the tech's answer to Saint Peter when he asks: "What was the last thing you heard as you stepped up to the lock rail?"

While I've yet to meet Bill Sapsis in person (we're both USITT members but in different regions) I think I would like him for three reasons:
1. He writes well.
2. He rides a Harley.
3. He's old enough to have family in the business.

As far as his professional qualifications are concerned, he must be good (see 3 above) since counterweight systems have a unique way of weeding out the incompetent and careless. So give HEADS! a read, especially the chapters on "Counterweight Systems" and "Rope Locks." We have a couple dozen techs here who might live long enough to own Harleys some day thanks to Uncle Bill.

posted by C. J. # 3:52 PM