Scenic Automation

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Scenic automation is at the forefront of the largest most complex productions in the world, ensuring that the most mind-numbingly complex sequences of scene changes can happen at the touch of a button right in front of the audiences' eyes.

Handy Tips:
Turntable / Revolve: One of the most worthy turntable tips is not to mount the wheels on the turntable, but mount them upside down on the floor so that the turntable rides on them. That way debris can't gather on them and bring the turntable to a sudden crunching halt. :)
(Thanks to Clive Mitchell)

Automation Links

Manufacturers

• AVW Controls - Impressario system
  • See also the AVW Youtube page with some great videos of their automation work.
• Creative Connors Inc.
• Delstar Engineering
• Fisher Technical Services - 3D flying
• Kinesys - Motion Control / controllers
• Q Motion - Stage engineering and automation
• Sliicon Theatre Scenery - Scenic automation and performer flying (The Netherlands)
• Stage Machines LLC
• Stage Technologies - Includes many examples of the massive projects they've worked on.

See also the Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms

Automation History / Installations

• Drum Revolve at the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre (London)
• Complex Automated Flying System in the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre (London)
• Hydraulic lifts at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (London)

Automation Credits

A selection of notable shows and designers / suppliers

• Beauty and the Beast
• Billy Elliot - AVW Controls and Delstar Engineering
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Stage Technologies and Delstar Engineering
• House of Dancing Water (Macau and Belgium) - Stage Technologies
• KA (MGM Grand) - Stage Technologies
• Legally Blonde (Savoy, London) -
• The Lion King (Lyceum, London) - Delstar Engineering, JD Automation
• Lord of the Rings (Toronto, London) - Silicon Theatre Scenery and Delstar Engineering
• Love Never Dies (London)
• Mary Poppins (Broadway & Tour) - Design by Bob Crowley - Big Vision Group -
• Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London)
• Phantom of the Opera (London) - Delstar Engineering
• Phantom of the Opera (Las Vegas, USA) - Fisher Technical Services
• Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace Theatre, London)
• Our House - AVW Controls
• Shrek the Musical - PRG (Broadway)
• The Sound of Music - Stage Technologies
• Spamalot - Delstar Engineering
• Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark - Fisher Technical Services
• Sunset Boulevard
• Voyage de la Vie (Singapore) - Stage Technologies
• We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre, London)
• Wicked (London) - Stage Technologies and Delstar Engineering
• Wizard of Oz (London, 2011)

NEW: Video of the automation operator's view on The House of Dancing Water

Lots more coming soon