If you haven’t worked in the arts, it’s hard to imagine just how many moving parts it takes to mount a successful production. It takes anywhere from two to hundreds of people working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly from an audience perspective. Successful productions leave the audience remembering the show, not the crew. It’s a bit of a hard life for the techie. Our moms’ boast that their friends will never notice us unless something goes wrong.
The Opera Machine presented by Royal Opera House, created by Play Nicely Ltd
Royal Opera House decided to show a different side of the stage. With their Opera Machine, we can view an incredible multi-angle view of the process behind the scenes and on stage during a performance. There are 17 camera angles, three sound mixes, and even a prompt book to follow. This isn’t a simple production either; they use a performance of Act III of Wagner’s Die Walkure as the example. There is even an overhead set diagram. This Royal Opera House Opera Machine breaks it all down and shows us just about everything that has to happen simultaneously to present the show as designed.
Notice how the crew communicates with headsets so as to hear each other AND the show while hiding their communications from the audience. It makes for a stressful production if headset communications are not available. Lighting Control is featured as well, showing how the DSM (Deputy Stage Manager) calls cues to the board operator. Flys, Hydraulics, and Pyros are also featured.
With the danger associated with pyrotechnics, nothing is left to chance. In addition to testing the effect before the act, there are firemen on hand in case of emergency. Safety is a primary concern with so many parts; fly’s and hydraulics are often tested before the show begins to ensure everything is in proper working order for the show.
The Royal Opera House Opera Machine only captures a glimpse of some of the crew; production work often includes more crew to do things such as build the sets. Here is a snapshot of set crew working. Photo by Gaelic Arts Strategic Development, CC by 2.0
Theatre productions show just how marvelous results can be when people work together to achieve one goal. Here at StageSpot, we support that mission every day. Without the proper tools for the job, things can take longer, be more expensive, and more dangerous than necessary. StageSpot was born out of the idea to make it easier for stage crew to get what they need, when they need it.
