AIEL Instructional
Tech Tips
ADDITIONAL
ACCESSORIES
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The Kits section aside, here are
some accessories and ideas that
will assist at any show or event.
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THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
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Therma Gloves with Belt Clip
These are made from a thin material with rubber-like palm and finger
facings. I originally bought them for loading and unloading but found that
I could focus hot lights with no discomfort. Because they are thin, I have
dexterity - a plus when manipulating lighting instruments. They are
insulated well enough that the facings will begin to soften before I feel
discomfort from heat.
The belt assembly consists of a large stationery binder clip and a
snap (spring) link. Binder clips are the type with broad clamps and
finger grasps that can fold flat. The snaplink is the style with a
sharp-edged closure that digs into my belt. As such, it can never slip
off. Simply clip the snaplink on to one of the binder clip's grasps. To
join the two together if the snaplink has an enclosed ring, remove one
of the binder clip's finger grasps by squeezing one side of the clasp
toward the other until the bent ends are free. Now slip it through the
snaplink's ring and then replace the bent ends back into the clip.
After clamping the gloves to one's belt, the outer grasp is folded
downward to lie against them, meaning it is not sticking out where it
might get bent or pulled off while one is working.
I made this assembly because I was tired of continually seeking out
the last place in which I had laid down my gloves during setups. The
effort spent clipping and unclipping them from my belt more than makes
up for the time I once lost searching for errant gloves.
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Flashlight with Belt Clip
This is another item I always want with me at all times. Laying down
one's gloves is one thing, but leaving a flashlight means almost assured
loss. For my work, I chose a flashlight with an incandescent light source,
a push-button switch, and a battery type of two, AA alkaline cells. I
wanted a white colour of light with good shielding of spill and a
pre-focused reflector to give me a defined, round beam without being too
bright for backstage usage.
The double `A' cells give me good life but with a reasonably sized
flashlight barrel because their diameter is less than 15mm. Plus the
alkalines give me confidence that I won't have the dreaded rechargeable
battery "dip to zero" in the middle of a show. Rechargeable batteries
tend to have a steep discharge slope. Once they start to drop voltage,
the end comes quickly. Alkalines, on the other hand, have a long, shallow
voltage-drop curve. Plus, they have a long shelf life. Rechargeables are
likely to have low or no voltage after some time in a case and thus have
to be recharged before a show.
I selected a push-button switch so I won't have to focus the light
to turn it on and defocus it to turn it off. Plus, if you get one with
a make-before-lock switch, you will have momentary light for those
quick flashes of illumination.
The belt clip uses the same model snaplink as for the gloves.
The chosen flashlight must have a loop to attach to the clip -
preferably a rigid ring as opposed to a cord or lanyard. The former
will keep the light in an orientation at one's side that immediately
places one's thumb on the switch as soon as the light is grasped. Realise
that a quick link may be required to mate the loop on the clip with
the one on the light.
Recently, I have found some usable LED flashlights, but have had
to heat shrink the barrels to shield the spill. See
Purchase Guide: Flashlights
for more information.
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Tape Holder with Belt Clip
This is only necessary if you use a lot of tape during a setup.
Typically a bathroom toilet-paper holder will hold a roll or three -
perhaps one of masking, one electrical and the other of stage (gaffer)
tape. Get a slim holder that can be modified or adapted to a belt clip.
You may choose to have a clip on each end to keep the orientation of
the holder parallel to your body as opposed to it twisting every
time you take a step.
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Wrench Holder or Lanyard with Belt Clip
(Yes I know: You are running out of belt space!) If you frequently
use a wrench to mount or focus lights, you might consider a lanyard to
keep from having to pocket the tool between uses. As well, this prevents
the wrench from falling farther than its tether length. Use a thin,
flexible cord and have it long enough to run the distance from
your belt to your farthest reach. Alternatively, buy a small
belt-mountable pocket or tool pouch to hold the wrench.
If your belt is getting full of separate items, consider a dedicated
tool holder that mounts to your belt - or is the belt. Get a flexible one
with the number of pockets or loops required, plus a couple extra. Don't
buy a huge belt; it may look impressive but is cumbersome when climbing,
especially in tight spaces.
An alternative to a tool belt is a waist wallet. This will suffice
if you want something smaller in size and have only few, small items
to carry. Get one with pocket sizes suitable to hold the required tools.
Be sure the material is durable enough to withstand sharp tool points.
If not, have canvas or denim inserts sewn in.
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Stage Pass and/or Photo Identification (ID) with Lanyard
This likely goes without saying and any professional or semi-professional
will probably already have one. However, if you have been relying on
employers to provide them, it's still not a bad idea to have one dedicated
to yourself for usage at smaller events, and as an addition to the one
provided for larger shows.
It identifies you personally to any security officers, crew,
promoter, performers and so on. Include your name, and it makes
you better known to all. A recent, clear head-shot photo is a plus
as well. If you generally do only one job, your title or job
description might be included. There is a pleasing assurance to
those that don't know you when you wear a comprehensive ID. It also
presents an air of professionalism to those that see you, and is a
form of subtle self promotion. (Just make sure that you live up to
that promotion.) (-:
Make your pass/ID be one size larger than a standard business
card - say 60mm X 100mm. Any smaller makes it hard to see, especially
when it's dark; too much larger and it tends to get in the way
while you work. The lanyard should be short so that the pass
doesn't droop too far when you bend over. Be sure that the
attachment point is reenforced as it will wear or tear with usage.
This can result in a lost pass.
Put a duplicate pass back-to-back with the first so that no
matter which way the lanyard turns, the information will face
forward. Laminate the two to bond them together. This will also
give the pass durability and longevity. Make up two spares - one
to have in your wallet, another filed away at home. If you lose
one, employ one of your spares, but replace the lost one as soon
as possible.
Finally, consider several pass designs that you might wear in
rotation, or if you wear many hats, one type per job title. Not
only will your pass make people that you encounter regularly notice
you more, but it keeps you freshly in the minds of others.
Some of you may be interested in Roadie Corner in
the Purchase Guide
section of our website.
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