Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
                                      
                           An AIEL Instructional
                                      
   
   
                                 Tech Tips
                                      
                                 UNPACKING
                                    and
                                   SETUP
                                      
                    Unpacking a road show may be deemed
                    to be intuitive, but the suggestions
                    here will help to speed operations.
                                      
   
                    THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
                    WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
   
        Instruct your crew to place cases by designation if each is
       is labelled with a location such as "Dressing Room", Backstage
        Left", "Front of House", etc. If not, you or the crew chief
              will need to direct case placement individually.
                                      
                                   Then:
   
    1. Case Orientation: Face cases with their fronts in the same
       direction.
       
    2. Logical Order: Place cases in the order required for your setup.
       So items to be set up first need to be unpacked first and thus,
       should be first in line.
       
    3. Blockage: Don't block cases with other cases. They will have to be
       moved.
       
    4. Stacking: Don't place cases on top of one another. They will have
       to be removed.
       
    5. Tech Pit: Set up a tech area first. This will be there for the
       show's duration. it should include tools, repair facilities, spare
       parts, and anything needed by techs during the setup and the show.
       Include power strips and worklights for tech personnel.
       
    6. Work Stations: Establish other areas. These might be just for the
       setup, or they might be required for the show's duration. Place
       them out of the way but close to where the work associated with a
       particular station is to take place. Install power strips, and
       also worklights for any stations to be used during the show.
       
    7. Kits Area: Designate an area for your show kits. Ready each for
       action by having it accessible and open. See The Kits for details
       regarding possible kits you may want to bring with you.
       
    8. Walkways: Establish personnel paths backstage. For open arena or
       multipurpose-room gigs, once the work and tech areas are set up,
       designate throughways for people to navigate backstage. Make them
       wide enough to handle props and set pieces needed to be moved
       along these ways during a show. Place worklights to show the
       boundaries of these walking areas.
       
          Run cables along walls to reduce the amount of cable tape
       needed. Where cables must cross walkways, employ a cable mat, or
       use strong stage or gaffer tape to secure cables. A safe walking
       path is a must!
       
    9. Security: Maintain vigilance around areas, or at least cases, that
       contain valuables. These might include tools, spare lamps,
       computers, and cell phones. (See The Secure Tech.)
       
   10. Replacements Lists: Post clipboards or small notepads with
       tethered pens so that crews can note needed spares and supplies.
       This is so when equipment returns to the shop, replacements can be
       easily sent to each case. Update each list as items are topped up.
       
       
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 Reference:                                                        
             http://AIEL.chebucto.biz/Instruct/TechTips/Unpack.html