Entertainment rigging. Rigging

Fly system

A fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...

 in the Entertainment

Entertainment

Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...

 world can be broken down into two main subjects - Theatrical rigging and Arena Rigging. All the same skills apply in both genres. One takes place in a theater, the other in an arena

Arena

An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...

 or "exposed structure venue" such as a convention center

Convention center

A convention center is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees...

, ballroom

Ballroom

A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...

, warehouse

Warehouse

A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...

 etc. Many Arena Riggers find themselves hanging a full Proscenium

Proscenium

A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...

 theater in an arena environment.

In Theatrical rigging the venue may have anything from a Dead Pull Scenery Flying system, a hemp rigging system, a counterweight rigging system, a winch

Winch

A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...

 or hoist

Hoist

Hoist may refer to:*Hoist , a machine for lifting loads*hoist controller, a machine for raising and lowering goods or personnel by means of a cable*Hydraulic hooklift hoist, another machine* Hoist , another machine...

 driven automated rigging system, or any hybrid of the aforementioned, used to fly props, people and scenery.

Ground Rigger

Maintains Safe perimeters Underneath High Work being Done, maintains a safe Path and perimeter around Aerial Work Platforms, monitors the movement of Aerial Work platforms, assembles Rigging on the ground for High Work Being Done, attaches Gear and Assemblies to Lines for High Work being Done, marks or "lays " out points on the floor and moves Designators for High work (Rigging Points and Laser Plumbs ), assembles and Checks out Motion Control Systems

Motion control

Motion control is a sub-field of automation, in which the position or velocity of machines are controlled using some type of device such as a hydraulic pump, linear actuator, or an electric motor, generally a servo...

, makes Attachments to Lifting Frames, Lighting Trusses, Audio, Video and Scenery for hoisting or Flying, does Visual and Mechanical Safety Inspections.

A Ground Rigger needs-
Situation Awareness = Sight, Hearing, Smell, and touch, Good Rope Skills, must be Able to work on their Knees and on a ladder

Ladder

A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. There are two types: rigid ladders that can be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rope ladders that are hung from the top. The vertical members of a rigid ladder are called stringers or stiles . Rigid ladders are usually...

,must be able to identify malfunctioning or damaged rigging hardware and apparatus, must be able to lift 60lbs,
and most of all have good communication

Communication

Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...

 skills.

Bucket High Rigger

Has ALL of the skills and responsibility of a Ground Rigger and must also be able to operate an aerial work platform

Aerial work platform

An aerial work platform, also known as an aerial device or elevating work platform, is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height...

, must be able to Identify suitable structure and attachment for rigging, must be able to lift 100 lbs, must have Advanced Rope Skills, be able to apply rope work mechanical advantages, as well as knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods and the proper applications of different rigging systems..

High Rigger

Is virtually identical to a Bucket rigger, only they apply their trade while standing, sitting on or hanging from an exposed, (and sometimes not as exposed) Structural member.

Climbing or Rope Access Rigger

Has ALL of the previous Skills and Responsibilities of the other 3 Riggers and they must also have exceptional rope skills.
They must also be Very Physically fit and able to pull their own Body Weight up into Structural Ceilings on Belay while applying personal fall protection as they go.
They must be proficient with harness positioning system and advanced rope friction and hauling systems.

Training

Most Entertainment Rigging training is done either by apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...

 or Formal training through Unions i.e. the Stagehands Union or I.A.T.S.E.
The recognized Entertainment Rigging certification is the e.t.c.p. Arena and Theater rigging certification programs. See also "Entertainment Rigging" the paperback written by Harry Donovan.