Author Topic: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing  (Read 8654 times)

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f_looten

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Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« on: Nov 09, 2012, 07:04 pm »
Hello!

I have heard that there is a rolled portable measuring tool stage managers can use when going from one space to another. It has center stage marked in the middle and then on each side it counts up from 2 to however long it is. Has anyone else heard of this magical device? If so, where can I buy one?

Thanks!

SMAshlee

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #1 on: Nov 12, 2012, 11:12 am »
That sounds like an incredible device... I did some online searching but haven't really found anything.  Please keep us updated it you come across it! 

Maribeth

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #2 on: Nov 12, 2012, 11:24 am »
I've heard of SMs making a tape like that but never heard of it being sold commercially. (I think you could take a piece of ribbon or something similar and mark out your 2' measurements.)

It also sounds similar to "dance numbers", which mark out measurements along the DS edge of the stage for the performers to use to space themselves during the show. Some SMs tape it out but I've heard of portable sets of dance numbers on a long sheet of clear plastic or even a long rope light with different colors every 2'.

You might try searching for "dance numbers" and see if that brings anything up.

jcarey

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #3 on: Nov 12, 2012, 11:49 am »
Similar to what Maribeth said, it sounds like you're describing a Focus Tape. I've seen it mostly used for focusing lights (especially on tours in multiple venues), but it can have many uses. They are really easy to make.
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LizzG

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #4 on: Nov 12, 2012, 12:09 pm »
Our head carpenter made one for us.  He took two cloth measuring tapes (any kind will do, but here's a link to one), cut each of the rolls in half (so if they were both originally 300', they would now be 150') and taped them together at 0.  Then rolled the new tape back up in one of the rollers.  It's super useful for spiking and such. 

I've never found one it stores...



Moderator note: modified hyperlink for cleaner look. -kmc307
« Last Edit: Nov 12, 2012, 12:46 pm by kmc307 »

nmno

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #5 on: Nov 12, 2012, 01:32 pm »
Nope, these aren't sold but easily made.
I've seen them made of different kinds of webbing (google "nylon", "jute" or "tubular" webbing).  I think ours are 2" or 3" wide, can't remember.  Just stencil or write the numbers on at your desired interval (ours are every 2 feet like dance numbers). 

babens

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #6 on: Nov 12, 2012, 05:45 pm »
At TheatreworksUSA we create number lines for tour using the Poly Pro Webbing from Rosebrand, 2" thickness in black.  We mark it every two feet with a piece of white gaff tape with the number on it.  Quick and easy and definitely helps on the road when you are in a new space every day.

http://www.rosebrand.com/product836/Poly-Pro-Webbing.aspx?tid=2&info=webbing

JMagill

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #7 on: Nov 13, 2012, 12:05 am »
I am guessing you mean a number line for spacing, we have one that is along the DS edge just beyond the plaster line that is permanent right at the edge of our pit.  When we do dance show we end up putting the marly DS on to the pit so I have made a number line on 3" wide by 50' sewn together black duvetyn with 2" sticker numbers.  It works great and can be folded up easily and place in a gallon size zip lock bag.  If I get a chance I am going to look for Iron on numbers like you might get for athletic jerseys to make them a little more permanent. 

missliz

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #8 on: Nov 13, 2012, 09:12 pm »
At TheatreworksUSA we create number lines for tour using the Poly Pro Webbing from Rosebrand, 2" thickness in black.  We mark it every two feet with a piece of white gaff tape with the number on it.  Quick and easy and definitely helps on the road when you are in a new space every day.

http://www.rosebrand.com/product836/Poly-Pro-Webbing.aspx?tid=2&info=webbing

This is what I've used too. The SM I learned it from was from Theaterworks!
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

smejs

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Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing
« Reply #9 on: Dec 11, 2012, 12:02 am »
If you use anything fabric just check it every so often for stretch.

I know one time for a precise dance troupe I worked with we were looking at creating one out of rolled plastic or vinyl - sort of like a small strip of marley itself. I don't think anyone ever accomplished that project. We did have one out of jute that stretched, and when I left we were using a big yellow webbing of sorts. For our purposes you also had to watch how straight and centered the numbers were on the line, too. For the actual floor we used mailbox vinyl numbers, but you had to make sure all numbers and their backgrounds were the same widths (if you had a skinny one with a fat zero, the center of "10" would be judged differently by different dancers).

 

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