Fashion shows are the epitome of glitz and glamour, and the fashion entities hosting the event have an elevated focus on aesthetics in every aspect: the models, the production, and the structure(s) itself. Providing staging for these shows requires unique solutions that may not be common in outdoor festivals and concerts. Mountain Productions has staged many fashion shows throughout its history, and we’ve learned the dynamic nature of these high-profile events firsthand. Many of the fashion shows we have provided staging for required elements that are unique to this industry—take a look at some of the fashion events we’ve been a part of in the past, and our unique solutions to each event’s production.
Tips, Tools, & Resources
[VIDEO] Venue Installation Spotlight: Mountain Productions’ Sub-Grid
We’re excited to present an informative and visual look at the components of a venue installation sub-grid. This new video breaks down the different parts of Mountain Productions’ Sub-Grid, including the symmetrical load bays, trussing, rig points, and fall protection. Head over to our Venue Installation webpage and watch the video today!
Click Here to watch our Venue Installation Spotlight: Sub-Grid Video
CM Lodestar Lubricant Guide
We’re back with another handy resource detailing the proper lubrication procedures for 5 areas of a CM Lodestar. Maintaining hoists will greatly improve the operation and longevity of your equipment—make sure you’re taking the steps necessary to get the most out of your hoists. This is a quick reference guide, but if you need more information or assistance, we’re only a phone call away. Enjoy!
Anchor and stabilize your staging with these 5 types of Ballast
Nearly everything we build requires some type of ballast for stability and grounding. Ballast is necessary, especially when working outdoors, and ensures our stages are supported from the ground up. Monitoring wind speeds and the effect nature has on our structures is critical, but ballast is the anchor that provides the first level of stability. Here are 5 types of ballast that we use on our staging systems and support structures.
Water Tubs & Barrels
Water tubs offer many advantages as a ballast solution. Using water tubs saves money on trucking, as they are shipped without weight as a factor. Water is easily supplied on site, and the extra weight reduction can make a big difference on transportation cost and efficiency.
Download Dirty Rigger’s Glove Sizing Guide
Dirty Rigger’s glove line is available in a variety of sizes, ranging from Slimfit sizes for smaller hands all the way up to XXL. With so many size options, it’s important to find the correct fit for you—after all, these gloves are optimized for all-day comfort IF you are wearing the appropriate size. Dirty Rigger created an easy way to find the best size gloves for you, and all you need is a printer and a piece of paper.
Visual Guide to Common Cable Connectors
There’s a ton of different types of cable connectors in use, and it’s important to choose the right one for your application. Both feeder and motor (fly) cables are required for our jobs, and our electric shop often encounter the same type of connectors used throughout entertainment production specialists.
This visual guide below gives a quick reference to what these common cable connectors look like, and what they’re used for. Take a look!
CM Lodestar Current Draw Chart
Here’s another printable chart to pin up in the production shop. This chart helps you easily identify the amperage requirement for your hoists for when you need to order cable or control systems.
With the vast amount of CM Lodestar models and the variable voltage, phase, and hertz settings, this chart provides a quick reference for chain hoist models A through RRS.
Check it out and feel free to share with your colleagues!
Bring Your Old Stage to the Modern Age: 3 Things Your Old Venue Should Consider
While older spaces may add a sense of character and class to an event, there are several limitations to operating in a dated environment, all of which can lead to narrow booking opportunities and higher labor costs compared with the competition. By transforming an older building into a modern venue, you’re able to maintain the comfortable, charming atmosphere with an enhanced experience for you and your audiences.
Subgrid Systems
Because many older venues are reconfigured spaces originally meant to be ice rinks and armories, they aren’t designed with rigging in mind. This creates a difficult chain of events for a production crew who must now pre-rig their events ahead of time.
CM Lodestar Contactor History
When performing maintenance on your CM Lodestar chain hoists, it’s important to know the style and model of hoist you’re working with, as each Lodestar model requires different components. One electric chain hoist part that has a variety of part numbers per hoist model is the contactor. In CM’s Entertainment Product Maintenance Manual ©2010, they outline the different contactors that have been used over the years, which part numbers refer to which hoist, and if they are still currently in use. We’ve put this helpful information in a chart below that’s a great resource to have available next time you’re reordering parts. Enjoy!
5 Ways a Venue Installation System Can Improve Your Event Space
Arenas, stadiums and theaters bring in some of the world’s best talent and performers, but there’s more to it than just booking the Billboard Top 100 artists. Venue managers must be able to stay up-to-date with the industry best practices and technology, and their valuable event space must be able to accommodate performers’ needs while staying on budget and bringing in profit. There are a variety of venue installation services that can revamp, update, and expand your venue capabilities. Here are 5 benefits of venue installation systems and how they can re-invent your workflow and production.