After breaking ground at the turn of the century, Chesapeake Energy Arena opened its doors to the public in 2002. The 586,000-square foot arena is currently home to the NBA Oklahoma City Thunder and hosts numerous events throughout the year including concerts and other sporting events like NCAA Basketball.
The arena has received a reputation as being one of the loudest arenas in the NBA due to their fan base and rise as an NBA powerhouse by reaching the finals vs. the Miami Heat in 2012. The first game of this match-up created an arena where fans created a noise level of 109 decibels or the equivalent of a live rock music concert. When your fans can get that loud (and probably even louder), you want to make sure the sound quality in your arena is perfect.
The arena has received a reputation as being one of the loudest arenas in the NBA due to their fan base and rise as an NBA powerhouse by reaching the finals vs. the Miami Heat in 2012. The first game of this match-up created an arena where fans created a noise level of 109 decibels or the equivalent of a live rock music concert. When your fans can get that loud (and probably even louder), you want to make sure the sound quality in your arena is perfect.
Chicago Flyhouse installed nearly 88,000 square feet of acoustic lapendary panels on the ceiling of the arena that is made up of 2,100 tons of steel. The CMA Acoustical Baffles used for the project were 2” thick with a 1.5# density. Flyhouse custom-engineered brackets were fabricated in the shop to connect the baffles to the ceiling trusses and beams. Routinely acoustical baffling panels are fully assembled, and shipped directly to an installation location, this project required panels to be assembled on-site due to the panels overall size not being standard.
The perimeter of the bowl also required vertical acoustic panels to be installed. The 9,600 square feet of these panels were installed edge-to-edge with the bottom edge of the panels being retained at the wall with perforated angle iron. The installation of both sets of panels required the use of a 135’ and 150’ boom lift to reach the areas where the panels would hang. There were a few areas in which the lifts were unable to access requiring a custom-built Flyhouse temporary access solution to be used in reaching areas where the lift couldn’t.
With no unexpected delays throughout the project, Flyhouse worked around previously scheduled events to complete the installation by the deadline so fans could continue to enjoy the arena.
Chicago Flyhouse – Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Light shimmers off the glass of the 19th floor of the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. A patient in a harness walks up the grand staircase with a slow, but unfaltering pace while a physical therapist monitors progress. It’s a new way of rehabilitation that proves recovery is truly one step at a time.
Light shimmers off the glass of the 19th floor of the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. A patient in a harness walks up the grand staircase with a slow, but unfaltering pace while a physical therapist monitors progress. It’s a new way of rehabilitation that proves recovery is truly one step at a time.
Taking a concept regularly used in the entertainment industry, Chicago Flyhouse designed a three-dimensional flying system bringing the above scenario to reality. In past methods, patient recovery took place in environments more likened to a gym atmosphere. The patient would get on a treadmill or a stationary bike to mimic real-life scenarios. The Ability Lab looked to Flyhouse to break free from the typical and understand the true needs of a patient. The two key elements of the design process was creating an environment where patients comfortably recovered without impugning the overall aesthetics of the room and taking the machine feel out of a system.
The Strength and Endurance Lab integrates multiple stations where patients are asked to complete a different series of tasks whether it be maneuvering through an obstacle course or climbing a staircase. Flyhouse designed a custom track that goes from the ground level to the landing of a staircase. It is there a patient transfers to the three-dimensional rig connected to Flyhouse’s system that follows the patient up and down the stairs. The physical therapist regulates the rate of speed with an ergonomically designed handheld wireless controller while another can monitor on a control panel located at the bottom of the stairs. If a patient were to lose balance, they instantly would hover securely in place in their harness.
Integrated over three floors of the Ability Lab, the system is noticeable only by the four-points connecting from the ceiling to the spreader bar above the harness. The four motors used to operate are hidden and noiseless. In essence, Flyhouse took the machine out of it like promised. By adapting a unique solution from Flyhouse’s specialty to better solve another problem, thousands of patients each year are beginning to forge a path to recovery in an environment befitting to them. Link to Video: https://youtu.be/x-ShgPeOA8Y
iWeiss Theatrical Solutions – Hudson Theatre, NYC
In early 2017 we completed an installation of Align rigging equipment and custom drapery at the historic Hudson Theatre in NYC. The stage consists of 34 Double Purchase line sets, a new fire curtain with the iWeiss Fire Stop and Fire Release Station, a custom grand curtain and valance as well as house drapery. Working with consultants Charcoalblue and general contractor Yorke Construction, the iWeiss equipment was drawn, stamped, and approved without any changes to its design. This has gone full circle, as the company completed the last renovation of the Hudson Theatre back in 2004 under previous management.
InterAmerica Stage – Safety Above All Else
Sanford, FL, March 2017 - Safe overhead access was the driving force behind InterAmerica Stage, Inc.’s signature product, SkyDeck™. To continue addressing industry needs regarding difficult access areas, IAStage recently hosted a SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access* Technicians) training and certification.
Rhino Access’s John Neal and Matt Hudson served as instructors for the course. Hudson, who also sits on SPRAT’s board of directors, says, “Rope access work methods are gaining traction in the Entertaining Rigging industry. Having the ability to use rope access in addition to other methods such as scaffold, aerial lifts, and structure climbing expands a rigging crew’s capability.” Five IAStage technicians completed the rigorous, week-long course. Sandon Clark, Shannon DiNicola, William Garrett Jones, Steve Schell, and Eli Torres earned SPRAT certification.
Training and testing includes written, oral, and field evaluations. “It’s one of the most intense trainings I have done to date,” said Shannon DiNicola, a newly certified technician, “and I understand why. This takes ‘trusting your equipment’ to a whole new level.”
InterAmerica Stage, Inc. is an ETCP recognized company that proudly employs ETCP Certified Arena and Theatre Riggers, including 1 Recognized Trainer and 1 Subject Matter Expert.
*Rope access refers to a set of techniques where ropes and specialized hardware are used as the primary means of providing access and support to workers” in challenging vertical access situations.
InterAmerica Stage – The Sky Really is the Limit
Sanford, FL – InterAmerica Stage, Inc. and CarlStahl® Architektur have combined two successful products – IAStage’s SkyDeck™ and CarlStahl®’s X-LED light module system - to create SkyDot™ X-LED.
For today’s spectators, it’s all about the experience: comfy seats; surround sound; sharp lighting and dynamic projections; thousands of fellow fans standing shoulder-to-shoulder, each lost in, yet sharing a memory of a lifetime together. Atmosphere is everything. SkyDot™ X-LED technology lets any venue deliver a truly immersive entertainment experience.
Mark T. Black, president of IAStage says, “Every year since SkyDeck™ was first manufactured, we have come up with improvements and useful accessories. The SkyDot™ X-LED system and its innovative mounting hardware is the latest.” Black added, “SkyDeck™ panels will get outfitted with the X-LEDs in our factory, ready to plug and play.”
Applying SkyDot™ X-LED system directly to the tension wire grid turns the face of the grid into an architectural feature. Think of an arena ceiling as a giant flat screen TV with SkyDot™ X-LED pixels. The more dots you have and the closer together they are, the higher the resolution. Each individually controlled and assigned dot can produce 16.5 million colors, facilitating practically endless lighting possibilities and powerful visual content.
The internationally recognized SkyDeck™ was designed to safely solve the hazards of reaching difficult to access areas overhead. A key feature is the slim 2” profile, a smooth design that mitigates trip hazards. SkyDot™ X-LED pucks are designed with foot traffic in mind. Black quips, “Both products are made to withstand the rigor of riggers.”
Both companies are very excited about the new product’s potential in the sports and entertainment industries. Anyone interested in a demo should consider attending AIA 2017 in Orlando, April 27 – 29. Guided demos will be featured in Booth #1313.
Stagehands on Vimeo
ETCP Certified Women of IATSE Local 16 featured in this great short film!
Stagehands from Shena van Spronsen on Vimeo.
Retired ETCP Technician Dives Into History
For a few years now, Bob Foreman in Atlanta has a theatre history blog that you may find very interesting. Here are two of the most recent:
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