During Production Seasons (June Season, Spring Season and Festival of Emerging Artists) the Technical Operations department is on site to assist within the venue spaces.
Technical Operations services all areas of NIDA including during Production Seasons so whilst every effort is to provide timely support it is not always possible to do so straight away. If you know in advance you need support please email techops@nida.edu.au to arrange specific support.
Contents
What We Do
Equipment loans of NIDAs on-site equipment (via Cheqroom)
Advice on systems and equipment NIDA has and how it might be used within a production
Technical Specifications for venues, and guidance on keeping within the venue limitations
Provide guidance on how to integrate equipment into venue systems
Venue familiarisation & inductions into venues and processes e.g. Fly line Operation
System safety checks as required
Provide technical support on NIDA’s in-house equipment and venue-specific systems. Technical Operations are not on-call for show specific or externally provided systems
Counterweight fly system reweighting
Provide Camera System for SMD monitoring including IR monitoring
Comms Programming
Archival Recordings of Production
Technical Operations is the last resort for troubleshooting show-specific systems. Please ensure you have gone through normal troubleshooting steps first, then your mentors, tutors and course leaders are available for the initial support and troubleshooting.
Basic troubleshooting tips can be found here!
Cheqroom Bookings
Production Cheqroom reservations occur slightly differently to the standard booking procedure to try and assist in streamlining the process. The standard process and guides can be found here.
Creating initial Reservations:
Each production will have a maximum of 4 Reservations made by students: Lighting, Audio, Vision, Staging.
The Name of the booking must follow the following guide: Production (Short Name) - (Department) e.g. Production Spelling Bee - Lighting
Reservations can be created at any time and be modified until converted to a check out. Reservations should be made by department heads or person assigned by the PSM. The first day of reservation should be for the morning of venue access.
Please note, you need to always hit the reserve button after you make an edit. If you leave bookings as a draft, all your items will be available for booking
Reservations can be pick up at a time arranged at the start of venue access.
REMINDER: Do not Convert Reservation to Check Out until Tech Week!
Ready for Collection
Reservations should not be converted to Check out until the first day of tech week to allow for any last minute modifications to the booking through the venue access and bump in weeks. Any further modification to the Check Out after the first day of tech week is to be made by the relevant Course Leader as check outs cannot be edited by students.
The item location is listed in Cheqroom L1 Location is the general area, L2 location is more specific. Items can be collected from the start of the Reservation period as listed in cheqroom, however please follow these steps to track the individual items correctly
Scan the physical item into your Cheqroom reservation
Delete the placeholder item
Confirm you have the correct count
i.e. If you have reserved 4 Diablos, when you go pick up the Diablos from Parade Substage, delete the 4 in the reservation, scan IN the 4 you physically take. That way we have an accurate record by barcode of which items you have in-venue.
repeat step 2 for all items as you collect them
Venue standard lighting fixtures should all be colour coded to the venue. If you have some that are not, please notify tech ops prior to re-rigging the fixture.
Bump out and Reset
Once set it clear, de-rig all lights and bring to the stage floor
For the playhouse, all fixtures that are standard can stay in the catwalks but please still de-rig
Separate venue standard equipment from borrowed equipment (leave in two separate areas) The venue coloured equipment is to stay, even if it is the same fixture type.
Notify tech ops that you are ready for check in
Tech ops will be busy during this time and if we are occupied in another venue, we wont be able to help. Best practice would be to book the check in the day before via an email to help.techops@nida.edu.au
Before items leave the venue they are to be checked in by a tech ops staff member, once checked in, immediately return the equipment to its correct storage location
Equipment locations can be found in Cheqroom, L1 storage location indicates broad location and L2 storage location indicates the room - please do not just leave equipment outside tech prep/lighting cages unless directly instructed to by a member of tech ops staff.
Any Broken equipment noticed on check in, please flag in cheqroom with details and let the tech ops staff member know.
All equipment will be checked prior to pick up and should be in good working order. If you have any problems with the equipment please let AV store know immediately, we can probably provide a replacement before you use/install the damaged equipment.
Venue Modifications
During general venue access week modifications are made to the venues in order to facilitate the design. Some of these modifications require Tech Ops staff to either approve, do or lead the team of students.
These activities must be identified during feasibility and scheduled in advance to happen during venue access. Time must also be allocated during bump out to restore the venue to standard. Estimates and crew requirements are included below.
Activities requiring Technical Operations Approval
Screwing or bolting into wood structure (e.g. floor) with large fixings (e.g. larger than 10mm)
Screwing or bolting into non-wood structures of any size. e.g. brick, plasterboard, metal or concrete
Removal or installation of additional scaff pipe or rigging overhead
Modifications, installation or removal of standard lighting grids or booms
Modifications to flooring either via direct paint/scenic work or change to floor surface or structure (e.g. traps)
Modification or relocation of Operating Positions
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Prep for high dust/debris work | Spray painting, sanding, or creation of significant dust requires removal or protection of venue AV equipment prior to commencement | 1 Hour 1x Tech Ops + Student crew | tape plastic bags |
Robospot Configuration | relocation and configuration of robospot cameras and fixtures | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops lead + 1 student crew | |
LED wall | installation of NIDAs internal LED wall. Complex configurations may require longer plus design time for processor configuration | 2-3 hours 1x Tech Ops Lead + 4 Student Crew + fly Op and Weighters if flown | |
PARADE THEATRE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Orchestra Pit Lift Moving | to move the Orchestra pit lift for either equipment movement or for show position. e.g. removal of A and B row seating. | 10 minutes 1x Suitable staff member to Supervise Students | Pickle Controller |
A and B row seating | Installation or removal of rows A and B via orchestra pit lift | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops lead + 2 Student Crew | Pickle Controller |
Orchestra Pit | Levelling of the orchestra pit at orchestra level | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops lead once seats are clear | |
Stage Extension Fills | Addition of fill pieces to the outside edge of stage extension | 1 Hour 1x Tech Ops lead + 2x Student Crew | |
Stage Treads | Staircase to stage from audience area | 20 minutes 1x Tech Ops Lead + 1 Student Crew | |
Motorised Hoists Moving | Relocation, Installation or removal of motorised hoists | 30 minutes 1x Tech Ops Lead + min 1 Student Crew | Controller Cables |
Reweighting of Counterweight Fly Lines | requires induction and supervision from approved staff | varied depending on weight change 1x Tech Ops Lead + Student Crew for larger reweights | |
Floor Trap Installation or Removal | Must be compliant with building code and returned to normal post production. Designs and merit require executive approval for structural modifications. | to be estimated based off plans | |
Sound Position | Removal of 10 seats and relocation of sound operating position | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops Lead + 2 Student Crew | |
Production Desk | setting up rehearsal position production desk for lighting, video and creative team | 30 minutes 2x Student Crew | |
Bastard Prompt (SM Desk on OP) | moving stage management calling position to opposite prompt position | 2 hours 1x Tech Ops Lead | |
PLAYHOUSE THEATRE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Vomitory Installation or Removal | Removal or installation of Vomitory section of seating bank | 2 hours 1x tech ops lead + 2 Student crew | tbc |
Ligthting Boom Installation or Removal | Removal or installation of side lighting booms | 1 hour 1x tech Ops Lead + 2 Student Crew | Drill Philips head bit shifting spanner/socket set |
Mezanine Seating Modifications | Removal of Mezanine seats or hand rails | 3 hours (all seats and handrails) 1x Tech Ops Lead + 2 Student Crew | tbc |
STUDIO THEATRE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Mezzanine Handrails | Removal of handrails on mezzanine. Either top section for audience viewing or entirely for design requirements | 1 hour + 1x Tech Ops lead + student crew | tbc |
Seating Bank | Installation or Removal of the Studio seating bank in it’s standard configuration | 3 hours 1x Tech Ops Lead + 6 Student Crew | Hex Head Coffin Lock Key |
Floor Traps Installation or Removal | Must be compliant with building code and returned to normal post production. Designs and merit require executive approval for structural modifications. | to be estimated based off plans. | |
SPACE THEATRE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Masking | Side Walls Install or Strike | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops Lead + 4 Student Crew | Hex Head Coffin Lock Key |
Masking | Upstage Wall (moveable sections) | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops Lead + 2 Student Crew | Hex Head Coffin Lock Key |
Seating Bank | Full Bank install or strike | 4 hours 1x Tech Ops Lead + 6 Student Crew | Hex Head Coffin Lock Key |
Powerlock | Additional power rack run from Powerlock in Atrium | 2 Hours 1x Tech Ops Lead + 2 Student Crew | |
REG GRUNDY STUDIO | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Reweighting of Counterweight Fly Lines | requires induction and supervision from approved staff | varied depending on weight change 1x Tech Ops Lead + Student Crew for larger reweights | none |
Removal or Installation of Fly Pods | Removal or modification to fly line system for example removing pods. This is a restricted activity and to be done by approved staff only. | 15 minutes per pod depending on requirements | |
ATRIUM | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Modification | Details | Time and Labour | Tools Required |
Powerlock Rack | Installation of production power | 1 hour 1x Tech Ops | |
Masking | Installation or removal of Atrium specific black masking drapes | 3 hours 1x Tech Ops lead + 2 Student Crew | Atrium Hoist Controller |
Operators Marquee | Installation or removal of Operators Marquee required for equipment and operators that may be exposed to the elements in the Atrium and grass courtyard area | 1 hour 4x Student Crew | weights |
Inductions & Special Activities
The following activities require specific process inductions (in addition to general venue inductions) before being undertaken. Please talk to Technical Operations to arrange.
Operate fly lines, counterweight (Parade, Reg Grundry) or winch (Playhouse)
Operate Sound door (Parade)
The following activities require specific process inductions AND supervision by NIDA staff (Technical Operations Staff or relevant Course Leaders)
Under Supervision:
Reweight fly lines
Swinging Bars
Operate Pit Lift in Parade
Contacting Technical Operations
During production season each venue can book a radio in Cheqroom and collect it from Consumables. There is only enough radios for there to be one per venue.
Each night the radio should be returned to Consumables to be charged. Technical Operations cannot guarentee spare batteries if you forget to charge your radio overnight.
What channel to be on:
Channel 1 - Technical Operations
Channel 2 - External venue Hirers (do not use)
Channel 3 - Facilities and WHS
Channel 5 - Front of House
Use the radio to call for Technical Operations support. Please do not assume we can immediately respond as there are often multiple requests happening at the same time. If the radio call is for troubleshooting please make sure you have followed the troubleshooting guide first.
In your radio call request please tell us which room you are in and if you are after specific assistance also mention e.g. “Tech Ops Lighting, Tech Ops AV, Tech Ops Audio”