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05.11.19, 16:59
Recently we had an event where due to limited time we coudn't deliver Aerial rig to the site. Our technicians managed to find solution and everything went well. However, this situation was very interested for our team and we started to look for more information in regards of technical support of events. This article was published at Red Circle Shop, company that made for us few large props for the events and we decided to share on of their blogs on our website.
"You are or your child taking aerial classes and would love to do more, but what if you could practise at home, that really would be amazing, right? Wait here, not so fast!
There is lot’s of hidden stones and issues to consider. First of all you should decide if you wish to install your aerial equipment at home, for example find a right spot for aerial point, right? Or you will decide to get a freestanding aerial rig and rig your silks or aerial hoop or lyra at home.
Here is some basic info and summary on both methods and it is up to you which one to choose from. We will start from aerial point as it seems like the easiest way to go, right? First of all you should determine load capacity and requirements for space before you will proceed with installation.
Keep in mind that performer or person making moves in the air on aerial equipment generates force that exceeds actual weight of the person. Standards in the industry for rigging aerial apparatuses is that any rigging point with load capacity below 2000 lbs. isn’t safe.
Also, minimum breaking strength should be no less than 8000 lbs. Another requirements is that this capacity must be free of other loads and it is unacceptable to use other load capacities for an aerial point. Example - snow load..."
Read more HERE
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14.09.19, 01:21
Tight wire on stage and at circus school
The technique of walking on a tight wire has nothing to do with the technique of walking on a slack wire.
Therefore, a performer who knows how to walk on a slack wire and wants to master his skills on a tight wire must study everything anew. Maintaining balance while standing on a tight wire is much more difficult. To prepare for performance on a tight wire, it is necessary to study a number of elements: setting the body, arms, legs, head; balancing, standing on a wire on the right and left leg; advance along the wire; moving backward through the wire; advance along the wire with alternate squats on each knee; advance along the wire by three accounts; turns, standing on the wire on the right and left leg, right and left; fast movement along the wire (preparation for running); «batmans» moving forward along the wire; sliding on half-fingers while moving along the wire forward; half-twine batman, standing on a wire; wire advancement in dance steps; wire running forward; Batman step on the wire; advance along the wire left and right, standing across it; arabesque on the right leg, standing across the wire; tempo turns; combination: sit down, lie down and stand on the wire; dance movements (polka and mazurka) on the wire; wire running backward; turns, standing across the wire, 180 °; emphasis on the left hand in a prone position on the wire sideways; running along the wire forward with a rotation of 180 °; jumping on a wire with a half-batman; jumping on the wire in place with a change of legs; "Rope" on the wire; running on a wire without a fan; long jump on a wire; jump on a wire over an obstacle; jumping standing across the wire.
* You can get acquainted with the elements of choreography according to the book “Work with a dance collective”, “Art”, 1959.
The student will be able to master the proposed program in two academic years, provided that he will study daily and at least two academic hours. Performances on a tightly stretched wire can be started earlier, having mastered at least half of the program and subsequently replacing weak tricks with more complex ones. First of all, you will need to purchase 8 m of cable with a diameter of 8-10 mm. The ends of the cable should be overgrown. Then you need to make support structure with thick wood boards, make racks , and purchase a triple block for wire. First training equipment should be made low.
Performances will require standard or custom made tight wire structure such as Red Circle shop produce. Structure should be build in metal and be safe to use with possibility to advance technique. Red Circle shop for example produce self standing tight wires with possibility to change height, which is great choice for beginners and professionals.
Tight-wire equilibrium
Cable can also be pulled using a triple block.
When switching from a rehearsal wire to a higher one, designed for performances, you first need to use thick mats and possibly some safety harness until the student gets used to the height. For rehearsals on tight wire, it is good to have a full leotard, shorts or even swimsuits. Why? Such a suit is necessary so that it is easier for the trainer to observe the correct position of the practitioner's legs while moving along the wire.
When mastering your skills on a tight wire, you must follow the sequence specified in the program. To facilitate walking along the wire, a fan is used (Fig. 82). Such a fan can be made of a thick metal rod and fabric. It is good if the first trainings are held with an assistant who will support the performer by the left hand.
Setting the body, arms, legs and head in training.
The student who first got up on the wire needs to focus on the opposite end of the wire at the point of contact with the stand. This will make it easier to find balance. In this case, the body should be straight, hands spread apart to the side at shoulder level, palms down, knees straightened.
Balance is maintained by the movement of the hands, free at the elbows, up and down (pic. 83). The student must stand on either his left or right foot. The free leg hangs near the wire with an elongated toe and a straightened knee.
Tight wire - moving forward
Student puts left foot on the wire and the toe of the right foot. Then, easily gliding along the wire and slightly bending his right leg at the knee, moves it forward a step and lowers to the full foot. Body should lean forward. Performing each step, you should transfer centre of gravity of the body alternately from the right foot to the left (pic. 84).
Tight wire - moving backward
Student is standing on the wire on his right foot. He moves the left foot toe back and puts it to the heel of his right foot. When the heel of the left foot touches the wire, the centre of gravity of the student’s body should move to the left foot. The same movements are performed when moving from the left foot to the right.
Tight wire - moving forward with alternate squats on each knee
Student takes a big step forward with his left foot, and his right foot, without tearing its toe off the wire, lowers the knee onto the wire (pic. 85). The centre of gravity is transferred to the right foot. Staying still in this position, student rises and repeats the same movements, starting with the right foot.
Moving forward fast in three counts
Student stands on the wire on the right foot. He extends his left leg with his knee and toes in front and puts right foot on the wire, touching it with only his thumb. Then he straightens his left leg to the heel of his right leg, touching the wire. Now, slightly bending the left leg at the knee, student takes a small step forward and puts the left foot on a wire.
The same movements are performed by the right foot. So, for the “one”, the student should lightly touch the wire with the toe of the left foot in front of the right, with “two” the left foot goes back and hit the wire with the toe behind the right foot and, finally, “three” - put the left foot forward and put it in front of right foot.
Turns, standing on the wire, on the right and left foot in the left and right sides
Student is standing on the wire on both legs - the right foot in front of the left on the full foot, the left foot on the toes, across the wire. The student’s centre of gravity is on his right foot. When turning 180 ° to the left, the centre of gravity is transferred to the left leg, hands should be slightly bent at the elbows and raised upwards. After turning around, student puts his left foot on the full foot, lowers his hands to shoulder level and puts the centre of gravity of the body on the left foot. The same movements should be made when turning to the right, and in
this case, in the initial position, the right leg will be behind the left foot at half-fingers across the wire.
Preparing to run on tight wire
Student puts his legs inverted, with his toes out so that the wire runs diagonally on the foot and so that the toes are below the heels (pic. 86). When moving forward, the student steps over, shifting the centre of gravity to the leg standing in front.
Movement «Batman» when moving forward
Student stands on a wire on his left leg, and raises his right leg with an elongated toe and knee forward (pic. 87). Having performed this movement, he lowers his right foot to the wire and moves forward in small steps. Then he raises his left leg forward, etc. Thus, the whole wire must be passed. The body should remain straight, arms spread apart, the centre of gravity of the body is transferred to the leg, standing in front of the «batman».
Sliding along the wire forward at half-toes
Student, standing on the wire on both legs, rises to the half-toes, securing the lifting of the legs. The body is straight, arms are spread apart and raised slightly above shoulder level (pic. 88). TStudent glides along the wire without lifting his legs from it.
Half-split batman on wire
The student stands on the wire on his right leg, lifting his left leg forward with a straightened knee and an elongated toe. Then he moves his left foot back and puts his foot across the wire, and bends his right leg at the knee and at the same time glides along the wire with his left foot (pic. 89). To return to the starting position, the practitioner must pull the left leg, without tearing it from the wire, to the right, and straighten the knee of the right leg.
Tight wire dance progress
Engaged in a small throw brings forward the right leg, putting her foot across the wire. His left leg also stands with his foot across the wire. At the moment of the throw of the right foot, the practitioner of the left foot makes a small jump. When his right foot touches the wire, he takes two small sliding steps with his left foot. Then all movements are repeated.
Wire running forward
Student puts his feet upside down on the wire, with his toes out. The left leg in front of the right is slightly bent at the knee, the centre of gravity of the body falls on it. The right leg with an elongated toe and a straightened knee behind the left. Then the student carries it forward, bending at the knee and translating the centre of gravity of the body onto it. Alternately and quickly changing the position of the legs and feeding the body forward, the student runs along the wire.
Batman step
The student stands on the wire on his left leg, lifting his right leg forward with an elongated toe and a straightened knee. Then he lowers it to the wire and moves forward in small steps. Changing the position of the legs, you need to go through the entire wire. Moving along the wire to the right and left, standing across it.
Student stands across the wire so that the wire passes under the toes, the heels are lowered. His head can be turned in the direction of movement or directly. The left foot, without tearing it away from the wire, engages in a sliding movement, takes a step to the side, then with the same sliding movement, it moves the right foot. This promotion is performed to the right and left. Arabesque on one leg, standing by the river's wire. Student stands across the wire on the left or right foot so that the wire passes under the toes, the heel is slightly lowered, the knee and body are straightened. If the student is standing on his right foot, then he must take his left foot back and raise it in an extended position. The right hand with a fan is in front, the left is set aside, the head is slightly raised. Looks engaged directly in front of him or at the bridge (pic. 90).
Tempo turns
Student stands on the wire on both legs: the right one in front of the left on the full foot, the left foot across the wire. 180 ° turns to the left. After turning, the centre of gravity of the body is transferred to the left leg. Then the practitioner puts the right foot forward, transfers the centre of gravity to it and repeats the turn again to the left side.
Combination: sit down, lie down, stand on the wire
The student is standing on the wire on his right foot, his left leg with an elongated toe and a straightened knee is located on the side of the wire. Crouching on the right foot (the left foot goes down), the student sits on the wire, then he stretches the right (or left) foot along the wire and puts the left foot on it (pic. 91) or lowers both legs near the wire on the left side. If the student sat on his left foot, then he should lower his legs on the right side of the wire. In order to lie down on the wire, student should put the left foot a little to the side, and catch the wire with the toe of the right leg (pic. 92). At the same time, hands should be pulled forward a little, and then you can begin to slowly lower the case back, restraining it with the abdominal press.
The head should be raised all the time.
When student touches the wire with his back, he leaves his hands spread apart slightly below the wire, puts his head on the wire, and puts his left foot on his right. To get out of this position, the practitioner should raise his left leg above the wire, make it swing down and simultaneously move his hands forward, and then raise his head.
Caught on the wire in a sitting position, the student bends the right leg at the knee and pulls it with his left hand, capturing it near the rise. Having let go of the leg and holding the wire with his left hand, stepping back a little from the toe of the right foot, the practitioner, having strongly pressed the body onto the right foot, transfers the centre of gravity to it. Then he should bend his left leg and put it back with his foot across the wire. After that, you can straighten the case.
The dance movements (polka and mazurka) on the wire
Polka movements. With a small throw, the student puts forward the right leg and lowers its foot across the wire. With his left foot, which was also his foot across the wire, at the moment of throwing his right foot student makes a small jump. When his right foot touches the wire, he takes two small sliding steps with his left foot.
Mazurka movements. Student stands with both feet on the wire, holding them inverted. Then he takes a small step with his right foot and at the same time bends his left leg in the knee. After that, the right foot student performs two jumps and during the second jump lifts the left foot forward, and then puts it on the wire. Changing the position of the legs, the student moves forward.
Wire running back
Student stands on the wire with both legs, holding them inverted, the right leg in front of the left. Then he carries the right leg with a straight knee and an extended toe back. When the right leg touches the wire and stands on it, the practitioner transfers the centre of gravity to the right leg. The same exercises are performed with the left foot. Alternately and quickly rearranging the legs, the student will move backward along the wire.
180 ° turns standing across the wire
Student stands with both feet across the wire on the toes, the heels are down, the arms in front at shoulder level are turned with the palms down, look in front of you. Then, student transfers the right leg, bent at the knee, forward behind the left leg and puts it on the wire with the toe forward (the wire should pass between the toes). As soon as the right leg descends to the wire, the practitioner must make a left turn with both feet at once. During turns, his hands will arbitrarily rise up and take the positions that will be needed to maintain balance. By alternately rearranging the legs, the student can perform turns in both directions (pic. 93).
The emphasis on the left hand when lying on the wire sideways
Student standing with both legs across the wire on toes. Bending the knee of the left leg, student crouches and at the same time, sliding the straight right foot along the wire, takes leg to the side. Crouching completely on the left leg, the student takes with his left hand, without bending it at the elbow, by the wire. The body weight in this case is distributed between the straight left hand and the right foot (pic. 94). Then, he extends his left leg along the wire and puts it on the toe of the right leg. To return to the starting position, student must lift up the left leg, bending it almost to the left hand, and transfer the centre of gravity to the left leg. Then he pulls the right leg to the left, with the weight of the body between both legs, lowers the left
hand and rises to its full height. During this exercise, the balance is mainly carried out with the right hand, which holds the fan.
180 ° tight wire run forward
Student stands on the wire with both legs, holding them inverted. Right foot in front of left. Alternately rearranging his feet, the student runs along the wire.
When turning left, he should bring his right foot forward and put it across the wire with the toe inward (pic. 95). After the turn, the left leg should be placed in focus for a lunge, bending it at the knee, and the right leg should be straightened (pic. 96). The right hand rises up during a turn and then returns to its original position.
Semi-Batman Jumping
Student stands with both feet on the wire, holding them inverted. The wire should extend across the feet. Squatting slightly, doing thanks to the elastic push of the legs bounces up, spreading both legs with elongated socks and straightened knees to the sides (pic. 97).
When you come to the wire, student should bend his knees slightly, that is, spasses himself, otherwise the wire may throw him aside. During the jumps, the arms should be spread apart, the body should be straightened.
Jumping on the wire with a change of legs
Student stands on the wire with both legs, holding them inverted. Right foot in front of left. Bending his knees slightly for a push, he makes a jump up. While in the air, he changes the position of his legs so that when he comes to the wire his left leg is ahead of his right (do not forget to pass yourself by bending your legs slightly in the knees). Such jumps can be performed at a pace without lingering on a wire, which in this case will serve as a springboard.
"Rope" on the tight wire
Student stands on the wire with both legs, holding them inverted, the right leg in front of the left. Then he bounces on his left foot and at that moment brings his right foot back and puts it on the wire inverted, that is, the toe out. After that, he bounces on his right foot, and transfers
his left foot back and also puts it on an inverted wire. These movements must be made at a fast pace.
Tight wire running without a fan
Running along a wire without a fan is the same as running with a fan, but in this case the balance is maintained by the straightened body and hands, which should not be strained.
Long jump on tight wire
Student stands on the wire with both legs, holding them inverted. Crouching and tilting the case, he strongly pushes off the wire with his feet, trying to get as far away from the starting position as possible and during flight in the air he transfers his legs into a group
(pic. 98). Without changing the position of the legs, the student comes to the wire, passaging himself. Having completed the jump, he spreads his arms to the sides.
Jump on a wire through an obstacle
The student is standing on the wire at a distance of 40-50 cm, from the obstacle through which he must jump with both feet, holding them upside down. Having bent his knees, he sharply and strongly pushes off the wire, puts his legs in a group, tilts the body forward and jumps over an obstacle (pic. 99).
Upon arrival, he must put his feet upside down on the wire and, bending his knees, spasses himself. Jumping over an obstacle, standing with his back to him, is done in the same way. You can jump through one or several obstacles. As an obstacle, use an ordinary children's rope (pic. 100).
Jumping standing across the wire
The practitioner stands across the wire with both legs. Bending his knees and abruptly pushing himself off the jump wire, he quickly turns his body and head 180 ° to the left. The practitioner must come to the wire with both feet at once, placing them across the wire and bending at the knees. Student right hand goes up and then goes forward to maintain balance, the left hand remains at shoulder level (pic. 101).
Having mastered all the elements of balancing listed above on a tightly stretched wire, you can think of a performance number. Let's talk about two scenario plans - one for the solo performance of a young man and the second for a pair performance of a girl and a young man.
This is basic introduction into tight wire training, there is more advanced techniques to be mastered and skills to be learned but basic knowledge is your solid base to move forward in training progress.