I went on a similar tour when Cirque was in town a few years ago. The things that I found interesting is that the crew/operators would change jobs for each show , so that everybody would learn each others jobs. This wasn't just within departments it would cross over to other logical departments too. So the lighting board operator would operate the lighting desk for one show, a follow spot the next , floor electrics after that and then might cross into automation too. The gave 2 reasons for this on a purely $$ point of view it meant that overall they required less crew on the road and also for to allow crew to take holidays, as if you are the only person who knows your job you can't go on holidays as no-one can fill in for you. Another thing I found interesting is that at least once a week, they practise rescue & evacuation procedures so if a performer has an accident, all personal know what their responsibilities are. Also when the tent is being built ( by a specialist crew who goes all over the world putting up and pulling down the tents ) that as for example the lighting crew couldn't work ( as the venue/tent isn't built yet ) they swing onto the tent crew by running around in bobcats driving in tent pegs with hydraulic rams
I builded the Cirque du Soleil two times in Germany. In Frankfurt am Main and Düsseldorf 2017. Great people there and all are knowing what they do! Regards to them and to the team of Adam Savage's Tested.
There’s something really beautiful about a system custom designed to do exactly what it’s users need it to do. That handheld controller the guy uses is just the epitome of filling a need in a (possibly?) unique way.
I work for the company that makes it. It's called a TAIT NAV:Compass. If you look REALLY closely, you can see one in a Taylor Swift music video, too ^_^
There are a few videos across UA-cam of the process to join Cirque, and also maintain and travel with it. They showed costume design, choreography, work outs, how they pack the vehicles etc. etc. They are fantastic and I definitely recommend them.
They actually have multiple believe it or not! There are several crew members (in fact, most of the crew members) are all expected to know multiple tracks for the show so that they may be able to jump around and change position.
I had the opportunity to see another Cirque de Soleil traveling show and I was really curious about the behind the scenes and the technical aspects. I really love this, it would be fantastic if you looked through more shows such as theatre productions
The problem with cirque and their planning/technology is that NO amount of videos, however in depth will ever satisfy me/us with enough detail as there is always more to see or try and understand! A complex beast!
My Wife and I went to see Volta in Seattle.....We are friends with the Atherton Twins and they were doing The Aerial Straps act and donating part of there Salary to the Family of the performers family who passed away doing Straps in Volta.....Great folks the Athertons! We will see this show here in DC In a couple weeks Can’t Wait!
That was an incredible video!, hope one day can repeat in to the Cirque’s KA Theatre in Vegas, that’s one of the worlds complex engineering theaters whit thousands of very interesting automated details
7:08 - Teachers always said that some day someone will have to use this math for something. So it's people like him using that math. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have had to go through those problems. Thanks a lot! ;)
Not 100% sure, but it looks like they are using Tait Navigator GUI with possible Tait IQ with it and the controller he stands with is a Tait NAV:Compass and at his desk he has a Tait NAV:Polaris, you can see those products here www.taittowers.com/tait-navigator/#products
How come working at height regulations mean I HAVE to be in a harness and securely attached the second I leave the ground, yet these guys can swing around with no such attachment? Whats the work-around to make sure it's legal?
The acrobats do it in the exact same manor and conditions every time or they dont do it. You have to be in a harness because your work will have uncontrollable circumstances.
@@thatseangroves It has nothing to do with "Uncontrollable" vs "Controllable" and Ciruqe's acrobats are CERTAINLY not covered under OSHA, and that is a very deliberate move on the companies part because it would not be allowed to legally put on shows if they were. You are correct in terms of an artist's right to refuse to do an act if anything is unsafe, but them being allowed to do the act in the first place stems from *how* they are employed by Cirque. It's a bit of legal acrobatics (pun intended) but essentially the artists are independent contractors, and take on all of their own risk doing their acts. The Cirque du Soleil stage isn't deemed their "workplace" by law so Cirque has no obligation to adhere to OSHA regulations for their artists. Cirque's technicians are indeed covered by OSHA, but none of there performers are. I'm not sure this goes for all companies like Cirque, but I know for a fact this is how they specifically operate in the USA.
@@thatseangroves I'm a lighting designer and technician who has worked with them in the past, and a good chunk of my friends currently work for them on tour, on a cruise ship, or at one of their residency shows. I also have worked directly with the software and hardware Cirque uses for automation and flying performers, although that was not with Cirque themselves.
@@trottingfoxinc fantastic! I am the one in the video. I've been personally flying performers in cirque for years. OSHA does protect performers to ensure that they are properly trained to do the acts they are paid to perform in. They are not independant contractors and the stage is absolutely considered their workplace. OSHA protects them to ensure they are trained properly and properly supported. Cirque was fined for the accident on KA. When people claim that performers arent protected like other employees it opens doors for people to do unnecessarily dangerous stunts.
I went on a similar tour when Cirque was in town a few years ago.
The things that I found interesting is that the crew/operators would change jobs for each show , so that everybody would learn each others jobs. This wasn't just within departments it would cross over to other logical departments too. So the lighting board operator would operate the lighting desk for one show, a follow spot the next , floor electrics after that and then might cross into automation too. The gave 2 reasons for this on a purely $$ point of view it meant that overall they required less crew on the road and also for to allow crew to take holidays, as if you are the only person who knows your job you can't go on holidays as no-one can fill in for you.
Another thing I found interesting is that at least once a week, they practise rescue & evacuation procedures so if a performer has an accident, all personal know what their responsibilities are.
Also when the tent is being built ( by a specialist crew who goes all over the world putting up and pulling down the tents ) that as for example the lighting crew couldn't work ( as the venue/tent isn't built yet ) they swing onto the tent crew by running around in bobcats driving in tent pegs with hydraulic rams
I builded the Cirque du Soleil two times in Germany. In Frankfurt am Main and Düsseldorf 2017. Great people there and all are knowing what they do! Regards to them and to the team of Adam Savage's Tested.
There’s something really beautiful about a system custom designed to do exactly what it’s users need it to do. That handheld controller the guy uses is just the epitome of filling a need in a (possibly?) unique way.
It's not custom designed. But is a very specific (And expensive) product. www.taittowers.com/tait-navigator/
Marc Gràcia Thank you for sharing that link! It’s cool to learn about the hardware and programming behind a show like this.
I work for the company that makes it. It's called a TAIT NAV:Compass. If you look REALLY closely, you can see one in a Taylor Swift music video, too ^_^
Oh wow, this is great! Can you do a full backstage tour with Cirque? I want to see lights, audio, sidestage and all the areas around the tent!
Look up circ du Soleil's Kurios on UA-cam. They have plenty of backstage and operation videos split up by department(catering, sound, performers)
@@Grandpa_Joe Cool! I'll have a look at that, thanks for the tip!
It makes sense that any production like this would need a stage manager but my god this is so intense! I never would have had any idea, really cool.
There are a few videos across UA-cam of the process to join Cirque, and also maintain and travel with it. They showed costume design, choreography, work outs, how they pack the vehicles etc. etc. They are fantastic and I definitely recommend them.
They actually have multiple believe it or not! There are several crew members (in fact, most of the crew members) are all expected to know multiple tracks for the show so that they may be able to jump around and change position.
More like this please🙂
Fun fact! Norm is still walking the turntable :)
it's true, the turntable was too much fun
I had the opportunity to see another Cirque de Soleil traveling show and I was really curious about the behind the scenes and the technical aspects. I really love this, it would be fantastic if you looked through more shows such as theatre productions
The problem with cirque and their planning/technology is that NO amount of videos, however in depth will ever satisfy me/us with enough detail as there is always more to see or try and understand! A complex beast!
Maybe almost as entertaining as the show itself. Thank you Sean! The simplest *appearing* thing is wildly complex. Fascinating.
My Wife and I went to see Volta in Seattle.....We are friends with the Atherton Twins and they were doing The Aerial Straps act and donating part of there Salary to the Family of the performers family who passed away doing Straps in Volta.....Great folks the Athertons! We will see this show here in DC In a couple weeks Can’t Wait!
This episode was in tents.
Ed Grzetich Ed!
Top now, please. 😉
This is awesome! I saw Volta three times in SF and noticed differences with every show. So cool to see some of the science behind this!
I knew the production behind CdS was huge, but damn, they don't mess around.
This content is AWESOME! I love looking at and understanding the tech that goes behind live performances!!! Soooo cooool!!!!
Love Volta, I was lucky enough to work for them while they were in WA state😄 Some of us even got a backstage tour!
I watched this show when I was on vacation in Montreal, it was great.
That was an incredible video!, hope one day can repeat in to the Cirque’s KA Theatre in Vegas, that’s one of the worlds complex engineering theaters whit thousands of very interesting automated details
2:54 Is that a reference to Phoenix Wright? They look like Acro and Bat from Turnabout Big Top case.
what a sick job
7:08 - Teachers always said that some day someone will have to use this math for something. So it's people like him using that math. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have had to go through those problems. Thanks a lot! ;)
That’s really cool. Thank you for sharing.
This is a really cool job
I want to know what kind of PLCs they're using. What HMI?
Not 100% sure, but it looks like they are using Tait Navigator GUI with possible Tait IQ with it and the controller he stands with is a Tait NAV:Compass and at his desk he has a Tait NAV:Polaris, you can see those products here www.taittowers.com/tait-navigator/#products
@@minikaliffen Ya, from what I've seen a large number of Cirque's shows use Tait Navigator.
Please send the footage to the company in Canada Montreal Quebec our cirque du Soleils HQ mandatory for the footage
Fun to see how it’s dun and stoff I work with
Together with Alegria this is my favorite show.
I wished I could see it though :(
Quebec, Canada. represent
Is that Stu from Futureman?
Oh and I'm really protective of the cirque show's prachon
How come working at height regulations mean I HAVE to be in a harness and securely attached the second I leave the ground, yet these guys can swing around with no such attachment? Whats the work-around to make sure it's legal?
The acrobats do it in the exact same manor and conditions every time or they dont do it. You have to be in a harness because your work will have uncontrollable circumstances.
@@thatseangroves It has nothing to do with "Uncontrollable" vs "Controllable" and Ciruqe's acrobats are CERTAINLY not covered under OSHA, and that is a very deliberate move on the companies part because it would not be allowed to legally put on shows if they were. You are correct in terms of an artist's right to refuse to do an act if anything is unsafe, but them being allowed to do the act in the first place stems from *how* they are employed by Cirque. It's a bit of legal acrobatics (pun intended) but essentially the artists are independent contractors, and take on all of their own risk doing their acts. The Cirque du Soleil stage isn't deemed their "workplace" by law so Cirque has no obligation to adhere to OSHA regulations for their artists. Cirque's technicians are indeed covered by OSHA, but none of there performers are. I'm not sure this goes for all companies like Cirque, but I know for a fact this is how they specifically operate in the USA.
@@trottingfoxinc what is your experience with cirque and acrobats?
@@thatseangroves I'm a lighting designer and technician who has worked with them in the past, and a good chunk of my friends currently work for them on tour, on a cruise ship, or at one of their residency shows. I also have worked directly with the software and hardware Cirque uses for automation and flying performers, although that was not with Cirque themselves.
@@trottingfoxinc fantastic!
I am the one in the video. I've been personally flying performers in cirque for years. OSHA does protect performers to ensure that they are properly trained to do the acts they are paid to perform in. They are not independant contractors and the stage is absolutely considered their workplace. OSHA protects them to ensure they are trained properly and properly supported. Cirque was fined for the accident on KA. When people claim that performers arent protected like other employees it opens doors for people to do unnecessarily dangerous stunts.
i LOVE whenever anyone says San Jose lol
Glad this wasn't limited to Tested Premium.
Cool stuff.
Bet that was expensive.
Love it.
Interesting!!!😊❤👍
Someone fell and died in the Volta show in Tampa. Pretty sad
Ps I am CDs Biggest fan of the cirque du Soleil company in Canada Montreal Quebec
Cool shirt
Neat!
Honestly, this reminds me of marching band.
What i men is it's cirques terorie
yohoo first
Second