Flying people can be a huge increase in perceived production value. If you're doing
Peter Pan and you'd like to fly about like Mary Martin, it may seem tempting to use some climbing gear and a pulley.
Perhaps you're performing an Easter play, and you'd like to have Jesus rise to the rafters of your theatre with some wires.
These effects are neat, but you should
never attempt them on your own.
Flying people is a risky business. It requires a lot of safety discussions, hours of labor, and a lot of special precautions.
Many people try to use climbing gear to fly people.
Climbing gear is not the same as flying gear.
Harnesses are designed for different uses, and have different balance points. Using a climbing harness for a flying effect can result in an actor hanging upside down, unable to move, or out of control.
The only way to safely perform flying effects is with a professional company.
All of the above companies are professionals with a lot of experience. They will come in, examine the venue, design a system that works for the effect desired and fits the venue, and train all the technicians and actors that will be using it.
They are great to work with, and although a little pricey, it is priceless knowing that everything is being done safe.
There are so many things that can go wrong when you try to fly someone using a climbing harness and a pulley. The system has to be safely attached to something, a grid, or truss, with multiple balance points, and other safety lines.
You should never attempt to fly a person without calling in the professionals.
Hugh Jackman Injured while Flying
Spider Man Injures while Flying
Peter Pan Flight School
