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Automation Glossary

Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs)

A major project milestone whereby the supplier demonstrates, usually with off-site testing, that the system design and manufacturing meets the contract specifications.

Fit up

Building of the set on stage.

Flats

Movable sections of stage scenery, traditionally consisting of a wooden frame and a decorated panel of wood or cloth but more likely to be composed of steel frames in the modern theatre environment.

Flight case

A case for protecting delicate equipment, such as control desks, during transportation. Smaller cases have handles but larger flight cases usually come on castors for easier management. Some equipment, especially touring kit such as AU:tour, will come with its own flight case.

Flying bar / flybar (Barrel US)

The metal bars to which scenery and lanterns are attached for flying above the stage.

Flyman / flyperson

The operator of the theatre's flying system.

Flytower (Flys or Fly loft US)

Upward extension of the stage walls to allow scenery to be flown up until it is out of sight of the audience; it is also a structural support for the grid. The load on the grid is transferred to the ground via the walls of the theatre. The ideal flytower should be more than twice the height of the proscenium arch, when it is said to have 'full flying height'. For example, The Royal Opera House in London has a triple height flytower, to allow storage of flying pieces in repertory theatre.

Free groups

Axes that move simultaneously but with each axis maintaining independence from the others (see also ‘Locked groups’ and ‘Safe groups’).

Front of House (FoH)

Anything which happens on the audience side of the curtain is said to happen "front of house".