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Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435

Automated fly bar operator

Automated fly bar operators control the movements of sets and other elements in a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the operators work closely together with the designers, operators and performers. Automated fly bar operators prepare and supervise the setup, program the equipment and operate automated fly bar systems, rigging systems or systems for horizontal movement. Their work is based on plans, instructions and calculations. The manipulation of heavy loads close to or above performers and audience makes this a high risk occupation.

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Check yourself in a minute: automated fly bar operator

Rate 5 of the 37 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

understand artistic concepts

set up technical stage equipment

safeguard artistic quality of performance

write risk assessment on performing arts production

perform quality control of design during a run

About automated fly bar operator

As an automated fly bar operator, you will control sophisticated stage machinery that moves scenery, props, and performance elements during theatrical and live performances. Your work is highly collaborative—you'll interact constantly with directors, set designers, performers, and other technical operators to bring artistic visions to life. You'll be responsible for programming, testing, and operating complex rigging and movement systems, often working with heavy loads suspended above both performers and audiences, which demands exceptional attention to safety and precision.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a automated fly bar operator.

1

Equipment Setup and Preparation

  • Assemble and configure automated fly bar systems according to technical specifications and venue requirements
  • Conduct pre-show safety inspections of all rigging equipment and movement systems
  • Prepare personal work environment with proper protective equipment and tools
2

System Programming and Operation

  • Program automated stage movement control systems based on production designs and artistic requirements
  • Operate stage movement control systems during rehearsals and live performances with precision timing
  • Adapt technical systems to meet location-specific requirements and venue constraints
3

Safety and Risk Management

  • Write comprehensive risk assessments for performing arts productions involving moving elements
  • Implement fire prevention measures and emergency protocols in performance environments
  • Use personal protective equipment correctly and ensure all operators follow safety procedures
4

Quality Control and Performance

  • Perform quality control checks of design elements during technical rehearsals and performances
  • Maintain technical integrity of moving constructions and rigging systems throughout production run
  • Communicate cues and timing information to other operators and performers during shows

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (37)

understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.set up technical stage equipmentset up technical stage equipmentInstall mechanical and technical stage equipment. Test the installation to make sure everything is in working order.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.write risk assessment on performing arts productionwrite risk assessment on performing arts productionAssess risks, propose improvements and describe measures to be taken on a production level in performing arts.perform quality control of design during a runperform quality control of design during a runControl and ensure the quality of design results during a run.communicate during showcommunicate during showCommunicate efficiently with other professionals during a live performance show, anticipating any possible malfunctioning.adapt artistic plan to locationadapt artistic plan to locationAdjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.operate stage movement control systemoperate stage movement control systemOperate control systems for stage movement, e.g. flying mechanisms. Use manual or electric systems.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...maintain stage equipment for horizontal movementmaintain stage equipment for horizontal movementExecute maintenance activities on electro-mechanical equipment for horizontal movement on stage level.prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.operate automated stage movement control systemoperate automated stage movement control systemOperate an automated controlling system for stage movement and flying systems. Prepare and program the system including multiple synchronised movements.draw up stage layouts digitallydraw up stage layouts digitallyDraw and design stage settings and layouts using software like CAD.use communication equipmentuse communication equipmentSet up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.promote health and safetypromote health and safetyPromote the importance of a safe working environment. Coach and support staff to participate actively in the continuous development of a safe working environment.organise resources for artistic productionorganise resources for artistic productionCoordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.interpret artistic intentionsinterpret artistic intentionsInterpret the artistic intentions of the author.consult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionconsult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionConsult with different people and groups who hold a stake in the production. Be on the same page on the practical side of the production, and keep them up to date.mark the stage areamark the stage areaInterpret the designs and other scenic drawings to clearly mark the information from the ground plans to the stage area.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.prevent technical problems with flying equipmentprevent technical problems with flying equipmentAnticipate technical issues with flying equipment and prevent them where possible.keep up with trendskeep up with trendsMonitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.set up equipment in a timely mannerset up equipment in a timely mannerMake sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.support a designer in the developing processsupport a designer in the developing processSupport designers in the course of the developing process.maintain moving constructions on stagemaintain moving constructions on stageCheck, maintain and repair electrical and mechanical elements of stage elevators and stage traps.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.prevent technical problems with stage equipmentprevent technical problems with stage equipmentAnticipate possible problems with mechanical and electromechanical stage equipment.
Optional (24) — show
manage technical resources stockmanage technical resources stockManage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.lead a teamlead a teamLead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.provide technical documentationprovide technical documentationPrepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.update design results during rehearsalsupdate design results during rehearsalsUpdating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.update budgetupdate budgetMake sure that a given budget remains up to date using most recent and most accurate information. Anticipate possible variations and ensure that the set budgetary goals can be reached within the given...manage teamworkmanage teamworkPlan the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements. Supervise, support and instruct members of a team. Provide feedback to teams and individuals on work ...assemble performance equipmentassemble performance equipmentSet up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.assemble the rehearsal setassemble the rehearsal setPut together all prepared scenic elements to prepare the rehearsal set.coach staff for running the performancecoach staff for running the performanceGive instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...assemble scenic elements on stageassemble scenic elements on stageAssemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents.operate a chain hoist control system for entertainmentoperate a chain hoist control system for entertainmentOperate a chain hoist control system for live stage performances.dismantle the rehearsal setdismantle the rehearsal setTake apart all prepared scenic elements after the rehearsal.handle scenic elements during rehearsalhandle scenic elements during rehearsalHandle and assemble equipment and scenery material during rehearsal or on stage.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...adapt existing designs to changed circumstancesadapt existing designs to changed circumstancesAdapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.maintain system layout for a productionmaintain system layout for a productionEstablish a workable layout for the system you manage and maintain it for the duration of a production.maintain control systems for automated equipmentmaintain control systems for automated equipmentCheck, maintain and repair electrical and electronic elements. Check and update software of automated equipment.store performance equipmentstore performance equipmentDismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.instruct on set up of equipmentinstruct on set up of equipmentInstruct others on how to properly and safely set up equipment according to specifications and regulations.monitor developments in technology used for designmonitor developments in technology used for designIdentify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an automated fly bar operator do?

Automated fly bar operators control the movements of sets and other elements in a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the operators work closely together with the designers, operators and performers. Automated fly bar operators prepare and supervise the setup, program the equipment and operate automated fly bar systems, rigging systems or systems for horizontal movement. Their work is based on plans, instructions and calculations. The manipulation of heavy loads close to or above performers and audience makes this a high risk occupation.

What skills does an automated fly bar operator need?

An automated fly bar operator needs 37 essential skills, including understand artistic concepts, set up technical stage equipment, safeguard artistic quality of performance, write risk assessment on performing arts production, perform quality control of design during a run.

Will AI replace automated fly bar operator jobs?

The AI disruption score for automated fly bar operator is 19/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: update budget, keep personal administration, provide technical documentation. Most resilient: dismantle the rehearsal set, work with respect for own safety, understand artistic concepts.

Quick Facts

SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills37

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