ZFX Inc.

Last updated
ZFX Inc.
Private
Industry Theater
Special Effects
Flying Harnesses
Automation
Black Wire Rope
Founded Las Vegas, Nevada
Incorporated February 7, 1995
Headquarters
Louisville, Kentucky
Number of locations
 Utrecht, the Netherlands
Area served
Worldwide
Number of employees
50 (2011)
Website zfxflying.com

ZFX Inc., commonly known as ZFX Flying, is a performer-flying-effects company based in Louisville, Kentucky, and Utrecht, the Netherlands. The company name is pronounced "Zee Eff Eks" (using the American English pronunciation of the letter Z). Founded in Las Vegas in 1994 it has provided flying effects for hundreds of professional and amateur versions of Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz. [1] and Broadway productions such as Wicked . [2]

Louisville, Kentucky City in Kentucky

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Utrecht City and municipality in the province of Utrecht, Netherlands

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Its flying directors are known for wearing the Utilikilt [3] [4] as the official company uniform. It has the most E.T.C.P double certified (Theater and Arena) riggers of any employer. [5]

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In 2010 they branched out from flying performers in live productions to also flying mannequins in retail stores. Starting with the Uniqlo flagship store in Shanghai they worked with the architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson in making multiple mannequins flying in a 20-meter atrium and an overhead carousel of rotating mannequins in acrylic pods. [6] Those concepts helped Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to win the EuroShop RetailDesign award in 2012. [7] [8]

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The company is the largest producer of black-oxided wire rope in the world. [9] Producing black wire rope for internal use and also for the majority of the Cirque du Soleil shows.

Black oxide or blackening is a conversion coating for ferrous materials, stainless steel, copper and copper based alloys, zinc, powdered metals, and silver solder. It is used to add mild corrosion resistance, for appearance and to minimize light reflection. To achieve maximal corrosion resistance the black oxide must be impregnated with oil or wax. One of its advantages over other coatings is its minimal buildup.

Wire rope rope made from wire

Wire rope is several strands of metal wire twisted into a helix forming a composite "rope", in a pattern known as "laid rope". Larger diameter wire rope consists of multiple strands of such laid rope in a pattern known as "cable laid".

Cirque du Soleil Canadian entertainment company

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It is also known for its collection of antique industrial and entertainment rigging including Nicopress tools and the oldest known working CM Lodestar.

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References

  1. ↑ Hathaway, Brad (2010-08-06). "From Wicked to Wizard, ZFX Flying Directors work the ropes". Live Design .
  2. ↑ "Special effects". The Broadway League . Internet Broadway Database. 2003-10-30.
  3. ↑ Orosz, Monica (2009-10-29). "Peter Pan's flight not just pixie dust, Company routinely sends actors soaring, has rented equipment for Charleston play". Charleston Daily Mail .
  4. ↑ "Peter Pan is up in the Air". Pagosa Springs Post . 2007-04-26.
  5. ↑ "Search for an ETCP Certified Technician". PLASA . 2011-05-01.
  6. ↑ "Uniqlo Shanghai Flagship Store". Architect Magazine . 2010-12-10.
  7. ↑ "EuroShop RetailDesign Award 2012". EHI Retail Institute . 2012-01-16.
  8. ↑ "UNIQLO Shanghai wins EuroShop RetailDesign Award". Bohlin Cywinski Jackson . 2012-01-16.
  9. ↑ "Louisville Magazine - OCT 2013".


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