Wire rig
The single-line rig used for sustained vertical descents at narrative speed — the rig under most "elevator shaft" and "skyscraper window" frames.
Mechanism
A descender wire is a single-line rig with a friction-controlled descender device at the top anchor. Unlike the fan descender's mechanical rate, this rig is operated by a rigger who modulates friction in real time, allowing the performer to start, stop, and accelerate during the descent — useful for narrative beats where the performer pauses to fight or react. The cable is steel-core for fall arrest with a polymer jacket for the rigger's grip. A backup ratchet line runs parallel and locks if the working cable fails. For long descents, the cable is reeved through a multi-stage pulley to give the rigger mechanical advantage so the descent rate stays controllable under high load.
Safety
Friction-controlled descenders demand a continuous-attention operator — there is no fail-safe rate built into the device. A second rigger watches the operator and can take over the line if the primary loses focus. Cable temperature rises over consecutive descents; on the third descent within ten minutes the rigger inspects the cable for sheath wear and cycles to a fresh line. Descents above 100 feet move to the fan-descender or twin-line rig family.
On screen
Sequences in the archive whose discipline tags overlap this technique's category. Click through for the full rigging breakdown of each set-piece.
2010