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The stars of the show are the men and women of IATSE Local #16 in San Francisco: carpenters, grips, electricians and prop people as well as stage managers and assistant directors of the San Francisco Opera. The principal storyteller is Ken "Spike" Kirkland, a sturdy, barrel-chested grip whose cagey understanding of Wagner's "Ring Cycle" comes from years of first-hand experience behind the scenes. Prior to joining the San Francisco Opera crew, Kirkland worked as a grip with the rap group Run DMC. The Story | Film Facts | Press | The Filmmaker | Interview | Resources | ITVS