What is a Rope Line?
A rope line is a type of barrier which intended to protect prominent celebrities or politicians from the general public. Rope lines are also used to organize crowds, especially in crowded clubs and other public places. When a rope line is used in a celebrity context, it is often covered in velvet and it may be decorated with ornaments like tassels to make it more elegant. The side of a rope line on which one stands can be an indicator of social status or clout.
To assemble a rope line, strings of heavy cabled rope are strung between upright stantions, or poles which are stabilized with broad, heavy bases. Depending on the formality of a rope line, the rope may be made from velvet, satin, or imitators of these luxury materials, although lines from nylon and less formal materials can also be seen. Typically, the rope line is configurable with clips which can be used to open and close gaps between stantions.
Obviously, a rope line is not a real barrier; it is intended to serve as a deterrent, keeping people out of a certain area. As a result, a rope line is usually attended by a security detail. Members of the security team keep people from pushing against the rope line, and they are on the watch for people who try to cross or duck under the rope line to reach the restricted area. For security teams, a rope line can be very stressful, since an open area presents a lot of risks.
For politicians, “walking the rope line” after an event is a useful publicity tactic. People who are unable to get into the event may wait at the rope line in the hope of meeting a politician, shaking his or her hand, and exchanging a few brief words. For high profile politicians like national leaders, access to the rope line is tightly controlled to ensure the safety of the politician, and people may not be permitted to directly touch the politician.
At celebrity events like concerts, plays, and movie premiers, the rope line often lines a “red carpet,” a formal promenade to the entrance of the event. Celebrities on the carpet may be photographed and videotaped by news agencies, and they often perform short interviews as well. Prominent newscasters may be allowed to walk the red carpet with celebrities for the purpose of getting close-ups and sound bites.
Written by S.E. Smith
