One is pricey, durable and a backstage tech's MVP on the graduation gift list. The other is a cheap and cheerful presence on the tech table and partners with troubled Round 1 winner Binder. Both players do one absolutely necessary job very efficiently, both are noisy, and double as weapons in a pinch. Both can cause
utter havoc if not properly tended.
In the pre-game this Commercial League match was picked as one to watch and even with Binder's weak performance in Round 1 it still has the potential to be a nail-biter. The screw gun, while typically the province of carpenters, is no stranger to stage manager hands and I'd reckon that most of the members of the site have not only used them often, but have formed strong opinions as to favorite brands, sizes, corded or cordless style, and even motor speed. Even some scene changes cannot be completed without the assistance of the screw gun, meaning that even if we don't touch the thing, it's necessary for the job to get done.
Meanwhile, as long as there are binders there will be the need for three hole punches, or multi-hole punches depending on the size of paper and style of binder most common in your country. Recent
upstart paper products may require special punches of their own, but considering the streak of traditionalism that shoots deeply through many stage managers one could comfortably say that the three hole punch has earned pride of place at the right hand of the SM. The multi-hole punch pulls out an extra bit of utility by quickly creating glow-tape dots.
Both are powerful figures but only one will go on to the sweet sixteen. We'll know when the poll closes on Tuesday at noon CST. Game on!
Poll