Messages

1

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Help me please (seeking interviews for a class)

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 10:40 am »

Hello I am a student at Jacksonville State University and I am supposed to interview a professional stage manager. I had one lined up but she went across the nation to work and I cant seem to get a hold of her. So if anyone is interested please hit my up.
Thank you
Down2life

The questions:
How long have you been a stage manager?
What companies have you worked for?
What was your favorite show to stage manage?
How formal was your training?  Did you go to a school that had a stage management program or did you learn by experience?
Can you describe your typical rehearsal process for a straight play?
What is your preferred process for technical rehearsals?
What do you see as the most important attributes for a stage manager?
What is the most common mistake you see rookie stage managers make?

2

Tools of the Trade / Re: latest toyes...

« on: Sep 22, 2006, 06:45 pm »

Awesome Thank you very much

3

Uploaded Forms / Re: Sound and Lights

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 06:49 pm »

Just a note. If you are using letters for cues skip Q. It makes it too easy to misunderstand if you call Q Q go.

Here is another sound cue sheet in excel.

Just kidding i seemed to have misplaced it

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Blocking Charts?

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 06:34 pm »

The one I enjoy, although I havent tested it yet, is having the script on the left side of the binder and on the right side on the back of the next page i have a space for a minature groundplan. Below that I have 15 to 20 lines numbered. When a character makes a move i note the blocking i.e. John crosses sl and out. I then right the number in the script on the cue line. So if john says "I am leaving" at the end of the line i place an eight to note what line and reference the other page on what that move is. It is also good because I have a ground plan of every page which helps if there are multiple settings helping with scene changes and giving me a constant reminder of what the set looks like.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: director's power

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 06:27 pm »

In the educational world it begins to be blur. But I feel that after a point there should be no changes. I do agree that if it is something small i.e. timing of a fde or where a blackout comes it is different but if the director changes the look then I completly disagree. As far as the US laws on that I do believe a design falls under creative property, that is the design for that show with that theatre is yours and they are using it, and thus so they arent to make changes without your (LD) approval or the approval of someone designated to make those decisions i.e. ALD, ME. It is difficult to fight that battle, but your loyalties, at that point, lie with the show the whole show. But thats just my opinion and it is difficult to work with a proffesor and expect all you would expect in a proffesional setting.

6

Tools of the Trade / Re: Favorite Deck Flashlight?

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 06:17 pm »

The sleeve helps a lot but it does sometimes come on. I just keep a constant watch out for it.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: latest toyes...

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 06:15 pm »

That is about the best I have heard of but I personally like a smaller binder inch or inch and a half. But thanks for the heads up. It is a very wierd obsession we have. but oh so much fun.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Favorite Deck Flashlight?

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 01:45 am »

If you have the money to spend then surefire is the best bet, but the are expensive as...... But if you are looking for allaround usefullness i recommend, like everyone else, the minimag. Rugged cant break design affordable around $9.00 U.S. and usually come with belt loop holder and 3 extra bulbs. They also have a nifty bulb holder built into the base. I personally own three. One for my kit and two for my belt, that way if I loan one i Still have mine. they also come in a variety of colors 

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Tools of the Trade / Re: What is Gaffer Tape?

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 01:39 am »

I have never had any problems with permacel. I actually prefer it. But yes as everyone said gaff tape is the sure fix for just about anything. Nothing (except artists tapr) beats white gaff at lableing boards. And nothing beats black gaff at anything.

10

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Leatherman

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 01:31 am »

Walmart, Bass pro shops, Dicks sporting goods, and any other sort of outfitter/outdoor gear place. If the sell canoes they probally have leathermans. I have actually converted to Gerber/ Bear, but that is because I live in a community that has a bear sale every year and i can get 30 to 40 dollar bear multitools for 5- 20. Nice ones though rugged and dependable.

11

Tools of the Trade / Re: latest toyes...

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 01:28 am »

Not a bid\g fan of the mini sharpies. The cap seems to lossen over time and then my sharpie is gone and as a stage manager and also a general technician (carpentry,lighting,sound) I cant afford to lose my sharpies. But as far as stationary goes I will wonder aimlessly for hours in office stores. I am still on the hunt for the perfect prompt book. I don't think it exists but I am trying to find it.

12

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: how do u put on spikes/marker if your set is full of gravel and sand?

« on: Sep 21, 2006, 01:02 am »

I know with the advance of leds it would be very practical and affordable to insert single led lights into whatever decking you are using. These wouldnt generate a lot of heat but would have enough punch to mark your spikes. But that is all theroretical. Like a few above have said it really depends on wht your spiking.