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Stage Management: Other / Re: Opera tips
« on: Feb 15, 2016, 04:11 pm »
Not a UK SM here, but one familiar with US Opera SM.
That's interesting about the tech names! It's always fun to learn something new
As to timings - As someone who does read music well, I still find timings useful. They can take the guess work out of when to make pages for company members. It can also help with split-second decision making backstage - Do I have time to grab a dresser? How close are we to this prop's re-entrance and do we have time to hot glue it back together, or use the backup that the designer really didn't like, but it still hanging around? Being able to look at the amount of time in black and white (as opera timings are pretty close to exact with maestro tempi) can influence the call you make.
For notation, I put the timings directly between the piano systems in blue ink. Others I've worked with put a dot or check between the systems and putting the timing in the side margin so that it can be found easily. I have an opera score around, but would have to look, since it's been awhile since I've been able to keep one. Perhaps someone else can provide a photo?
Also, we call our techs the Sitzprobe, stage and piano, and stage and orchestra.
Edit: Also, curious about people talking about putting 30s timings in. Do you just write the time by the dots? I was never taught to do this & I'm not sure why it would be useful if you can read music well. Does anyone care to elaborate on the uses of having the timings written in? Has anyone got any photos of examples? I can't picture it.
That's interesting about the tech names! It's always fun to learn something new
As to timings - As someone who does read music well, I still find timings useful. They can take the guess work out of when to make pages for company members. It can also help with split-second decision making backstage - Do I have time to grab a dresser? How close are we to this prop's re-entrance and do we have time to hot glue it back together, or use the backup that the designer really didn't like, but it still hanging around? Being able to look at the amount of time in black and white (as opera timings are pretty close to exact with maestro tempi) can influence the call you make.
For notation, I put the timings directly between the piano systems in blue ink. Others I've worked with put a dot or check between the systems and putting the timing in the side margin so that it can be found easily. I have an opera score around, but would have to look, since it's been awhile since I've been able to keep one. Perhaps someone else can provide a photo?