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Messages - freakofmusic

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Ergonomics and the Tech Table
« on: Sep 21, 2014, 09:49 pm »
I would love to have a standing desk on casters that would accommodate my laptop and my script, then be able to transfer it to the theater for tech...

And Christmas is next month, maybe the scene shop guys will get my wishlist!

This one has the sweet "pssssshhhh" lift:

http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Furniture-Height-Adjustable-Computer/dp/B004G91RK8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1411350462&sr=8-5&keywords=rolling+laptop+stand

But you could fit so many more books and paperwork on this one:

http://www.amazon.com/TECHNI-MOBILI-Cadmus-Mobile-Graphite/dp/B003M96GY0/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1411350462&sr=8-8&keywords=rolling+laptop+stand

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I think for me the biggest thing I've found is prioritizing when tasks pile up.  I don't agree with the 'task-switching' notion.  I think if you have three things that need to be done in the next fifteen minutes, you should prioritize which one is the most important and go until you get it done.  This is assuming that all three tasks can actually be done in fifteen minutes.  If they can't, then it sounds like you already backed yourself up and you're too late, or you need to delegate some work out until you have time to focus on and approve each individual task.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Dropbox account full
« on: Sep 21, 2014, 09:40 pm »
Have you considered a private YouTube account?

You can upload videos and make them private -- so only you can see them, unregistered -- so only those with the link can see them, or public -- so anyone can see them. Perhaps making them unlisted and then sharing the links with everyone would work? You could have a file that had the title/date of the video beside the link.

Maybe it won't work with rules/copyrights/etc, but that's what I would try to do.

+1 for YouTube link.  Also make sure when you share dropbox files or folders, that you are careful about who you invite to the folder.  There's two main ways to share something; sharing/inviting to the folder, and sharing a link.  Sharing/inviting to the folder let's people change the files, meaning if they accidentally remove the files, it deleted it for everybody else.  Sharing the link just takes them to a webpage where they can download all the files, but aren't allowed to change anything.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Laminators
« on: Sep 21, 2014, 09:37 pm »
What situations do you find merit having a laminator available?

I agree in the sense of needing to purchase a laminator. Maybe I just haven't gotten to the point of having to do that much laminating, or maybe because I mostly tour, but I usually just use the self-laminating pouches that are basically just a big sticky pouch.  Or if I want them higher quality I just pay Fedex or Staples to do it.  Much faster and I don't have to carry around a laminator and sheets etc.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Cheap Spike Tape?
« on: Sep 21, 2014, 09:29 pm »
Looks like this company Industry Tape has it cheap:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_industrial?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Industry+Tape&node=16310091

I've never used it but I've ordered the JVCC tape from Amazon a bunch of times. It's like $10 a roll but I tour a lot so getting things from Amazon is worth not trying to find theatrical supply stores.

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Tools of the Trade / Re: Android Phone Apps
« on: Sep 21, 2014, 09:26 pm »
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cerealport.tools.timecalls

There's an app called Time Calls that can do your pre-show calls automatically as long as everyone is okay with texting.  I've used it on a couple of small tours cause most of the actors tend to be on their phones all the time anyway.  They wouldn't always hear me yell a call through the door if they had music playing, but a text message (especially to everyone at the same time) always got their attention.  There's a manual mode which is basically a glorified group message, but it lets you save your shows, adjust for minutes holding if there's a problem at front of house etc.  But the automatic mode is what's awesome. The app calls it "true-time" and after you put your show time in, it automatically sends the calls to the cast/crew exactly at the time specified, even if the app is closed and your phone's screen is off.  I can't tell you how many times this has come in handy after dealing with ushers or the foh manager or a stage problem and forgetting to give a call.  My phone just does it and even helps keep me on time because it vibrates when a call is sent.  Anyway just my two cents.

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