Messages

2041

The Hardline / Re: MRE

« on: Aug 30, 2006, 11:26 pm »

I have never worked a contract where there was a MRE, but I would assume if the rule applies to the actor, it would apply to th stage manager.

Which contracts are in on?

2042

The Hardline / Re: AEA - LORT - QUESTION #1

« on: Aug 28, 2006, 02:40 pm »

Some of the members of the cast of my current show and I just had a discussion about extensions.  They prefer the rider because they feel that the language "as possible" gives them an out should they book other work. 

I think this is reason I would not want to do the rider that - I don't want to have to find a stage manager to replace for the last week or two of a run - I know it limits options, but I think at this level, I think it would be better to lock someone in from the get go.  That is what my gut is telling me - and then just post the show closing notice per AEA guidelines (or earlier) if the extension is not planned - and in my histroy, an extension is usually settled upon the first two weeks of a run.

2043

The Hardline / AEA - LORT - REP - QUESTION #2

« on: Aug 28, 2006, 12:36 pm »

Okay, question number two.

I am putting together a rep plot . . . and my proposal right now is one SM and two ASMs for the rep'ed shows. 

How have people handled stage management staff in LORT rep situations (WHO DOES DO LORT REPS?)?  What works?  What staffing issues did you wish you knew about before hand you learned through the process?  Give me your LORT REP horror stories?  Your success stories?

(I do admit I am shamlessly fishing for different ways to think outside of the box, since I don't have much experience with this.)

2044

The Hardline / AEA - LORT - QUESTION #1

« on: Aug 28, 2006, 12:33 pm »

I feel like I am about to begin a long series of questions of "What would you perfer?" as I prepare for a huge explosion in the numbr of people I will be hiring for next season.  (I am staring at the th calendar matrix now, and my jaw, is a little slack.)

Okay, question number one.

How would you, as a SM, be perfer to be contract for a show with a possible 1-week or 2-week extension.  As the person hiring, I would want to the contract to extend covering the entire proposed length of the run, and then just post a closing a notice.  But, I have come to realize I look at things a different way.

Would you rather a contract be to the closing day or the closing day with the possible extensions included?  How have you been contract previously?  Pros?  Cons?  (This would be both a LORT B+, non-seasonal, rep contract - for those of you interested in the details.)  I know that I will also be seeking input from Equity as well, but I wanted to hear from other SMs.


Let me know.  (Again there will be a bunch).

2045

Employment / Re: Resident SM

« on: Aug 25, 2006, 06:14 pm »

You know Amber and Meg.  Wow.

I feel like I should know you . . . I have a sneaky suspescion we may know a lot more people in common.

I am paid quite a bit over Equity Minimum for extra duties; and as long as my extra duties saty with in my weekly hours I am find, once they go over that . . . I bill for overtime.  (I actually work for a theatre that will pay for overtime.)  I am also in a staffing position where if there is a meeting or something, I can bow out of rehearsal for an hour or so.

It works out nicely, and I never feel like I am being taken advantage of.

2046

SMNetwork Archives / Re: More Technology in Stage Management! Website for my shows!?!?!?

« on: Aug 23, 2006, 07:52 pm »

Here's the thing . . .

For two seasons I did an online call board for information, but what I learned is no one really used it.

Reports and calls are e-mailed (pushed information) so they weren't looking at that, having the calendar was fine, but that was something they had in their hand.

In the end, to publish, pdf, post and so forth . . . it was an extra 15 minutes of my life do work for a product that was not being used.

In the end I stopped it.

2047

SMNetwork Archives / Re: More Technology in Stage Management! Website for my shows!?!?!?

« on: Aug 23, 2006, 05:25 am »

Password protect.

I would want the whole thing password protected in that some people may not be comfortable with other people knowing when they are coming and going, when they are not going to be at home and how long they are going to be away from home.  Same thing with contact information.

Otherwise.  Nice page.

2048

Employment / Re: Resident SM

« on: Aug 22, 2006, 08:12 am »

For my theatre, with the very long title of Resident Production Stage Manager . . . besides my normal show duties, we have come up with the following additional duties.

1) Hiring of entire Stage Management Staff (with veto power given to production management as needed)
2) Supervision of other SM teams, train and orientate, serve as a resource for outside SMS
3) Attending ALL production meetings
4) Attending Management meetings.
5) Give input into calendar and production issues as needed.
6) Work on policy and procedures for the SM department, especially as we continue to grow

It's nothing too much out of the ordinary, and all stuff pretty much I volunteered to do.

2049

The Hardline / Re: Copyright laws

« on: Aug 20, 2006, 08:50 am »

That may indeed be Equity's side of the rules, the 3/4 majority, but . . . they don't own the show.

You still need to check with the person who owns the rights to the show; most of the time there seems to be little trouble with allowing an archival video, but every royality owner is different.

The joy of working on Shakespeare, he hardly seems to care if we videotape his producitons.

2050

College and Graduate Studies / Re: SM Internship

« on: Aug 16, 2006, 06:21 pm »

Ne honest about your conflicts from the start - - - they may be able to work around it - you never know.

2051

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Raked Entrance/Exit Ramp

« on: Aug 16, 2006, 04:16 am »

The best thing to do is check it out with Equity directly.

I think if the actors have to do any traveling over the rake, given this rule, there might be some consideration that may need to be given, and/or approval given by AEA.

2052

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: prompt books

« on: Aug 11, 2006, 04:03 am »

as far as being requested to submit a prompt book, at the regional level of aea stage management, no one has ever asked to see my prompt book - in fact, since apply for grad school, no one has ever asked to see one.  (That was 10 years ago).

2053

Employment / Re: Do circuses have Stage Managers?

« on: Aug 07, 2006, 06:00 pm »

Someone on the site mentioned working w cirque - can't recall who, but it's fairly recent, so if you have the time to do a little investigation tlhrough the threads you should find it fairly quickly - good luck

and they are based in (Florida I think) and have a website - you can always ask them directly

They are based out of Quebec in Canada, Las Vegas for the United States sit down shows, with a sort of field office in Orlando.  I believe most of the tours are managed out of Canada. 

It all depends on which show you are being interviewed out - I was interviewed out Mexico City for the last interview . . .

2054

The Green Room / Re: Tech dinners

« on: Aug 06, 2006, 09:15 pm »

Food Stories

Recently, during the last week of a run, Moral was in the dump - it was amazing what $30.00 of bagels can do for a cast.

Also, at my current theatre, the crew organizes a Cheese Day, where everyone brings in fruit, cheese and crackers - it becomes quite the event that everyone looks forward to. 

Food is always a good thing.

2055

Stage Management: Other / Re: Stage Managing Dance?

« on: Aug 05, 2006, 10:31 pm »

I think my experience doing plays and musical helped me A LOT when doing dance - I think most of the choreographers liked me because I did approach it from a different angle, and often thought outside of the box.

Again, calling and teching the show is a bit different, but the people skills, time management skills, etc, etc all transfer.  Performers are performers.  (Although dancers may have quirks, I expec every company with to have new and exciting challanges that come with them.)