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Messages - KMC

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31
Tools of the Trade / Re: Improvised com system?
« on: Oct 18, 2017, 11:13 am »
That's good to know, Mac. The licenses look kind of pricey for some community theatres but there are a number of scenarios that I can see a package like that being very useful in.

I'm not intending this to be confrontational but I would say this is about as cheap as you're going to get for a reliable, purpose-built wireless communication system.  It's certainly not free, but aside from a mac mini and a wireless router (a few hundred dollars) it leverages existing hardware, i.e. the cell phones of the end users, so minimal capital outlay is required up front.  As the license fees are per seat the cost scales proportionally with the size of the deployment (versus a traditional intercom system that requires a large capital outlay up front for base stations, cabling infrastructure, etc... and lower costs per beltpack/headset).  All of these are distinct advantages for smaller organizations that don't have the capital to purchase a more traditional intercom system up front.

Having a system that is both purpose-built for entertainment / events / broadcast and free (which seems to be what many people mean when saying "cheap") is an incongruous proposition. 

32
Tools of the Trade / Re: Android Cue App
« on: Oct 16, 2017, 11:10 am »
Thanks for the quick reply KMC. In the past my understanding is that this group (a ninprofit children's theatre, so small budget) has used a board member's tablet or phone, plugged it into the sound board, and played music files through the music player. Said member is leaving so they want to purchase a tablet owned by the group. I would like to prod them out to music players and into cues management but the only thing we're really able to control that way is the sound board (no intelligent lights, moveable stages, etc). I'll have to go check what type of board it is.

My assumption, based on the little documentation that is available, is that this Android app is strictly audio or video file playback and does not have control elements associated with it.  For the stated purpose in your post, my assumption is that it will work (should be verified prior to purchase, if the $ is a concern).

If the theatre is planning to buy a tablet anyway, I would suggest that they take a slightly different path.  If the performance demands are not immense (e.g. large video file playback with complex mapping) then a mac mini can support QLAB for most show uses (and we have successfully designed and integrated small show control systems with this structure).  A mac mini is not going to be materially more expensive than a good tablet, so that cost is a wash.  The QLAB license will be a hit up front if you do an outright purchase.  If the funds aren't available to purchase a license outright up front, I think Figure 53 has a rent or rent-to-own option.  Long term, this will give the group far more functionality and a major upgrade over the entry level solution now being considered.

33
Tools of the Trade / Re: Improvised com system?
« on: Oct 16, 2017, 08:23 am »
If your theatre is already cabled for it (and dear god I hope it is if it's brand new) an entry level hard-wired comms package really is not terribly expensive.  If money is really tight you may even contact a rental house in your area to see if they've got anything they're looking to retire and sell or donate.

34
Tools of the Trade / Re: Android Cue App
« on: Oct 16, 2017, 08:19 am »
What types of devices are you needing the show controller to trigger and what functions are you intending the alternative system to perform (e.g. audio playback, timecode distribution, etc...)? 

I had a quick read over the live cues site and their documentation is vague to non-existent.  My biggest question that is not clear from the admittedly small amount of research I did is what is the remote app driving (or is it not a remote app, and the phone/tablet app is a stand-alone product)?  The QLAB app is not really doing much other than connecting back to your QLAB rig and acting as a really fancy remote control.

Have you tried contacting them through the form on their website?

Typically you get what you pay for,  and at $20 I wouldn't expect much.  That said, it's not a terrible loss if you buy it and it's a dud.  A full QLAB license I think is running close to $1,000 retail these days, so looking towards a $20 solution to act as a replacement is not going to deliver the same quality product.

If you can give me a bit more information I'll be happy to think on it a bit further and recommend something.

35
The "proper" cue to call is whatever works and clearly communicates your intent to the deckhands.  Do you have cue lights available?  If the shifts involve large pieces of scenery cue lights are often times the most practical solution.

36
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Manager Duties
« on: Oct 10, 2017, 09:42 am »
It seems especially odd to have the PSM be an understudy, vs an ASM. Outside of a complicated system of winks and secret hand signals to the board ops, it would be rather difficult to call a show AND be onstage, I'd imagine...  ;D

I've been thinking the same thing for the duration of the thread.  ;D

The real takeaway here for the OP is probably to remember that high school level productions don't and won't (and shouldn't) operate under the same structure and standards as a professional production, so the comparison to a professional production is something akin to comparing apples to space shuttles. 

Major points to the OP for the intellectual curiosity and taking the time to research a professional standard. 

37
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Is college necessary?
« on: Oct 09, 2017, 08:22 am »
Expanding a bit on Maribeth's thought from my own perspective: very few people will Stage Manage exclusively for their entire career; check through the roster of this forum and you'll see a number of folks with the "Former SM" title.  Some move on to other arts-related work that is only a step or two removed from Stage Management, some move on to work that's tangentially related, while others still move on to work that has nothing at all to do with the arts.  There are many and varied reasons for this which aren't necessarily relevant to this thread, however what is relevant is career prospects if or when you decide to move on from Stage Management.  Having a solid foundation (and as unfortunate as it is - the "piece of paper") will be instrumental in any career you may have 5, 10, 20 years down the road.  At some point, especially if you are looking at work in the corporate world, lack of an undergraduate degree can become a barrier to entry.

38
The Green Room / Re: Remembering Nick Tochelli
« on: Oct 09, 2017, 08:12 am »
Thanks Kay - donation made.  A nice way to start my work week.

39
The Green Room / Re: Remembering Nick Tochelli
« on: Oct 06, 2017, 02:39 pm »
Terribly sad news.  Please do post some additional information when you have it, especially with regard to the kids' college fund.  Even a small donation of $10 can grow into a substantive amount of money over 10-15 years.

40
Introductions / Re: Hello from Denver, Co
« on: Aug 14, 2017, 08:07 am »
Welcome, Kurt.  I've heard great things about DCPA!  I'm sure your perspective will be appreciated here and I hope you find the site a valuable resource.

41
Tools of the Trade / Re: Basecamp.com
« on: Jul 14, 2017, 07:16 am »
I work for a small (100ish people) division of a large corporation (18,000+ people).  Our corporation uses Yammer, an in-house social network, for a few things.

Things it works well for:
- Sharing company-wide updates and announcements.
- Broad, public, informal discussions between people in different regions/locations.
- Asking for help with systems/products (as megf alluded to below).

Things it would not work well for:
- Direct management of teams/deliverables.
- Time-sensitive communications.

At the end of the day it is a lot easier to walk down the hall and have a conversation or pick up the phone and call someone than it is to rely on any kind of online content management system.

Think of how you would be preferred to be communicated with.  Do you want to be managed by the equivalent of social media - impersonally and likely hastily-composed, or in person or by phone?

The collaboration and document sharing is potentially valuable, but as soon as you start involving freelancers (i.e. people outside your company's domain name) it becomes unworkable.

42
Introductions / Re: Hello from Western North Carolina
« on: Jun 14, 2017, 01:06 pm »
Welcome, John!

If you are looking to get more into the theme park and cruise ship side of the business I'd recommend honing your skills in all technical aspects you can get your hands on, but specifically in show control and automation.  The shows that are produced and on "rinse and repeat" for years on end are heavily automated, as you're no doubt learning at Busch Gardens.  Good luck and welcome to the forum!

43
Tools of the Trade / Re: Steel toe boots?
« on: Apr 24, 2017, 08:07 am »
Check the PPE requirements of the theatre at which you'll be working.  It's been a while but I don't recall the need to wear safety shoes in an SM function. 

ETA: PPE = Personal Protective Equipment

44
Introductions / Re: Aspiring ASM
« on: Apr 03, 2017, 02:34 am »
Welcome aboard!  And congrats on having better diction and grammar as a middle school student than some of our adult members!

45
Tools of the Trade / Re: Improvised com system?
« on: Mar 14, 2017, 03:06 pm »
Rent wireless comms. 

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