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The Green Room / Re: 2013 Univ of Iowa survey is live!
« on: Nov 01, 2013, 11:12 pm »
Glad you liked some of the new questions! We wanted to keep things fresh and test a few assumptions about stage managers.
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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17
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: NY TIMES saying no to college
« on: Dec 10, 2012, 05:31 pm »
Now several years out of school I feel the pull of grad school (we were told as undergrads to NEVER go straight to graduate school, to take a few years off and feel it out) and always get told by stage managers with years more experience that it is a waste of time and money to get an MFA. Always. Without exception. Even people who have graduated from my dream schools will tell me not to bother.
Why do you think those
A grad degree is not required to get work in Arts Administration. And a grad degree in Early Childhood Education doesn't actually train anyone how to work with children (you will do that in internships and placements). So why does the MFA in Stage Management get a bad reputation compared to other fields that also rely on applied learning in addition to formal studies?
18
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: NY TIMES saying no to college
« on: Dec 06, 2012, 10:59 am »
Spending four years and tens of thousands of dollars to learn job skills is a waste of time, money, and... college. I agree that on-the-job training is the fastest and most effective way to learn your job skills. The root of the problem is that college is not vocational training (and I am supporter of vocational training).
College should be the arena to develop yourself as an independent learner and thinker. Some fields may not require independent thinking and analysis. And some people already possess those skills and don't need four more years of dedicated application. Too many people go to college for the wrong reasons and therefore get very little out of the experience beyond debt.
In my opinion, the best education for a stage manager is a liberal arts curriculum. You will have plenty of opportunities to learn stage management on the job. I want stage managers who understand more than stage management and who have the skills (and confidence!) to quickly learn the the subject matter of our shows and to adapt to the backgrounds of our collaborators.
Don't go to college for information. You can get all the information you need from a smart phone. College is the opportunity to step outside your safety zone and really hone your learning skills.
College should be the arena to develop yourself as an independent learner and thinker. Some fields may not require independent thinking and analysis. And some people already possess those skills and don't need four more years of dedicated application. Too many people go to college for the wrong reasons and therefore get very little out of the experience beyond debt.
In my opinion, the best education for a stage manager is a liberal arts curriculum. You will have plenty of opportunities to learn stage management on the job. I want stage managers who understand more than stage management and who have the skills (and confidence!) to quickly learn the the subject matter of our shows and to adapt to the backgrounds of our collaborators.
Don't go to college for information. You can get all the information you need from a smart phone. College is the opportunity to step outside your safety zone and really hone your learning skills.
19
Tools of the Trade / New Break-Time App: Take 10!
« on: Sep 22, 2012, 11:30 pm »
Mark Stys, an AEA SM, released a new app two days ago called Take 10! This app does for the iPhone, newer iPod Touches, and the iPad what Will Pickens' MegaWatch did for the laptop: provide a clean and straightforward way to track Equity breaks. I will post my review on iTunes and on my own website so that I don't cross any lines by promoting a product on these message boards.
The reason I am making this post is to discuss the cost of software specifically designed for stage managers. The biggest question for many stage managers looking at this app will be "Is it worth the cost?" Take 10! costs $14.99. With all fairness to Mark (whom I just met for the first time two days ago), if this app were being sold to millions or even tens of thousands of users, I would expect to pay $1.99 or even $0.99 on sale. Don't get me wrong - it is a very good app. But it is a timer app and there are great generic timer apps that cost between free and $1.99.
But let's say that this app did cost $0.99 and it was insanely popular among stage managers. It might sell 1,000 copies over a two-year span. Apple takes 30% of all revenue and charges $99/year in developer licenses. To reach a thousand stage managers, you will need to advertise and maintain a website. I know from a short e-mail exchange with Mark that it took him the better part of a year to develop this app. If he, or any stage manager creating new apps, charged "Angry Birds prices," he would make less than a half-week's salary for months of work and years of customer service. And that's if the app is popular.
So, if we want specialized apps for our field, are we willing to pay a "premium" given that we are such a niche market? Other niche markets have foundations or large commercial companies that are willing to pick up the costs as part of their philanthropic or brand awareness goals. But we don't have pools of funding other than if we, as individuals, are willing to invest.
What do you think?
The reason I am making this post is to discuss the cost of software specifically designed for stage managers. The biggest question for many stage managers looking at this app will be "Is it worth the cost?" Take 10! costs $14.99. With all fairness to Mark (whom I just met for the first time two days ago), if this app were being sold to millions or even tens of thousands of users, I would expect to pay $1.99 or even $0.99 on sale. Don't get me wrong - it is a very good app. But it is a timer app and there are great generic timer apps that cost between free and $1.99.
But let's say that this app did cost $0.99 and it was insanely popular among stage managers. It might sell 1,000 copies over a two-year span. Apple takes 30% of all revenue and charges $99/year in developer licenses. To reach a thousand stage managers, you will need to advertise and maintain a website. I know from a short e-mail exchange with Mark that it took him the better part of a year to develop this app. If he, or any stage manager creating new apps, charged "Angry Birds prices," he would make less than a half-week's salary for months of work and years of customer service. And that's if the app is popular.
So, if we want specialized apps for our field, are we willing to pay a "premium" given that we are such a niche market? Other niche markets have foundations or large commercial companies that are willing to pick up the costs as part of their philanthropic or brand awareness goals. But we don't have pools of funding other than if we, as individuals, are willing to invest.
What do you think?
20
Employment / Re: Academic cover letter
« on: Sep 16, 2012, 10:44 pm »
My advice is to analyze all of the documents the institution is requesting and then use your cover letter to address any strengths/details that won't be covered elsewhere. Does the college/university require a statement of purpose or academic philosophy? Those documents ask for your views on stage management as an academic discipline. If the school does not ask for such a statement, see if you can work it into your cover letter. Another good use of a cover letter is to explain why the position interests you so much. Show your personality and style since it may be difficult to separate yourself from the other candidates in the more formal documents of your application. I concluded a search last spring and the majority of cover letters ran a full page to to just short of two full pages.
21
Tools of the Trade / Re: How to best use Dropbox?
« on: Apr 26, 2012, 06:47 pm »
I have created a group folder for my entire SM team and then individual PSM/SM folders to share more show specific resources. I agree with everything listed above but I would add that you MUST stress to your entire company that they cannot remove shared files from Dropbox. I had a graphic designer who found it easier to re-sort images in his own system but forgot to create duplicates of everything and actually moved a few originals off of the shared folder. There are back-up options, but better to avoid that hassle entirely.
22
The Green Room / Re: University of Iowa 2011 Stage Management Survey
« on: Jan 21, 2012, 11:26 am »
Thank you! We really enjoyed working on this project, but I wouldn't wish a 912-page spreadsheet of survey data on my worst enemy!
We were also very surprised - and encouraged - by the responses to the stage management software questions. Two of my students are working on applications, likely on the iPad platform, and they were thrilled to see that people are both interested and willing to invest in new technology for our field. We co-opt and adapt existing software to our needs, but we really need more apps that think like a stage manager. I have been very impressed by several iPhone apps but I wonder how much deeper we can go.
We were also very surprised - and encouraged - by the responses to the stage management software questions. Two of my students are working on applications, likely on the iPad platform, and they were thrilled to see that people are both interested and willing to invest in new technology for our field. We co-opt and adapt existing software to our needs, but we really need more apps that think like a stage manager. I have been very impressed by several iPhone apps but I wonder how much deeper we can go.
23
The Green Room / Re: University of Iowa 2011 Stage Management Survey
« on: Jan 21, 2012, 02:27 am »
The results of the 2011 University of Iowa Stage Manager Survey are now available. In the 2009 survey, 525 stage managers responded. This year 614 stage managers participated in the full survey! Survey results can be found at http://smsurvey.info.
Please let us know if there are any specific questions about the data or any questions that you would like to see cross-tabulated.
Please let us know if there are any specific questions about the data or any questions that you would like to see cross-tabulated.
24
Tools of the Trade / Re: Backstage Calling Station/Console
« on: Dec 07, 2011, 03:29 pm »
Thanks for all of these great ideas and considerations. I have my first budget meeting tomorrow and this gives me much food for thought!
25
Tools of the Trade / Backstage Calling Station/Console
« on: Dec 05, 2011, 03:36 pm »
It looks as though this question hasn't come up for a couple of years:
What do you look for in a backstage calling console/station? My theatre is in the process of building a new one and I am looking for best practices and all the latest bells and whistles. What do you love or hate about your backstage station? Should we install a cupholder for water bottles?
What do you look for in a backstage calling console/station? My theatre is in the process of building a new one and I am looking for best practices and all the latest bells and whistles. What do you love or hate about your backstage station? Should we install a cupholder for water bottles?
26
The Green Room / Re: University of Iowa 2011 Stage Management Survey
« on: Nov 05, 2011, 07:55 pm »
Jessie,
The only requirement for participation is having stage managed one American production in your career. We have already had a couple of responses from stage managers who reside outside the United States. And the only reason we list this requirement is to compare career expectations and preferences/choices that may be based on American union models. Given that groups such as the SMNetwork are becoming increasingly international, we would like to find a way to conduct a global survey in the future.
The survey is primarily focused on theatre, but we do inquire about a stage manager's experiences with opera, dance, concerts, television, and industrials. We would like to ask more questions about working in other fields, but we are trying to keep the total survey to 10-15 minutes.
David.
The only requirement for participation is having stage managed one American production in your career. We have already had a couple of responses from stage managers who reside outside the United States. And the only reason we list this requirement is to compare career expectations and preferences/choices that may be based on American union models. Given that groups such as the SMNetwork are becoming increasingly international, we would like to find a way to conduct a global survey in the future.
The survey is primarily focused on theatre, but we do inquire about a stage manager's experiences with opera, dance, concerts, television, and industrials. We would like to ask more questions about working in other fields, but we are trying to keep the total survey to 10-15 minutes.
David.
27
The Green Room / Re: University of Iowa 2011 Stage Management Survey
« on: Nov 02, 2011, 03:37 pm »
Thanks for promoting the survey! The only requirement, for the sake of demographic comparisons, is that the stage manager has worked on one American theatrical production (or a tour that originates in the US). In 2009, we had 525 participants - let's break that record!
28
The Green Room / 2009 Stage Management Survey Results!
« on: Jan 15, 2010, 03:01 pm »
The results of the 2009 Stage Management Occupational Trends Survey are now available at http://smsurvey.info.
The 2009 survey had 525 participants from 37 states. The survey included questions about calling techniques and show management, and were further analyzed by union affiliation, age, experience, training, and gender. For instance, the older the stage manager, the more likely that she/he creates a back-up copy of the calling script (51.9% of 61-70 year olds, but only 25.8% of 26-30 year olds).
If you have questions for the 2011 survey or would like more information, please contact david-mcgraw@uiowa.edu.
Thanks again to the SMNetwork for helping to promote this survey!
The 2009 survey had 525 participants from 37 states. The survey included questions about calling techniques and show management, and were further analyzed by union affiliation, age, experience, training, and gender. For instance, the older the stage manager, the more likely that she/he creates a back-up copy of the calling script (51.9% of 61-70 year olds, but only 25.8% of 26-30 year olds).
If you have questions for the 2011 survey or would like more information, please contact david-mcgraw@uiowa.edu.
Thanks again to the SMNetwork for helping to promote this survey!
29
SMNetwork Archives / 196 Stage Managers have answered these questions. Will you?
« on: Nov 27, 2006, 09:30 am »
First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has participated in the online survey of calling techniques (see the November 12th posting on this Green Room board). I was hoping for at least 100 responses to generate reliable statistics, but to have 196 responses in just two weeks has been amazing. My goal is to publish the survey results in January. Some of the raw data is very interesting (11% of the participants have never used cue lights... saying "Lights" is 4 times more popular than "Electrics" when calling lighting cues, etc.). I will also cross-reference responses to see if there are trends based on years of experience, AEA or non-union, primarily musical theatre, etc.
If you have not yet participated in the survey, please make your voice heard! Most participants have spent about 20 minutes answering multiple choice questions about calling scripts and techniques for communicating cues. There are areas to provide feedback on questions such as whether you allow your crew members to take some of the cues on their own. The survey is open to anyone who has stage managed at least 1 theatre production in the United States (or a tour that originates in the US).
http://www.hostedsurvey.com/takesurvey.asp?c=SMCalling
Thank you very much,
David McGraw
Production Stage Manager
Theatre Arts Department
University of Iowa
EDIT: The survey expired on December 2. Lockin' the thread! --PSMK
If you have not yet participated in the survey, please make your voice heard! Most participants have spent about 20 minutes answering multiple choice questions about calling scripts and techniques for communicating cues. There are areas to provide feedback on questions such as whether you allow your crew members to take some of the cues on their own. The survey is open to anyone who has stage managed at least 1 theatre production in the United States (or a tour that originates in the US).
http://www.hostedsurvey.com/takesurvey.asp?c=SMCalling
Thank you very much,
David McGraw
Production Stage Manager
Theatre Arts Department
University of Iowa
EDIT: The survey expired on December 2. Lockin' the thread! --PSMK
30
SMNetwork Archives / Survey: Stage Management Calling Techniques and Innovations
« on: Nov 11, 2006, 10:18 pm »
I am conducting a survey of the techniques that stage managers use to call shows. Advances in lighting, sound, and motion control have changed the way that shows are operated -- how have these advances changed the way that shows are called? This survey will also help identify innovations in creating calling scripts and communicating the individual cues.
http://www.hostedsurvey.com/takesurvey.asp?c=SMCalling
This online survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
There are also opportunities to provide feedback on any of the major questions.
Anyone who has stage managed at least 1 theatre production in the United States (or a tour that originates in the US) is encouraged to participate. There are questions for both AEA veterans and new students of stage management. Once the statistics have been gathered, I plan to open the discussions to stage managers outside of the US and those that work exclusively in dance, opera, and/or special events. The only reason for limiting the survey to stage management of American theatre is to generate statistics based more from participants' experiences and years in this particular field than from the different calling styles and traditions from other countries or performing art forms.
If you find the survey useful, please forward this invitation to your colleagues.
Thank you very much,
David McGraw
Production Stage Manager
Theatre Arts Department
University of Iowa
http://www.hostedsurvey.com/takesurvey.asp?c=SMCalling
This online survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
There are also opportunities to provide feedback on any of the major questions.
Anyone who has stage managed at least 1 theatre production in the United States (or a tour that originates in the US) is encouraged to participate. There are questions for both AEA veterans and new students of stage management. Once the statistics have been gathered, I plan to open the discussions to stage managers outside of the US and those that work exclusively in dance, opera, and/or special events. The only reason for limiting the survey to stage management of American theatre is to generate statistics based more from participants' experiences and years in this particular field than from the different calling styles and traditions from other countries or performing art forms.
If you find the survey useful, please forward this invitation to your colleagues.
Thank you very much,
David McGraw
Production Stage Manager
Theatre Arts Department
University of Iowa