Author Topic: More Technology in Stage Management! Website for my shows!?!?!?  (Read 6111 times)

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JDL

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I've created a website for my shows! Check it Out!
http://www.mycastboard.com

Your opinions/questions/comments are greatly appreciated!
AlL tHe WoRlD's A sTaGe... AnD i'M oFf BoOk!

stagemonkey

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Looks pretty sharp.  Be interesting to see if you filled in some more information like it might be actually listed on it for people to offer more input on the layout and such.

I would suggest that you add in an overall production calendar that would lay out what days and times rehearsals are.  Even if it doesn't have who is called which days it will allow visiters to see the overall time of the production when they might have calls. 

Other comment would be that hte facebook thing is a great little copy and past thing to get your name and contact info in there but some might not see it as professional.  You might just want to put the info in on its own.

Just my thoughts.  Overall I'd say good.  Its something I want to eventually add to my site. (www.jasonshivers.net)

MatthewShiner

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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.

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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

thehayworth

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my dilemna with an online callboard is that it keeps all the info up where production staff and cast can access it easily 24/7, but it is also available for anyone to access since it is online ... which could lead to trouble.  especially a problem is posting a contact sheet online.

so the solution is either don't do it .. or password protect it.

i'm worried no one will remember the password.  if it is too much trouble, it won't get used.
"This time for sure."

stagemonkey

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I have an online calendar that I am trying out for my current production that allows a password for people to access.  In choosing the password to give to the cast I chose something from the show.  Say you are doing Fiddler on the Roof you might choose "anetevka" or if you are doing Christmas Carol you could use "fezzywick," basically pick something from the show that people in the cast can remember but isnt as common to the general public. Character names probably arent the best choice.  Chances are you wont get many people trying to get into the site but you are dealing with private material that the whole world shouldnt have access to. 

I also send out email schedules to the cast as the director and I come up with the next weeks rehearsal schedule.  At the end of the email I give the the website address and then list the password as a reminder to them that it is there.  Ultimately the online callboard should be a subliment to whatever you are currently doing to make it easier for others.

MatthewShiner

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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.



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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

BalletPSM

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I would be REALLY careful posting schedules and locations of things online for all the world to see....you never who has restraining orders or scary stalkers.  It could be seen as an invasion of privacy.  It looks like you have this for cast, but there is a note on the production team section that says, "schedule coming soon."  Are you going to have a login required for everyone?

Also, have you received permission to use all the photos?  You must do this, and should also credit the photographer if possible.  I noticed the "communicating doors" picture does, but the ones in the top line don't have credits anywhere.



Stage managing is getting to do everything your mom told you not to do - read in the dark, sit too close to the TV, and play with the light switches!

Mac Calder

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I agree with Matt. Whilst I do make the schedules etc available on line, I find I am one of the only people who use them. Since my server is sitting in the next room from me at home, and is connected to my LAN, it is really easy, I just create them on a share on that computer, so they are available on line instantly. If however, I had to edit the schedule page to publish the dates and times, I doubt I would bother.

Protecting the information you publish is not too difficult because it is not 'classified', just 'private' - so you can use what is often called "security through obscurity" - a simple javascript based redirect script which redirects on the correct password. It is highly insecure, but it is effective and does not need any server side stuff like php or asp, or the use of .htaccess files. (Use something like this, it is really easy Login Coder)

 

riotous