Author Topic: CALLING: Headset Etiquette  (Read 41466 times)

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jempage

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #15 on: Jun 13, 2007, 09:20 pm »
I realise its not so much 'Headset' etiquette, but myself and my sound guys frequently take much amusement in piping the Wireless mics of unsuspecting actors through the Control Room monitors.
It is strange that actors don't realise that just because they can't hear themselves through the house and foldbacks doesn't mean that no-one's listening.

It's a bit of fun, and does make for some interesting moments:

Tech:  So Random Actor Dude, when you were talking about X and Y before...
Actor: Wait... weren't you somewhere else when that was happening?
[Actor walks away with puzzled expression.]

With regards to Can conversations, it does really depend on the particular crew and the particular SM.  One crew I work with is basically the same bunch of 5 people for every production, so there are a lot of "in" jokes and a secret language that only we really know how to decode.

Other times, I have been brought into a new musical company as the Deck Manager during tech week, about a week before opening, and the etiquette is much more professional and based on the job at hand.

Cheers,
Jem.
Cheers,
Jem.
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KMC

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #16 on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:19 am »
I realise its not so much 'Headset' etiquette, but myself and my sound guys frequently take much amusement in piping the Wireless mics of unsuspecting actors through the Control Room monitors.
It is strange that actors don't realise that just because they can't hear themselves through the house and foldbacks doesn't mean that no-one's listening.

It's a bit of fun, and does make for some interesting moments:

Tech:  So Random Actor Dude, when you were talking about X and Y before...
Actor: Wait... weren't you somewhere else when that was happening?
[Actor walks away with puzzled expression.]


Great way to lose the respect of your cast.  If you do listen in (which I don't think you should), at least don't publicize it.
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

BalletPSM

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #17 on: Jun 14, 2007, 03:07 pm »
Quote
Re: the "bit of fun".

It's not.  It's rude.  And mean, and yes, unprofessional.  And says more about you than about the person wearing the mic. 

Unless their mic is up for a line and going over the monitor, no one SHOULD be listening to their private conversations.  You aren't piping headset chatter over the mic, why should you do that to an actor?

Yeah...and what if you heard something about you that you wouldn't want to have heard?

A "nice" example of this -- a few years ago I was dating a sound guy in town who was getting ready to leave for his first big regional tour -- I planned this HUGE surprise party for him...everybody knew about it, and all the actors in the cast of the show he was mixing were under strict orders NOT to discuss it, ever, because they didn't want him to pop on to check a mic and hear something.  They referred to it as "the thing."  And it totally worked -- he was completely surprised!

But back to the subject at at hand -- what if you were mixing a show, and put on the headphones when you weren't scheduled to do checks or something, and they were talking about what an awful mixer you were or what an awful SM they had?  How would you feel? Would you be able to sit down and mix/call the show?  yikes...not good. And as someone stated earlier, it is a really fast and simple way to lose both the respect and trust of your cast!  As a stage manager, respect and trust are two of the most important things to have from your cast...same thing with the audio engineer.  They have a very intimate position as well, often having to deal with actors in various states of undress to mic them or fix problems.  Trust and respect are key. 

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!

jempage

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #18 on: Jun 15, 2007, 02:49 am »
Whoaoaoaooaaaaoooo......

Taking a big step backwards here, and should clarify some more.

The "bugging" of lapel Mic's is only done for a few seconds, to make sure that we're getting good signal from the wireless Mic's.  It's a very quick run from Channel 1 through to Channel 18 to make sure that there's actually signal happening.

As for sitting there deliberately, we only ever do that with our somewhat bipolar Techie Actors, who flip from one side of the curtain to the other with every new performance, this is because they are VERY aware of the fact that we're listening. In response to KMC, Scoot and BalletPSM, Yes, we quite often hear these particular actors 'badmouthing' us, but all parties are aware that it's in jest.

I'm by no means condoning the practice of eavesdropping on Mic'ed actors for sinister purposes, but I do maintain (in argument with scoot) that is is "a bit of fun".  I would never dream of eavesdropping with actors and crew that I was unfamiliar with, because of the reasons that have been posted here.

I should also point out that the configuration of the theatre where most of this goes on is Black Box.  During a show, the actors can see myself and anyone else on a console VERY clearly - ergo, during rehearsals and setup, actors know we're up there, and most of the time are shouting conversations with us anyway.

Chill out, let's avoid the flame war.  I agree that everything has its time and place.
Cheers,
Jem.
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“Perhaps, therefore, ideal stage managers not only need to be calm and meticulous professionals who know their craft, but masochists who feel pride in rising above impossible odds.”
-Sir Peter Hall

Mac Calder

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #19 on: Jun 15, 2007, 03:53 am »
PFL'ing of mics should NEVER be routed through backstage/booth monitors. They should go to headphones for the sound op only. And what is heard through PFL should never be repeated. Just as what goes on on the cans should stay between those on cans. It is part of the Noiseboy's Informal Code of Ethics (NICE).

It is a bit of a touchy subject with many theatre techs I know, as the fact that we CAN and are in fact REQUIRED to do things like mic checks using PFL has resulted in a few actors becomming weary of lapel mics, and doing things like turning their belt packs off (no matter how much gaffer tape you put over the switch). Then the 'talent' forgets to turn it back on, or causes a panic when the noiseboy does a PFL. And the noiseboy is the one to suffer.

So whilst it may seem like people are freaking out over your OP about PFL, there is a good reason.

(ps - appologies if noiseboy offends any female Sound Ops/Engineers...)

KMC

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #20 on: Jun 15, 2007, 08:57 am »
Quote from: jempage
As for sitting there deliberately, we only ever do that with our somewhat bipolar Techie Actors, who flip from one side of the curtain to the other with every new performance

Quote from: jempage
I'm by no means condoning the practice of eavesdropping on Mic'ed actors for sinister purposes, but I do maintain (in argument with scoot) that is is "a bit of fun".

Jem you have basically contradicted yourself here.  Even if you are only doing it with your friends (which I still don't think you should), the rest of the cast has no idea if you're eavesdropping on them or not.  While in your opinion the action is harmless and fun others will likely perceive it as sneaky and underhanded.
« Last Edit: Jun 15, 2007, 08:59 am by kmc307 »
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

avkid

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #21 on: Jun 15, 2007, 01:04 pm »
PFL'ing of mics should NEVER be routed through backstage/booth monitors. They should go to headphones for the sound op only. And what is heard through PFL should never be repeated. It is part of the Noiseboy's Informal Code of Ethics (NICE).
That is an official ethics violation. The only time anything should be repeated is if said cast member is missing their cue at that second and is somewhere they shouldn't be screwing around.
PFL is for line and transmitter checks period..

P.S.
Squeak is an accepted substitute for soundboy(if you are not a lighting person that is)
Philip LaDue
IATSE Local #21 Newark, NJ

Mac Calder

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #22 on: Jun 15, 2007, 08:57 pm »
That is an official ethics violation.

Yeah, but the accronym is ruined if you drop the i.

avkid

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #23 on: Jun 16, 2007, 09:16 pm »
There is an actual organization called AES
Audio
Engineering
Society
Philip LaDue
IATSE Local #21 Newark, NJ

SummerShakespeare

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #24 on: Jun 16, 2007, 11:56 pm »
I actually am curently in my first show ever and I am now getting to see how the other side of the curtain feels and I would be very peeved if my sound crew decided (even though they have been my same crew for the past year and are very dear friends) to just have a little fun.

You are not respecting people right to priviacy and it is hard enough dressing room filled with everyone trying to get ready and then think about if someone might be listening in  "Just for a bit of fun"
All on the same G.O.

fritz

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #25 on: Jun 27, 2007, 03:08 pm »
I agree with a lot of the other people here. If you haven't had a situation where an actor picks up a headset for fun or when someone on headset goes and tells everybody, and you're sticking with the "what's said on headset stays on headset" rule, you're bound to learn the hard way how ugly of a situation it is when that does happen. We're all SMs, and we know that we have to prepare ahead for anything and everything imaginable, but unfortunately if you're cueing, you can't ensure that someone doesn't leave their headset on a table backstage and then that an actor may pick it up and listen. I highly suggest just knowing where to draw the line. Now that's not to say that you shouldn't have any fun...  ;)

jspeaker

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #26 on: Jun 27, 2007, 05:54 pm »
I had an ASM once repeat what SHE THOUGHT I said on headset without asking for clarification. 

Because it was a large theatre without wireless headsets (I mean come on!  What kind of 2500 seat house doesnt have wireless headsets!!) she was not on headset all of the time.  She picked hers up, MISheard the last half of a sentence and repeated it to the entire run crew.  It cause a lot of bad blood between the crew and myself and not matter how many times those of us that were on headset for the entire show tried to tell them what was actually said it seemed like I was backpeddling.

Now the entire statement was nothing I wouldnt have said to them but the damage was done.
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04sdwall

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #27 on: Jun 29, 2007, 10:56 pm »
I'm not trying to backtrack but I think that while it is not a wise idea to listen in on actors mics when they are unsuspecting, it is often amusing with different casts that they don't realize that there is the potential for people to overhear their conversations while wearing a mic.  For example sometimes we have live mics running through monitors or doing different checks and mics slip through.  Usually its never for more than a few seconds but sometimes it happens and it often very wise to warn your cast about this possibility, especially right after entrances and exits.  If the crew has to play by the don't say something you don't want the cast to know over the headset, the cast is often wise to remember to do the same while in the dressing room with or without mics.  Just seems like the rule should go both ways.  Theatre is dramatic enough, no need to create more. 

McShell

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #28 on: Jun 30, 2007, 07:27 am »
I agree, 04SDwall, it takes a few seconds, even if it's an announcement right before tech, or during the tour of backstage, where you just slip in the warning to the actors about the mics, it can save a lot of aggravation later.

StageMgr2Stars

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Re: Headset Etiquette
« Reply #29 on: Jul 12, 2007, 04:59 pm »
The last big show I did at school I tried to keep it clean. I actually messed up very badly one and was talking to the confidante about a problem with the sound designer and I had accidentally left the mic on while it was sitting on my calling desk. But most of the time if I'm not in a standby I let people talk if they like. Everyone seem to know that the conversation stopped once I started a stand by.
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