Author Topic: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice  (Read 10315 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

SMeustace

  • SM Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 115
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: Theat Troupe Theatre Company
  • Experience: College/Graduate
CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« on: Nov 24, 2013, 10:18 am »
Hello,
I am looking for example calling scripts which one have made for calling a show from a score. And any advice for calling a show from a score (of course being able to read sheet music is obvious)

I would greatly appreciate it

Thank you

Edited to add topic tag and clarify subject- Maribeth
« Last Edit: Nov 26, 2013, 02:46 pm by Maribeth »
"On the first day the lord said....Light cue 1, GO! Then there was light".

Maribeth

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1056
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: Calling Script
« Reply #1 on: Nov 24, 2013, 01:18 pm »
For my current show (a musical), I got a pack of erasable colored pencils. Above the system where the cue is placed, I draw a horizontal line in colored pencil, and write the cue on that line. I draw an arrow down to where I call the cue. It's pretty easy to move the cue without having to rewrite the whole thing, by erasing and redrawing the arrow. The colored pencil makes it easier to see the cues than just a regular pencil.

I also like to highlight the top of each system- it makes it a little easier to follow in a fast-moving show. (Just a vertical line down the left-hand side of each system.)

SMrose

  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 228
  • Gender: Female
  • all the world's a stage
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, IATSE
  • Current Gig: Technical Support Services @ Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: Calling Script
« Reply #2 on: Nov 24, 2013, 01:25 pm »
I circle the note that the cue is called on.  Then, similar to Maribeth, I draw a line (mine's to the right margin) w/ cue number, set change, entrance or exit of performer, etc.

MatthewShiner

  • Forum Moderators
  • *****
  • Posts: 2478
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, SMA
  • Current Gig: Freelance Stage Manager; Faculty for UMKC
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Calling Script
« Reply #3 on: Nov 24, 2013, 01:52 pm »
My sample from calling in score . . .

two from candide


https://www.dropbox.com/s/j3gbaelszuxpa9j/MWS%20Candide%20Script%20Score%20Sample.pdf


(Please don't download or share PDF)



« Last Edit: Nov 24, 2013, 01:54 pm by MatthewShiner »
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

cprted

  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 83
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Calling Script
« Reply #4 on: Nov 24, 2013, 05:53 pm »
I've done, more or less, the same as everyone else here.  I'll see if I can dig up an example later today.

SMeustace

  • SM Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 115
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: Theat Troupe Theatre Company
  • Experience: College/Graduate
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #5 on: Nov 30, 2013, 09:28 pm »
Thank you all. I usually use a combination of a orange highlighter and post it flags and post it notes.

For my up coming show; Ragtime, it's mostly sung through with scatter dialogue. I was thinking of combining the script and the score together like i've done in the past.

The trouble Im having is finding a way to this because the musical is mostly sung thru and the score only has a line or two, it doesn't include all dialogue.  Any ideas?
(Since mostly cues may be taken off music, lines and visual q's)
"On the first day the lord said....Light cue 1, GO! Then there was light".

Maribeth

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1056
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #6 on: Nov 30, 2013, 10:19 pm »
You could cut and paste the dialogue in.

MatthewShiner

  • Forum Moderators
  • *****
  • Posts: 2478
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, SMA
  • Current Gig: Freelance Stage Manager; Faculty for UMKC
  • Experience: Professional
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #7 on: Nov 30, 2013, 10:55 pm »
I had to deal with this on my current shop - which is a brand new show.

We put together an integrated script/score . . .

Dialogue was on a page; and then we went to the score.

So if the score was numbered 1-15 for the first song, we would have script pages 15a, 15b and then pick up with Score Page 16.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

Risa Comical

  • New to Town
  • **
  • Posts: 10
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Current Gig: Directing The Nerd
  • Experience: Community Theatre
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #8 on: Dec 02, 2013, 01:38 am »
Oddly enough, I can't read music, so I don't use the score at all. I memorize the music before we are even half way through rehearsals, and just know when to call the cue, which is still noted in the script. However, since we always use recorded music, I also write down the time in the song a cue will come in, and my sound board operator gives me a heads up for particularly difficult cues.
It all started with a single question... " Hey, do you wanna stage manage JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT!?" Best decision in my life so far...

MatthewShiner

  • Forum Moderators
  • *****
  • Posts: 2478
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, SMA
  • Current Gig: Freelance Stage Manager; Faculty for UMKC
  • Experience: Professional
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #9 on: Dec 02, 2013, 07:58 am »
the problem with not calling from the score becomes an issue when dealing with live music - temps can vary quite a bit.

the option is to call off of counts, which can be a problem if you lose count to deal with any other issue.

the "memorizing" music if it works for you, is great, but the big problem is always, what if someone has to step in a call. 

I would suggest that every SM learn to read / call off of music - you may not use that skill on every show, but you should be able to do it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

SMrose

  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 228
  • Gender: Female
  • all the world's a stage
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, IATSE
  • Current Gig: Technical Support Services @ Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #10 on: Dec 02, 2013, 08:27 am »
SMeustace: I did something similar to what Maribeth suggested. Years ago, I SMed  Ain't Misbehavin' (mostly sung with some dialogue).  I called off the upper case printed lyrics in the libretto with cut and paste music as needed for intro's, music bridges, etc. where I had to call cues off of music instead of a lyric.  The libretto included all spoken dialogue and if it hadn't, I would have cut and pasted it in.

I'm doing Ragtime in February and will probably call off the score.  PM me if you'd like.

kiwitechgirl

  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 200
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Experience: Professional
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #11 on: Dec 02, 2013, 06:36 pm »
I merge (well, merged - not really calling shows any more :( ) score and script, originally with photocopier, scissors and glue but then by getting a Word version of the script, scanning the score and pasting it in as pictures (using complete score pages where possible to save scanning time).  This was only for the calling script - I didn't ever use a score for blocking as it just meant too many page turns.  I usually created it a couple of weeks into rehearsal, when I had a fairly good idea of which bits of music I'd need and which I didn't need to worry about including.  I'd send you an example, but all my scripts are in storage in a building damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes and therefore inaccessible :(

Maribeth

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 1056
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #12 on: Dec 02, 2013, 08:32 pm »
We put together an integrated script/score . . .
Dialogue was on a page; and then we went to the score.
So if the score was numbered 1-15 for the first song, we would have script pages 15a, 15b and then pick up with Score Page 16.
My current score is similar to what Matthew suggested. To add to that, you might offer to make a copy for the sound and lighting designers so that you're all cueing off of the same "script".

BayAreaSM

  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 410
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
    • Bay Area SM
  • Affiliations: AEA
  • Current Gig: VP, Operations in AV Events
  • Experience: Professional
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #13 on: Dec 07, 2013, 01:51 am »
/off topic

My summer company likes to call the script/score combo a "scort" - reminds me of skorts.

/on topic

ambrosialx

  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 77
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
    • Ambrosia LX and Design Portfolio
  • Affiliations: University of Guelph
  • Current Gig: Production Manager- Roseneath Theatre
  • Experience: Professional
Re: CALLING: Calling Score examples and advice
« Reply #14 on: Oct 22, 2014, 08:51 am »
Question: I am calling a dance piece with live orchestration and was wondering what peoples thoughts are on calling off of the full score or just say a piano version of the music (Ravel's Bolero)
"I will prepare and someday my chance will come"