CALLING: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

[FloodGate]

I just started working the sound board for a small community theater.  My husband is working the light board and has done this in one other, even smaller theater.  At that theater, he executed the visual light cues without the SM giving him the GO.  But in our current location, the SM insists on giving the cue.  The problem is that the SM is always late giving the cue.  Then the SM gets upset because the light didn't go one when it was supposed to.  It's a no-win situation.  My question is:  Is there a standard for who is in charge of visual cues or is it a case-by-case thing?  Thanks!

[KMC]

I understand how this can be frustrating.  I have done it both ways.  Ultimately if the SM insists on calling the cue, the board op needs to respect that and take the cue on the SM's go.  If the SM calls the cue late then the SM will take fault, not the board op.  I know this can be frustrating as you all want the show to look good, however sometimes that's just the way it is! 

[Scott]

The Stage Manager is generally responsible for the Q -- in the end, they are responsible for technical running of each performance.

If the board op. is consistently executing the Q on the stage manager's call, then it sounds to me like your Stage Manager needs to pull back the Q placements in the book in order for them to execute properly.

[FloodGate]

Thanks for your expert input.  I guess the problem I'm having with the situation is that the SM doesn't take responsibility for any of his missed cues.  It's always someone else's fault, but he's very quick to let you know when you've missed a cue.  That's show business!

[cuelight]

I've had the opposite side of the problem where my board op and followspot ops were taking the q before I called it. I ended up talking to them about it and affirming my position that, unless I asked them to take the q on their own from the start of the run, to go on my q regardless of if it was a moment later or a moment earlier than they thought it should go. Ultimately the stage manager is the one with the script/score and so are the only ones that know exactly what's going on then and what's coming up.
As difficult and irritating as it may be it needs to be addressed quickly even if it's a "I will go whenever you tell me to and not a moment before or after" so that it's stated and on the record.

[wheatwheat9]

i know how frustrating this can be.
i was ASM and head light board op for a show and the SM kept calling cues late and i knew when they were supposed to be called.
i still went along with her cues because she is ultimately in charge and i just followed what she told me to do.

[FloodGate]

Hmm, we had another very late q last night...actor turning on the light switch and the light coming on 5 seconds later and only after I (the sound board op) saying "go?".  SM didn't even give a standby because he was busy fumbling with his glasses and headset. The light board op didn't react either because the SM keeps changing directions.  First he says he'll call all q's, visual or otherwise, then he says if it looks like he might miss the q (!!!??) the board op should execute it.  When the board op executes a q without SM's go, he catches hell.  So, we are inclined to not say/do anything because there are 2 of us witnessing his incompetence if the director asks.  The SM is making this, what should be a very easy show, an extremely tedious and unpleasant experience.

[BalletPSM]

For me, it usually depends on my board op. If I have a very trustworthy/experienced board op, I'll be fine letting them take cues on their own. I'll still give them standbys, but I'll say, "Standby Light Q 22 to take on your own visual when such and such happens" to remind them what they're watching out for.

You could get theatre administration involved here, since the integrity of the show is being compromised.  It would be perfectly legit to submit something in writing saying that you feel, as a crew member on the show, that the stage manager is not upholding their contractual obligation to maintain the artistic integrity of the show.

[geoffsm]

Typically it works well if the SM calls something like:

Standby L24 and S13, that light cue is on your visual.

..but that's just my experience.

[jmc]

It may be as simple as to bring it to a head with the powers that be & suggesting running a cue to cue tech, with the Director. As it may be a problem with the logistic of his timing, calling &/or his perception of how cues are achieved.
Being Ameatre it may be he has little if any emperical knowledge & with the best of intentions has lumbered himself with the task. Or he is as thick as a brick & twice as dense? Which may manifest itself, one way or another, during a ghoast calling!
To me visual cues are just that, caused by visual restrictions on the part of the SM to call the Go. No matter what I will give all cues & stand by for a visual one. to ensure the op is mentaly tuned in.
I find leaving iy up to the techies can be a drama &/or a right old farce. As they can become easily too engrossed in the show, distracted with visual hapenings or walkabout of the mind. 

[jaslada]

I use the same protocol as BalletPSM -
"I'll still give them standbys, but I'll say, "Standby Light Q 22 to take on your own visual when such and such happens" to remind them what they're watching out for."
This usually works well for me......and my board ops.

[FloodGate]

Hehe, interesting, all the different views on this topic.  The SM claims to be a professional, having done this sort of thing "for over 50 years" despite the fact that he worked in industrial engineering all his life.  We think management has caught on because the director, technical director, production stage manager, and light/sound designer have been making regular visits to the booth during performances. Often times, the SM will take off the headset during the performance and ask us to watch the book while he "takes a break."  He missed a standby once because of that.

[geoffsm]

Often times, the SM will take off the headset during the performance and ask us to watch the book while he "takes a break."  He missed a standby once because of that.

That's completely unacceptable.  If the stage manager isn't on top of things, then no one can be expected execute cues correctly.

[jspeaker]

Often times, the SM will take off the headset during the performance and ask us to watch the book while he "takes a break."  He missed a standby once because of that.

Wow... they gotta go!!

[kiwitechgirl]

Often times, the SM will take off the headset during the performance and ask us to watch the book while he "takes a break."  He missed a standby once because of that.

That's completely inexcusable.  The SM shouldn't be off headset during a show unless it's an emergency, or it's something that happens regularly every show for a good reason.  I very, very occasionally duck off headset to refill my water bottle or disentangle my cables, but I always make sure that I do it at a time when I have time and will be back on headset by the time I have to call any cues.  And I would never ask anybody else to "watch the book" for me!