Author Topic: COMMUNICATION: Posting contact sheets on the call board?  (Read 21587 times)

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zayit shachor

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What do you think about posting contact sheets on the call board?  This is a point of contention between myself and the other SM at my theater.  I don't think contact sheets should be posted, to protect people's privacy; she thinks they should be posted to make it easier to find a number when you need it.

I'm interested to hear what you all think about this.  It's not a huge deal, but I'm wondering if there's any kind of standard.
« Last Edit: Jun 09, 2009, 03:09 am by PSMKay »

gotracigo

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #1 on: Jun 12, 2008, 06:54 pm »
I really can't think of a situation when I DID post a contact sheet on the callboard.  I feel that we have a responsibility to protect people's privacy and it's my job to have my contact sheet handy when I need it.  I keep one on my clipboard, one in my book, and it's also always on my computer.  If someone wanted to have it posted on a bulletin board in the SM office or production office, or something, though... I think that might be okay, depending on the circumstances.

I'm curious to hear everyone else's thoughts.

Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employer.

KMC

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #2 on: Jun 12, 2008, 09:53 pm »
Do not post them publicly, it's up to the SM to ensure everyone who needs it gets it.  If everyone who needs one has one then it's quite easy to find numbers.
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J

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #3 on: Jun 12, 2008, 11:38 pm »
Agreed. Depending on how large the building is it could be seen by many people.... keep it private.

MatthewShiner

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #4 on: Jun 13, 2008, 01:18 am »
The only place I posted is on the wall of my office.


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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.

Libby

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #5 on: Jun 13, 2008, 01:38 pm »
I'm just echoing the sentiments above. On every page of my contact sheet it says "Confidential" or something to that effect. Posting a contact sheet gives access to ANYONE to happens to walk past the callboard. As stated above, everyone who needs one has been given one.

heatonSM

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #6 on: Jun 16, 2008, 04:18 pm »
I would also agree with everyone above.  Private information must be handled with the utmost discretion as with any Human Resource policy.

You wouldn't allow your boss at McDonald's to put your address, telephone number and email address near your timeclock so the same applies here.
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LCSM

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #7 on: Jun 16, 2008, 08:01 pm »
If everyone who needs a copy has already been given a copy and you keep one handy, then how much easier can it get? That's my question.

zayit shachor

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #8 on: Jun 16, 2008, 10:57 pm »
If everyone who needs a copy has already been given a copy and you keep one handy, then how much easier can it get? That's my question.

Her argument is that she "doesn't always have the contact sheet right in front of her."  I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks this is a little silly...

Stuart Plymesser

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #9 on: Jun 16, 2008, 11:38 pm »
I agree, an open call board is a bit too public for personal contact information to be on display.  I am curious to know if any actors have expressed an opinion on their info being posted so openly.
Stuart Plymesser
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zayit shachor

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #10 on: Jun 17, 2008, 12:05 am »
I am curious to know if any actors have expressed an opinion on their info being posted so openly.

Well, she posts her contact sheets but I don't post mine (each of us is SMing different shows this summer), so if anyone's complained about it from her cast, I haven't heard about it.  I feel like I should mention that this is not an Equity theater, and many of our actors are more on the amateur side, so they may not realize that it's not the norm to post them.
« Last Edit: Jun 17, 2008, 12:07 am by zayit shachor »

BalletPSM

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #11 on: Jun 17, 2008, 07:32 am »
This sounds like a complete violation of privacy to me!  Scary scary scary!  You never know what kind of weird people are out there, who's got restraining orders, stalkers, etc.  Sounds dire, but you never know and you can't be too careful.  I've had actors go so far as to tell me that I am the only one who can have access to certain numbers (such as work numbers that are emergency only because they don't want to be bombarded with calls, or cell phone numbers because they've had problems with stalkers before, etc.). I would never think about posting a contact sheet in plain view for all to see!  I keep them under lock and key when not in use at the theatre, and on all contact sheets, or anything with identifying information on it, there is a big note on every page that says, "all contact information is confidential and may not be distributed without prior consent from the individual."  Unless they sign a release at the beginning of the process that says the theatre is at liberty to release their contact info or something like that. 

I don't even know the show in question or anybody involved and I am scared for them!  If I were you, I would say something to theatre management -- whoever your supervisor is (is there a production manager?) Don't talk directly to the stage manager since you really don't have any authority or jurisdiction over her.
 
Before you give out emails or phone #s for future work and possibilities, you should always contact the person first to make sure its okay.  I have certain people in my address  book who have given me a blanket OK -- anytime I want to recommend them for something I am more than free to distribute their emails and phone numbers.  But others I know want to be asked -- for whatever reason.  We should always work to respect those requests and people's right to privacy as much as possible.
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shudson

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #12 on: Jun 17, 2008, 10:06 am »
You could also take it to your production mgr and just ask if there is a theatre policy one way or the other.  However, in a non-eq situation, as you noted, it can be slightly different but I would take of your cast first and let her make her own mistakes, so to speak.

I myself never post contact sheets except in our office with the appropriate notices re: confidentiality on them (esp with "names" in your shows).  And I could caution against reacting to this like it's a show-ender or create drama around it.  It sounds like the 2 of you just do things differently and there are limits (esp in a non-eq situation) to how much you really want to get into policing someone else's shows - you won't necessarily have a strong production mgmt office or AEA or a rulebook behind you. 

If she's confronted you about it, or her actors have complained to you about it, you might just want to talk to her about it.

If it is something that just "bugs" you when you see it, I would suggest letting sleeping dogs lie and you run your deck/show that way you want to.

 

bbdanigrace

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #13 on: Jun 29, 2008, 04:21 pm »
I'm totally of the mind of keeping privacy. I make little laminated wallet cards for my casts with contact info. I would definitely post my contact info, and let people know that if they want to get ahold of other cast members, they can call me and I'll make the connection.

sarahbear42

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Re: Posting contact sheets on the call board?
« Reply #14 on: Jun 30, 2008, 06:30 pm »
I work out of a theater that has only once this season cast outside of the company-employed actors, and even then we don't post our contact sheets. There is a company contact list that all of the employees are given, and then I hand out show-specific lists to everyone involved in each show for the season, but I would never post the list. We get a lot of weirdos and lost patrons poking around, and I've got a lot of actors who might not want their cell phone number given to the whole company...

That said, my own personal cell number is posted on the call board and on my computer monitor (my desk is in a public area) so that I can be contacted in an emergency. Everyone knows that if they need others' contact info, they can come to me.