I worked on a show last year with a set that is now being rented out to other companies. A work colleague is in prep for a show that will being using this set, and has asked me to meet with the director to help him understand the way the set functions. (My colleague is on the creative staff, not an SM and they have been having trouble getting clear information from the rental company). I said I'd be happy to help, as its a good contact for me to make, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm betraying someone here.
The set itself is not a straight-forward location or scene specific set. Rather, it has several components that are arranged and re-arranged through out the show to create new environments. The set has specific "tricks" and ways the units hook together, which ultimately put the pieces together in a way that supported my director / scenic designer's concept. So my question is this: how much information is appropriate for me to provide to this new creative team? How the set functions, but not what scenes each configuration was used for? Or is it ok to give scene-by-scene information, since its directly tied into how the units are built and operate?
In all honesty, I'm concerned that I may accidentally enable a director to steal some of the work of another director. I don't think that is the intention of the director, but I fear it nonetheless and don't want to jeopardize my relationship with the first director in the process. Any thoughts?
