Author Topic: Does this happen alot  (Read 4302 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Trevor7

  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 61
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Does this happen alot
« on: Jun 11, 2007, 04:26 pm »
I am still kinda new to the professional SM world.  I recently was hired as a PSM for a show and I had a phone interview.  Things went great and the playwrite who interviewed me said that I had the job.  Today I was called and told that the director had a friend who was an SM with more experience so I am being bumped down to ASM.  Does this happen alot or something, because it seems very unprofessional to me.

Jessie_K

  • Superstar!
  • *****
  • Posts: 528
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
    • International Stage Manager of Mystery
  • Affiliations: AEA, AGMA, SMA (on leave)
  • Current Gig: Queen of the Night
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Does this happen alot
« Reply #1 on: Jun 11, 2007, 05:07 pm »
Well, yes and no.

It should not happen.  It is shady.  But if you don't have a contract, there are no guarantees.

Sorry that this has happened to you.

avkid

  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 259
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Philip LaDue
  • Affiliations: RFL, IATSE
  • Current Gig: Carpenter/Flyman at Count Basie Center For The Arts
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Does this happen alot
« Reply #2 on: Jun 11, 2007, 06:11 pm »
It could have been worse, at least you still have a job!
Philip LaDue
IATSE Local #21 Newark, NJ

MatthewShiner

  • Forum Moderators
  • *****
  • Posts: 2478
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA, SMA
  • Current Gig: Freelance Stage Manager; Faculty for UMKC
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Does this happen alot
« Reply #3 on: Jun 12, 2007, 12:53 am »
Sadly in this business, it can happen a lot.

Until you have a contract in hand, nothing is written in stone - and even then - there is always an out.

Consider yourself luckly that you still have something.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

stageman7

  • New to Town
  • **
  • Posts: 36
    • View Profile
    • http://www.yale.edu/drama/index.html
Re: Does this happen alot
« Reply #4 on: Jun 30, 2007, 03:29 pm »
Hi Trevor-Yes, unfortunately, just like the cartoons where the store manager hires his favorite nephew, this does happen. I worked in a NYC theater where the manager tried to replace me with his son-in-law, who did not have one hour of time backstage and only wanted the job 'to party with the band dudes'. Needless to say, after he realized that he had to be the first person in the building, and often the last one out; and sometimes he was miles away from the bands or their after-show parties, he elected to take another job in the lobby selling popcorn! (true story) Hang in there-this is a great profession and I'm sure you will prove yourself to a better employer. -Rich

HollywoodH

  • New to Town
  • **
  • Posts: 20
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Does this happen alot
« Reply #5 on: Jul 31, 2007, 01:55 am »
It has happened to me once. I was told I had a job then they ended up hiring a friend of the producer who wanted to try
(insert eye roll here) being a stage manager. It was really frusterating and disappointing at the time. I didn't have a contract so I was out of luck. I think Rich gave you good advice. I ended up getting a better job and things worked out for the better. Hope they work out for you as well.

 

riotous