Author Topic: Making my Rehearsal book  (Read 4273 times)

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joeskins

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Making my Rehearsal book
« on: Dec 30, 2017, 03:25 pm »
Hello All!
I'm moving up slowly but surely, and I'm head managing my first show at my school! Now then, I need to make rehearsal book. I already have most paperwork templates done, and really just need the show to be cast already. But I know need to have my script single sided w/ the set design or layout on the other side with room for blocking notes. What I really need help with is how I should section my book. Should I put the script section before I put the section with contact sheets? Should I put the breakdowns section before the script? I have my script scenes tabbed, and I have my binder dividers ready to go. I just would like some input on how other managers have put their books in order. Thanks a bunch!

Maribeth

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Re: Making my Rehearsal book
« Reply #1 on: Dec 30, 2017, 06:53 pm »
It comes down to personal preference, so you might try out a few different book layouts and see what works for you. I like to keep my script in the back and everything else up front, since the script is usually the biggest chunk and I don't like having to move it out of the way to get to everything else. Papers that I frequently take out of my book (contact sheet, calendar, scene breakdown) go in sheet protectors at the front.

LivingOnBook

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Re: Making my Rehearsal book
« Reply #2 on: Jan 02, 2018, 09:13 pm »
It's based off of personal preference, but I typically organize mine based on how often I need to visit my papers/what I need to access most easily. I set my schedule first, scene breakdown, conflict calendar, cast list, crew list, cast/crew contact, etc., etc. My script always comes last in my book, and I usually have a pre-show, intermission, and post-show to-do list placed around the script (pre-show in front, intermission between acts, post-show after.) Definitely try out different layouts and see what fits you best.

smejs

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Re: Making my Rehearsal book
« Reply #3 on: Jan 04, 2018, 05:34 pm »
As others have said, it's certainly personal preference. I have my contact sheet the most easily accessibly in front, followed by schedules. The number of tabs for schedules alone can vary depending on the process - is there a month-at-glance that's just as handy as some others? Are things done more digitally and I don't print as much? (I'm a big fan of dry erase boards in the rehearsal hall.)

The script is usually within the first set of 8-tabs, and it too can vary how many tabs it takes and where I put it. I've learned I like the Preset and "Running Info" (my term for shift plot, often, or a who/what/where when doing opera) usually get the last tab of the first 8, and first tab of 2nd 8. Then I tend to do my various design areas, a place for reports, etc. Depending on the show my tabs sometimes change out. Sound? (Not so much on opera) Music/Dialect often gets lumped together since I rarely have both and re-use tabs. Other variances include Cast/AEA info (used for Chorus for operas), Venue Info/Front Of House...keep playing with what works for you. I've also gotten into having a handful of tabs in the back that are also pocket folders, where I keep extra copies of my one-page ground plans and backing sheets for easy access.

As for the script itself, even though it's "in the middle", I usually have it tabbed out separately with Post-It flags for scenes (top edge) vs songs (right edge), so it's still quite easy for me to find.

Lizzie

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Re: Making my Rehearsal book
« Reply #4 on: Jan 13, 2018, 08:35 am »
After trial and error, I now don't keep my 'in-use' paperwork in my script folder at all. Once we're into the run I keep copies of running paperwork (fly plot, lx cue list, ASM plots) etc in the book, but during rehearsal I keep everything in a display book folder like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Quality-Pocket-Display-Folder/dp/B002LFL006.

I've found it's much easier to have everything in plastic pockets that you can put flat on the desk and discuss with the director or whoever, and I'm not flipping back and forth in the script folder, losing my place in the scene. I buy them in bright neon colours so they're less easy to mislay.

As for order, set it up how you think, then change it when you realise you keep looking for something in a place where it is not, and so it needs to be put there!

 

riotous