Technology: Stage Managers & Computers

[shorty]

Hi.
I am a senior at PSU and I am doing a research paper about how stage managers and computers work together.  I would like to know how computers have helped you and a basic overview of what you have used them for.  I've used a computer pretty much for everything while stage managing.  I'd like to know others opinions about stage managers computers. Any inputs about how computers have helped you would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Sarah

[Mac Calder]

The use of computers for stage managers varies greatly. I like to keep hard copies of everything, but I do a hell of a lot of distribution via email. I type up my scripts, but I do not call from a computerised script (Some people do). I create all of my paperwork on a computer, and I even re do a lot of it on it.

Personally, I like the tactile nature of paper - and the fact I am not reliant on power, I don't have to turn it on every time someone wants some information that I cannot remember and that I don't have to worry about software crashes etc. At home or whilst I am 'at lunch' or during "Admin" time, I pull out the laptop, sure, and I do a lot of work on it (like checking SMNetwork  ) but I try not to be reliant on it.

[megf]

A college POV -

As a full-time student, at a university that is moving *very* quickly to being totally "paperless" on the financial aid and registration fronts, I find it's easy to use online scheduling applications on student shows, and (for the Yahoo Groups types) to post any kinds of resource files (dramaturgy, announcements, etc.) for company members to download.

On the down side of this - since UCLA's School of Theater has its own online scheduling and resource system - when the system is down, suddenly everyone is terribly out of the loop, and Stage Management winds up making paper copies to distribute.

I agree with mc that keeping hard copies is important - not only because it is a critical backup in the event of a power or software glitch, but also because (in my experience) it is easier to instill a sense of trust in your colleagues when you don't need to check the computer for all kinds of information. Even if that means flipping to the right page in your binder instead, which is functionally the same thing, it doesn't put the machine between you and the other person - that kind of separation can make or break the "playing for the same team" feeling.

If your research paper has a section on computers and theater in general, I'd love to IM/PM with you about it - last year, I worked with a graduate student whose entire focus was the impact of digital media on theater, and I'm sure he could point you toward some great resources!

[ReyYaySM]

That's a great topic for a research paper!  

For me, my laptop is one of the most important tools in my arsenal.  I have it on at all times during rehearsal.  It's great to be able to write notes for the report during rehearsal and have it ready to print and distribute at the end of the day.  I can also make schedule notes as the director gives them to me.  All of my paperwork including reports, schedules, and run sheets is generated on my computer.  

Also, at the theatre I currently work at, there is a wireless network that reaches to the rehearsal hall.  I am able to send emails and exchange instant messages with the production staff and designers while still in rehearsal and get responses much more quickly than waiting until they see it in the report the next morning.  I can also access the theatre's internal network and be able to show the director costume renderings, props research, model pics, etc, because they all exist on our public drive.  

However, I do have hard copies of ALL paperwork.  I had a laptop crash while I was in the middle of writing my thesis.  I had backed it up and was able to recover it, but the thought of that ever happening to me again has made me think twice before going completely paperless.

Best of luck on your paper!!!

[Tigerrr]

I've never had a laptop, but am planning on getting one soon, so I've never had the luxury of using one in rehearsals.

While I'd LOVE to be able to email everybody all the schedules and daily communications, a lot of the time I find myself working with artists (especially older ones) who just aren't that comfortable with computers.  They may have an email address, but never check it.  Or, if someone's coming in from out of town, they may not have access to a computer/internet.

Of course, I keep a copy of EVERYTHING in my book.  I agree with what megf said: for some reason it just instills more confidence in you as an SM if you flip to a portion of your book to find some piece of information, rather than through files on the computer.  I think part of the reason might be that MANY people are terrible at organizing digital files, so they imagine their filing system on your computer. Yikes!

Just my 2 cents.

[centaura]

The laptop and the sm on tour are one and the same being.  While I didn't call the show from my computer, almost everything else in my life worked off of my computer.  From taking care of my personal finances online, to being able to contact venues (via email) at whatever hour I might be awake and available - verses having to try to call during a normal business day.  I have a mapping program on CD that tells me how long its going to take to get from city to city, plus where to find addresses in a city (without having to go online).  I remember one night when I literally had a line of actors waiting outside my hotel room, all with their room's phone books in their hands, each waiting to punch addresses into my computer to get directions.

I have offline editors on my computer, for making lighting disks for venues with light boards that I didn't have a disk for yet.  I typed in the show to email to venues for sign language interpreters.  Instant delivery, saved on postage.  I could send spreadsheets back to the home theatre with our weekly expenses, so even if the reciepts were slow in the mail getting back, the theatre was on top of our expenditures.  I've even whipped out my computer and run the show CD for a performance once when our mini disk player kicked it and the venue couldn't find its CD player.

Had a company manager with a newer computer than mine be able to burn a new show CD anytime ours was getting worn out/scratched up too much.  I have a database of every venue that I've been to, with notes for when I go back in the future.  We've hooked our laptops up to hotel tvs for impromto movie nights.

I can go on and on.  When I first started touring, I was the only one on the tour with a computer.  Now, they all have computers.  Tours come into my roadhouse, get a DSL line (from the building) and set up their own wireless network backstage.  My boss tells me that tours would come in the past and need 6 or 8 phone lines.  Now they only need one or two, plus the DSL line.  That's partly the advent of cell phones as well as computers, but related.  Anyway, a lot of info for a probable short mention 'they're handy on tour' but I hope it helps.

-Centaura

[Mac Calder]

Ah yes - on tours, laptops are the worlds greatest devices. Especially with online banking. It means that whilst on tour, I can print out pay cheques, I can do funds transfers, talk to accounting etc. I can also manage reservations with hotels and I also use voice over IP to make phone calls from company numbers (and free calls to the actual company)... So I agree - a laptop is almost an essential when touring.

[ESM_John]

Computers are a great tool for some stuff. At my high school, the stage manager this year (and me next year!) use Apple Laptops. We write up the scene shifts, plots, etc. stuff...that doesnt really change all that much.

Its not so good for things like calling a show, attendance, stuff that really works best with the pen and paper concept. All in all, i think theyre great though!

[KC_SM_0807]

My laptop is key for my success in a show. 

I use it to make calendars, cast lists, contact lists, scene shift plots...the list goes on forever.  I also make rehearsal reports at the end of every rehearsal (as well as Production Meeting reports and Performance Reports) and send them out via email to the entire crew.  These reports have all of the information regarding that night's rehearsal/show/meeting so that the rest of the crew can stay informed as to what is going on.  I also use a special blocking notes sheet that I made on my computer as well.  I also email the cast/crew with updates, reminders, etc.

Of course SM'ing could be done without a computer...but I could see it being so much more difficult.  I honestly couldn't imagine doing a show without the resource of my laptop!

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

I have both a laptop and a desktop PC.  The job takes you different places so the laptop is a must.  For those times when I'm in one location long enough - I bring the desktop along as well as I use it for back-up as well as the majority of my work.  I prefer sitting at a desk with the bigger monitor sometimes.  I use the computer for everything: schedules, calendars, cast lists, set shifts, props, sound, lights, etc.  I've re-typed scripts for straight plays when the photocopies just didn't leave enough space for cueing.  I've typed up Cue sheets for some musicals.  Email is a must and a lot of the companies I've worked for prefer email over hard copies so as to avoid wasting paper.  Yes - there is always the concern of computers crashing but that's why you back things up.  I've also recorded some musical numbers with a basic camera and then uploaded it to my computer to practice calling.  Of course this only done during rehearsals and the files are then deleted nor distributed once the show ends.

[ESM_John]

Almost as important as a computer, to me is having a good sized flash drive. Theyve been labeled a bunch of different things but "Flash Drive, Jump Drive, Mini-USB" whatever you feel like calling it. I found that most of the time when im working im not always guaranteed to be on the same computer. I have a 1GB drive that i keep all my show info on. That way i dont have to rely on having all my files on a laptop that stops working or a desktop that moves around the school.

They can be pretty cheap, depending on what size you get. I think its a big help.

Just my $0.02

[ELillyG]

For me...I use my laptop to generate all my paperwork. The rehearsal & performance reports, calendars & contact sheets -  even the form that I use for line notes. Everything is saved on the hard drive and copied to a flash drive for me to take to rehearsals.

I also use Gmail for all my email, which allows my rehearsal reports to be threaded provided the designer replies without changing the subject line - meaning that I get responses about questions listed with the report  and I can print the entire exchange in one click, instead of finding all the emails. Also, Google has calendars which you can layer...so I can make a production calendar online and share it with everyone or have it printed directly from the website in an easy fashion if I don't want to make the Word version

The final technology toy I have is my PDA. I discovered it was fairly frustrating to me to carry my laptop all the time...so I got the Documents To Go package for my PDA, which allows me to view & edit excel spreadsheets (availability, props list, costume notes) and word documents (quick reference to reports, contact list). I've also dropped the entire schedule & all the relevant contacts into my PDA, so finding them is a piece of cake later.

[shorty]

just wanted to thank everyone for their input on the topic.  i was able to use everyones input.  thanks again!!!