okay, I tried a search, but couldn't find if I already did a big posting on this.
some of you know me IRL, so may have heard about this.
Look, a form is a form, and my forms are modification from previous stage managers, and it's involved - and is a summation of input from hundreds of stage managers I have had the pleasure of working with. My call form, is my call form, and if someone likes it enough to steal it. Fine, I really don't care. My prop list form isn't special, it maybe unique to me - but borrow it (I mean how many different ways can you list props . . . I maybe clever how I break them down or deal with numbering, but it works for me . . . if you can take it and make it evolve for you.)
That's about format . . .
WHAT I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE BORROWING IS CONTENT DRIVEN THINGS.
I have an 8 page production list I have put together - it's sort of a stage management check list - every SM has their own form like this - but mine is detailed, and really geared for stepping into a new Regional Theater and figuring out how to quickly assimilate into a new environment. I don't give it out electronically. I print it out, and use it for my check list. It's for me to do my job, and I don't turn in it - it's not required to mount, call or run the show.
I did a show at regional theater, and in a shared SM office space, I saw my check list with the next show's logo on it. Someone from the production staff at this theater took the form out of my dropbox account, customized some stuff (basically change the in-house font and removed my name) . . . it was so obvious my form. I have things and forms I call different things (I don't call it a rehearsal report, I have certain things I put into actors packet) - it even had my stupid misspellings in it - even my pre-production shopping list was copied and handed out.
This is a piece of paperwork that is for me, about me and my process, and to have it taken without being asked, was personally and professionally hurtful.
So, I have become very protective over things now . . . I would rather give out a PDF of my calling script, rather then the word file, so for those who are too lazy to figure out how to duplicate my calling script, the can't just cut and past my formatting. I have seen paperwork form my shows end up being taught in some schools - and I have no idea how that daily call form got there . . . I don't honestly care about the form, but, yeah it would be nice to be credited . . . (For a long time a major regional theater used call form . . . and it still have the 1 pt font in white on a white background of my name on the footer . . . it warmed my heart).
So, format I don't care about . . . content . . . that's something different . . .
I really just fail to see why anyone would really get worked up over this issue. This is how we teach, and how we learn; and especially here at SMNetwork, if we are not here to exchange ideas then I fail to see the purpose of the community entirely. If we punish members for asking for help, what kind of professional community are we?
I think to answer this, when it's being used to teach - no problem. But when it's being lifted because someone is being lazy, or trying to take the easy way out - or steal my "Knowledge" - then it becomes more of mean spirited thing - and that's what I don't like.
Again, I have had my thoughts changed 180 on this because of one bad apple . . .
A student wanted to use it as part of their research
No problem, please credit me.
A student wanted to use it as part of an extracurricular school production
Again, with credit.
A publisher wanted to include it in an anthology or textbook
Seems like this would be great with credit . . . and possible payment . . . especially if someone is making money off it.
Someone were to repost it here, on another tech website, or in their online portfolio claiming it as their own
This seems to be a no-brainer . . . if it is a direct lift, I would be pissed . . . if they took the form and made it their own . . . then cool.
A subordinate stage manager/PA/intern wanted to use it within the confines of your current production
Of course, and if they wanted to take the form and have it evolve to the next level or personalize - great.