I'm not sure if you're familiar with QR codes, but they're starting to pop up all over the place here. How about a QR-code based check-in system for cast members and crew. The cast member scans the QR code with their cell phone when they arrive, it signs them in and maybe even auto-replies to them with the schedule & notes for the day. If not QR code based, then maybe a short-code based text message system with the same effect.
That's a really nice idea, making role-call / sign-in sheets obsolete. But (and there's always a but...
) that would rely on every cast/crew member having a phone with a camera, and the required QR-code-reading app. However that might just work for some companies, but there could be adoption problems.
Alternatively there could be a computer (or even a iPad or something like it) on a table where people can sign themselves in/out, however this also poses issues: who's computer, people reading their email/facebook/etc on it.
The SMS based system, however, looks reasonably viable. There are services out there that allow software to send & receive SMSs. Once you had all the cast's phone numbers all you'd have to do it put up "today's code" on a nice board. I like it, and I'll look into the technology required to make it feasible.
I kinda feel like before you give you more feedback I'd like to see you participate in a few more threads, see what you have to offer and how you participate in the community> good for you for being proactive about designing something that works for you, but I'd like to get a better feel for your work, perspective, POV etc before weighing in more. Meaning no disrespect, but right now it feels like you are using us as a focus /expert group to market a product rather than a fellow traveler.
Hey loebtmc, I understand your concern, and I had wondered how I would be received!
My only concern there is that I'm our company's last resort SM! I'm the "heck louis got the flu and we're all gonna die" SM. If you get what I mean! I spend most of my time with lights, sound, and crazy technical magic I like to make (like running an entire show including lights,. projection, sound etc with just me and the SM calling).
Maybe you feel like I'm "using us as a focus /expert group to market a product" because, just a bit, I am! Though I'm not trying to market it, I'm trying to make it the best. And if this helps your concerns, it's going to be free to start with, and there will always be a free version, as I'm all for giving something back to those who helped me find my passion (the theatre).
The only think I would feel that I could "give back" would be a bunch of nice excel sheets I made for our theatre company (I'm the resident paperwork nazi), and some day (hopefully sooner then later !) some nice software to make you're jobs easier.