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Opinions on Producers

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Ladytatooine:
Maybe it's more of Producers or how to handle it or something: I feel like I'm alone in this, but I have hope that I'm not:

SM accepts a job with A theater. She calls A theater and asks the Production Manager for a meeting to discuss the job. The Production Manager tells her he doesn't have time because they're in the midst of another show. She asks again later and the Production Manager is on vacation. Rehearsals start and the SM sends out Preliminary charts (ligting, sound, set, etc.) and gets an e-mail from the Producer/Music Director of the show stating that all e-mails are to be sent to the Producers and they will decide who gets the information. Later on, notes in rehearsal from the director are forwarded to the SM and the SM sends out the notes with basic information as well to actors. The 2nd Producer/star of the show sends out a reminder e-mail stating that all e-mails are to be sent to the Producers and they'll decide who gets the information. Tech week comes and costumes are seen for the first time. The director, furious, stops the rehearsal and has a private conference with the costume designer, stating that's not what she suggested. Costume designer never got the notes. Also, the lighting designer is frustrated with all the changes and cuts in the show since the designer run. He never got the e-mails. So, being taught that my position is to be the center of communication and working in a theater where the controlling Producers have taken that away, and the first audience is tonight, how do I handle the 4 week run with such restrictions? I'm not even allowed to give out opening night cards or post reminders on the call board without checking with the producers first.

amylee:
i'm sorely tempted to suggest that you do what you need to do to get information where it needs to be and copy the producers......

what's the worst they can do to you? not hire you again? is that necessarily a bad thing.........if there's more at risk (possible vindictive blacklisting or bad-mouthing, for example) then you have to weigh those risks for yourself.

when i've had situations where someone was trying to restrict information as a control method, i usually follow what i'm told to do and then sidle up to the people i know need information and pass it along orally (no record) - at the very least, i pass along "heads up" notifications such as "you need to ask so-and-so about some changes that were made tonight"........or even just suggest that now would be a good time for a particular production team member to "check in" with the producer "to see if there's anything i should know"

with the heads-up strategy, one of two things will happen - 1) the producer will get fed up with being bothered for information all the time and will just let you provide it or 2) they'll get off on having "control" and be happy that you're following the rules, even if they do wonder how the design team always seems to know exactly when to "check in for updates"

good luck!

Mac Calder:
I gather you have production meetings?

If the producers are in charge of distribution of all this information, make sure you mention the memo's during production meetings - just on the side.

ie:

"So I gather everyone received the memo about script changes. Are there any major problems? Everyone understood them alright?"

Then when LX realises they did not get them, point to the producers and basically say "Ask Them"

Your PM's seem like real a$$es who want to have their fingers in every dish, and I think it may help that you sit down with them and explain exactly what your job entails, and how you cannot do it if they keep fudging you arround.

Ladytatooine:
Production Meetings are held when I am not available. I've been to one and have been told from the beginning that the PM runs the meetings: not the SM. I was told, point blankly, that "a stage manager is a low-key secretary." I was disgusted.

Kimberly:
Damn.......that was a slap in the face! I'd be pissed for sure!  :x

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