Messages

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SMNetwork Archives / A question of loyalty

« on: Oct 23, 2005, 11:09 pm »

There is no way I would put my back, or my health, in jeopardy for work. That's a little ironic because we as stage managers don't sleep take too many pills and drink entirely too much coffee (no, we usually don't have enough time in the day to get enough a fraction of the amount of espresso we should intake).

When I am getting paid for a show (especially if it is not that much) there is no way I am going to kill myself for it. If the company is owned by a friend, or I am getting a great credit, or if it is community and I am offering an extra hand for free (for a good cause) I always go the whole sixteen yards. But when there is money involved, the company and the producers should be responsible and professional enough to hire an adequate amount of techs if they are expecing spectacle.

For me, loyalty to a show is not always killing myself to get everything done - it is using the time and resources I have to create the best possible product. Some tech goodies may have to be canned in order to dedicate the necessary time to stage management. The role of the stage manager is too important to neglect because the producers did not hire enough stage carps or operators.

As for not having an assistant stage manager, sure we would all like to think we are perfect supermans, but we all have limits. More harm is done failing to meet what we have said we can do than by stating what these very reasonable limits are.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / It's Half-Hour: Do you know where your SM is?

« on: Oct 23, 2005, 10:53 pm »

I even give a 15 minute call in person, then get to the booth. You should be setting this precedent (but is it a battle, and is it worth fighting).

Ops should have a set time for sure.

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The Green Room / Food

« on: Mar 11, 2005, 02:52 am »

If I don't fuel my body well throughout the first week of production I am utterly useless. I usually drink about ten cups of coffee a day, but come the start of a run (and during) I'm completely off of it (Chai Tea substitutes).

Easy food? Make your own soup and tupperware it (the best things created, tupperware). Freeze this 10-12 containers of this soup and take one a day - you won't have to refrigerate it during the day because it's frozen but of course you will have to have a microwave. I'm sure the healthy soup full of vegetables that you made will keep your energy up (Ginger Carrot, very healthy and tasty, keeps one from getting sick (mostly))

Crock pot - already mentioned - golden, but always make enough for a few days. Always. I never cook for just one day - this doesn't make sense to me.

Stir fry things, full of veggies and protein are not that hard to make - maybe a little more expensive, but you will feel good after. I don't find fast food makes me feel very good, so I don't eat it.

Snacks - spend twenty minutes on Sunday cleaning veggies and fruits, even simple things like apples, bag them and make sure you have them with you throughout the week. If you don't like veggies, start. Stay away from sugar (a terrible thing to suggest). If you can stay away from things like sugar, wheat and yeast, and excessive fats, you are putting yourself through a mini-cleanse, and your energy will increase throughout the week.

While pitas do contain wheat, if you can use them in moderation with veggies and spreads (hummous is great) they will provide quick bursts of energy through the carbs.

But simply during rehearsals, I make sure I have a bag of veggies to keep me busy, because I like to eat all day. Energy bars are great (very easy to make but way easier to buy, as long as they are healthy).

The healthier you can make the foods you eat the more energy you will have - a very simple equation.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Paper Tech

« on: Feb 17, 2005, 01:09 am »

Paper techs are beautiful things for getting the foundations of lighting down, which saves everyone time and nerves during tech day. As well, if the crew is not familiar with the theatre, having the lighting and or sound cues completed allows for time on set changes.

If you are doing a musical, use the CD to pace the show in some places.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / how do you get their attention?

« on: Jan 12, 2005, 08:38 pm »

If everyone has taken a break in the same area, I find it is effective to walk around to all of the 'groups' and tell them the break is over. As soon as one group starts to walk in, it seems the rest will follow. Announcing the exact time to come back into rehearsal before you go to break is also helpful because it places the responsibility back on the actors. Personally, I would never use a bell :?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Woe is Me, Let's Make a Tree!

« on: Oct 22, 2004, 10:21 pm »

Oh God I hope we don't break a lamp!!! (However, I appriciate the gesture) But thanks for the info- your help has been appriciated.

Ben

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Woe is Me, Let's Make a Tree!

« on: Oct 22, 2004, 01:43 am »

Yes, my budget is very limited. However, asking for some corporate help never hurt anyone (or at least, that I've heard of). The free standing tree would have been ideal... but such is life. For the ladder option, do you think sandbags on the bottom step/rungs would be effective enought, or should I still somehow either lean/attach to the wall?

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Woe is Me, Let's Make a Tree!

« on: Oct 21, 2004, 06:31 pm »

I forgot to mention that we are in a 'historical reserved' place, so our damage is minimal. I wanted to put in a truss but, no, shot down. Maybe I could attach to the wall somehow... thanks for your thoughts

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Lights? Electrics? Elex? What do you say?

« on: Oct 18, 2004, 11:07 pm »

Usually I use 'Cue # go' for lights, and specify from there on in. 'SOUND' for sound, 'FOG' for fog, and so on. Maybe I should change... hmm.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / ELECTRICS: Woe is Me, Let's Make a Tree!

« on: Oct 16, 2004, 10:08 pm »

Hello All,

I've issues with my lighting department. That said, I am the lighting (and management, and sound, and properties, and effects, and even costuming) department for my low-budget theatre troope. We had lighting trees on order to hang our 8 instruments from, and they are not going to be here for the first performance. We are in an antiquated courthouse, however, we have all the power we need and the design looks neat. Yet we've only tested the lights, not hung them (due to the lack of tree(s)).

What should I do? It does not work to run the show without tech. Can I create a tree? My director (in all his artistic glory) suggested hanging lights from a ladder. The thought hit me... if I could secure the metal ladder to the floor, COULD I do this? Any other ideas? This would be a great help.