106
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Commercial, Round 1: Pencil vs Crescent Wrench
« on: Dec 02, 2012, 04:51 am »
I can use a pencil to hold my hair in a bun - try doing that with a wrench!
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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107
The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!
« on: Dec 01, 2012, 08:38 am »Craft Services will be responsible for all beverages and snacks in the green room during rehearsals. Someone will hand deliver said beverages and snacks to the stage managers during all breaks.
No actor will eat/drink anything but water/smoke in costume for fear of being seen on the camera system.
No actor will eat/drink anything but water/smoke in costume because they know and respect the rules, and want to save their Stage Manager the trouble of repeating things over and over and over and over and over and...
This goes double for footwear. No performer will wear flip flops ever or go barefoot in any area than the stage unless it has recently been swept and mopped. Just to save the SM the trouble of yelling at them.
108
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 1: Gaff Tape Vs. Staples/Paperclips
« on: Dec 01, 2012, 08:33 am »
Gaff tape holds the universe together!
This is fun.
This is fun.
109
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: University, Round 1: 3-ring Binder vs. Digital Light Board
« on: Dec 01, 2012, 08:31 am »
3-ring binder has a strong standing in North America, but the Digital Light Board maintains support among the International crowd.
110
Employment / Re: Phone interview for opera company
« on: Nov 28, 2012, 03:32 am »
Smile when you greet your interviewers (they can hear it). And repeat people's names back to them.
Don't just say "thank you" say "thank you NAME"
Good luck!
Don't just say "thank you" say "thank you NAME"
Good luck!
111
Employment / Re: Dear Abby: How do you say "stop"?
« on: Nov 23, 2012, 01:33 am »
If you are really his friend, you should not stay quiet and let his life fall apart.
You should not tell him what to do. But allow him to talk to you. Mirror him. If he says, "I'm angry." You say, "I'm sad to hear that you are angry." Then let him talk. Keep bouncing things back to him. "How do you feel about that?" "What do you think will happen if you switch careers?" "What do you think will make you happy?"
Don't lead him, just follow him.
You should not tell him what to do. But allow him to talk to you. Mirror him. If he says, "I'm angry." You say, "I'm sad to hear that you are angry." Then let him talk. Keep bouncing things back to him. "How do you feel about that?" "What do you think will happen if you switch careers?" "What do you think will make you happy?"
Don't lead him, just follow him.
112
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Production Stage Manager Versus Stage Manager
« on: Nov 19, 2012, 05:03 am »
Another take on the PSM/SM debate can include other production duties.
While touring with Ailey II, my title was PSM. I only had 1 ASM but I was serving as the Production Manager, Lighting Director and Technical Director for that show. I supervised the local crew for the load-in, set up and rehearsals. I had budgetary and purchasing duties as well.
While touring with Ailey II, my title was PSM. I only had 1 ASM but I was serving as the Production Manager, Lighting Director and Technical Director for that show. I supervised the local crew for the load-in, set up and rehearsals. I had budgetary and purchasing duties as well.
113
Tools of the Trade / Re: Do you prefer Word or Excel?
« on: Nov 18, 2012, 08:48 am »How do you do your calling scripts in Excel?
For Ballet I write up my Calling Scripts in Excel.
First column: time stamp
Second column: cue number
Third column: choreography related to cue/cue motivation
Fourth column: Notes related to the cue [What rail is moving, what activities are part of the deck shift cue, what the LX is doing]
I do a very similar thing but using tables in Word. Just goes to show...
114
The Green Room / Re: When the phone DOES ring...
« on: Nov 15, 2012, 09:01 pm »
I once worked with a girl with "discobiscuits@xyz.com." I still don't know how she got hired...
But anyway, about not answering your phone/email on your off day. I do check the email, but I have trained myself to only respond to genuine emergencies. When I've answered the phone and it's not an emergency, I politely remind the caller that I am out of the office that day and I will address the issue on the following day. Usually that works, because often people forget that your off days don't match theirs.
I do believe SMing is a 24-7 job and that the SM needs to be at least emergency contactable at all times. (Especially on tour). I believe it's my responsibility to judge what merits my response and when. And my responsibility to manage a bit of no-phone/no-email time. It's not easy and there is no quick-fix. Even if you aren't answering your phone or checking your email--- your brain can still fixate...
You gotta train your brain...
But anyway, about not answering your phone/email on your off day. I do check the email, but I have trained myself to only respond to genuine emergencies. When I've answered the phone and it's not an emergency, I politely remind the caller that I am out of the office that day and I will address the issue on the following day. Usually that works, because often people forget that your off days don't match theirs.
I do believe SMing is a 24-7 job and that the SM needs to be at least emergency contactable at all times. (Especially on tour). I believe it's my responsibility to judge what merits my response and when. And my responsibility to manage a bit of no-phone/no-email time. It's not easy and there is no quick-fix. Even if you aren't answering your phone or checking your email--- your brain can still fixate...
You gotta train your brain...
115
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Shout Check
« on: Nov 02, 2012, 05:03 am »
Hmm. Ok. Thanks for the info. I've worked in places where we double check each other's work, but never with shouting like that.
116
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: What is Shout Check?
« on: Oct 30, 2012, 11:50 pm »
I have recently come across the term "Shout Check" in relation to preparing for a performance and I have not heard this term before. I think it's a UK term. Does anyone know what this is? (I am fairly certain is does not involve actually shouting)
Thanks!
Edit to subject line-Rebbe
Thanks!
Edit to subject line-Rebbe
117
The Green Room / Re: Shall there be an SMNetwork LinkedIn Group?
« on: Oct 27, 2012, 01:03 am »
What would be the point of making a LI group for us. What would we gain? I am having trouble seeing the advantage. I see the advantage of individual members having LI profiles, but why do we need a group?
118
Stage Management: Other / Re: SM my first awards show
« on: Oct 25, 2012, 11:48 pm »
Make yourself a bunch of pages with several mini stage diagrams and then a place on the side to write notes. That way you van make notes of scenery placements and any blocking notes for calling your cues.
Make sure you number each theatrical scene as you might not rehearse them in the order they will be performed.
Make copious notes for the sound op.
Make sure you number each theatrical scene as you might not rehearse them in the order they will be performed.
Make copious notes for the sound op.
119
Employment / Re: Corporate Events
« on: Oct 10, 2012, 10:08 pm »
Everyone I know (myself included) that has done these jobs has gotten them through connections.
Where do you live? You can always look up events companies in your area and submit your resume to them even if they are not advertising.
Certainly if you already know someone in the industry, pick their brain for tips and a possible job recommendation.
Be warned, some events are fun and awesome to work on (fashion shows and gala events with fun MCs and performers). Other events are truly torture to do (trade shows, hair shows, boring corporate meetings).
The money is great. But the pressure is ON. There's a lot of pre-prep but usually limited prep in the space, often no formal rehearsal and high maintenance clients.
Where do you live? You can always look up events companies in your area and submit your resume to them even if they are not advertising.
Certainly if you already know someone in the industry, pick their brain for tips and a possible job recommendation.
Be warned, some events are fun and awesome to work on (fashion shows and gala events with fun MCs and performers). Other events are truly torture to do (trade shows, hair shows, boring corporate meetings).
The money is great. But the pressure is ON. There's a lot of pre-prep but usually limited prep in the space, often no formal rehearsal and high maintenance clients.
120
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TOURS: Tips for Packing?
« on: Oct 10, 2012, 09:14 am »I have a friend who would pack items she would otherwise goodwill, expecting to leave them behind as they wear out and she needed more space in her suitcase!
Shoes. There is no reason to bring more than 3 pairs of footwear. Ever.
Point #1- Goodwill/toss items- this goes double of old undies and socks. pack 'em. wear 'em once and toss 'em!
Point #2- Shoes- but make sure you bring more than 1 pair. In case you get caught in the rain.