Messages

106

The Green Room / Re: How to deal with an unruly ASM

« on: Oct 29, 2011, 06:08 pm »

ditto on the 'come to jesus' talk. Sometimes people don't realize how much their bad attitude is affecting things and they need that wake-up call.

But in the long run if it isn't working out with 'Jack' then let him go. No need to prolong a bad situation.

107

The Hardline / Re: AGVA contract that follows AEA Off-Bway Rulebook: FMLA?

« on: Oct 21, 2011, 12:05 pm »

Hi Again--

Just wanted to update everyone about progress with this - as I suspected I am not eligible for FMLA but through open discussion and negotiations with my producers and AGVA rep we are working on coming to a similar agreement that may allow for several weeks of unpaid leave. Caveats to this are that I am of course not eligible to earn weeks towards my paid vacation time, or health weeks while on leave (luckily I have already worked my 20 weeks so I won't lose my benefits)

Of course, as we all know with an open ended commercial run, no one knows if we will still be running in several weeks...

I feel very fortunate that I have an understanding office team, producers, co-workers and subs who are willing to work on this with me so they don't lose me-I am sure it is not the case for every instance of family emergency. I'll feel better once we have something in writing to guide us, but overall considering the circumstances I am relieved that (for now) it seems to be working out.

108

The Hardline / AGVA contract that follows AEA Off-Bway Rulebook: FMLA?

« on: Oct 20, 2011, 12:31 am »

Hi All--

I am planning on calling my respective unions in the morning but wanted to see if anyone knew if AGVA or AEA members qualify for the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that was instated in 2008. I have an ailing parent, and the only thing I can find in writing in my rulebook is that I am allowed 3 days of unpaid leave. FMLA is more of what I will be needing to take (it allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave)

Has anyone been in this situation? Currently I am in an open discussion with my producers about the future. I have two subs who can run my track indefinitely, but do I need to get something in writing that ensures that they won't just let me go? Is it weird to even ask that? At the end of the day I just want to be able to return to work when I am able to, is this just a far fetched dream in our line of work?

Any advice or info is appreciated- I will let everyone know what my AGVA and AEA reps say tomorrow.

109

The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: Oct 16, 2011, 10:13 pm »

From Saturday night's report--

There were also a lot of wacky audience volunteers including a girl celebrating her Sweet 16 in a beauty queen gown complete with tiara and a sash that read “Birthday Beyotch.” Naturally they chose her for the Men's Medley. Her boyfriend was chosen for the Alien Sex bit and ASM had him remove his shirt. Then she saw his braces and we realized how young they were. ASM felt like a “dirty old lady.”

110

Employment / Re: Questions to start a relationship with new general management

« on: Oct 14, 2011, 11:40 pm »

Additional things I always wish I ask upfront --

Under the umbrella of 'approval' - what is the chain of command for personal day requests, vacation time requests, and MRE?

I find in some instances the general manager is also wearing the company manager hat so I ask questions of that nature if that is appropriate, for example birthdays, show anniversaries, announcements, etc.

Petty cash protocol, reports or logs they may prefer in their office. (I've worked where PM is in charge of petty cash, but often on off-bway shows the GM team deals with it directly)

I usually ask what their schedule will be like during rehearsals/tech/performances, as in when are their office hours, if they prefer calls to email, and what is usually their schedule during performances. May come off really nosy, but it's nice to know how and when they are available especially if they are the micro-managing type. It really helps cement a protocol and schedule during performances if there is a designated time that they stop by the booth or green room so we can check in with each other and say hello.

Some things may not be applicable in your situation but these are just a few that I always mean to ask --

111

The Green Room / Re: Halloween 2011

« on: Oct 03, 2011, 02:19 pm »

My show is taking part in the Halloween Parade in NYC in lieu of a performance -- should be a blast!

112

The Green Room / Re: Do you add a personal touch to your booth?

« on: Sep 25, 2011, 09:55 pm »

I'm on a long running off-broadway show and I have a very light ASM track but I do have to interact with an audience member and ask him to remove pieces of clothing for a gag and direct him for the bit.

After getting quite a few characters, I've started making a tally of quirky occurrences such as: not speaking english (most common), not wearing shoes, not wearing pants, toupees, screamers, offering me money, etc.

Also since it seems we're settling in for awhile I am planning on creating a cozy area to sit and knit for the show (we already have a rug, currently planning a nice (gelled) floor lamp and an armchair)

113

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Projections...how do you call it?

« on: Sep 21, 2011, 05:51 pm »

I've always used 'Tab' in heavy projection shows--

114

The Green Room / Re: Happiness is...

« on: Sep 21, 2011, 01:44 am »

Happiness is...

a day when no one complains.

finishing your last show of the week and walking out of the theater after a long week.

having an audience response that makes the cast crack up as much as the audience.

115

Tools of the Trade / Re: iPads

« on: Jun 18, 2011, 09:51 pm »

This is only tangentially related but I thought it was such a smart and quick fix for a short term situation.

A friend of mine was doing an event in a small non-theater space and needed to call the show from the "wings" but there was no monitor system, so they set up a wireless wifi enabled webcam and streamed it to their ipad next to the SM at the calling station. From when I watched part of it there seemed to be no discernible lag between action and the monitor feed. I was pretty impressed.

Has anyone tried a tablet that is not the iPad? I'm not exceptionally keen on the Apple products but love love love my droid. (To each their own) I'd love to hear if anyone else has recommendations for a different brand, especially an Android OS

116

The Green Room / Re: TEAM BUILDING - Part One - The Assistant

« on: Jun 17, 2011, 11:35 pm »

What a great topic! I recently was asked for a reference for an ASM I use and adore and had to finally verbalize why I just like her so much and most of the reasons listed above applied.

When I look for an ASM I carefully pick through people I know and enjoy working with and who will best fit the show, I firmly believe that one SM team cannot do every kind of show. I have very different people I'd pick for a straight play versus a musical, etc and it's important that their skill set meets the show ahead of us.

Conversely, I find that while I PSM on most of my projects, lately I have really enjoyed being the ASM and getting a chance to be the ASM I would want if I was in that PSM's shoes. My current show has our PSM abroad with the cast and creatives until 48 hours before tech begins and I've been holding down the fort and setting up everything while being in communication via email and while I do miss some things that come with being the PSM (I will really miss calling the show!) I think this is a great opportunity to create a new bond with another SM from a different angle.

117

Employment / Re: What (not?) to wear

« on: Jun 10, 2011, 12:22 am »

It's been awhile since I've done interviews (thanking my stars for that one!) but I do have my "lucky top" that I wore to my first professional interview way back when, it's a teal button down that's very classic but bold. Can't say that I wear statement jewelry, but I definitely like to look put together for first meetings with new directors, first rehearsals, and of course openings.

I actually had someone on my current team comment on how they liked how 'dressy' I am during performances since I always wear a dress, flats, and some jewelry to call a show, that it seemed right because I am management and should represent the show and company in a professional way..which I thought was an interesting take. Mostly I wear dresses cause it's cooler in the summer!

A lot of my wardrobe has shifted since I have taken more high profile jobs--I just don't feel right rolling into a rehearsal in jeans and a t-shirt on certain projects. Especially when I am the youngest person in the room-sometimes how you present yourself makes a world of difference.

That being said: When I'm PSM and I don't need to be backstage, I always rock sock monkey slippers during tech. Always.

118

The Hardline / AEA SM offered an AGVA contract

« on: May 16, 2011, 07:16 pm »

Hi All--

Wondering if anyone out there has joined the sister unions through AEA... I am currently planning on signing an AGVA contract for an off-broadway show and was wondering if anyone had advice, warnings, etc about transitioning from one to the other.

Of course my big questions (health, pension, etc) I am calling the office in the morning to clarify, but wanted to hear what people had to say..

Thanks!

119

Employment / Re: Taxes for independent contractors...

« on: Mar 25, 2011, 12:46 pm »

It all depends for me on how much 1099 work I will have in a year versus W2 work, some years they balance out, and some..well... they don't.

Best advice I can give is to find a good accountant who deals with independent contractors and ideally with theater professionals, they will be the best able to asses what you should set aside. Mine is worth his weight in gold each tax season.

120

Tools of the Trade / Re: Bubbles!!!

« on: Mar 24, 2011, 12:22 pm »

The only way I've been able to counteract the bubble effect of making the floor slippery is using an old dance technique of mopping the floor with a mix of sprite and water to make it sticky, but it's not ideal (invites bugs in the summer months) 

Another idea: carpet! I know the Gazillion Bubble Show at New World stages uses carpeting on their deck.