Messages

106

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Costuming the Crew

« on: Dec 17, 2008, 11:00 am »

A few years back, I was part of a crew for "Gypsy."  Because the set shifts were minimal and they wanted the show to flow between scenes, we were all costumed. It was great. People in the audience couldn't tell that it was crew onstage.   I've seen and done shows where it's obvious crew members are crew members...but in costume, but this show was one where we blended in intentionally.

It was a very cool experience and idea.  I am not opposed to it at all, if it fits the needs of the show.

107

Employment / Re: Facebook through an Employer's eyes?

« on: Dec 17, 2008, 12:25 am »

As someone who hires, I would never search someone out on facebook, unless for some reason it was listed on their resume.  (I actually had a resume once with a facebook page listed as their web page - in which case I went and looked - I was not impressed.)

Just remember, as a business owner of your own self and business, you should understand that all online presence could work for you and work against you.

Now, on the flip side, I use facebook a lot to keep in touch with a lot of SMs and actors - I do a lot of "work" via facebook - oddly enough.

Employers couldn't see my profile anyway, due to privacy settings: not that I have anything I am ashamed of.  I think it's important for both self expression, with the responsibility to remember it is also extremely public. (Again, could work for or against). I agree with that.

On the plus side: a lot of work can be done through the site (because, well...it's a network.  And a popular one at that).

108

Employment / Re: Facebook through an Employer's eyes?

« on: Dec 17, 2008, 12:10 am »

Great topic. As the leading social network, I think this would be a wonderful workshop/chat session. I'd be there with bells on.

-A

109

SMNetwork Archives / Re: SM: the musical

« on: Dec 16, 2008, 06:21 pm »

Riggers repelling down the proscenium?  Dancing carps?  Ohhhh ... "The Circular Saw Ballet!"

Oh, the classic ballet dream sequence, eh?

110

SMNetwork Archives / Re: SM: the musical

« on: Dec 16, 2008, 04:09 pm »

This is, by far, the funniest thread I've read!

111

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Picking a New Stage Manager

« on: Dec 14, 2008, 07:16 pm »

*Someone who enjoys problem solving. Ask them if they like math. Usually if they like math, they like problem solving.

I disagree with this. I HATE math with a passion, but I love problem solving.

Same here. I am quite good at problem solving, but I don't equate it with math because some problems require recreativity and flexibility....math doesn't allow for that kind of problem solving.

112

The Green Room / Re: I can't believe I just had to do that...

« on: Dec 12, 2008, 11:50 am »

On one show I had an actress who liked to "go commando" under her clothes.
I didn't know that she did this until she had her first fitting and the costume shop called me.
So I had to remind her to wear undergarments when she had fittings

I worked on a film where we had to locate a dead deer. It had to be freshly dead, and in one piece. We were so desperate that the producer said one day "Whoever finds a dead deer today will get a producer credit!" I had to drive up and down the New York State Thruway in search for a fresh, dead, deer.

The props department ended up making a dead deer.

Isn't that what a props department is supposed to do anyway? haha!

Gross! (on both accounts, really)

113

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Actor Cuts throat on Vienna Stage - BBC News

« on: Dec 11, 2008, 09:43 pm »

Wow, a sick part of me wants to post that article underneath every sign backstage that says "check your props"...

We learn best from other people's mistakes and experiences.  Plus, the fear factor is okay to use, in these situations. It makes checking these sort of props a priority rather than a "it will be fine, it's fake afterall" sort of casual mentality.

114

Tools of the Trade / Re: Going Green

« on: Dec 10, 2008, 10:46 pm »

I am not sure if this counts as "going green" or not, but to minimize on paper usage, I have changed the way I have my cast and crew sign in at the theatre.  Rather than use the "peg style" callboard, I prefer actors/stagehands to sign in with their initials. 

To go green doing this: I printed out one blank paper form with their names, a date area and an area to initial "in" and "out" (or just "in").  I post this on the callboard and cover it with clear transparency paper (if "paper" is the correct term for the clear plastic) and use a transparency pen / marker. Each night, before the show, I wipe off the old attendance and start fresh.  I never have to print a new sign in sheet. I just keep reusing the one I have!

It's really effective.

115

Employment / Re: Questions for Interviewing SM's

« on: Dec 09, 2008, 11:53 pm »

When I was gearing up for my internship interviews post-college, my SM advisor had me do some practice-run phone interviews to get pointers (and to get rid of my absolute terror of interviewing...)

One of the women I mock-interviewed with did something really interesting that I always remember now-- she intentionally did things to get me angry (cutting me off mid-sentence, being just-on-the-edge-of-rude, asking me questions that didn't make sense.) She told me afterwards when she was giving me her comments that that's something she often does when interviewing over the phone, just because it's so important for SM's to handle annoyance well and it lets you see past the "I'm interviewing" facade.

I'm not sure if that's common practice or not, but I'm sure doing it shows a lot about the interviewee!

Nothing gets more "real life situation" than those sort of encounters. As stage managers, I'd say we deal with quite a bit of that type of encounter and still have to focus, hold our ground, and be informative and clear. Etc. Etc.

Thanks for input here.... I actually had no idea interviewers would do that. Fascinating...and smart.

116

Employment / Re: Questions for Interviewing SM's

« on: Dec 09, 2008, 07:52 pm »

Hi guys.. I've found myself over the last few years as PSM, being in the position of needing to hire SM's and ASM's. I am quite comfortable doing so and usually get a good feel for people, however I judged poorly recently and am reflecting on just how hard it is to judge how an SM will do from an interview. I'm curious to ask:  If you had to interview an SM or ASM, what would be the most important things you would ask and/or look for. Funny.. the one that didn't work out was a phone interview. I've never gone wrong in judgment from a face to face interview
Thanks,
dee

Well, there is one indication: face to face is important.  I think I'd personally do better being interviewed in person rather than on the phone anyway.

I don't know what you ask or are interested in, but I'd ask character type of questions.  Put in such and such situations, how would you respond/how HAVE you responded....etc.

117

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Daily rehearsal report notes

« on: Dec 06, 2008, 12:53 am »

I was told to send RR to the director, producer and president. No one else gets them. It seems that sending RR to all designers would simply overwhelm them with extra paperwork, resulting in the reports not being read at all.

You might want to touch base about this again.  To my understanding, a rehearsal report is to note (report) all changes, questions, concerns to all departments (and also, to do so at the same time so everyone is on the same page and has the same notes. Some notes, like the one you mentioned, overlap with costumes and props).  I don't see what the point of having a report is if it is not sent to the designers and departments, who need the daily updates in order to meet the needs of the show.  It is never unnecessary.  In fact, to not send a report daily to everyone is bad practice as you are not communicating to everyone effectively.

I agree. If you are not in the practice of sending a report to everyone, for you to still make costumes and props people aware of this was smart on your end.

Best to you.

118

Stage Management: Other / Re: Quesitons Needed for a stage management workshop

« on: Dec 03, 2008, 09:44 am »

you could also do blocking demos - hand out the scripts, take three aside and tell them where to go and see how many of the folks in the house get the blocking down - rotating thru the class with different people doing the actor role means everyone finds out the challenge of watching everything at once in a practical sense

Oh, I love this idea! We actually did a taping down the floor activity when I taught a one night workshop.  We gave the workshoppers a basic scenic diagram, architect rulers, measuring tape and spike tape, etc.  They were supposed to, (as a group) measure, plot the points, and tape down the 'rehearsal floor'. It worked really well.

I am thinking of getting the students in a group, giving each of them different (but realistic) scenarios and have them come up with what they would do in those situations as stage managers. This would promote discussion that is less about the technical and more about the practical. Such as "an actor gets injured during a show and refuses to perform. What do you do?" or something.  I would draw mostly from personal experience so I could explain how I handled it.

Any experiences you guys have that you think might be a good idea to discuss with new stage managers?

119

Stage Management: Other / Re: Quesitons Needed for a stage management workshop

« on: Dec 02, 2008, 04:18 pm »

Well I think everyone who responds is going to answer this a little differently, it's entirely opinion based.  And really, if you're the one speaking to this class you should go off of your opinions.

My take?  I'd have a few jumping-off discussion points on the role of the stage manager in the collaborative process, managing people, group dynamics, etc...  It seems to me that a lot of SM classes/programs focus almost solely on the black and white administrative part of the job and not nearly enough on the finer points of what an SM does.  You can teach a monkey to call cues, create a calling script, track props; the art of balancing the broad range of personalities we encounter and creating a harmonious working environment is something that is focused on not nearly enough.

I was there today and gave the class the lowdown on structural things (rehearsal reports, contact lists, how a tech week functions, etc).  Then had a question and answer portion.

I will return one more thing time this week and have an activity that does involve more creative thinking.  Have studetns get into groups or pairs, give them a situation each (a real - life stage manager scenario) and have them come up with how they would deal with that, address it, resolve it...etc.  Something like that.

I totally know what you mean though... how does one "teach" on something that is primarily taught by doing? That's something I always say when I am put in these situations.  I help to offer the technical tools and structure, but a lot of the learning will be done on the field, because a lot of it is how we handle and communicate things personally and professionally.

I always use this site as a reference though. Because it's one of the most valuable stage management resources. I've learned a lot just by reading and discussing on the forum.

120

Stage Management: Other / Re: Quesitons Needed for a stage management workshop

« on: Dec 02, 2008, 09:38 am »

Read 40 times and no thoughts or questions?

Really?