Messages

106

Tools of the Trade / Re: stopwatches?

« on: Dec 28, 2007, 05:46 pm »

I've had the same stopwatch for ten years. Not different versions of the same model, but the same stopwatch. The battery lid is held on by a small piece of gaff tape now, as one of the tabs that hold it in place broke off a few years ago, but it still serves my timing needs. Here is a picture. I just can't bear to part with it...

107

The Hardline / Re: LORT rehearsal/performance hours question

« on: Dec 28, 2007, 02:35 pm »

But why wouldn't the producer want to engage said actor on a seasonal contract? This theatre must be loaded to be paying double salaries to multiple actors. If John Doe was in rehearsal as Peter/Capulet's Servant in R&J and in performance as Demetrius in MSND, then of course it's easy to work out an amicable rehearsal schedule. I guess I just read more into the question than was actually there. Huzzah for the actors raking in the mad cash.

108

The Hardline / Re: LORT rehearsal/performance hours question

« on: Dec 28, 2007, 01:58 pm »

How is it possible that the rep actors be on separate contracts for each production? That seems to me a situation ripe for abuse of the very rules set out to protect actors, aside from the fact that it is physically impossible to schedule an actor to the fullest extent of concomitant LORT contracts. I mean, I can certainly envison an actor in the scenario of being in performance on a LORT contract and in rehearsal on a SPT contract with a lower hourly commitment, but when I think of an actor on two LORT contracts at once, my blood goes cold!

109

The Hardline / Re: LORT rehearsal/performance hours question

« on: Dec 27, 2007, 08:25 pm »

Of course, I'll begin with the standard disclaimer that your SM should check with the AEA rep. I humbly offer my interpretation, based on my rep experiences.

Do we have to limit the rehearsal hours of the folks involved in both shows per the rule that says there can only be 5 1/2 hours of rehearsal on a one show day?

Yes. Actors rehearsing and performing at the same time may only be rehearsed up to 5 1/2 hours, on a one show day, providing, as you say they did, they voted against the two hour call on one of two, two- show days.

*Related to that:  If we do have to limit our day to that 5 1/2 hours worth of call, does it have to be consecutive or can there be a meal break in the middle (we were originally going to do a full day, and the director has an newspaper interview during this already scheduled break)?

You only have to limit the actors who are both rehearsing/performing at the same time. The rest of the company not in performance may be rehearsed according to your theatre's span of day preference 7/9, 8/10, etc. You could schedule a straight-six, providing that the company voted to rehearse such a day and the rep actors are only called for 5 1/2 hours of the  six hour call. Your director might be able to do the interview on the 20 minute break. Breaking up a 5 1/2 hour call with an hour or hour and a half break would be counter-productive and would most likely violate the span of day rule for the rep actors, which I believe is 12 hours.

*Also: How does this affect our span of day? Does the day for the overlapping actors need to be calculated from beginning of our rehearsal to the end of their performance for the other show?

Yes. You must also be careful not to violate the 12 hour rest period, unless they have requested and voted to reduce it to 10 on one performance days.

Don't forget about the daylight day of rest for those rep actors, too.

110

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Happy Birthday Kay!

« on: Dec 22, 2007, 06:20 pm »

Happy Birthday, Kay!! I raise a glass [or three] to you!

111

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Preshow (turn off your cellphone) announcements

« on: Nov 17, 2007, 10:47 pm »

An actor friend of mine told me a story about the Alley's preshow announcement. I'll truncate it. Imagine, if you will...

The sound of cell phones ringing and getting louder...

A big bass voice says, "Nooooooooooooooh"

The sound of cameras flashing...

A big bass voice says, "Noooooooooooooooh"

The sound of candy wrappers crinkling...

A big bass voice says, "Noooooooooooooooh"

Though it's a bit esoteric, it's kind of funny and my actor friend says that it was well-heeded.

The last line of our current preshow announcement is, "If you wish to enjoy candies during the show, please...unwrap them now." For some reason, the audience always laughs at this. I think it's silly, but apparently it's effective.

P.S. I agree with Centaura...for the most part, it's the audience disrespecting the rules.

112

Stage Management: Other / Re: Running lights from front of house?

« on: Nov 09, 2007, 09:37 pm »

I find it funny that you title your post as a question; in the majority of theatres in which I have worked, the booth and all lighting and sound equipment was located FOH.

I once had to run a show from the first catwalk in a black box; the set had been placed on the same wall as the booth and we were repelling an actor from the grid. It was loads of fun, but sort of lonely. It was also a treat to be that much closer to the audience, and to really "hear" their responses.

113

Tools of the Trade / Re: Box Office Software

« on: Nov 02, 2007, 03:12 pm »

we use tessitura but that's a pretty huge investment.

Tessitura seems to be ubiquitous these days.

114

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clock/Timer recommendation

« on: Nov 02, 2007, 03:03 pm »

Takes time.    *rimshot*

Nice!

115

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clock/Timer recommendation

« on: Nov 01, 2007, 04:14 pm »

One of my favorite portrayals of an SM in film is Eileen Atkins' performance in the film version of The Dresser. She wears a simple watch on a cloth ribbon, pinned to her sweater. Whatever happened to math?

116

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Software

« on: Nov 01, 2007, 04:02 pm »

Or can it be distracting, [and] tempt stage managers to be "over-productive"

This is what concerns me most, when it comes to software/hardware that is intended to make the SM's job easier or more efficient or "does it all." It's part of a concept which I was trying to flesh out in this, this and this thread.

I think many SMs are, by nature, driven to be over-productive. As I refine my personal process, I strive to find the balance between a job well-done and the metaphysical wrapping paper[work] that documents and supports said job well-done.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

117

The Hardline / Re: Stagehand Wages

« on: Oct 24, 2007, 12:45 am »

Here in NC, one can make between $12 and $15, non-union. 4 hour minimum. Dunno what the union rate is...

118

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How long does it take to create a rehearsal report? (Poll)

« on: Oct 18, 2007, 01:00 am »

Thanks to all who particiapted in the survey! I will post the findings after I tech my show this weekend.

We need a cognitive psych thread in the green room!

Count me in!!

119

Uploaded Forms / Re: Line Notes (for going "off book")

« on: Oct 14, 2007, 12:17 pm »

Luckily I have always had assistants who LOVE THEM!

LOL! I'm jealous!! What do you do if you don't have an ASM/PA?

120

Uploaded Forms / Re: Line Notes (for going "off book")

« on: Oct 13, 2007, 08:06 pm »

Idea for long plays, use two or three binders and divide by act.  That way more than one person can get notes at a time, even.

Excellent, most excellent. I may try that on my next show, since I will be, yet again, flying without an ASM. I really like the fact that the onus of responsibility is on the actors to get their notes. I can forsee the inevitable scenario of an actor refusing to do this, but, on the other hand, it may engage far more actors than it turns off simply because it requires proactivity on their part, to be more responsible for the words of the person they will inhabit for the next X number of weeks.