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Articles from the Old Site / Re: Stage Management Desktop
« on: Sep 26, 2007, 11:01 pm »
avkid, I know that Openoffice has a pdf creator built in.
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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1112
SMNetwork Archives / Re: Tech Haiku
« on: Sep 26, 2007, 09:21 pm »
Hot plastic droplets
Rain down like cherry blossoms.
No gel frames, used gaff.
Loud squealing sound
ev'ry time the lead actor
moves down of speakers.
Crew of nine interns,
Not a single one of them
Can walk quietly.
Under blue shift light
Cheap K-mart black glows softly
Red like autumn leaves.
Shift in chair, legs pinch...
should have taken bathroom break
on last union 10.
Music rehearsal
today. Nothing stands between
me and the Xerox!
Sixteen black footprints
from shop through lobby to door.
House manager cries.
Seventh chorus girl
from left throws a diva fit,
name wrong in program.
Rehearsal ended.
Lights out, ghost light placed, doors locked.
Hello, bartender!
Rain down like cherry blossoms.
No gel frames, used gaff.
Loud squealing sound
ev'ry time the lead actor
moves down of speakers.
Crew of nine interns,
Not a single one of them
Can walk quietly.
Under blue shift light
Cheap K-mart black glows softly
Red like autumn leaves.
Shift in chair, legs pinch...
should have taken bathroom break
on last union 10.
Music rehearsal
today. Nothing stands between
me and the Xerox!
Sixteen black footprints
from shop through lobby to door.
House manager cries.
Seventh chorus girl
from left throws a diva fit,
name wrong in program.
Rehearsal ended.
Lights out, ghost light placed, doors locked.
Hello, bartender!
1113
SMNetwork Archives / Congrats to dramachic5191!
« on: Sep 26, 2007, 09:37 am »
Please welcome dramachic5191 as the newest member of the moderating team! She'll be in training for a bit, and then will be taking on responsibility for the new Regional Advice board and sub-boards.
1114
SMNetwork Archives / New features!
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 10:55 am »
1. Links are back.
The links database from the old site has been resurrected! You can access it by the "Links" link on your menu bar (or column, if you use the Simplicity theme).
In order to avoid spamming, I've set the links policy to be the same as the PM policy - you must have at least one public post in order to add a link to the database. Also, I've set it so that all new links must be approved by a moderator or by myself before they become publicly accessible. To add a link, browse to the category where it belongs and find the "Add Link" link at the bottom of the page.
I will need your help in one respect. The links that were brought over are intact from the state they were in when the old site crashed back in 2005. This means that some of them are probably dead at this point. If you're browsing the links DB and find a dead link, please let me know by PMing me directly.
EDIT - major props to lauria, who went through and found every single broken link and sent me a PM - with many of the new locations included! Lauria's now sporting a new custom title as a thank you.
2. Articles are back too!
Also, there's a new board down in the Archives, which contains all the original stories from the main page of the old site. These are a bit creaky, but provided for your reference.
3. Theme adjustments
The "Terra Incognita" theme has been deleted as nobody was using it anyhow. Simplicity and Babylon themes now have links to the Chat and Links areas.
Other tiny surprises are scattered about as well, but not quite fully implemented yet. More to come as my day job requires less of my time in the fall/winter months.
The links database from the old site has been resurrected! You can access it by the "Links" link on your menu bar (or column, if you use the Simplicity theme).
In order to avoid spamming, I've set the links policy to be the same as the PM policy - you must have at least one public post in order to add a link to the database. Also, I've set it so that all new links must be approved by a moderator or by myself before they become publicly accessible. To add a link, browse to the category where it belongs and find the "Add Link" link at the bottom of the page.
EDIT - major props to lauria, who went through and found every single broken link and sent me a PM - with many of the new locations included! Lauria's now sporting a new custom title as a thank you.
2. Articles are back too!
Also, there's a new board down in the Archives, which contains all the original stories from the main page of the old site. These are a bit creaky, but provided for your reference.
3. Theme adjustments
The "Terra Incognita" theme has been deleted as nobody was using it anyhow. Simplicity and Babylon themes now have links to the Chat and Links areas.
Other tiny surprises are scattered about as well, but not quite fully implemented yet. More to come as my day job requires less of my time in the fall/winter months.
1115
Articles from the Old Site / the other SM is behaving badly!
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
It's my rookie year as a professional stage manager, and the stage manager with whom I rotate shows has been trying to subvert everything I've done since I got here. And he's had ample opportunity - he's been in my first two casts! I expected him to be <i>more</i> professional than the actors, but he's turned out to be less professional than anyone else working here. He has never complained to me about anything... instead he runs straight to the Artistic Director with every little quibble from not liking when I called "places" to his not hearing that a rehearsal break was ending (he had decided to read in another part of the theatre without telling me). He goes so far as to forward the e-mails I send to the actors on to the AD to complain about them (I get "read" receipts on e-mails so I know which actors have gotten the information and to whom it's been forwarded). I've continued to treat him the same as other cast members, and ALL of the other actors compliment me on making their jobs easier and more fun for them, so I know I'm not doing anything inappropriate and that I'm doing my job.
I suppose the worst part is that the AD feels some allegience to him. Instead of telling him these are issues to talk to the SM about, she not only listens to his complaints, but then micromanages my job by essentially ordering me to do things his way (which - believe me - greatly dumbs down the job), I've been told to change the content of my e-mails and the call board (I like creating a fun workplace - he evidently didn't want to have to live up to that). Unfortunately, his casts have no respect for him, and being boxed in by this micromanagement will prevent me from developing a positive rapport with my casts (at the very least, I have to check over my shoulder all the time).
I should be able to say that I won't work on a show if he's in the cast, and that the AD needs to stop micromanaging me, but I'm the new kid, and I'm just going to start looking elsewhere. Their loss!
EDIT - Not my story, submitted by an old member. Don't know the name, unfortunately.
I suppose the worst part is that the AD feels some allegience to him. Instead of telling him these are issues to talk to the SM about, she not only listens to his complaints, but then micromanages my job by essentially ordering me to do things his way (which - believe me - greatly dumbs down the job), I've been told to change the content of my e-mails and the call board (I like creating a fun workplace - he evidently didn't want to have to live up to that). Unfortunately, his casts have no respect for him, and being boxed in by this micromanagement will prevent me from developing a positive rapport with my casts (at the very least, I have to check over my shoulder all the time).
I should be able to say that I won't work on a show if he's in the cast, and that the AD needs to stop micromanaging me, but I'm the new kid, and I'm just going to start looking elsewhere. Their loss!
EDIT - Not my story, submitted by an old member. Don't know the name, unfortunately.
1116
Articles from the Old Site / Glo-tape
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »I don't know If any of you know this about glo-tape, but it's amazing...get one of those flashes that are on cool cameras. Push the button that makes this huge bright flash. It charges up glo-tape like there's no tomorrow! Have fun!
[Editor comment: The author refers to flash units that can be purchased independently from cameras. By using the test button, the glo-tape can be "charged" so that it actually glows in perpetually dark areas.]
1117
Articles from the Old Site / Stage Management Software
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
Theater Management Tools is looking for some Stage Managers to beta test thier new "PRODUCTION ASSISTANT" software. If you are interested in participating in this beta test please send a note to - info@TheaterManagementTools.com.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT® is a robust database and communication application designed to organize and communicate with the entire production team.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT® stores all the relevant production data. The system will then allow the team to produce reports at the click of a button. The communication module allows the production team to communicate with the cast and crew via, e-mail, text messages, and instantly update individuals effected by last minute changes. The communication module can automatically leave, text messages, e-mail, or pages to each individual on the team, freeing up the Stage Manager to perform other duties.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT® is a robust database and communication application designed to organize and communicate with the entire production team.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT® stores all the relevant production data. The system will then allow the team to produce reports at the click of a button. The communication module allows the production team to communicate with the cast and crew via, e-mail, text messages, and instantly update individuals effected by last minute changes. The communication module can automatically leave, text messages, e-mail, or pages to each individual on the team, freeing up the Stage Manager to perform other duties.
1118
Articles from the Old Site / She can fly!
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »I did a show a few years ago that employed a revolve to use three different sets. One memorable night, at the end of a huge number where the whole cast was onstage, one of the cast members did not make it completely onto the revolve before it started to turn with the lights up. So, in a panic, she chased the set around, jumped onto the edge of the revolve with one half of her body on it, and the other half with leg lifted, this other half collided with the proscenium, and she went flying off DL into the DS wing. She was okay, and she finished the show a bit bruised and very embarrassed.
1119
Articles from the Old Site / Fake cigarettes/joints
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
I am working in a very old theatre in Ireland in which live flame is completely banned onstage, no exceptions. I have a director who insists that he MUST have joints "smoked" onstage, and that he wants to be able to see smoke coming from the cigarette. Any ideas?
1120
Articles from the Old Site / Stage Management History?
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
....attempting to find out....This is a general question. Has anyone seen or heard of any articles or texts detailing the history of Stage management? How did the position originate? Who was considered to be the first stage manager?
1121
Articles from the Old Site / Tax Questions
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
A question came in via our Feedback form from Seth:
HELP!!! Its tax time! Over the last year I have earned income in NYC and Oklahoma City. I made the bulk of my income in NYC. I have looked at what paperwork is needed to file as a part time resident in both states. Here is my question...can you provide some help as to what is O.K. and not O.K. for write-offs. Keeping a SM's kit fully stocked,
moving, traveling and touring expenses are surely more than just my own worries about the govt taking my money. Any suggestions or beyond basic
details would be greatly appreciated! $$$
In the interest of helping everyone on this one, I've made "Taxes for Artists" the new Topic of the month in the Forums.
HELP!!! Its tax time! Over the last year I have earned income in NYC and Oklahoma City. I made the bulk of my income in NYC. I have looked at what paperwork is needed to file as a part time resident in both states. Here is my question...can you provide some help as to what is O.K. and not O.K. for write-offs. Keeping a SM's kit fully stocked,
moving, traveling and touring expenses are surely more than just my own worries about the govt taking my money. Any suggestions or beyond basic
details would be greatly appreciated! $$$
In the interest of helping everyone on this one, I've made "Taxes for Artists" the new Topic of the month in the Forums.
1122
Articles from the Old Site / How to Make Good Panto Slop?
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »I am working on a panto this Christmas where there is a slop scene involving "wallpaper pasting". I am currently using shaving foam, but this does not work well.
Does anyone else know of a good alternative. It goes on paper and on the performers.
Thanks in advance,
Graham.
1123
Articles from the Old Site / Stage Management Desktop
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
So, now that I've moved into being a full time geek, I'm looking to finally create what the stage management community has been looking for for years: one central desktop application for monitoring performances.
The advent of the Enttec USB to DMX controller with open source protocols has made it possible for someone to control lighting from a laptop in any house with a DMX box.
Mind you, my experience in creating desktop applications is small (read: none!) but I'm interested in learning backend code and I figured that having a goal would help out. So, here's the question: What would you want?
Some things I've thought about:
Comment please with your ideas. What platform (Windows/Mac) should I start with? What other features should I look at incorporating? What would you be willing to pay for something like this?
The advent of the Enttec USB to DMX controller with open source protocols has made it possible for someone to control lighting from a laptop in any house with a DMX box.
Mind you, my experience in creating desktop applications is small (read: none!) but I'm interested in learning backend code and I figured that having a goal would help out. So, here's the question: What would you want?
Some things I've thought about:
- Track Hours and schedules, possibly against an AEA Timelimit count down
- Monitor costumes and props
- Load a script in (not sure how yet) and assign cues to specific words, musical notes, or beats
- Track items for a tour and be able to export and send that information to all tour itinerary venues
- Load in a CAD rendering of the lighting and set for dry calling a show
- Graphical blocking page by page. Point and click to place your actor.
- Contact list for cast and crew including measurements for actors
- Scene shift tracker
- Import info from Lightwright
- Import scripts from common playwriting apps
- Microphone battery replacement schedule, same for perishable props -- auto generate shopping lists.
Comment please with your ideas. What platform (Windows/Mac) should I start with? What other features should I look at incorporating? What would you be willing to pay for something like this?
1124
Articles from the Old Site / Are your Check lists in sheet protectors?
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »I just learned this tip from a veteran SM-
If you keep your check lists in sheet protectors and use Sharpies to make your checks, this is something you will love. Dry erase marker will erase the Sharpie. Just color over the Sharpie with the marker and wipe off. It’s that simple. No more dripping, scrubbing, or spills.
1125
Articles from the Old Site / Casts CAN be appreciative
« on: Sep 25, 2007, 08:59 am »
For two years my stage manager's kit contained a stack of post-its, two sharpies, and two pencils with erasers, until one cast found a creative and thoughtful way of supplementing my supplies.
I got interested in stage managing two years ago and just finished my fifth show here at college. Because we don't have a theater major I had to do a lot of the learning on my own - Lawrence Stern's Stage Management in hand.
I am friends with a lot of the actors, and after a good run I usually get a card signed by everyone. It means a lot to me and I was sad when I didn't get any such thing after our most recent show.
It wasn't until a week after it closed that I came home to a message on my answering machine telling me to go immediately to one of the cast member's apartment (no further information was given). I did, and found most of the cast there - yelling "surprize" as I walked through the door! They had conspired to throw me a "thank you" party, and presented me with a shopping bag filled with all the items from the kit list in Stern's book, which one of the actors had "borrowed" from me earlier in the week. They explained that they knew I would be graduating soon, and wanted me to have a full kit when I went out to find a real job.