Messages

121

Tools of the Trade / Re: The ultimate binder

« on: Dec 11, 2012, 12:33 am »

As far as recycled binders go, I have to share the score I just made on Freecycle this weekend. Someone posted they had "several boxes" of three-ring binders of various sizes. I replied that if they were available, my nonprofit could always use them. (I didn't specify any further.) Would you believe I just picked up SIX BOXES of three-ring binders? Most in quite good shape, and quite a variety of sizes, but especially 2 1/2 to 4" ones, that Development, Accounting and Stage Management are all clamoring for, plus some smaller ones that will be good for all our one-off concert music needs.

122

Tools of the Trade / Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing

« on: Dec 11, 2012, 12:02 am »

If you use anything fabric just check it every so often for stretch.

I know one time for a precise dance troupe I worked with we were looking at creating one out of rolled plastic or vinyl - sort of like a small strip of marley itself. I don't think anyone ever accomplished that project. We did have one out of jute that stretched, and when I left we were using a big yellow webbing of sorts. For our purposes you also had to watch how straight and centered the numbers were on the line, too. For the actual floor we used mailbox vinyl numbers, but you had to make sure all numbers and their backgrounds were the same widths (if you had a skinny one with a fat zero, the center of "10" would be judged differently by different dancers).

123

Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful iPhone apps?

« on: Dec 10, 2012, 11:33 pm »

I purchased my first iPad at the very end of October. Still finessing how to use it best and for now am only using desktop computers (work and home) and the iPad. I'm also tend to do more one-off types of stage managing, so other than a week of touring haven't really put it through its stage management paces yet.

Based on zddh13's recommendation, I too am now hooked on AppsGoneFree. There are often lots of games and I've found my share of fun ones, but I tend to test out most of the productivity apps, which arrive for both iphone and ipad platforms (sometimes they're both, sometimes one or the other). TODAY they have doddlePRO available, which is normally $10.99. It's an iphone app that was written by and for the film industry for crew calls. I haven't tested it out yet, but I figure download it now and try it out later. It says "for a limited time" it's available for free so I don't know how long it'll last. It appears to only be an iphone app (which you can pull up in iphone format on iPad).

Otherwise - using Dropbox a LOT right now, though not absolutely loving re-uploading documents from whatever device I'm on at the time. I also downloaded Pages and Numbers. Integration is pretty good with Google Calendars, too, and with a Google Site I've created for an upcoming collaborative project (5 companies involved), I can incorporate the Google Calendar right into it and update from wherever I am. Can update the Google Site from iPad too.

Have tried various "around me" apps, but nothing I absolutely love yet. I do have a separate GPS.

124

Tools of the Trade / Re: Doodle?

« on: Sep 17, 2012, 10:23 pm »

Been a while since I've hung around here, so, yes, this is a delayed reply to this thread. We use Doodle a lot lately for finding rehearsal times for our one-off shows...things that require just one or two rehearsals of people with other commitments besides our company. It does give a great quick visual reference that you can keep checking when new people sign up. And you get an email notification each time someone new replies or changes their answers. You can also edit the options and resend without starting completely over.

Erin

125

The Green Room / Re: USITT 2012

« on: Mar 24, 2012, 12:49 pm »

I'll be going. Looking at trying to arrange a stage managers' gathering. Unfortunately it gets rather hectic to try to arrange one after the conference starts, but it seems this year many won't be in by Tuesday evening when I usually hold it.

Erin

126

The Hardline / Re: Re: Breaks During Run-Throughs

« on: Dec 20, 2011, 09:06 am »

I don't know that I've ever had a nonstop read through, so I've never thought about doing one of those without stopping. But I do think like Matthew said to prep it ahead of time like that "we're running this much, then taking this longer break...without stops" for a run, so you're not quite as dubious about it. I do wish that this was clearer in all of the books. At least you can pull wording from other contract books as a sort of backup of why you thought it might be legal.

127

The Hardline / Re: Re: AEA Break Question

« on: Dec 20, 2011, 08:59 am »

To constitute a read-through as a non-stop run seems silly to me. I've almost always stopped during a read-through...but granted, it's also often stopped itself by some discussion. It usually gives a director a chance to bring up a "thought" when you come back from break before going on, too.

I'd want to pull someone else in to help me make the runthrough call though, especially since there's no SPT rule. And if you decide you're going to make it a runthrough, make sure everyone knows and what constitutes it no longer being a runthrough in some pre-determined discussion. (An arbitrary discussion, but might as well try to lay out something.)

128

The Green Room / Re: USITT Stage Manager's Association Gathering

« on: Mar 04, 2011, 11:26 am »

Hi All - a little more info.

There's a Facebook event created at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171988669515434&ref=ts.  You may also want to PM me with your cell phone if you're into text messaging to keep up on our movements if that place is too loud (it's Tacos & Ritas night, but also an open mic night). 

Membership in the SMA in NOT required to attend.  And it'll give folks new to USITT some "familiar faces" to look for during the numerous additional social events throughout the conference.  Would love a rough RSVP to know how many to look for, but certainly stop by if you find yourself suddenly available.

Erin

129

Tools of the Trade / Re: Introducing VirtualCallboard: Web-Based Stage Management / Production Management

« on: Nov 09, 2010, 12:56 am »

If anyone's interested in another VirtualCallboard demo, the Stage Managers' Association is having a chat/demo that's open to non-members on Nov. 15th.  Visit the thread about it at http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,5794.0.html.  (I know I'm cross-posting, but wasn't really sure where to put this one.)

130

The Hardline / Next Stage Managers' Association Chat open to Non-members: VirtualCallboard

« on: Nov 09, 2010, 12:54 am »

Wasn't sure exactly where to post this one - it's a Stage Managers' Association event, but we're opening it up to nonmembers this time, so we hope you'll join us.

Save the Date for Monday November 15th. We are teaming up with the makers of VirtualCallboard software (http://www.virtualcallboard.com/) for an online demo/webinar of their software for stage managers and production managers from community theatres to the professional level. Come see what they've worked up and ask questions of the designers. Participation is welcome from those who've never heard of the software, those who are curious what it is, and those who use it but have questions or concerns about some features. For this particular webinar we will be using their chatroom, so are also opening this up to non-members. If any of you attended VirtualCallboard's past online Q&As, this will be a similar style where you call in to hear the audio, and watch the demonstration on your computer screen.

Registration is required...and free, of course!

November 15, 2010 6:00 pm, Pacific / 7:00 pm, Mountain /  8:00 pm, Central  /  9:00 pm, Eastern

-------------------------------------------------------
To register for the online event
-------------------------------------------------------
1. Go to https://cisco.webex.com/ciscosales/onstage/g.php?d=206221680&t=a
2. Click "Register".
3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit".

131

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: May 20, 2010, 01:03 am »

I tried an electronic call script for my last show, but there were so FEW cues that I couldn't stand scrolling through that many pages to follow along/know where the next cue was.  And I'm very tied to remembering the Director's notes and blocking and keeping it on track.  I tried to look above, but I'm not really seeing anyone who enters their BLOCKING into the script, just cues.  Does anyone?  How do you orient it?  I feel like I'd still want a two-page layout (script on one, blocking/notes on the other).  And if I missed it above, mea culpa.

132

Tools of the Trade / Re: [FAQ] Electronic Prompt Copies

« on: Feb 22, 2010, 12:05 am »

I had decided that this last show I was going to finally do an electronic call script.  I had received the script in Word form, then adjusted the font size and margins so I had room for what I wanted to do...

And then we got into rehearsal and for now I've decided I'm too much of a tactile person.  Unless I start putting in all the blocking and directorial notes, there's no way I want to "only" have cues in front of me (especially for just a 2 person show).  Plus I had huge chunks of time with no cue, and didn't want to scroll through so much to find the next one.  Plus to print off the script as a backup seemed like a huge waste of paper.

Maybe another time, but for now the electronic thing is not for me.  And I actually thought it would be.  To each his own, and maybe if I can figure out a great way to line up blocking and directorial notes, etc at the same time.

133

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jan 05, 2010, 11:42 am »

Missed this thread earlier - was so surprised to realize this morning (looking through both SPT and LORT books, because of an issue we're having) that there's no official "half hour to get into costume" rule.  Hmmm.

As for calls, that's one thing I hate about stepping into take over another SM's show - whatever they had done for the calls.  Had one time that the person did something like every 5 minutes - with no god mic system - so just as I finished one set, I was back to walking around and giving a call.

134

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: USITT Stage Management Mentor Project (2010)

« on: Dec 29, 2009, 02:28 am »

I'll be attending USITT in Kansas City.  Once it gets closer, I'm going to look at organizing a stage management gathering for SMNetwork and SMA folks together.

135

The Hardline / Re: AEA Break Question

« on: Dec 29, 2009, 02:25 am »

Another Equity Break question - both actors and directors seem to think there's an Equity rule that you don't have to worry about stopping after 1 hr 20 minutes if you're in the middle of a runthrough.  There is no rule in the SPT contract that I can find, and the only thing I see in the LORT rulebook is in regards to once you're into dress rehearsals - still not for a runthrough in the rehearsal room. 

Now, I would balk more if it were a 2 1/2 hr act or something, but it's so hard to enforce the "rule" when the play is 1 hr 30 to 1 hr 45 long.  Lately we've taken an informal poll that folks would like to continue through and then take a 15 minute break. 

Are there any contracts that actually do address this?

Erin