Messages

121

Tools of the Trade / Re: Virtual Callboard

« on: Aug 19, 2013, 05:03 pm »

We've been using Virtual Callboard (unlimited package) for nearly a year now, mainly because we have a rotation of freelance stage managers and designers that sometimes work more than one show - and in discussions and meetings for the entire season within a three month time frame - so it became practical to keep all the information and schedule in one place like VC, and to keep the paperwork looking uniform between multiple people. My staff here took a liking to it immediately and use it on a regular basis; the casts seem to like it too, especially since we sometimes cast students - the parents like being able to check the schedule online.

I wouldn't recommend it to a freelance SM, it wouldn't be worth the trouble 'breaking in' people to start using it. But I'd recommend it to a staff SM with multiple productions with large casts on a fairly regular basis.

122

Employment / Re: Stage Managing Events--Put on Resume?

« on: Jul 31, 2013, 08:27 am »

How about weddings? Anyone ever SM'd one before and would you even consider putting it on a resume?
Context: We've had 2 receptions and a ceremony at the theatre, all of which I've coordinated and run.  Also, all 3 were for friends but I was paid for my time from each.

I think listing weddings can be a matter of personal preference. For me, not knowing how an employer would feel seeing weddings on my resume, I'd put Event Planning (or similar) under the Special Skills heading.

123

Employment / Re: Stage Managing Events--Put on Resume?

« on: Jul 29, 2013, 07:40 pm »

I put one-night-only type events under the heading EVENTS/CONCERTS and list the title of the event, the name of the director/coordinator, my title, and the producing company. If it's an annual event I do more than once, I list which years ('99, '03, or '98-'01).

124

The Green Room / Re: VENT: The trouble with spouses, pets and couches

« on: Jul 23, 2013, 10:55 am »

*raises hand* Married with a 5 year old. I was offered a gig in Arizona and couldn't do it - didn't WANT to do it, really - because I wasn't ready to uproot my family across the country. I used to want to tour like crazy, but now I have second thoughts before sending in my resume. I interviewed for a position out of SM - still in theatre - and the only reason I did that was because my husband and I had discussed this major city as a future point of destination for us, and it had all the things I was looking for in a non-SM gig. Priorities change as we get older and have other people we are responsible to for our time, money, and person. I don't see anything wrong with tweaking the dreams and goals as priorities shift.

And Matthew, I totally and completely understand your furniture situation! I used to have a fear of even buying a bed, because I knew it was an omen that meant I was going to have to move in 6 months. It took me 2 years to unpack my boxes...never mind that come December I get to pack them back up again. Grrr.

125

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Manager gone Actor? Bad idea?

« on: Jul 23, 2013, 10:36 am »

You should audition if that's what you want to do. Be prepared for the possibility that you may not be cast because you've made yourself invaluable backstage, or people having silly negative opinions on why you are auditioning. You will gain insight with the experience whether you get cast or not.

126

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Double casts

« on: Jul 22, 2013, 10:22 pm »

I'm coming up on Tarzan: The Stage Musical in just a few short weeks with my first student double cast, 8 in each cast, aged 8-18. Any ideas on how to make my life easier during this process? I've done shows with adult double casts but as most of us know students are a different matter altogether.

127

The Hardline / Re: Actors/Directors: Taking Photos in Rehearsal-A Disturbing Trend...or Not...?

« on: Jul 06, 2013, 11:00 pm »

I'm in a non-AEA house but I found that actors taking pictures in rehearsal - and being on their smartphones in general - was pulling their focus and concentration. I start every first rehearsal with a quick speech that my Production Manager approved, which includes:
-no use of smartphones or tablets in the rehearsal room aside from breaks, unless you're using a sound recording app during music rehearsals.
-during downtime feel free to take all the pictures you want, but do not post to social media.
-don't take pictures that the subject wouldn't want the world to see.
-don't take pictures while in the dressing rooms.
-after the first performance, feel free to post all the pictures you want!

There have only been a couple of cases that I thought common sense would have told an offender that they stepped over the line. I had one actor take a picture of the scenic renderings posted in the room and put it on Facebook; I saw it online and explained to him why he needed to take it down. I had a rather moronic actor decide to take his paparazzi sized camera backstage and take pictures of the action onstage during a performance. Ripped him a new one for that.

Since we're a smaller 'big city', pictures posted to social media is free publicity and markets the show in some cases better than our own marketing department. Our marketing department encourages actors/crew to send in pictures they think the public would be interested in, and oftentimes we see our own pictures on the company Facebook and Twitter feeds.

128

The Green Room / ARTICLE: Performer dies during Cirque's KA

« on: Jun 30, 2013, 06:44 pm »

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2013/jun/30/cirque-suffers-another-accident-artist-falls-ka-mg/#axzz2Xk4ZrlbL

129

Employment / Re: Leaving a difficult situation just before Opening...

« on: Jun 25, 2013, 01:19 pm »

The situation, with its many layers, just can't be salvaged. I'm not even sure if you should try getting what little money they promised you.

130

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE:Fox Searchlight should have paid interns, judge rules

« on: Jun 12, 2013, 01:13 pm »

Long overdue. Disappointing yet unsurprising that it took losing millions in court costs for a turn around in policy.

131

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Escripts=Do you HAVE to have them?

« on: Jun 08, 2013, 08:33 am »

How technically complex is the show?  (the ability to move text around a page to put the 26 cues that happen in four lines of text for example)

YES. I may type up just one or two pages just so I have room for those long cue sequences.

132

The Green Room / Re: Production Haikus

« on: Jun 08, 2013, 08:28 am »

Clueless director
Plus admin who won't say no
Equals my lost mind.

How can you not know
What a scene breakdown is?
You're clueless at tech?

You telling me how
To do my job is like a
Nun giving sex ed.

133

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Escripts=Do you HAVE to have them?

« on: Jun 06, 2013, 11:21 pm »

When you type 60wpm it doesn't take long to type a script - and I tend to skip unnecessary stage directions. Not a great option though if you hunt and peck.

And it's strictly for adjusting margins for cues or electronically adding cues, which is rare for me. I can't ever see myself calling a show electronically. Again, paper doesn't crash or require a battery.

134

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Escripts=Do you HAVE to have them?

« on: Jun 06, 2013, 09:46 am »

I'll admit it: there have been a couple of times when I typed up the script. Usually because the copy handed to me was a triple copied mess with someone else's notes all over them and wonky margins. There's no working around that kind of mess by cutting and readjusting. Like Catastrophyc, I find that I get a grasp of the material in less time when I type it out. But I don't make it a habit.

135

Self-Promotion / Re: Stupid F**king Bird- Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

« on: May 28, 2013, 11:27 pm »

Kinda in love with the title  .