Messages

121

Tools of the Trade / Re: QLab 2 not compatible with Mac OS 10.11 "El Capitan"

« on: Nov 29, 2015, 12:42 am »

I'm not disagreeing with you in any way. But alas, what "should be" and what "is" are often two very different things. Sometimes SMs run rehearsal sound on their personal computer before moving to the space. Sometimes SMs or sound ops for very small fringey theatres use personal computers. I was simply posting this as a warning to those who are not operating under ideal circumstances and who may need to take this into consideration before deciding to update or not.

Indeed - an ideal world and actual circumstances are rarely the same.  So that brings up an interesting point.  Since SMs are mostly 1099 independent contractors and in the eyes of the IRS their own company, do you charge for equipment rental for use of personal property?  If you want to go down the rabbit hole, that is an asset that your company (you) own.  If the theatre is not providing you with that hardware, shouldn't you earn revenue from its use?  Do you factor that in to your daily or weekly rate?

I am gearing up for a large project right now and I will have several independent contractors working for me long term.  In this case I have ordered basic tools (PCs, mobile phones, software licenses) that are required for them to perform their duties. 

It's an interesting topic for discussion.

122

Tools of the Trade / Re: Spiking astroturf/fake grass

« on: Nov 29, 2015, 12:36 am »

So, OP - have you moved in to the theatre yet?  What did you decide and how did it work out?  Would love to hear the result!

123

The Hardline / Re: Script rewrites

« on: Nov 29, 2015, 12:31 am »

I had a bunch of questions, and the video answered all of them.  This looks like a great piece of software!  Thanks for sharing. 

124

Introductions / Re: Hello

« on: Nov 29, 2015, 12:21 am »

There are SMs here from all over the world.  There are a some differences by country or region, but at the end of the day the job is basically the same.  I have lived in and worked in a number of different countries, and one thing you learn very quickly is that people are people.  It doesn't really matter what language they speak or where they're from, we are all pretty much the same.

Welcome - happy posting.

125

Introductions / Re: New Enough

« on: Nov 29, 2015, 12:19 am »

Hi!

My name's Lydia and I'm a senior in college, hoping to and I will pursue stage managing as my career post-graduation.

Don't "hope", "do".  Use definitive, forceful words to chart your course.  Hope implies it's out of your control.  It's not - once you decide what you want, go get it. 

Welcome, welcome.  Hoping you find the forum as a helpful resource. 

126

Stage Management: Other / Re: Great (but old) profile of a rock music stage manager

« on: Nov 24, 2015, 06:56 am »

Really cool, great read.  Where did you find that?!

127

Introductions / Re: Hello!

« on: Nov 24, 2015, 06:47 am »

Welcome!  Don't be a stranger, post often!

128

Introductions / Re: Hello

« on: Nov 24, 2015, 06:46 am »

Welcome Lucy!  Hope you find the forum as a wealth of knowledge.

129

The Green Room / Working for Free

« on: Nov 24, 2015, 06:34 am »

This has been making the rounds on social media this month; I'm sure some of you have seen it already.

Watch What Happens When You Ask Non-Creative Professionals to Work for Free

This is geared more towards photography, but the premise is still exactly the same: the premise of asking non-creative professionals to work for free is laughed at.  However, in our industry it is accepted by some as a "necessary evil" or even as the norm.  I think this does a nice job at putting a satirical spin on the ridiculous nature of that premise.

130

Employment / Re: Is Stage Jobs Pro USA Useful?

« on: Nov 23, 2015, 04:46 am »

Follow-up-- do the non-union jobs posted usually pay?

I'd argue if it doesn't pay, it's not a job... it's volunteering 

131

The Hardline / Re: SM as Board Op -- What to Ask For

« on: Nov 22, 2015, 12:05 am »

This probably goes without saying, but make sure the producer knows it is somewhere between extremely difficult and impossible to have a contingency plan in place when one body is basically filling the role of three.  If you are out, the show is basically cancelled.  That is a lot of risk.

132

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Pickup rehearsals

« on: Nov 19, 2015, 01:49 am »

How long is the run?  I didn't have any runs in school push too far past the two week part. 

In a professional setting on a long run it's the SM's responsibility, you're correct and it's good that you realize and are eager for this.  The primary reason behind this though is more logical than artistic - on two, three, four year run the director has gone off to his/her next project after opening night.  In a collegiate setting the director is presumably still there as faculty, grad student, or some other role. 

But, it is good practice for the SM to have experience with this before leaving undergrad - you are paying for the education and training. 

133

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Where to Start...?

« on: Oct 28, 2015, 04:46 am »

There are many ways to skin a cat, and I've been out of the business long enough that any thought I can offer on specific entry-level tactics is not relevant; but, two pieces of advice I'd offer for whichever route you take:

1) Work hard.
2) Don't work for free.

134

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Is college a necessity?

« on: Oct 28, 2015, 02:24 am »

You will probably get different answers to this question, especially from folks who have spent a good portion of their careers in academia (either as students, staff, or faculty) but IMHO advanced degrees are not required for anything in theatre, unless you want to teach theatre at a collegiate level. 

Ultimately folks in the real world care about your ability to execute and do the job; this is where the rubber meets the road.  A piece of paper doesn't certify that you can do the job.  There are a lot of people with MFAs waiting tables, and there are a lot of extremely successful people with a bachelors or no degree at all.

From a financial side - what kind of debt load you are going to take on to earn a graduate degree, and what is the opportunity cost of foregoing two-three years of experience and earnings to stay in school?  Is it worth it?  Will your income be higher because of your advanced degree?  If so, how many years will it take you to recoup the missed earnings for 2-3 years at school and pay off the debt+interest of your graduate degree? 

Let's spitball and do some quick math.  This is by no means scientific, but it should clarify my point above.  Let's say you would earn 25k/year out of school stage managing and filling in the gaps with non-SM work.  Then let's say your MFA is a three year program costing $40k total (inclusive of stipends for teaching).

With these numbers:
$ 40,000 - Cost of degree
$ 75,000 - Lost earnings ($25k * 3 years)

Total cost of MFA - $115,000 - how long does it take to recoup that money after your MFA?  Is the difference in pay between your MFA and BA/BFA enough to justify that cost?  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.  Cost of course isn't the only factor, but it's a big one.

135

Introductions / Re: Another New Kid on the Block

« on: Oct 28, 2015, 01:23 am »

Welcome   Hoping you find this site as a good resource.