Messages

121

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: What SMs Should/Should Not Say During Casting Process?

« on: Jan 30, 2010, 09:11 am »

Challenging comes to my mind and you know how we SM's "love" a challenge.

As to the question on the topic:  I might say to the director, "I've worked with so and so before".  Now I've got it out on the table and the director can pursue it further...or not.

122

The Green Room / Re: Thread to vent about / Actors behaving badly / As haiku only

« on: Jan 30, 2010, 09:05 am »

Why can't you learn lines?
I know entire script now.
Again, you call "line"

123

The Green Room / Re: SM Joke

« on: Jan 13, 2010, 07:15 pm »

I heard that one years ago, Celeste_SM, and it still makes me laugh.  OK" how many union stagehands does it take to screw in a light bulb?...Five...GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT???

124

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Internships - Networking and Searching

« on: Jan 04, 2010, 07:11 am »

My experience w/ opera seasons is that planing starts way in advance.  The larger the company, the earlier the planing (as singers need to be contracted/booked among other personnel needs). I'd send my resume out now informing the contact person that you will be graduating on "such and such date" and you're looking ahead.  Check and see if there is any summer opera you could work with this year. You can search wikipedia/list of opera companies.

125

The Green Room / Re: Road Life Advice

« on: Dec 28, 2009, 04:55 pm »

Don't be too hard on the locals that don't know SL from SR.  You're a visitor/guest in their "home".  I treat local folks/house crew especially nice since they can make your visit good or not so good.  When you treat them nice, they're usually more willing to go the extra mile.
Make notes of places you'd like to return to and see more of.

126

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Automation Advice

« on: Dec 26, 2009, 03:56 pm »

In Thomas A. Kelly's book on Stage Management (most recent edition) he has a section on automation that I found very helpful.  He includes sample cue sheets also.

127

The Green Room / Re: "How to get a job as a stage manager"

« on: Dec 20, 2009, 12:37 pm »

That's all it takes? And the job description ends at step 5?  I guess I've been doing far more than I should be as an SM...like...calling the show! (among so many other duties)

128

Employment / Re: Mingling With Other Departments

« on: Dec 14, 2009, 01:52 pm »

I think it's a good thing for SM's to do pick up work in other departments.  As missliz said:

It was a lot of fun and definitely helped me learn a lot for troubleshooting when I'm running a show.

As an SM it's very important to know something (if not alot) about each department and review taking  cues/instructions from another SM---you may pick up some new pointers or find that you would "never treat a crew the way s/he did!"

129

The Green Room / Re: working with a significant other

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 03:42 pm »

First--congrats missliz as a Mod!  I'm married to a TD.  We work at different theatres but we do cross paths quite often @ the same theatre/projects.  We keep the work relationship business (with an occational, "are you going home and would you feed the dogs?").  I enjoy discussing and brainstorming on current shows: he's a great resource and visa versa.

130

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Musical number where I can't hear....countdown software?

« on: Dec 02, 2009, 05:11 pm »

I called an opera once w/ so many precise cues that looking away from the score was not a good idea.  The director got me a "reader"--much like a concert pianist has a page turner, this individuals eyes never left the page and he had a pencil/pointer that ticked off each system/measure/note. He stayed next to me at the SM desk. I was able to look up and keep an eye on the stage and then quickly find my place in the score.
As far as your proximity to the drums, can you relocated where you call the show from?  Like away from the BOOM, BOOM, BOOM?

131

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Reprimanding Actors

« on: Nov 12, 2009, 11:24 am »

 I'm honestly starting to consider recasting!

Are you the director? SM? or both?  If there is a director, this should be addressed by him/her after you (SM) have tried to work around schedules and there seems to be a cooperation issue.  If you're director--in my opinion--what's the point of keeping cast members that can't stay in communication or schedule personal time off w/out consulting the rehearsal schedule?  Did the newbies (and the seasoned actor) get an "actors responsibilty" list which would let them know the expectations up front? 

132

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

« on: Nov 11, 2009, 09:38 am »

[/quote]

Sounds like a lot more work and less effective than making pencil circles in your book and reviwing with the actors at an appropriate time.
[/quote]

This is my method, too: pencil circles and review w/ actors after the director has given notes.

133

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Are your shows safe from busses?

« on: Nov 11, 2009, 09:31 am »

Ditto for me on clear markings in my prompt book for cues and all paperwork included (shift plots, prop plots, contact info, etc.). I've been in your shoes more than once, Mac, following  scripts with cues all over the pages and no stand-bys or warns marked (one had the same LX cue twice...hmmm, which is the actual cue?).  Oh, yeah... and leave your book at the theatre!

134

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: i'm due payment, and the person who owes me is MIA. help?

« on: Nov 05, 2009, 05:27 pm »

...and this is why I insist on 1/2 payment on first rehearsal (if SM) and on opening (if designing).  Good for you for notifying AEA--it is the principle and it sends a message!

135

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Plotting out scene shifts

« on: Nov 01, 2009, 08:58 am »

In my experience, the SM department ultimately plots out any revised or final shift plots since s/he is more involved with what fits where backstage and in what order it needs to arrive on stage.