Messages

136

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Jan 18, 2008, 10:03 am »

AppleInsider.com did a really comprehensive review and comparison last year:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3417 (Word vs. Pages)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3424 (Excel vs. Numbers)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3429 (PowerPoint vs Keynote)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3434 (Entourage vs Outlook vs Mail/iCal)

Haven't had a chance to go through this yet but something tells me it might be a bit biased. 

137

The Hardline / Re: SPT 10 Question

« on: Oct 25, 2007, 10:21 pm »

The only thing I can think is Rule 54 (O)(1) might come into play for the sick actor.  Not sure how that would work for the Day off though.  I know others who ran into a similar situation with an actor being replaced at the last minute on an SPT contract but I believe they were able to replace the Day Off earlier to make it work. 

138

The Hardline / Re: COST Contract questions

« on: Oct 24, 2007, 05:57 pm »

VSM - The problem is the rules aren't always comprehensible by normal people.  I had downloaded the rule book but was confused by the wording.  Hence the question here and the email to AEA for an explanation.

139

The Hardline / Re: COST Contract questions

« on: Oct 22, 2007, 09:41 am »

Hey everyone, thanks for the input.  Got in touch with Russell Lehrer at AEA and he comfirmed dramachic's explanation.  If the company does not provide a per diem pf $21/day, they have to provide housing at no cost. 

Which brings up another question, does the housing then have to have kitchen facilities to avoid the per diem as required by LORT contracts?

140

The Hardline / COST Contract questions

« on: Oct 19, 2007, 12:30 pm »

I've just been hired on a COST contract and don't know a lot about it.  I've worked mostly LORT and SPT contracts before.  Has anyone here worked on them before?  I'm mostly curious about the rule regarding Housing and whether part of it comes out of my check.  This isn't a Touring Production.  I've also emailed AEA to see what they say.  Thanks!

141

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Oct 09, 2007, 10:33 am »

Because everything that does run does so almost perfectly.
4 known viruses
some idiot can't hack you for fun

"there are more than 60 known Mac-specific viruses"  (That was as of 2003)  Macs wouldn't support Anti-Virus software if they were immune to virus'. 
And if you'd like to think that they can't hack you for fun or that they're idiots, feel free. 

There's no such thing as a perfect computer or a completely safe computer.  It's just a matter of using some common sense (no matter what your platform is).  I just don't like seeing people believe the misconception that Macs are invulnerable and then spreading said rumor to try and promote them.

142

Uploaded Forms / Re: Miscellaneous Forms

« on: Oct 03, 2007, 05:02 pm »

An Excel Version of Wallet Cards.  Works well on Card Stock if you have access to it.

143

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Software

« on: Oct 02, 2007, 01:54 pm »

2) I highlight any line notes in my script, go through at the end of the night, sort, and email or print.

Doesn't highlighting line notes get confusing after a while?  Your book would start to look like a rainbow exploded (if different colors are used) or would just get confusing as you add each day's highlights to it.

I high light that day's notes, go through and Copy-paste into emails. Select the whole document, and un-highlight everything when I'm done.

That makes sense.  Sorry I misunderstood - thought you were doing the highlighting in the paper script.

144

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: LX 56 was late- PSM Error

« on: Oct 02, 2007, 01:52 pm »

I feel that if I'm going to put it in the notes when a crew member is late after a call, I should put it in when I'm late or early with the call.  Like you said, it's not how you usually call the show and keeps things fair.

145

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Software

« on: Oct 01, 2007, 01:39 pm »

2) I highlight any line notes in my script, go through at the end of the night, sort, and email or print.

Doesn't highlighting line notes get confusing after a while?  Your book would start to look like a rainbow exploded (if different colors are used) or would just get confusing as you add each day's highlights to it.

146

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PSMing vs. ASMing

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 02:34 pm »

If PSMing were easier than ASMing why aren't ASM's paid more off the bat?  I'm not saying that ASMing is easy but in the end, everything falls back to the PSM.  The PSM not only deals with the actors and director but also management, designers, and production on a much more in depth basis than ASMing.  ASM's also have to think on their feet and decide things for themselves but the ultimate responsibility goes back to the PSM. 

147

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 07:41 pm »

Yeah, Intel has recently started posting more realistic speeds.  They weren't exactly fudging their numbers but their 3ghz processors were matched by AMDs 2ghz in terms of processing ability.  It was a marketing thing where at the time, the common consumer saw higher speeds and would therefore assume it was better.  Macs were closer to AMDs with relative speeds (I think the AMDs needed slightly more speed to match processes with Macs but not nearly as much as Intel). 

148

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 03:32 pm »

I have run vectorworks on both Mac and PC and haven't noticed a difference.  Though I haven't gotten into any rendering or anything like that, for that I could certainly see a Mac being superior.

Oh man, it is far superior... In my runnings in with windows VectorWorks, my mac is just over a minute faster on really complex ones.

Just out of curiosity, what are the specs of both computers that you've done this on?

149

Employment / Re: Touring Shows question

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 03:31 pm »

Chamber Theatre Productions out of Boston also runs a national children's tour.  They were non-union when I worked with them 6 years ago but the quality of work was pretty good and the pay was actually better than most.  Don't know who the Production Manager is there now but that's who I'd send info to.

150

Tools of the Trade / Re: IM Programs in Rehearsal

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 03:29 pm »

Maybe it's just a sign of the times but I've been SMing for about 8 years now and have used a laptop almost the entire time.  Do I need it?  No.  Can I get by without it?  Absolutely.  Does it make my job easier and my life simpler?  Without a doubt.  And it's for that reason that I use the laptop and the IM programs while working.  To discourage its use just because you (general you) feel that the old way is better seems counterproductive.  As new people get started in the industry, they're going to find their own way of doing things and if that includes using technology you, yourself, wouldn't normally use, then that's fine.