Messages

136

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

« on: Oct 16, 2015, 04:44 pm »

Does the turf need to be returned to someone after the show, or is it being disposed of?  I'd say the best thing is to cut a stencil and spray paint, but if you're renting or borrowing the turf they probably won't take too kindly to that.

137

The Green Room / Re: Last Call for New Questions for the Stage Manager Survey

« on: Oct 16, 2015, 09:17 am »

That you're in a University setting has some unique advantages.  IMHO Meg and Lexie's questions a worth discussion, though if it were me conducting the survey I'd be concerned about the questions being interpreted or answered in a subjective manner as opposed to answered with objective facts.

Have you considered (or maybe you already do) collaborating with some statisticians or other types that could lend more of a "numbers" approach?  You may be able to find some effective ways to [anonymously] collect raw data to put some metrics to some of these questions.

138

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

« on: Oct 12, 2015, 11:24 am »

Of course.  That is such a risky proposition though, running shows with your own personal machine. 

What if your machine is stolen or broken the morning of a show?  What if software you add for other uses causes instability with the machine?  What if your hard drive fails?  What if...?

Setting aside the fact that it's your personal property (not a trivial fact at all), it introduces a significant element of risk for the producing organization.  If a company can't afford the hardware cost to set this up properly, then they really cannot afford to be doing show control.  I get it, most theatres have tiny budgets.  That's OK, not all theatre needs to be technology intensive - but if you're going to go down that path, do it right or don't do it at all.

139

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

« on: Oct 12, 2015, 09:23 am »

They're working on updating 3 so that doesn't happen, but they've dropped support for 2 so they aren't looking at fixing that anymore. But they know that many people still use version 2, so they're just stating up front that if you plan to continue using QLab 2, then you can't update your OS. Or if you update your OS you will need to update your QLab (and also rebuild all your show files from 2 to 3).

At this point the only uses of Qlab 2 should be existing shows that are already installed.  The "best practice" for an installed system or show control setup is that once the show is open or an installation is complete, functional, and verified is that software on show control machines, operating systems, firmware on devices, etc. should only be updated if there is an extremely good reason.  As soon as you update an OS or firmware, you potentially introduce unknown factors into the show environment.

An ideal QLab setup for most installations would consist of two computers (we usually specify mac mini, but other macs will work too).  One primary machine, and one live backup that runs in parallel with the primary machine.  Once the show is open... don't touch

140

The Hardline / Re: Doing Non-Equity Work While Being Equity

« on: Sep 14, 2015, 12:09 pm »

The theatre community I live in is very tight knit and my issue is always wanting to be there for everyone. This particular theatre was where most of my non-Equity work came from and while yes, they're in transition to being a union house within the next year or so, it was hard having to leave them.

As an aside - upholding the agreement you have with AEA and helping out this theatre are not mutually exclusive.  While you've voluntarily joined the organization and agreed to accept only AEA work, you can still help the people you've developed personal and professional relationships with.  If they need an SM, you may recommend someone who is eligible to work in a non-union setting as a bridge until you're able to work with them again after they offer equity contracts.

141

The Green Room / Re: Smart Watch use in rehearsal

« on: Sep 03, 2015, 04:55 pm »

This is probably the first honest-to-goodness use of a smart watch for business purposes that I've seen to date.  Kudos, and good application of a technology that most would view as an accessory or status symbol.

Good news on the battery life for 6+.  Changing my phone in a few weeks and unsure if I want to get another 6 or go with the 6+.

142

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Multiple Shows at once....

« on: Sep 01, 2015, 05:15 pm »

Welcome to the life of a freelancer! Suggestion is to become an expert in juggling.

On a serious note, though: is this a season of shows at the same theatre or with the same producing organization?  You mentioned the director is the same for all shows, are the production teams also the same?  If it's the same overall team, you should have an easier go at it as you'll all be in the same situation and the producer and production manager will collectively aid in finding a way to make it work.

If you are juggling between three different producing companies, production teams, etc, then you are in a bit of a different boat as you will have to find a way to please all comers and be a better juggler, as saying "I'm swamped with Fantasticks at the moment" won't fly if the producing organization for the other shows needs your attention.  In this situation, staying organized and managing potential scheduling conflicts as far out as possible will be instrumental to success.

143

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clock for Backstage Tracks

« on: Sep 01, 2015, 04:59 pm »

If your venue already has a master-clock device generating timecode (e.g. a show controller, track playback) then hang a timecode reader /display off of the LTC line.   Horita TR-100 is a good choice.

If you want something simple that counts up/down, look at something like the Horita ETD-100. 

144

Tools of the Trade / Re: Submit your story about tech use for inclusion in Stern's Stage Management

« on: Aug 27, 2015, 10:32 pm »

This topic has been locked following the response deadline.

145

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Creating a Brief Portfolio and Resume for College

« on: Aug 27, 2015, 04:54 pm »

It's also important to note that any college/university with a SM program worth attending will not going to be expecting kids out of high school to be polished stage managers ready to get behind the desk and call a full show.  They will be looking for someone with a specific skillset, personality, demeanor, etc. that they can mold into a stage manager over the course of four years.

A few pages of each type of paperwork that you have done should be sufficient.  What is more important will be to talk about why you did it that way, what you learned, how it worked.  The answers to those questions are more telling than blocking pages with "Maria x DSR".  Stage management is not about paperwork, it's about managing people and a process, and creating an environment where folks can succeed and do their best work.  Paperwork is a product of your process, but anyone can rip off a rehearsal report or a calling script format and not understand the "why" behind it.

I'd also err on the side of not inventing or fabricating paperwork you haven't actually done.  It is fully reasonable (and I'd argue, fully expected) that you will not have refined and developed paperwork as a high school SM. 

Remember also that the interview process is also your chance to interview the school.  Make sure it's somewhere that will be a good fit for you.  If they are focusing only on paperwork, then it is probably not somewhere I'd personally want to attend as it's focusing on the wrong aspects of management; however, that is my very humble opinion.  Use your judgement and do not take anything anyone says here as gospel, though do weight opinions based on levels of professional experience.

146

Stage Management: Other / Re: Blocking notation for a mobile rehearsal

« on: Aug 25, 2015, 05:23 pm »

How about wearing a GoPro to record the rehearsal and reference with your notes?  Looks like there are some used ones on eBay for under $100.

147

Tools of the Trade / Re: Submit your story about tech use for inclusion in Stern's Stage Management

« on: Aug 03, 2015, 02:23 pm »

Great anecdotes, Meg!  Looking forward to seeing what others have to say.

148

Tools of the Trade / Re: Submit your story about tech use for inclusion in Stern's Stage Management

« on: Jul 22, 2015, 10:21 am »

Hi Folks,

Giving this post a bump.  This is a great opportunity to be published in the go-to book for teaching Stage Management.

149

Employment / Re: Working in USA

« on: Jul 14, 2015, 03:00 pm »

Obtaining a visa would be your biggest hurdle.  In order to draw a salary from a US Company you need a working visa of some type.  There are a few different types (H-1B, H-2B are the most common) and any of them will require a petition filed on behalf of the employer, in which they must prove a litany of reasons why the work cannot be executed by a US Citizen. 

B1 business visas are fairly easily obtainable, however they're intended for short term activities (e.g. coming to the US for a trade show) and you're not able to receive compensation or draw a salary from a US entity.

I'm by no means an immigration expert, but have picked up a few things working in a field with many different nationalities.  It really is too bad.  Our immigration system is completely broken.  We'll look the other way for some nationalities that come here illegally (in some cases actively promoting it), but we'll fight tooth and nail against those that wish to come here on the up and up (and pay taxes in the process).

150

Tools of the Trade / Re: Is Office.com Valuable or a Gimmick?

« on: Jul 14, 2015, 09:58 am »

We do not use office.com but we have a Microsoft SharePoint Server and it works well for what we do.

Sharepoint is an absolutely fabulous tool, and very underrated.  In addition to the uses you've described, it's also great for archival data storage.