16
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Including Human Error
« on: May 17, 2014, 10:18 am »
Agreed! And I tried to as best as possible. But sometimes in the heat of things...!
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
17
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Including Human Error
« on: May 16, 2014, 10:04 pm »
I think also one of the key things is, to make the noting simple too! I'm in Shamrock's situation as well. I'm also responsible for running lights and sound. For instance, tonight were I also opened a show, I had two sound cues that I executed late. I simply noted it as "SQ 17 & 33 were late." I also think that depending on one's situation, especially if they are performing extra duties, simplicity is the best when you're trying to not things down. Especially when your attention has to be in so many different places at once.
18
Tools of the Trade / Re: Who builds your Qlab file, and how?
« on: Apr 14, 2014, 06:21 pm »I would guess probably through a MIDI interface, assuming your light board will support that.
ETA: I found this on the Figure 53 website. Kind of fascinating everything that can be achieved through QLab, provided you have the right equipment.
http://figure53.com/qlab/showcases/cary-from-the-cock/
Yup! That would be it. I do this basically for every show. It's much more easier to execute lights, sound and projections with just one button instead of three.
Depending on which version of QLab your using, you'd use the MSC Cue (version 2) or the MIDI Cue (version 3). This would be done one of two ways, a) From the MIDI Out port from your Audio Interface or, b) From a Midi To USB Cable, both to the light board. This is dependent on what your set up is and what type of light board you're using. Then within QLab MSC settings in the preference panel, you route the MIDI interface/cable to which ever midi patch your MSC cue is assigned to for that cue.
Becca, PM me if you'd like further help!
19
Tools of the Trade / Re: Who builds your Qlab file, and how?
« on: Apr 09, 2014, 02:16 pm »The only other board we might need is a small sound mixing board for any live mics, which I wish you could do in Qlab (by the way if anyone knows how to do this, I would LOVE to know).
Yes, this is possible depending on which version you are using. Introduced in Version 3 is the Mic Cue. Basically you hook up a mic to your audio interface and QLab can control it from there. With Version 2, if I'm not mistaken, you have to do it through the audio interface then through a DAW (i.e. logic, pro tools, etc.) and then to QLab. But, I'd contact Figure53 support to get better information on how to do this in Version 2. I have played around with it a little bit with Version 3 and its cool. I don't particularly to this myself since I use a back up machine as well with a primary so the mic(s) would only be attached to one of the audio interfaces. So it's best to come off the sound mixer instead.
21
Tools of the Trade / Re: Who builds your Qlab file, and how?
« on: Apr 04, 2014, 04:31 pm »
Yes. I do this as well myself. I'm also the Lighting, Sound and Projection Designer. I've created a template QLab workspace and then I fill in as needed. I also run my own boards. It's nice to execute multiple cues with one press of a button.
I tend to go off of my script more. And any notes about levels, etc. are included in there. I don't want to clutter the the main cue list with too much. So I keep it simple and notes are either included in the notes section in the inspector or in my script.
I also have the workspace set up so that via a hotkey, I can disable intermission cues (no intermission for school shows or special performance for public show that has no intermission), or disable the preshow announcement if someone needs to do a live one instead, or any other possible cuts that might be done in one show but not the other. It's grown since I've started using QLab several years ago and I'm always finding new ways to refine things.
I tend to go off of my script more. And any notes about levels, etc. are included in there. I don't want to clutter the the main cue list with too much. So I keep it simple and notes are either included in the notes section in the inspector or in my script.
I also have the workspace set up so that via a hotkey, I can disable intermission cues (no intermission for school shows or special performance for public show that has no intermission), or disable the preshow announcement if someone needs to do a live one instead, or any other possible cuts that might be done in one show but not the other. It's grown since I've started using QLab several years ago and I'm always finding new ways to refine things.
22
The Green Room / Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY PSMKAY
« on: Dec 23, 2013, 10:42 am »
Yes! Thank you Kay! And Happy Belated!
23
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Flying actors
« on: Apr 30, 2013, 03:05 pm »
I'm currently doing Peter Pan right now. And in most cases, depending on the needs of the production or the theatre itself, you more than likely will not call a single flight cue. This will be due to the fact that there will be too much of a delay between your call and the operators actions, and neither might be able to keep up with each other. The flying itself is a lot like dance choreography. My flight operators are all of my Lost Boys/Pirates and I have none of them on headset at all, so I have to consistently watch what is going on, while executing lights, sound, and calling other backstage cues as well to see that everything is running smoothly!
I would also keep in mind that if anything happens (i.e. flight choreography off, collisions, etc.) that you discuss it after the performance (with flight operators and whoever is in the air) and either work on it then or when you do your flight call before the show. Which is very important!
Out of curiosity, what company is flying you? We are very pleased with ZFX!
Happy flying!
I would also keep in mind that if anything happens (i.e. flight choreography off, collisions, etc.) that you discuss it after the performance (with flight operators and whoever is in the air) and either work on it then or when you do your flight call before the show. Which is very important!
Out of curiosity, what company is flying you? We are very pleased with ZFX!
Happy flying!
24
The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork fundraising drive 2013
« on: Mar 10, 2013, 05:19 pm »
Count me in!
25
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!
« on: Jan 20, 2013, 03:18 pm »
Hi All,
Hoping someone has the cue sheet for the rehearsal tracks of Into The Woods usually by MT PIT. I seem to have lost this when we did the show a few years ago and just want it for my archives. Format doesn't matter.
Please PM me for email address.
Thanks!
Hoping someone has the cue sheet for the rehearsal tracks of Into The Woods usually by MT PIT. I seem to have lost this when we did the show a few years ago and just want it for my archives. Format doesn't matter.
Please PM me for email address.
Thanks!
26
The Green Room / Re: 54 uses for Binder clips
« on: Jun 28, 2012, 04:43 pm »
Lighting Gel Holders when your out of the real kind. Only works on certain units though. Paper clips too!
27
Tools of the Trade / Re: So our theatre is poor, but I'm trying to make a cue light system.
« on: Dec 02, 2011, 07:46 pm »
I'm currently doing the power strip method at the moment and I find it hard to execute the cues, especially with three or four of them. I mostly use them for follow spots. We don't have the budget as well for any big system. I've suggest this: http://www.idjnow.com/StoreModules/ProductDetails.aspx/PID=SC8FSYSTEM#fulldesc. I don't think it's that bulky and I wouldn't have power strips unevenly spaced and everything is closer together. Right now for cue lights we're using rope lights, which (I think) don't give off much power. So it all should be alright for one of my wall outlets in the booth.
28
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling cues for the spotlight operator
« on: Jul 25, 2011, 02:18 pm »
At my current theatre, where I function as the lighting designer from time to time. I create all of the spot cue sheets.
Unfortunately we have walkie talkies for communication and you can't always hear very well. I don't call spot cues via walkie talkie if I don't have to. The majority of the time I use cue lights. The spot ops just have to read their next cue and take the cue off of the cue light. There are times where I do indicated it on the cue sheet when they need to take a cue on their own.
My ops, who are usually teenagers from our acting class love using the cue lights. For them, it is much more clear when the cue needs to come and they don't have to worry that they couldn't hear me call a GO. I just need to make sure that I am very clear in the cue sheet of what they need to do. I usually give them a WARNING (cue light flash 3 times) when needed and then Standby (cue light on) and then GO (cue light off.) The cue lights are very simple. Each spot station has a very low voltage light bulb and then a small strand of blue rope lights. They are connected via to the booth by extension cord to a power strip for each cue light. So I only have two switches to worry about.
The really only difficulty comes with me and when I'm executing the cue lights for complicated or fast sequences depending on the show.
Unfortunately we have walkie talkies for communication and you can't always hear very well. I don't call spot cues via walkie talkie if I don't have to. The majority of the time I use cue lights. The spot ops just have to read their next cue and take the cue off of the cue light. There are times where I do indicated it on the cue sheet when they need to take a cue on their own.
My ops, who are usually teenagers from our acting class love using the cue lights. For them, it is much more clear when the cue needs to come and they don't have to worry that they couldn't hear me call a GO. I just need to make sure that I am very clear in the cue sheet of what they need to do. I usually give them a WARNING (cue light flash 3 times) when needed and then Standby (cue light on) and then GO (cue light off.) The cue lights are very simple. Each spot station has a very low voltage light bulb and then a small strand of blue rope lights. They are connected via to the booth by extension cord to a power strip for each cue light. So I only have two switches to worry about.
The really only difficulty comes with me and when I'm executing the cue lights for complicated or fast sequences depending on the show.
29
Tools of the Trade / Re: DVD player for video projection/disable display of "play" "pause"
« on: Feb 22, 2011, 06:32 pm »
One note on QLab though. You must have a Video license for it. Or at least rent it for the duration of your production run. It cost $1 a day to rent it and cost $250 for the license. It's not cheap. But, it was the best expense (as we have the full bundle license [Audio, MIDI, Video]) our theatre has ever spent.
QLab is also tricky at first for video. It takes awhile to get use to how things work. But, in my opinion, it is probably the best mac show control software there is. And, probably rivals most Windows software too.
QLab is also tricky at first for video. It takes awhile to get use to how things work. But, in my opinion, it is probably the best mac show control software there is. And, probably rivals most Windows software too.
30
Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)
« on: Feb 17, 2011, 06:31 pm »
I've run a show from my iPad a couple of times, but that was only because my digital script wasn't finished to be printed and it was only during tech week. It was a small screen to look at but it helped a little bit. But, I don't think I would do it long term for a whole run.
I use Pages all the time for my shows. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't change what side of the page to use it on, the comments will always be on the left. And, it's very close to the edge. It is possible to reformat the comments though. I color code cues and I can format a comment cue (As I call them) in just a few clicks. I have a template already made up for when I type a script. When I insert a cue into my script I attach it to a * (asterisk) then if I need to move the cue, I just move the * and it's easier because to don't have it attached to a word. Words I highlight the same color as the comment cue. I can also put multiple cues in the same comment. I've also found that if you have a complicated cue sequence, just make the page your working on two. You just have to renumber (7a, 7b, 7c, etc.).
I've attached a PDF Sample of my current cueing script. Light blue = Spots, Red = Cue Lights, Yellow = Lights. The grey word highlight indicates more than one cue happens on that execution.
I can guide those of you who use Pages on how to format the comments. Just PM me. It's pretty simple.
--PSMAK
I use Pages all the time for my shows. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't change what side of the page to use it on, the comments will always be on the left. And, it's very close to the edge. It is possible to reformat the comments though. I color code cues and I can format a comment cue (As I call them) in just a few clicks. I have a template already made up for when I type a script. When I insert a cue into my script I attach it to a * (asterisk) then if I need to move the cue, I just move the * and it's easier because to don't have it attached to a word. Words I highlight the same color as the comment cue. I can also put multiple cues in the same comment. I've also found that if you have a complicated cue sequence, just make the page your working on two. You just have to renumber (7a, 7b, 7c, etc.).
I've attached a PDF Sample of my current cueing script. Light blue = Spots, Red = Cue Lights, Yellow = Lights. The grey word highlight indicates more than one cue happens on that execution.
I can guide those of you who use Pages on how to format the comments. Just PM me. It's pretty simple.
--PSMAK