Messages

16

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Performance reports (split from The Hardline)

« on: Jun 15, 2007, 02:59 am »

I disagree here - it's not usually a good idea to step on peoples' toes.  Not only is it not your job, but you shouldn't invade and take someone else's responsibility (especially if it has an artistic impact).

Speaking of stepping on people's toes, I'm having a field day with you! 
(See the thread on headset etiquette)

The particular case I was thinking "Do it yourself" about, was according to memory some carpet etc. that had come away from the floor backstage.  This particular SM's problem was that she identified the hazard, and then proceeded to write a report about it. Something like "Construction: please re-attach the backstage carpet downstage prompt side."

Of course, Construction didn't get the note until a week later, because of the lack of communication.  Had this SM simply got out a staple gun or the gaffer tape and fixed the problem, THEN made a quick note in the report, it would have been safer, and the trip hazard would have been avoided.

On a sidetrack, I did once work as an ASM for an SM who created a Visual Basic / Access Database application on a laptop during the show.  I think he'd set it up so that there were separate areas to write notes to each department, and he also had a timer control in there as well, so timekeeping was all done automatically (one-button click to time each different section of the show.)

At the end of the show, he'd hook up to the net and click the send button, and the notes that were relevant to the art department would get sent to the art head, and the notes that were relevant to the lighting or sound would get sent to lighting or sound.  Not that email doesn't have its drawbacks of course.

He was also able to print out a nice and neat SM report after each show, ready to be filed away, but I just thought that the sending notices to the relevant heads was a really good idea - it really cut down on the information overload that some theatre admin-types thrive on.

17

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Jun 15, 2007, 02:49 am »

Whoaoaoaooaaaaoooo......

Taking a big step backwards here, and should clarify some more.

The "bugging" of lapel Mic's is only done for a few seconds, to make sure that we're getting good signal from the wireless Mic's.  It's a very quick run from Channel 1 through to Channel 18 to make sure that there's actually signal happening.

As for sitting there deliberately, we only ever do that with our somewhat bipolar Techie Actors, who flip from one side of the curtain to the other with every new performance, this is because they are VERY aware of the fact that we're listening. In response to KMC, Scoot and BalletPSM, Yes, we quite often hear these particular actors 'badmouthing' us, but all parties are aware that it's in jest.

I'm by no means condoning the practice of eavesdropping on Mic'ed actors for sinister purposes, but I do maintain (in argument with scoot) that is is "a bit of fun".  I would never dream of eavesdropping with actors and crew that I was unfamiliar with, because of the reasons that have been posted here.

I should also point out that the configuration of the theatre where most of this goes on is Black Box.  During a show, the actors can see myself and anyone else on a console VERY clearly - ergo, during rehearsals and setup, actors know we're up there, and most of the time are shouting conversations with us anyway.

Chill out, let's avoid the flame war.  I agree that everything has its time and place.

18

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Performance reports (split from The Hardline)

« on: Jun 13, 2007, 10:37 pm »

Well in a legal situation where someone gets hurt, you have documentation of the accident as well as any notes given about it. "The railing has been wobbling. Could someone look at it and see if it could be secured?" Haven passed that info along presumably someone else has l liabilty when that actor fell of the staircase. Or "Actor X has been moving between two pieces of set while they're in motion. Has been asked to wait until both are stopped before proceeding." No one's fault but the actor's when (s)he falls down and breaks a leg.

Just my two cents worth -

I did know a Stage Manager who was a bit new to the job, and wasn't regularly distributing her Reports agter each show.  From memory, I think there was a safety issue with a fog machine (although I'm a bit foggy on that... hehe... pun) which she diligently noted down in her report that evening....

... but neglected to show the report to anyone else.

When asked what she did about the problem, her response was "Well, it WAS in the Performance Report..."

Moral of the Story:  Make sure you distribute your reports to people who can act on what you've written.  Email and Callboards are wonderful tools.  That, or do it yourself.

19

Tools of the Trade / Re: Vista and Microsoft 2007

« on: Jun 13, 2007, 09:42 pm »

With the whole Vista and Office '07 thing, its a bit of a case of Cursed if you do, Cursed if you don't.

For those who are happy to stick with XP and previous Office versions, we know it all works, and we know how to use it - But eventually, these people will be left behind.

On the other hand, those of us who upgrade are presented with software that doesn't work exactly as expected, and takes a bit of getting used to. I for one find Office '07 a bit of a learning curve, especially that ribbon thing up the top.  I spend a little bit longer looking for something than I do using the '03 version - but once I find it in the new version, i'm going "Yeah, that makes sense... it's much better to put that feature there" and now i'm getting the hang of it.

And for those people who say *** microsfoft... *** no testing... grumble grumble gripe moan I say this:
It's basically impossible for a Software Developer to test their product with every single combination of hardware and software on the market. If they did so, we'd be looking at decades between new software releases, at which point there would be new hardware available to test and so on and so forth.  It would be a never-ending cycle of program testing and redevelopment, and nothing would ever get done.

So!  I say get out there, try the new stuff, see if you like it.

If you don't, don't use it - but you'll have to upgrade sometime.

20

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Jun 13, 2007, 09:20 pm »

I realise its not so much 'Headset' etiquette, but myself and my sound guys frequently take much amusement in piping the Wireless mics of unsuspecting actors through the Control Room monitors.
It is strange that actors don't realise that just because they can't hear themselves through the house and foldbacks doesn't mean that no-one's listening.

It's a bit of fun, and does make for some interesting moments:

Tech:  So Random Actor Dude, when you were talking about X and Y before...
Actor: Wait... weren't you somewhere else when that was happening?
[Actor walks away with puzzled expression.]

With regards to Can conversations, it does really depend on the particular crew and the particular SM.  One crew I work with is basically the same bunch of 5 people for every production, so there are a lot of "in" jokes and a secret language that only we really know how to decode.

Other times, I have been brought into a new musical company as the Deck Manager during tech week, about a week before opening, and the etiquette is much more professional and based on the job at hand.

Cheers,
Jem.

21

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tense Director During Tech

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 08:13 pm »

During a tech, my best friend is the God Mike - lets me talk to anyone backstage or onstage immediately by simply pressing a button on my console backstage.

My #1 tip is to always run a tech from backstage if that's where you'll be calling it from, and my #2 tip is to not let the director run the tech. Absolutely - after each cue sequence, check in with the director to see if they're happy - but don't let them physically run the rehearsal.

The most useful words you will use are: Yes. I know where and why the problem occured and No, it won't happen again.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Tech Advice

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 08:07 pm »

Calling a show from in the round is little different to a typical show. There is still only one lighting guy, one sound guy, etc.

The thing to look out for is the scene shifts / mechanicals. I'm not familiar with the play you're doing, so I'm not sure if there are any complex shifts to coordinate, but a badly done shift will be even more bad if performed in-the-round.

For some good info - i recommend getting a copy of Stage Management: A Guidebook of Practical Techniques by Lawrence Stern. Boston, Allyn and Bacon, 1974.

It's an older book, but its got some great advice and techniques for stage management in-the-round. See if a uni nearby has a copy.

23

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Talking to SM while backstage

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 07:59 pm »

I enjoy calling from backstage.  However, if your cast isn't used to you being there, they may assume that they can come to you with questions or problems mid-show, just because you're there.  I generally remind them that only the ASM should speak to me, just as if I was up in the booth.  The phrase I like to use is, "Only talk to me if I'm on fire--not the theatre, but me personally."

My policy when calling from backstage is similar to the one I use for cans - I don't mind my operators having a chat and a laugh during the show, but when I call a Warn or Standby, EVERYONE shuts up. In between the Warning-Standby-Go-Running, it just needs to be quiet.

A similar rule should apply when you are calling the show - actors/fellow techies should be discouraged from talking to you during a cue sequence.

Personally - I find that calling from backstage makes your actors much more relaxed, especially if you have good and professional operators in the booth.

24

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Warm-up/ Games

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 07:51 pm »

Having a slightly different organisational setup, my theatre's policy is usually not only that the Stage Manager participates in the warm-up, but actually leads the warmup!

I'm currently stage managing at a Youth theatre - basically the actors have to have done so many theatre classes before they get an audition call and a part in a play.  Most of the Stage Managers have been performing in the shows previous to teching, so they have experience at what its like on the other side of the stage, and usually have had warmups led by quite a few different people - so they know some tricks of the trade.

Keep in mind that this is really only applicable in youth theatre or school settings: NEVER TRY TO LEAD A WARMUP FOR PROFESSIONAL ACTORS. This is just a no-no - it's very easy to put peoples noses out of joint.

Practically, I find that leading a morning warm-up is a really good thing, because firstly it wakes me up, secondly, leads to a great sense of cast cameraderie, and the rest of my crew know exactly where to find me if they need to speak with me prior to half-hour.

Cheers,

Jem.

PS: My favourite twister? Fireman Fred Ruck's found a Red Truck.

25

Tools of the Trade / Re: Creating a prompt book in word...using comments for cues

« on: Jan 17, 2007, 07:13 pm »

Sailor Sam: if you have Office installed, one of the optional components is Document imaging - i find that this is pretty good for OCR, and you can export straight to Word, which is handy.

MarcieA: No - its a print to a PDF creator.  I find that calling the show from a PDF copy is a little more reliable than using word. Here's a sample in word - due to copyright i can't release more than 2 pages.

Cheers,
Jem.

26

Tools of the Trade / Re: Creating a prompt book in word...using comments for cues

« on: Jan 16, 2007, 10:16 pm »

A sample page from a prompt copy.
This is in progress, and currently only shows LX cues.
Enjoy 

27

Tools of the Trade / Re: Creating a prompt book in word...using comments for cues

« on: Dec 14, 2006, 09:58 pm »

To get a digital copy of scripts, I usually just run the script pages through OCR software.

However, frequently I've been teching a lot of Shakespeare.  Project Gutenberg is always a good place to go to get a quick and dirty version of a script that you can format to your liking.

28

Tools of the Trade / Re: Creating a prompt book in word...using comments for cues

« on: Dec 10, 2006, 10:08 pm »

I tried to find Callout in Word and couldn't find it. What is callout?

Fireguy: I tried to do what you were doing but it didn't work. I protected the document but then it either made it a comment which put a date and the work COMMENT in the box OR it just highlighted it in the text. Is there something that I'm missing.

The only way that I can do cues in word is text boxes. They work really well but it is a complicated procedure. It takes awhile.

You need to have document reviewing turned on, or you can protect the document.  See word help for how to do this.

As for removing the irritating COMMENT text from the comment bubbles, it's a bit more complicated:

• On the Format menu, click Styles and Formatting.
• Under Pick a formatting to apply, right-click the Balloon Text entry, and then click Modify.
• If the Balloon Text style isn't visible, display it:
• In the Show box, click Custom.
• In the Format Settings dialog box, under Styles to be visible, select the Balloon Text check box, and then click OK.
• Click the Balloon Text arrow, then in the Modify Style dialog box, select Format -> Font
• Finally, click the Hidden check box and OK.

Page view will still show the Comment text, but when Page Previewed or Printed, it will disappear.