Messages

16

Tools of the Trade / Re: Mac users-- cool application for use backstage

« on: May 28, 2008, 11:37 pm »

uhmmm

Command, Option, Control, 8


All the same time does the same thing...


Sorry to ruin that for ya.

Oh, not at all.  Nocturne just takes that feature and makes it more customizable.  It's a pretty cool little app-- but if you don't need the bells and whistles, then yes, cmd+opt+ctrl+8 will achieve a similar result.  

17

Tools of the Trade / Mac users-- cool application for use backstage

« on: May 28, 2008, 10:29 pm »

I tend to use my macbook backstage during the show to get a jump on the report,etc, but I always turn the brightness down because it puts off so much light and can blind me if I stare at it too much and then walk into a dark corner of the deck. 
Recently an actor saw me adjusting the brightness of my screen and recommended this cool mac application called Nocturne.  It inverts the colors of the screen so whites turn black and vice versa.  This is perfect for me!  I thought I'd share it with you all.
http://nocturne.en.softonic.com/mac
--
Mike

18

The Hardline / Re: AEA supporting IATSE?

« on: Nov 14, 2007, 01:28 pm »

From www.actorsequity.org --

"Equity Strongly Supports Local One/IATSE

Actors' Equity Association strongly supports Local One/IATSE in their efforts to reach a fair and equitable contract. The responsibility for the shutdown of Broadway rests squarely with the League of American Theaters and Producers. The Equity Council, per the Union's Broadway contract language, endorses and supports the strike, which has been sanctioned by Local One's IATSE International President, and directs its members to honor the picket line. The men and women of Local One/IATSE deserve fair wages and working conditions and, most importantly, the respect of everyone who is part of the theatrical community.

As per Equity's contract, we are instructing our members to report to their theaters and sign in for work. Equity staff will be at each affected theater to offer the latest information and help to our members. We are also encouraging our members to join the informational line at each theater to show solidarity with our Local One brothers and sisters."

19

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

« on: Sep 15, 2007, 05:58 pm »

Here is the form I've used recently.  I borrowed the format from another SM.

20

The Hardline / Re: AEA Teachers

« on: Sep 12, 2007, 05:06 pm »

I would confirm this with your area AEA rep, although if you are asking hypothetically and not about a specific job, they may not be able to give you a definitive answer.

Oh yeah-- I forgot to mention that I'm speaking hypothetically.

21

The Hardline / AEA Teachers

« on: Sep 12, 2007, 03:51 pm »

I have a question that I'm not sure how to word.  Basically-- what does equity have to say about its members teaching?  In other words, I were have my equity card and then I get a job as a PSM / Stage Management teacher at a university is it scabbing if I SM shows there? 

Thanks for your insights.

22

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Sep 12, 2007, 03:19 pm »

I recently set up a web page-- though I've yet to decide exactly how to use it.  I use godaddy for domain name and I'm currently taking advantage of the hosting service at my grad school.
http://www.themikejones.com

23

Uploaded Forms / Re: Actor/Scene Breakdowns

« on: Feb 08, 2007, 04:18 pm »

Here's the Character/Scene Breakdown format I use. 

24

Tools of the Trade / latest toyes...

« on: Jul 15, 2005, 05:34 pm »

OH... I meant to post this under the stage managment toys...er.. tools post. Hmm.. I wonder if I can move it...

25

Tools of the Trade / latest toys...

« on: Jul 15, 2005, 05:26 pm »

1- mini sharpies!  They're like key chain sized.  I keep one clipped onto my lanyard/id badge and another on the zipper of my bag.

2- highlighter/post if flag dispenser!  It's a highlighter with post if flags in the side.  Genius!!

26

SMNetwork Archives / Software that needs to exist!

« on: May 20, 2005, 01:30 am »

you select the scenes you are doing for that call (and whether you need the charactors who are only doing a small piece (ie a walk through), then when you generate it, the call sheet has onnly the charactor required, it saves grabbing the scene breakdown, finding the scene, following it back to the name, typing the name in, finding the next etc, then (esp. if you are doing a number of scenes in that rehearsal) finding that you entered someones name three times.

Wow! That sounds great!  I didn't even think of that.

27

SMNetwork Archives / Replies! :)

« on: May 19, 2005, 12:43 pm »

DAE-
You'd have to scan in the scipts, most likely. Of course I've been almost exclusively with Shakespeare and classical texts lately so I've sort forgotten about all those pesky copywrite laws. hmm...

MC-
Oh,and yes- using a tablet PC is a given. I left that part out. Mainly it's less writing and can create the animation of the blocking- that's the point.

Your software sounds very interesting! I've work with a PSM who published his daily calls, contact sheets, reports, etc on a password protected website in pdf format. It worked really well for him.

I'd have to really be sold that it's faster for creating paperwork than Word and Excel though.  I mean, once you've created a template it's all just data entry.

Ok- off to a meeting.

28

SMNetwork Archives / Software that needs to exist!

« on: May 19, 2005, 01:46 am »

I had a conversation today with some colleagues of mine about the rehearsal process for stage managers.  We decided that someone needs to come up some kick ass stage management software. Just imagine if…

1) Blocking Mode: You had a copy of the script on one side of your screen and a ground plan on the other. You click the word where the actor starts to move then click the place on stage- drag the mouse in the path that the actor is blocked to move and it records it. Then- later when you go back to the scene you can have it display an animation of the blocking!

2) Line Note Mode: You have the text on your screen. Click and highlight a line that was missed- then a dialogue window pops up where you select “paraphrased, missed cue, replaced with…. etc”. At the end of rehearsal it generates line note sheets for each actor.

3) Cueing Mode: You have the text on your screen. Highlight a word- or part of a word- where a cue goes and select from a dialogue box what kind of cue and label it. It lays out the book for you.

We just need to get some genius computer person who doesn’t mind being poor to make this for us!

29

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: Lights? Electrics? Elex? What do you say?

« on: Oct 16, 2004, 12:37 am »

I want to take a little pole.  What do you call the electrics cues when you’re calling a show?  In undergrad I was taught to say “Lights 38… Go”.  But in my first internship I found that the SM’s said “Electrics 38… Go”.  This made little sense to me.  I mean I understand that electrics controls more than lights.  Special effects, foggers, and other electrically powered devices are controlled by the light board—but why say 3 syllables when you can get away with one?  The calling ASM that I’m working with now says “Elex 38… Go”.  This is better since it’s only 2 syllables but I still think I’d go with “Lights”.  Does this make me sound less professional?  What do you say?  

Also, the theatre I’m working at now numbers the sound cues instead of lettering them. An argument can be made for both.  I think that if you have less than 26 sound cues- lettering is the way to go.  But once you get into the double and triple letters it’s just silly.  Numbers however can be to easily confused with electrics cues.  (Of course a solution here to is start with like 300 or something as your first sound cue number.)  Anyway, what do you do?  Numbers or letters?