Show Posts
16
Stage Management: Other / Special Skill: Basic Rigging and Automation
« on: Jan 01, 2013, 01:48 am »
So - I am seeing this on more and more resumes. I wonder what it really means. Does this mean you have pulled a curtain? Pushed a button? Can you set limits? Rig a curtain? Do you understand dynamic loads? How about encoders?
Here is why I wonder. A very long time ago I found myself in an automation heavy position where I was running an automation board as a stage manager because I had technical skills on my resume and could talk a good line. I took that job and learned a lot. It opened up a whole new area to me but I certainly did not expect that coming into it.
I am working on a project that combines stage management and automation and it has me looking at resumes...and I would be very interested in how you all interpret this part of your resume. What experience are you seeing in SM's....especially those just out of school (which is where I see this listed the most).
And...to open up a bigger discussion. How much automation are you finding in your work. I wonder if this is stronger in the college environment and a few big cities and national tours. Budgets are being cut. Is that cutting your automated pieces?
Do you like automation in your shows? Do you feel it limits you? It was once said...in a chat on this site....that automation can keep you from "breathing a show". I still feel I can breath an automation heavy show but I have experience on both sides of the headset and I think that gives me a different perspective...I know many stage managers that are not happy with these shows. I know others that just can not wrap around it. The stage manager who says...."I will just keep calling cues and automation let me know when you catch up"....actual quote...SMH
Anyway, I am really interested to hear some opinions.
Automation? Love it/ Hate it....Standby....GO
Here is why I wonder. A very long time ago I found myself in an automation heavy position where I was running an automation board as a stage manager because I had technical skills on my resume and could talk a good line. I took that job and learned a lot. It opened up a whole new area to me but I certainly did not expect that coming into it.
I am working on a project that combines stage management and automation and it has me looking at resumes...and I would be very interested in how you all interpret this part of your resume. What experience are you seeing in SM's....especially those just out of school (which is where I see this listed the most).
And...to open up a bigger discussion. How much automation are you finding in your work. I wonder if this is stronger in the college environment and a few big cities and national tours. Budgets are being cut. Is that cutting your automated pieces?
Do you like automation in your shows? Do you feel it limits you? It was once said...in a chat on this site....that automation can keep you from "breathing a show". I still feel I can breath an automation heavy show but I have experience on both sides of the headset and I think that gives me a different perspective...I know many stage managers that are not happy with these shows. I know others that just can not wrap around it. The stage manager who says...."I will just keep calling cues and automation let me know when you catch up"....actual quote...SMH
Anyway, I am really interested to hear some opinions.
Automation? Love it/ Hate it....Standby....GO