Messages

16

SMNetwork Archives / Re: I could have kissed them!

« on: Nov 25, 2008, 05:40 am »

I could have kissed my actor when came up to the booth after a bad run of the show one night, and gave me a huge hug, and telling me how wonderful of a job I was doing, despite nearly the rest of the production disliking the show.

17

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Fill in the BLANK...

« on: Nov 21, 2008, 12:01 pm »

When I first stage managed at my college, I didn't know what a production meeting was, and it was the stage managers job to run them.  The first meeting I found very intimidating, considering that it was a room full of my professors, looking to me for guidance of when to start the meeting and what we were going to talk about.  Now I love planning production meetings and trying to find the most efficient way to organize the meeting so I can get everyone out as quickly as possible.

18

Employment / Re: Overhire?

« on: Nov 21, 2008, 02:39 am »

I usually bring a cheap headlamp, rather than my mini-mag, since it allows you to have hands free light.  You can find some cheap ones for $10-$15 that will work just fine for such situations.

19

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Let's Talk "Places, Please"

« on: Nov 20, 2008, 02:48 am »

I usually put lights and sound on Standby, then get the confirmation from my ASM that everyone is in places, so I can shoot the "Go" as soon as I've got the confirmation. 

(Also, if an actor is late to places, there's usually a good reason - costume troubles, etc.)

That is exactly why I get the confirmation.  There have been many times when just that has happened, and the double checking prevented a false start from occurring due to a costume snafu or something of those lines.

20

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / COMMUNICATION: Preshow 5 minutes (to the audience)

« on: Nov 15, 2008, 04:28 pm »

I was just reading some older topics regarding preshow announcements, and noticed that several people were talking about giving an announcement at 5 minutes to go, and a second one at go.  Is this common practice?  If so, what do people suggest to announce during each one?

~tam
Posted on: November 15, 2008, 10:20:17 AMI wasn't very clear in my question there.  I was actually talking about Pre-show Announcements given to the audience.

In the topic http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,632.0.html several people mentioned giving an Announcement at 5 minutes, and then one when the house is closed.

21

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Spiking on tour

« on: Oct 09, 2008, 03:27 am »

To prevent spike tape from coming up, dance floor tape is very useful.  If you don't have the money for that, packing tape can be a cheap alternative to that.

22

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Multi-tool advice?

« on: Sep 30, 2008, 04:15 pm »

I actually am an equal opportunity user, owning both a Gerber and Leatherman.  On my belt I carry the Gerber MP400 Series - Compact Sport, which I own for the easy one handed use that is oh so useful when working on lighting.  On my keychain I carry the Leatherman Micra, which in my opinion has some of the best scissors on any multi-tool.  I also find the micra useful for it's small flat head screwdriver which works great as an eyeglasses screwdriver, or anything that needs a screwdriver that small.

23

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Am I just looking in the wrong places?

« on: May 28, 2008, 02:03 am »

If you're looking specifically for a BFA, then it's true that there aren't too many options out there.  But, if you're more interested in a BA in Theater with a stage management concentration, there are many schools that offer that.

Just one more quick note in response to the above: an advantage I've found with my BA program w/ a concentration, as opposed to a BFA specifically in Stage Management, is I'm allowed to experience most of the other areas of theatre as well, which as an SM you often are the hub communicator between.  So I've found it very helpful to learn how each area of the production thinks, in order to try to help boost communication and teamwork.

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Am I just looking in the wrong places?

« on: May 27, 2008, 08:44 pm »

If you go to the College and Graduate Studies Child board at http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/board,20.0.html you will find many posts about suggestions of Colleges with good Stage Management programs.  I know when I was looking, I found a decent number and then had to decide what kind of a program I really wanted to look at being a part of.

25

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alertness

« on: May 27, 2008, 07:27 pm »

Silly putty is always a plus.  You can always make a small copy of your script on it to follow occasionally.  And it's multitude of uses make it's an invaluable device to stimulate the mind.

I myself have never used it, but I was a Sound Board Op for a show where the stage manager would use it to keep from getting bored in the 1/2 hours that there were no cues in the show.

26

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?

« on: May 27, 2008, 03:51 pm »

 I am usually in the situation where gifts are the last thing on my mind come opening night.  However, when working on crews, the best gift that I've seen is a small bag filled with an assortment of candy.  It is a very easy gift to make, just buy a handle of different bags of candy, mix them all up, and make a small bag for each member of the production.