Messages

16

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SCENERY: Wig Hair is Slowing Me Down!

« on: May 21, 2006, 01:18 am »

I am working on a show that has two things that are not friends- Plastic wig hair and rolling chairs.  These would be your standard desk variety.  The hair is getting wrapped around the wheel barrings preventing them from rolling properly.  I can't get into the barrings and have tried a knife, tweezers, and 3-in-1 oil, all were slow and with few results.  Anybody have any suggestions for how to clear these wheels of hair?

17

Employment / Salary Negotiations

« on: May 20, 2006, 11:29 am »

I know it's not always about the bottom line in theatre... but for those people that send me bills, the only thing they care about is the bottom line.  It would be different if I was still in college or fresh out and not paying on student loans, but I'm well past that and I've racked up a lot of debt continually moving to the next gig.  I love my job, but I may have to take a few years off just to make up for the squat I've made in the last three years.  I know budgets are tight across the board in theatre, but after bills are paid (student loans, credit cards, rent) $275 would leave me $80 a week short and I still haven't eaten.  I don't have a car, so that's not even an issue.  Why are we not paid even up to Wal-Mart standards?  I know this will change as I move up the totem poll, but still.

18

Employment / Salary Negotiations

« on: May 19, 2006, 12:50 pm »

I'm just getting to the point in my career where I can start negotiating salaries.  I always feel a little intimidated when asking for stuff in my interviews.  I guess I've never been taught how to negotiate, but I need a living wage ($275 a week is less then a wal-mart cashier).  Anybody have any pointers?

19

Tools of the Trade / Condom reference??

« on: May 19, 2006, 12:40 pm »

I was talking to the sound engineer at my theater, and he is against condoms in favor of sandwich bags.  His argument was that sweat wicks down the cable, still reaching the pack.

20

SMNetwork Archives / fake cigarettes for under-age actors

« on: May 19, 2006, 12:27 pm »

All the theatres I've worked at use Ecstasy cigarettes.  They are 100% tobacco free/herbal and available at most tobacco shops.  The only draw backs are they smell like pot and don't taste great.  I've also heard of actors requesting lettuce cigarettes.  Tobacco cigarettes are becoming hard to find in theaters with indoor smoking laws and a plethora of people finally quitting.

21

SMNetwork Archives / sore throat tech

« on: May 26, 2005, 01:21 am »

I find that a garlic supplement is a big help.  (Garlic has anit-bacterial properties)  And you can get it in orderless!

22

SMNetwork Archives / Calendar programs on PC's

« on: Jan 15, 2005, 03:57 pm »

Generally, I find the Word calendar wizard to be the easiest route, but there are plenty of programs on the market.  You can also use Outlook, but I can't remember if you can print from there. I wouldn't suggest getting a Mac just because you like one program.  Bill Gates is now the majority stock holder and it's only a matter of time before PC and Mac become interchangable.  As someone once said to me, you're basically paying more money for a little light-up apple.

23

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / warnings verses stanbys . . another poll

« on: Dec 11, 2004, 01:07 am »

Basically, I think what type of call you give depends on each situation.  I always give a standby. Not giving one is a open invitation for someone not being ready at Go.  I've always used warnings for times when there is some space between cues, but not for every cue.  Personally, I think a warning is important is there's more then a page between cues and definatly for deck and rail cues.  

The last straight play I ASM'ed had one live sound cue in a 2.5hr play.  I felt a warning was needed about 60 seconds before the cue so I could get into position, with the standby 20-30 seconds before to get poised for the Go.  

Some people standby 60 (or more) seconds prior to the cue, but I feel that is jumping the gun.  The person on standby gets poised, but then gets tired (or cramped) waitng so long for the Go.  Long standbys should be reserved for times when there is a number of cues in a row that don't leave time for shorter standbys.

24

SMNetwork Archives / on the other end of the headset spectrum

« on: Dec 11, 2004, 12:44 am »

In order to have a wireless system in a space, you have to buy a wireless reciever, headsets, etc.  When my college did this it cost around $15,000 in 2001.  The only real requirement to combining wired and wireless is  that they must be the same manufactuer, mainly Clear Com or Telexx. I've used both and haven't noticed a difference.
 
There is a company that sells a system where for each of their wired headsets, you can run 2 wireless.  The wired packs plug into you existing ststem and you can get started for about $100.  I forget who that company is at the moment, but I think there is a link on this site.

Some people use walkie-talkies as an inexpensive and transportable alternative to intercom systems.  They are much cheeper and you can get a headset attachment to avoid the whole theater hearing all communications. Personally, I don't like this option.  Only one person can be talking at a time, so no one can respond to you until you stop pressing the talk button.  Also, they pick up a lot of other signals- like those walkie-talkie cell phones that are so popular.