Messages

151

The Hardline / Re: Mandatory meetings with no contract

« on: Sep 09, 2013, 04:50 pm »

Are these actually production meetings, or are they design meetings? Just curious, but without a contract, I'd ask to be brought up to speed during my pre-production period.

152

The Hardline / Re: Director Notes

« on: Sep 02, 2013, 07:47 pm »

I am fine with the director dropping off written notes to the actors, as long as I get a copy of the notes. Usually that works out very well.

One production, the director dropped off notes at the dressing station before every show - I was so pissed off, but the actors were fine with it.

153

The Hardline / Re: Director Notes

« on: Aug 18, 2013, 09:14 am »

Yes, that CAN be a problem, especially when the director is also the Artistic Director of the institution.... Do remember, that in many of our rule books (including LORT) we have NO rule prohibiting this.... And I've never come up with a really good solution....

154

The Hardline / Re: Actors/Directors: Taking Photos in Rehearsal-A Disturbing Trend...or Not...?

« on: Aug 06, 2013, 05:09 pm »

So, if an actor/director/designer takes photos without "notification," is the producing organization responsible if any claims are made, being that they did not comply with their end of the contract?  Just a hypothetical....

155

Employment / Re: PAY: Daily Rate

« on: Aug 02, 2013, 12:08 pm »

I think working 4 days or more in a week, constitutes a full week, and should be paid as such. But, good luck with that!

Hi everyone,

I'm doing a job that runs for 4 weeks and 4 days. We've discussed the weekly rate, but I'm not sure what to divide it by to find out the daily rate, and how much I'll earn from the 4 days -5, 6 or 7?

What do you think?

Thanks,

C

156

The Green Room / Re: Director in Booth!

« on: Jul 31, 2013, 04:46 pm »

This is the crux of the matter. The best of lighting designers take their headsets off, to watch portions of run-throughs, so that they are only making changes based on how the cues LOOK in real time, not on where they HEAR the word "Go." The Director should do the same, IMHO.

<snip
 The director can observe if cues are late, early or on time just as well from the house.

157

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jul 25, 2013, 08:50 am »

I have a feeling, issues regarding "half hour call" will continue to be a recurring theme.  Anyone with variations on this theme, please post. I'll probably continue to revive this thread every couple of years, as I find it to be required (and very interesting) reading!

158

The Hardline / Re: Half Hour Call

« on: Jul 24, 2013, 09:38 am »

I am reviving this thread from 2009-10, both because I'd like new forum members to read it and weigh in, and because I heard something recently that belongs here. Read the thread, from the beginning, if you haven't done so before. It's a good one.

Regarding the myths surrounding the "requirement" for a "half hour call" during a rehearsal, a couple of days ago someone said this to me: "On a ten out of twelve Tech Day. The actors are due one half hour call per day  They have a half hour to get into costumes for the early session, but not for the later session."

That is why I'm breathing new life into this old thread. Where do people get the idea that something like this is a rule?

159

Job Postings / FALL SEASON--SM Intern Needed-Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown PA

« on: Jul 19, 2013, 08:11 am »

Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown, PA is looking for a Non-AEA Stage Management Intern for their 2 show FALL season. This SM Intern assists the AEA Stage Manager in rehearsals, prep., paperwork, and does whatever is necessary on the deck during performances. Mountain Playhouse operates under the AEA-CORST contract, and this Non-AEA "ASM" position is required for CORST Z theatres.
The position pays a small stipend and housing is provided. The dates are Sept. 3-Oct.13.   Transportation is not reimbursed.

You may send resumes to TSMarafino@aol.com, with "SM Intern Resume" in the Subject Line

That's the official portion of this posting. Here is the unofficial information, from me, personally:

This theatre is in the country. If you will not be happy in a rural environment, do not apply. There is no Starbucks, no grocery store, nothing except a diner and a gas station convenience store, within walking distance. The nearest shopping district is about 8 miles away. However, it is beautiful there! If you like the country, and all that goes with it, then by all means, apply. You will be happiest, if you have a car at your disposal.

The theatre is an old Grist Mill. The technical facilities are basic. If you only want to work in a high tech environment, do not apply.

The SM Intern will rehearse one show while performing another. In other words you will rehearse all day and then be called for performances (both matinees and evenings), and do your paperwork when you can. This is the nature of Stock.

The housing is shared, rustic and basic. There is no cable or TV unless you pay to install and maintain the service. If you require this in your life, you won't be happy here, unless you have your own TV and can afford to pay the bills.

Many of the AEA actors who work here, have been returning here for many years. You will be working with pros, who gather around a bonfire at night, play music, and have a ball together.


Management looks forward to hearing from you!

160

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Calling Spot Light Cues

« on: Jul 18, 2013, 07:48 pm »

I also call each and every spot cue, as stated, months ago, earlier, in this thread.  Many spot cues DON'T happen with numbered light cues, and as the conductor of the technical "orchestra," our calling keeps everyone in the same rhythm, and on the same beats. SMs are conducting, just as the Maestro in the orchestra pit is, and the Maestro would never tell the string section that they are on their own!

161

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Invaluable Advice

« on: Jul 11, 2013, 05:24 pm »

You can't solve every problem brought to you, but you CAN listen to every problem brought to you.

Many times when someone does bring a problem to you, all they want is someone to listen to them, to hear them out. In a lot of cases when you ask "What would you like me to do about this?" they will respond with "Don't do anything yet. Let's just see what happens and touch base again later," and you will then never hear another word about it again!

Protect the performance. All other priorities pale to making the performance the best it can be. It's what makes the producer the money, and without the performance, no one has a job.

162

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Jul 10, 2013, 07:04 pm »

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-reprise-theatre-company-20130710,0,4111330.story

Funding issues led to Reprise Theatre Company's failure to relaunch

163

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Harassment issue at a set build

« on: Jul 10, 2013, 08:12 am »

YOU are also a student. It's great that you recognized this as a real threat/problem and alerted adults. Now, let the adults deal with it. And, if they don't, if you see this guy again, call the police. period. And encourage the girl to do the same. You and your ASM should not be in charge of protecting her. The adults around you should be in charge of protecting you ALL!

164

The Hardline / Actors/Directors: Taking Photos in Rehearsal-A Disturbing Trend...or Not...?

« on: Jul 06, 2013, 02:04 pm »

I've been wanting to discuss this topic for a while, as through recent years, I see more and more of a trend here.  Let me explain. AEA has pretty clear rules in every contract, so that Producers notify the cast, in advance, of when photos will taken, whether they be rehearsal shots or set-up shots, whether for media/website/social media purposes or archival purposes.

But, more and more, I'm seeing actors and directors taking photos during the rehearsal process, both in the rehearsal space and onstage, and then posting these shots to social media. These actors and directors do not "notify" anyone that they are shooting, and certainly do not ask "permission" to post these photos online. (Yes, I do concur that some directors / designers /actors do take photos along with the "official" photographer when a photo shoot has been posted. But that's not what I'm talking about.)

So, does anyone else see a problem here?  An official photo call notification, implies the producer's right to "use" the photos, and implies the actors' permission for them to be "used."  Actors prepare for photos by dressing or making-up in a certain manner, when they get "official notification," particularly for rehearsal shots.  But when photos are being taken of them with no notification, they cannot control how they appear in the photo, nor whether that shot will appear somewhere online, and be downloaded or reposted over and over again.

Not to mention the fact, that if you are an actor taking photos in a rehearsal, you may very well be doing that at the expense of the job you were hired to do, especially those actors who carry phones/cameras onstage during tech. etc., and pull them out and start clicking away whenever they are asked to "hold."

I feel that actors/directors should not be taking photos during rehearsals, except, maybe, during official photo calls, and then only when it does not hold up the process. I am also dead set against social media posting of photos, where the subject/actor was not even aware that the photos have been taken.  And yes, I've had actors come to me, asking me to tell their fellow actor to take a photo down off the internet.

Should actors/directors be subject to the same rules as producers?

Should photo taking, while on call (not on break) be banned altogether?

Or should we lighten up about all of this and allow producers to shoot whenever they like, too?

Any discussion?

165

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE:Fox Searchlight should have paid interns, judge rules

« on: Jun 13, 2013, 08:13 am »

Re: Non-profit internships: http://www.blueavocado.org/content/legalities-nonprofit-internships