151
Self-Promotion / Re: Blue Man Group National Tour
« on: Jan 30, 2012, 10:59 pm »
Yeah! Lizz that's great!
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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152
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: Little Shop of Horrors - Puppeteers/Training
« on: Jan 14, 2012, 10:20 am »I actually did Little Shop as an actor a few years ago, as the voice of Audrey II. We had one puppeteer for the baby AII, Seymour does the second incarnation, a second puppeteer as the third (The "Feed Me" AII), and three running the huge AII. The two smaller puppeteers did the arms/vines, and the strongest performed the mouth/body.
All of our puppeteers were (essentially) untrained technicians, but the two puppeteers for number 3 and 4 were also used as ensemble for Skid Row scenes.
We only used the puppets for about two or three weeks before opening. However, we did have several Audrey II-only rehearsals learning the basic movements of the puppets. The hardest puppet to learn was actually Number 4, because of its size and the strength required for it.
These rehearsals were mostly rehearsals added onto the schedule.
Break legs!
Ok, yes this has jogged my memory a bit.
Our Seymour controlled a potted version during the visit to radio station scene. He had a jacket with a false arm holding the pot and then his hand inside the puppet.
We also had two of the ensemble dancers be the arms/vines of AII in the final act.
153
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: Little Shop of Horrors - Puppeteers/Training
« on: Jan 09, 2012, 08:48 am »
I did Little Shop at University. We too had 1 puppeteer for all incarnations. She had spent several years working as a puppeteer before. She was instrumental in the designing and creating of our puppets as well. (Luckily we built our own as opposed to renting).
She did not attend all of our rehearsals, only the ones using the puppets (mocked up version for rehearsal). She did however do a lot of physical training on her own (meaning just plain exercise to get strong enough).
We did not use her in the ensemble.
Our voice actor was also hidden within the set within eyeline of the puppet rather than using monitors.
Most artists (including the puppeteer) were undergrad or grad students, so AEA wasn't an issue.
Given what a central role this puppet plays and all the sizes and styles used, I'd really recommend hiring an experienced puppeteer to play the role. And if you can't do that, hire one to train the person. I'd say at least 3 session of at least 2 hours each per week.
She did not attend all of our rehearsals, only the ones using the puppets (mocked up version for rehearsal). She did however do a lot of physical training on her own (meaning just plain exercise to get strong enough).
We did not use her in the ensemble.
Our voice actor was also hidden within the set within eyeline of the puppet rather than using monitors.
Most artists (including the puppeteer) were undergrad or grad students, so AEA wasn't an issue.
Given what a central role this puppet plays and all the sizes and styles used, I'd really recommend hiring an experienced puppeteer to play the role. And if you can't do that, hire one to train the person. I'd say at least 3 session of at least 2 hours each per week.
155
The Green Room / Re: University of Iowa 2011 Stage Management Survey
« on: Nov 02, 2011, 10:29 pm »
Hi, David. Can you clarify a little. Worked one at least 1 American production in our career, or in the last year? Are we meant to fill in the survey using our experience on the American production(s) or based on all our productions?
Are we looking primarily for theatrical SMs or open to dance, opera, circus, events?
Thanks,
Jessie
Are we looking primarily for theatrical SMs or open to dance, opera, circus, events?
Thanks,
Jessie
156
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: Getting Angry
« on: Oct 28, 2011, 02:11 pm »and you just have to grin and bare it.
Well, that's one way to deal with people...
LOL, I think you mean bear it.
157
The Green Room / Re: SM Hobbies
« on: Oct 26, 2011, 11:37 am »
One my days off, I paint my apartment (on-going project of epics proportions).
On my commute to work and while watching TV, I knit or crochet.
If I have more than 2 days off in a row, I travel. 49 countries and counting. (It helps that I live in SE Asia, and many countries are accessible by boat, train, bus or budget flight.)
On my commute to work and while watching TV, I knit or crochet.
If I have more than 2 days off in a row, I travel. 49 countries and counting. (It helps that I live in SE Asia, and many countries are accessible by boat, train, bus or budget flight.)
158
Tools of the Trade / Re: iPads
« on: Oct 26, 2011, 11:09 am »Absolutely agree with the advantages of this tool but BLUE MAN GROUP is non-union and answers to a different drummer...
....eesh.
Please let's remember that though most of the posters on this forum are American and many (but not most) operate under an AEA contract, that the rest of the world operates outside the really really strict rules of AEA.
159
Tools of the Trade / Re: 5 fingers
« on: Oct 10, 2011, 01:21 am »
I tried on a pair the other day and thought they were quite cozy.
Unfortunately due to the regulations in Singapore and having lots of automation in my shows, I am required to wear steel toes for any backstage activity, so I can't test them at work except for my commute.
Unfortunately due to the regulations in Singapore and having lots of automation in my shows, I am required to wear steel toes for any backstage activity, so I can't test them at work except for my commute.
160
The Hardline / Re: AEA MAternity Leave
« on: Aug 30, 2011, 08:49 am »
Maybe the issue is less the union we are in and more the country where that union resides.
http://aleksandreia.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/maternity-leave/
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/indwm/tab5g.htm
Other 1st world nations provide at least of percentage of wage to people taking maternity leave, the US does not.
http://aleksandreia.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/maternity-leave/
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/indwm/tab5g.htm
Other 1st world nations provide at least of percentage of wage to people taking maternity leave, the US does not.
161
The Green Room / Re: Finish this sentence: "If all the world's a stage..."
« on: Aug 30, 2011, 08:35 am »
If all the world's a stage, send in the clowns!
162
Employment / Re: To tattoo or not to tattoo
« on: Aug 09, 2011, 11:58 pm »A question on perspective:
Is anyone who responded positively to tats over 35?
Yes. And I myself, though not quite 35 am pretty darn close to it.
163
Employment / Re: To tattoo or not to tattoo
« on: Jul 20, 2011, 12:29 pm »
I have two half sleeves and my back tattooed and have had so for years. I also work in corporate theatre and events and have so for years. I sometimes cover my tattoos for interviews, but not always.
Most people these days think my tattoos are cool (even older people) and the crew definitely seems "impressed" when they see them. This applies worldwide, as I have worked on three separate continents in the last 5 years. (Including 1 Muslim country) (I'm am sure there are countries where it would not be ok, but in those countries they would probably also take offense at my gender and Caucasianess as well)
Carrying yourself professionally and dress professionally and people will take you seriously. Have tasteful tattoos in locations that you can cover if necessary.
I am in a position to hire people and I would never not hire someone because they had tattoos.
Most people these days think my tattoos are cool (even older people) and the crew definitely seems "impressed" when they see them. This applies worldwide, as I have worked on three separate continents in the last 5 years. (Including 1 Muslim country) (I'm am sure there are countries where it would not be ok, but in those countries they would probably also take offense at my gender and Caucasianess as well)
Carrying yourself professionally and dress professionally and people will take you seriously. Have tasteful tattoos in locations that you can cover if necessary.
I am in a position to hire people and I would never not hire someone because they had tattoos.
164
The Green Room / Re: WWMD? - Merchandising...
« on: Jul 16, 2011, 01:40 pm »
Maybe a more generic WWSMD? would be cool too.
165
Tools of the Trade / Re: iPads
« on: Jul 13, 2011, 12:48 pm »
It's not just dance companies that allow filming for in-house use. Blue Man Group uses video/archival footage for training and review process, so does Cirque (and similar companies).
It's a really valuable tool and the iPad is an awesome all-in-one way to make it happen.
It's a really valuable tool and the iPad is an awesome all-in-one way to make it happen.