Messages

151

Employment / Re: Team player vs. "undermining" SM - discussion...?

« on: Aug 21, 2007, 05:27 pm »

but I've been chasing myself in circles trying to develop a rule of sorts to identify healthy and less-than-healthy ways of balancing the team/undermining idea, and would love the input of the SMN.

I think its more going to be in the line of figuring out why certain folks are unable/unwilling to work with the team, and figuring out how to deal with them on a case by case basis.  Dealing with the designer who's feelings were hurt in a previous production is going to be different than dealing with the director who doesn't feel that others should have input into their 'dream'.

For me I'm always looking for the motivation behind a behavior, and trying to deal with that as well as the behavior.

-Centaura

152

Employment / Re: Team player vs. "undermining" SM - discussion...?

« on: Aug 10, 2007, 08:34 am »

Its an interesting discussion.  Folks are always striving for an ideal work environment, but that's not always what will be available, but then how do you handle it when it isn't?  For things to work smoothly in a team set-up, each member of the team must be willing and able to work with each other.  I unfortunately work in a venue where the union and the house have irreconsilable differences, and the idea of the two of them playing nice with each other is out of the question.  That is due to the personalities involved, not with the inherent relationship between the two entities.  As the out-of-town hire-in who works as the go between, I get stuck with a lot of situations that would go so much more smoothly if folks were willing to compromise and work with a 'team' mentality, but they won't and nothing that I will ever be able to do will change any of that.


So, with that long intro, I will answer this question:

when does a compromise turn into a way of undermining or being undermined?

with this comment:

When the goal of the person doing the compromising IS to undermine.


-Centaura

153

Employment / Re: Touring Shows question

« on: Aug 10, 2007, 08:23 am »

One of the best for entry-level SMs is American Theatre Arts for Youth.  They are small-scale children's tours, but if you can handle them and still be laughing at the end of tour - then you're cut out for the road.  I had a blast with them, the hands-on daily challenges really give you a grasp of every aspect of theatre.  And they will hire young folks fresh out of college, letting you get something on your resume to move up from.

-Centaura

154

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Being realistic?

« on: Aug 03, 2007, 08:10 am »

A lot of folks who have well paying day jobs, but want to keep the feet in the water, volunteer for community theatre.  By the time you get into the well-paying SM jobs, they're generally full-time positions that I'm not sure that you'd be able to balance with another full-time career-track job.  Another question is health insurance and retirement benefits - do you currently get both at your job?  Those are big issues.

Now, I am also a big proponent of doing what you want to do, I spent my twenties without insurance, in low-paying jobs for the fun of it, and survived without any major health crisises.  But you say 'fiancee' - does this upcoming union propose to have kids follow it?

-Centaura

155

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: thoughts on hanging out with the cast after shows

« on: Jul 26, 2007, 04:56 pm »

I never really thought about it this much.

A lot depends on your situation, and the folks who you're working with.  The college example is a good one - the more time that person spends socializing with his casts, the higher his standing with them probably is, due to the nature of the college environment.      Once out into the professional world, there's a whole range of 'acceptable' behaviors, even within the same company.  I had tours where I could hang out with the cast on off days, and come back the next work day with a perfectly functioning working relationship.  Same company, different cast - I could get accused of showing favoritism just because I wanted a steak and went with the cast members who were going to the steak place, even if I ate with the vegetarians the day before.

Its definitely one of those topics where there isn't one right answer, or code of behavior, and the answers are going to run up and down the scale.  I personally like being in those situations where I feel free to socialize with the actors, but have had enough of the ones where I can't to have learned to deal with the loneliness.

-Centaura

156

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: thoughts on hanging out with the cast after shows

« on: Jul 26, 2007, 11:52 am »

It depends on the cast.  I had a really bad cast on tour once, that divided itself in half, and if one half even thought I was going to sit near the other half, they screamed "Favoritism!".  I ended up going off on my own to eat, etc.  Other than that, I would typically join the casts for meals, but not for the drinking after meals.  That was on tour, when we were stuck with only each other for company. 

Its a hard line to deal with, and a lot depends on your personality.  If you enjoy getting drunk when you go out, then I'd say you should avoid going out with your cast.  If its just a small group, going out once in a while to be social should be okay, but I wouldn't go every single night, and I wouldn't stay to the end of the night.  It can make it hard later if for some reason you have to discipline one of them if they think you're just one of them.

-Centaura

157

Stage Management: Other / Re: Cosi fan Tutte score w/ no measure numbers??

« on: Jul 26, 2007, 11:36 am »

If its a universal problem, and you're at the begining of the production, maybe a meeting can be scheduled and break points can be agreed upon?  Or scores can be marked up to match?  Or worse case, is there an intern who can spend a day pencil numbering all the scores?

-Centaura

158

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Bows

« on: Jul 23, 2007, 08:29 am »

Also Centaura's comment - a good crew is an unnoticed one - i totally agree during a show but intellectually
i don't see why they shouldn't be acknowledged before (in a programme)

I probably came across a bit harsh with that comment, I totally want the crew to be listed in the program, or given such other acknowledgements.  I guess my feelings about seeing the crew, or having the crew recognized at the end of curtain call (with the possible exception of the last show in a run) - I'm not crazy about the idea.  To me it feels like a magician giving away how he did his trick to see a crew at the end of a show - up until then everything that's been happening is 'magic'.  To me, the magic is less magical if I'm reminded that there were people back there doing things.

I don't know if I'm making sense; its hard for me to even get that feeling of 'magic' anymore with shows, as I live tech, but in the rare occasion when I can get into a show and forget - it would be a let down at the end of the night.

I also agree with the person who commented that they weren't sure if the audience undstood the gesture to the booth.  I don't think they would - 90% of non-theatre folks I meet have no clue what a SM does, let alone where they would be doing it in a theatre.

159

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Bows

« on: Jul 19, 2007, 08:41 am »

When I was in high school we had the summer musical for a summer school class, and the crew was choreographed into the curtain call, but it was a case of getting the kids onstage to be seen by their parents.  For school productions like that, I don't see the crew getting a bow to be a problem or issue; but once out of school I would consider it amatuer-ish.  Its fine in education, when the goal is to recognise everyone's contribution, but outside of that environment a good crew is an unnoticed crew.  A recognition of the booth I'm not sure how I would consider - part of me is sure that the audience doesn't know what the significance is, but if its venue tradition then its venue tradition.

-Centaura

160

Stage Management: Other / Re: Outdoor opera issues?

« on: Jul 02, 2007, 08:39 am »

Is there any type of pond / body of water in the garden?  If so, you  might be able to throw some mosquito disks into it now, to try to cut down the mosquitos by the time of the performance.  Or ask the caretaker of the space if they have any mosquito repellants that they like to use in the space.

For the actor with the bee allergy - be sure to have the appropriate shot ready in a pre-arranged place backstage - two if you can, one on each side, and have everyone prepped on what to do.  Have the actor describe what their reaction is, so that if anyone sees it they know to get them their shot immediately.  I'd also check out the garden at that time of day, to see where the sun is going to be slanting.  If there are any complicated blocking moments, fighting, etc., you want to make sure no one is directed to do something with the sun in their eyes and blind.

-Centaura

161

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Fictional books about theatre and backstage life

« on: Jun 26, 2007, 12:10 pm »

You get the gold star - yes that's the name, and the author.  Its been ages since I read it.  Do you know if it ever went beyond three books?  Its concept if I remember was to be a whole series, but I don't think it kept going.

-Centaura

162

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Fictional books about theatre and backstage life

« on: Jun 24, 2007, 10:10 am »

There was an old science fiction series that was about a touring theatre troupe that was touring in a rocket to several planets.  I am out of town so can't go look it up in my library.  It was not a very good book, and some of the theatrical bits weren't very believable - who would hire someone who's never done a show to be the sole techie?  But anyway, it was an interesting concept.
I'll try to remember to look up the author and series name when I get home.

-Centaura

163

Stage Management: Other / Re: Welcome packet

« on: Jun 24, 2007, 10:06 am »

Are they going to be traveling with their own translators?  If not, the location of translation services.  I also second the health information and the variety of restaurants as well as the chinese ones.  Directions to the local china town might also be nice, if they find they need some stuff "from home" that they forgot or rant out of.

Maybe a short list of useful phrases translated as well?  Please, thank you, hello, etc.

-Centaura

164

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Girl trying to get her start in the Rock'n'Roll industry

« on: Jun 15, 2007, 01:06 pm »

Found this thread a bit late, but oh well.  I had the same issues when I started touring in my early 20's - thankfully I can lift as much or more than an average guy, which is somehow more important to some folks than what I have in my head.   Definitely know your stuff, dress in a 'ready to get down to work' way - girly clothes make it harder to make a better impression.  And don't loose heart - I see women come through my road house on concert tours, and they're respected by their male peers.

The venue that you're interning at - is it an IATSE house?  And what is the nature of your internship?  I'm just checking, most venues have crews that have assigned roles, and its out of place for folks not on that crew to help out.  For example, at my roadhouse, I am perfectly capable (physically) of helping to unload the trucks, but that's a union loader's position, and it would be totally inappropriate for me to even offer to help.  That might be another reason you're being brushed off by some.

Another resource would be www.roadie.net .  A good place to pick up on some of the slang, see some of the faces, etc.  Or trying to get into your local IATSE.  Working your way up through a crew is another way to get respect.  And you'd probably end up working on the larger concerts as a new member.  The tail end of the call list for the union only gets called on really big shows where they have to fill out the number of hands, but that wouldn't be bad for you as the rock concerts are what you're looking for.

-Centaura

165

Stage Management: Other / Re: cold calling an opera

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:01 pm »

I agree with Mac - it can be fun in an adrenaline-junky sort of way.  I've never cold-called an opera, but I have gone out on tour as a replacement stage manager and had to cold-call some shows.  If there's ever a test of your shear, gut level instinct, its cold-calling!

-Centaura