Messages

1531

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Shadowing: General Q&A

« on: Jun 29, 2009, 05:52 am »

To be honest, it depends, on Broadway shows, where the lighting person is . . . and if there is room.  Space is so tight in most Broadway houses.

1532

Tools of the Trade / Re: Stage Manager Books/Manuals

« on: Jun 28, 2009, 02:24 pm »

It's interesting, I think any stage management book is sort of training wheels for anyone developing their own style.  Yes, there are basic things we need to do as stage manager, but they aren't extremely difficult to do.  What makes us good at our job is our ability to manage creative, artistic people in stressful situations.  I haven't picked up a SM book in years, but I am pretty sure those lessons are not taught in a book - and if they were, their method may not work for everyone else.

1533

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Jun 28, 2009, 01:15 pm »

I see no issues with using photos as long as they're credited.  The SM has just as much of a right to document the production as anyone else on the artistic team.  The scenic designer isn't only photographing the set, the lighting designer not only photographing the lights, etc...  It's a collaboration, and without the combination of all the elements of the production an individual design is nothing more than an academic exercise. 

Well said!

1534

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Shadowing: General Q&A

« on: Jun 28, 2009, 12:43 pm »

I think if you are under 18 there would be liability issues, especially on a show that is so technically complex.  I would have a problem with someone under 18 being backstage on a show, I would have someone under 18 just sit in the booth with me.

1535

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Jun 28, 2009, 12:42 pm »

As some one who does include pictures of their work on their website, I firmly believe that it does show the quality, look, style of the final product I delivered as a production stage manager.

I properly credit all my photos . . . to give credit where credit is due. 

1536

Tools of the Trade / Re: Creating unnumbered pages in a numbered script - Help!

« on: Jun 27, 2009, 07:57 pm »

Yes . . . it's complicated though.

It's probably better just to add HARD PAGE NUMBERS in the script, not automated.

1537

The Hardline / Re: Overtime

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 12:50 pm »

Even better . . . I just had a situation where two different SM's called the SAME business rep (I called six months ago, he call yesterday) and got two separate answers about the overtime rate for rehearsing on a DDR.

SOOOOOO FRUSTRATING.

1538

Employment / Re: Freelancing - How far out do you commit?

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 10:31 am »

When I was freelancing, the most I scheduled was 18 months out . . . BUT, I hate the fact that I was scheduled that far out - - - I missed some wonderful opportunities of shows that popped up - and I didn't want break my word.

I think it depends on your market . . . here in the DC area . . . people hire by the season, so, people do the hiring for the entire season between Feb - April.  So, you might as easily book an entire year in those months.

1539

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 10:28 am »

To be honest, I don't need matching page numbers of a calling script to the actors script.  (You usually say "take it from this line", not "we are taking it from page 19").  But, to keep me in the line with the LD, I put the origional page script number on the bottom of the page, right before a hard page - and then automatically number the script up on top.

What is also good about this . . . when I spread one page out - because of heavy cues or what not, I can keep the page number the same on the multiple pages.

1540

The Hardline / Re: Overtime

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 04:51 am »

which of course leads to the question - it's a national union, why can't we get the same answers across the nation?

1541

The Hardline / Re: Overtime

« on: Jun 23, 2009, 10:51 pm »

This is where the "vagueness" of the rule could be read either way

(C) All Actors who participate in a fight shall run through the routine during the 15 minutes prior to half-hour.  Any exception to this rule shall be at the express discretion of the Fight Captain.  Such run-throughs are permitted to impinge upon the regular breaks and/or hours.

I think most of would read that the "exception" would be if the fight captain feels that they don't need to do the fight call; like on a second show of a two show day.  But, my business rep said, it can go the other way - if the Fight Captain feels like an extended fight call is needed for safety  reasons, then it can be elongated.  I did ask specifically if I to deduct this from the rehearsal hours, and was told no.

 I was told that the request to lengthen it had to come from the Fight Captain (not the producers, not stage management), so I think perhaps this issue came up on occasion before.  But, again, if the issue came up again, I would check with the business rep.  But again, lengthening the fight call by request of the fight captain to 30 minutes does pass the rule. 

I think if there ever was a request for an hour fight call . . . we might get in trouble.

1542

Employment / Re: Crossroads in Life - where to live?

« on: Jun 22, 2009, 04:24 pm »

I have been in DC for five years; I can answer specific questions about DC - but looking at your list . . . I have no info about Minneappolis, Seattle is good theatre town, I don't know of much theatre in Maimi - I lived in San Diego, and not sure there is enough theatre to make a living wage - until you get to the big three regional theatres there in town.

1543

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: Jun 22, 2009, 12:00 am »

It does help that my scripts are typed in by the assistant director, but I have, when I have freelanced to other theaters, have typed in the script (or scanned and edited).

I have to admit, my eye sight is not what it used to be .  .  . so being able to tweek the font helps a lot.

1544

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: Jun 21, 2009, 07:28 pm »

I should note - that I print out a paper copy, and still call from the paper copy.  (Just a wee bit old fashion not to have the paper version of the script in front of me.)

1545

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: Jun 21, 2009, 02:27 pm »

I do every show this way, for a variety of reasons.  Many of my shows, I hand off to another stage manager - so the clarity of the calling script is very important to me.  I also tech VERY, VERY fast - and use the time of typing in my cues to review and clean up the teching.  (I tech with pencil and paper, and then review by typing in the cues.)  Also, a lot of the productions I do have a possible remount, co-production or future production attached . . . so I like have a very clear copy of my calling script.  PLUS, I have a back-up copy of the calling script (How many stage managers do you know NEVER COPY or have a back up copy of their calling script?)

I find it very effective to me.  I usually come in an hour early during tech, and type cues from the day or tech period before.  (I just like being in the building, and fielding questions, so by doing this I have something to do.)  It also allows me to snag designers and any questions I may have.

Like I said, I do it for all my shows, they run 5 weeks - 10 weeks.   

I use WORD - using arrows, shapes and call-outs.  Once the script is typed in (usually do during pre-production, if it is not in word already), I find it takes 4 - 8 hours to type in all the cues depending on the complexity of the tech.