Messages

166

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Meeting Minutes [part venting]

« on: Feb 20, 2008, 09:07 pm »

I agree on the design meeting stuff...if it was me, lighting, and director (and again, yes, often doesn't include SM), I'd keep track of some general stuff for my own notes, and if there was something of note, to put it in the rehearsal report for that day.

As for production meeting notes, I've found it really depends on the company (especially whether they have a status quo of always having them), as well as how many people really do show up at the meeting.  If you plan a production meeting that's supposed to involve everyone, and only a third are able to actually come, then minutes are more crucial to keep everyone in the loop.  Sometimes though in this case the production manager would disseminate them too.

But I wouldn't have done them for a lighting meeting (unless told ahead of time that was status quo).

Erin

167

Tools of the Trade / Re: Business Cards

« on: Feb 20, 2008, 06:58 pm »

It's almost surely the closest to free you'll find.

I'm still not quite sure why you'd really want free cards, if you're handing these out for business purposes.  The $5 to remove from Vistaprint, if that's correct, really does sound worth it.  I choose to go "cheaper" rather than "free", by printing them myself...plus I can print simply how many I need by printing them myself (in case I should change my mind what I want on them or move, which I do tend quite frequently....heck, I'm using checks from something like 4 residences ago still).

Erin

168

The Green Room / Re: SMs in media?

« on: Feb 16, 2008, 01:19 am »

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/pandora/pandora-a-breakneck-production-782027.html

Saw this 'diary' item in yesterday's Independent newspaper (UK). The woman mentioned has got to be the DSM, but why does the writer make it sound like such a person's presence in the theatre is the height of weirdness ?

Seems to me they were more saying it was jarring going from a World War I setting (and a climactic part at that) to seeing a stage manager onstage from 2008 - let alone to then inform the audience that a horse's head had fallen off!

Erin

169

The Hardline / Re: SMA

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 04:20 pm »

in a largely ignored location

True while there are many places that may have seemed "ignored" in the past, I have made great strides myself in the last few years (since being the first non-NYC Secretary) to remind folks, including those on our Board, that it is a NATIONAL organization.

We need help from all our members to do this, but I do think we've become more of a national presence in the last few years, and certainly I hope to do better.  But again, it's a volunteer organization.  Baby steps at times, but we're starting to take some greater leaps these days.  As soon as I heard from the Chicago person about the CPR thing, I leapt at trying to help that one...we're just currently stretched at 15 Board Members trying accomplish things for an entire country [let alone, we even have several members in other countries], and indeed many of those Board members are in NYC (though we also have CA, CO, IA, and PA/NJ represented presently).  It's the members who make the organization what it is, and we will help support (and indeed, try to encourage, lead, etc).

Erin

170

Tools of the Trade / Re: i discovered the best SM/backstage shoes ever

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 03:22 pm »

Our Dinkles were white in band...and I don't remember them being that comfy.

That said, I make sure I have good arch support in them (I have inserts), and let alone the idea of an extra pair of socks, I make sure I alternate shoes every other day so they can air out appropriately.

I was shocked this last run to find that my "quiet" pair of shoes had turned "squeaky"!

Erin

171

Tools of the Trade / Avoiding the gross buildup in non-draining water coolers

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 03:20 pm »

Okay, you know how NO ONE seems to realize that the water coolers (the ones with a big plastic jug on top) don't actually have a drain?  Whether planned (by dumping) or unplanned (by drippage), water ends up in those little grated areas below the spout, and if someone like us doesn't come through and clean out the moldy/slimy build up, in just stays there and is disgusting.

Well, at the last theatre I was in, someone had come up with what I thought was a brilliant idea.  They took a piece of Marley as wide as the "drain" area, and cut some holes (or at least a hanger area - it might have been more like a hook than a hole) to go around the spigots...and then the piece of Marley angled down and OVER the non-drain thing, and straight into a wastebasket they'd sat below it all.  I thought it was a FABULOUS solution and had to share.

Erin

172

The Hardline / Re: SMA

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 01:30 pm »

As for Chicago, we're working on setting up something for a CPR class with Chicago SMA members.  Details still very much in progress, as it was just discussed this week. 

As I've discussed with PSMKay, it's always interesting trying to organize Chicago SMs.  Perhaps part of it is that in Chicago except for a few Equity members, many are non-Equity and thus lower paid and having to work more than one job...leaving less time towards networking.  We certainly want to provide more for our Chicago members, but just like any other area, it takes someone locally to get things going.  Perhaps this CPR class will spur that. 

And of course there are the national job postings, the online chats, our newsletter, and some national tours are on Operation Observation....

173

Tools of the Trade / Re: Business Cards

« on: Jan 27, 2008, 12:30 pm »

I do the print-your-own version.  I happen to have one with a sort of rainbow/artpaint border.  Occasionally it comes across as loud, but most of the time people love them.  I always carry a few in my wallet (though I'm out of town right now and have run out!! Luckily, I'll be home Tuesday).

I have full name, Stage Manager, address, phone, and email.  I find it's easy to just have everything on it, and this way can give to friends, too.  (Since I've moved so much and no one seems to remember which is most recent.)  And as someone else said, just about anybody can find you these days.

I got tempted to put a quote on the bottom at one point, or something like the AEA logo (which I don't think you can even use legally), but that completely looked too unprofessional.  My cheery border makes me happy, and usually gains a compliment.

Erin

174

Employment / Re: Entertainment Industry Expo

« on: Jan 22, 2008, 01:44 pm »

For those of you planning to attend the Expo this Sunday, you'll want to complete the free-registration on-line at www.eienyc.com.  If you decide that day to visit the event, there is a $10 "at-the-door" fee for those not pre-registered.

Erin

175

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question from an newbie! (Merging Libretto and Score)

« on: Jan 20, 2008, 01:25 pm »

OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE IN A
ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH - 6 - 7 - 8                LQ 123
Dance Break   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8                        Fly 22
                    2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
                    3 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Key Change    1 2 3 4 5 6 & 7 8                      LQ 124


However, this requires having or creating an electronic version of the script.

You don't HAVE to have an electronic version of the full script.  If it's simply the final notes of a song you want to have a specific beat to call a cue on, you can write in the appropriate numbers as above.  Or if you have 1 or 2 pages you can specifically do that in your own Word document for a dance break (which ultimately takes up less pages in your script than the full music).  Do whatever's comfortable for you, but sometimes you get into a rehearsal, and you just know which ones will need what.  I'm a big fan of using less paper if I don't need it, but expanding pages if I need it for complex cueing.

I have also had full scripts done this way, but only on a long-running show.

Opera folks strictly call from the score, but I find that often times you're turning too many pages and it's harder to keep up with than, say, a musical theatre libretto.  Most shows I've done I've simply written in some extra numbers near the libretto words.  (I also use this technique of "dance counts" if I'm calling off a musical sound cue in a straight play.)

Erin

176

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Thoughts on ASMing

« on: Jan 20, 2008, 04:22 am »

If you've been PSMing theatre for a while, and want to go back to ASMing, try a venture into the Opera World.  Rather different!  And you basically CAN'T PSM there until you've been an ASM for a while.  The ASM in opera does a heck of a lot more than a theatre one, what with constantly cueing the entrances, as well as just the shorter rehearsal time so people are more lost.  You better be able to read music though!

I like switching back and forth between ASM and PSM, as it constantly reminds me how to be better at the other position, and what's needed/expected of the two. 

Erin

177

The Hardline / Re: SMA

« on: Jan 20, 2008, 04:13 am »

Clarification.  It's $30 per year for Associate (or $40 for Full level) PLUS a one-time initiation fee of $25 (you only pay this the first year.  So total to join right now at Associate is $55.

In the last 6 months I've also started up national online chats roughly once a month.  We're having one this Monday afternoon (requires the SMA password to get in, so no, it's not available for everyone) that's with a tax preparer specifically geared towards figuring out taxes for stage managers.  In the past I've also held them on stage combat, calling/script techniques, one with a financial advisor, and we're in preparation for one with Equity representatives (and are planning to do future ones with AGMA, IATSE, etc). 

SMA has also started recognizing stage managers at the local levels as far as an ad in the Philly regional awards (I can't remember the name of them right off).  I'm also hosting a Drink Night in Dayton Ohio tomorrow evening.  (I'm working there in town, but actually live in Denver.)

For the first time, the SMA is also making a presence at several "booths" this year.  We'll be at the Entertainment Industry Expo later this month (including hosting a panel with stage managers and company managers), as well as at USITT in Houston in March.  We're trying to get our "brand" out there not only to stage managers, but people who HIRE stage managers (and thus would submit more job postings, etc).

Some of your benefit in the SMA is whatever you CHOOSE to get out of it.  Take advantage of what we offer, and if you want something, like to host your own drink night in your area, ask the Board for help, and we will!  (Heck, many never thought I'd get 20 people to RSVP in Dayton, Ohio!!)  But Maryland is relatively close to DC, and there are quite a few things going on with SMA members there.

Erin
Co-Secretary, SMA

178

Employment / Re: Entertainment Industry Expo

« on: Jan 13, 2008, 01:39 am »

Check or money order is what we're saying right now.  If there's internet reception in the hall, we might be able to do credit card (which is available through our website).  Leaning against cash right now, simply logistics/trackability.

Erin

179

Employment / Re: Entertainment Industry Expo

« on: Jan 11, 2008, 11:00 pm »

Yes, you should be.  You just reminded me something else to prep for the booth in planning for this!

Erin

180

Employment / Re: Entertainment Industry Expo

« on: Jan 10, 2008, 01:33 am »

The Stage Managers' Association will be running a booth at the EIE for the first time, as well as hosting a panel discussion between a stage manager (b’way), company manager and general manager. 

Erin