166
The Green Room / Re: Office Supply Vending Machine
« on: Jul 13, 2011, 12:43 pm »
So awesome. This even beats the umbrella vending machines they have in Hong Kong metro stations.
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167
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Bad career adivce "Doing What We Love"
« on: Jun 13, 2011, 02:41 am »
This world is full of all types of people doing all types of jobs. Some of them love their jobs, some don't. Some are good at their jobs, some are not.
Doing what you love does not mean that you undervalue the monetary value attached to it. I love stage management but I haven't done it for free since university. I turned down many a gig for money reasons, that doesn't mean I don't love stage management.
Each person needs to weigh their options. What do you want in life? What job will get you that?
I have faith that the industry weeds out the "not as good" SMs and the good ones can benefit from the competition.
I do, however, agree that the Showcase code is ridiculous and drastically undermines the need to pay for a quality SM.
Doing what you love does not mean that you undervalue the monetary value attached to it. I love stage management but I haven't done it for free since university. I turned down many a gig for money reasons, that doesn't mean I don't love stage management.
Each person needs to weigh their options. What do you want in life? What job will get you that?
I have faith that the industry weeds out the "not as good" SMs and the good ones can benefit from the competition.
I do, however, agree that the Showcase code is ridiculous and drastically undermines the need to pay for a quality SM.
168
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: RUNNING: How do you decide when to cancel a performance?
« on: Jun 12, 2011, 03:07 pm »
I personally have never solely made the decision to cancel a show, but have been in involved in several cancellations.
Outdoor shows due to rain. Usually pretty straight forward. Including one show where a torrential downpour came out of nowhere about 80% of the way through the show. It was amazing as audience, cast and crew all simultaneously made the decision to run for cover.
Now that the shows I do rely very heavily on automated lifts, flying and scenery, if that system fails, there is no decision but to cancel. This decision is made by people way higher up the food chain than the SM.
Most recently, we cancelled 2 performances because the air conditioning was down in the whole resort. Again decision made by the upper management.
Outdoor shows due to rain. Usually pretty straight forward. Including one show where a torrential downpour came out of nowhere about 80% of the way through the show. It was amazing as audience, cast and crew all simultaneously made the decision to run for cover.
Now that the shows I do rely very heavily on automated lifts, flying and scenery, if that system fails, there is no decision but to cancel. This decision is made by people way higher up the food chain than the SM.
Most recently, we cancelled 2 performances because the air conditioning was down in the whole resort. Again decision made by the upper management.
169
Employment / Re: What (not?) to wear
« on: Jun 12, 2011, 01:04 pm »
I tend to dress like a right hippy in my normal life. So I have 2 nice button downs and a nice skirt that I generally only pull out for interviews.
170
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Bad career adivce "Doing What We Love"
« on: Jun 12, 2011, 12:58 pm »
I, too, love stage managing. I don't love every minute of everyday, but I still love it. At this point in my career, I would not do it for free. But I also won't do anything else for money.
I love other things, of course. I love painting and I love knitting. I have been paid for individual items, but would not consider trying to earn a living from either. The money has always been a bonus for me.
The distinction for me is that stage management is a craft and painting and knitting are an art. I am willing to bend to the will of other for stage management, I am not with painting or knitting.
Some people can do what they love, be good at it and get paid decently for it. Some people cannot. I encourage people to try, if it doesn't work out, then take a reality pill and get another job.
I love other things, of course. I love painting and I love knitting. I have been paid for individual items, but would not consider trying to earn a living from either. The money has always been a bonus for me.
The distinction for me is that stage management is a craft and painting and knitting are an art. I am willing to bend to the will of other for stage management, I am not with painting or knitting.
Some people can do what they love, be good at it and get paid decently for it. Some people cannot. I encourage people to try, if it doesn't work out, then take a reality pill and get another job.
171
The Green Room / Re: What would you do, with a grant for SMing...
« on: May 31, 2011, 01:00 pm »
I'd get an ipad to use at work (strictly for work, of course 
). And I'd get several spineboards and c-collars to have on the ready, as I don't think we have enough at my current show.
). And I'd get several spineboards and c-collars to have on the ready, as I don't think we have enough at my current show.
172
Self-Promotion / Re: Voyage de la Vie
« on: May 16, 2011, 11:23 pm »
I will totally write a post on the differences soon. It has been interesting so far.
173
The Hardline / Re: AEA SM offered an AGVA contract
« on: May 16, 2011, 11:21 pm »
I've not joined AGVA but I have joined AGMA.
Health and pension are totally separate and different plans. They do not overlap from union to union. Contracts worked under AEA add to your pension through AEA and your health weeks through AEA. Contracts works through AGMA contribute to a plan B fund through AGMA.
I am not sure how AGVA works, I assume it is more like AGMA than AEA.
You should get a slightly reduced initial dues/ joining fee because you are already AEA.
Health and pension are totally separate and different plans. They do not overlap from union to union. Contracts worked under AEA add to your pension through AEA and your health weeks through AEA. Contracts works through AGMA contribute to a plan B fund through AGMA.
I am not sure how AGVA works, I assume it is more like AGMA than AEA.
You should get a slightly reduced initial dues/ joining fee because you are already AEA.
174
Stage Management: Other / Re: Risk Assessment
« on: May 12, 2011, 06:27 am »
I just started a new job in Singapore and the laws here are changing very soon to increase workplace safety. One of the requirements is Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures paperwork. Each department (including stage management) is creating RA sheets for each activity. The Production Manager must then review each RA and sign off before submitting to the upper management.
We (SM department) are responsble not only for the RA for our own tracks but for the individual acts and activities of the performers. We are also responsible for tracking Validation of artists as they train into new positions.
We (SM department) are responsble not only for the RA for our own tracks but for the individual acts and activities of the performers. We are also responsible for tracking Validation of artists as they train into new positions.
175
The Green Room / Re: Do you add a personal touch to your booth?
« on: May 10, 2011, 11:26 am »
I always decorate everything. My booth (or backstage calling station), my office, my first aid kit, my roadbox, everything. Sometimes I decorate my decorations.
I am happy because I just got budget approval to paint my office at my new job. I am planning a contest for the ASM's to design the color scheme!
I am happy because I just got budget approval to paint my office at my new job. I am planning a contest for the ASM's to design the color scheme!
176
Self-Promotion / Re: Voyage de la Vie
« on: May 10, 2011, 10:57 am »
Thanks guys!
Singapore was a favorite of mine during my travels and I am stoked to live here now. There is so much to see and do. And it's also a great hub for travel to other places in Asia.
And Ruth, I myself cannot believe it's been over 2 years. I do think I'll return to the USA eventually but am very happy to have another year or two in Asia.
Singapore was a favorite of mine during my travels and I am stoked to live here now. There is so much to see and do. And it's also a great hub for travel to other places in Asia.
And Ruth, I myself cannot believe it's been over 2 years. I do think I'll return to the USA eventually but am very happy to have another year or two in Asia.
177
Self-Promotion / Voyage de la Vie
« on: May 10, 2011, 09:28 am »
Hey all. I guess I kind of fell off the planet for a while.
I finished my contract with Dragone (The House of Dancing Water in Macau) in November and then took some time to travel around Asia while slowly searching for a new job.
I recently started my new job as the Stage Manager for Voyage de la Vie at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.
It is my first show using the British structure for the Stage Management team. I find it interesting to be the head of department, but not the designated primary show caller.
So far, I am loving Singapore and enjoying the show.
I finished my contract with Dragone (The House of Dancing Water in Macau) in November and then took some time to travel around Asia while slowly searching for a new job.
I recently started my new job as the Stage Manager for Voyage de la Vie at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.
It is my first show using the British structure for the Stage Management team. I find it interesting to be the head of department, but not the designated primary show caller.
So far, I am loving Singapore and enjoying the show.
178
The Green Room / Re: Suffering from what I call "theatredox"
« on: May 10, 2011, 09:10 am »
After my last gig (full-time unlimited contract with large scale production) ended, I took 6 months off to travel in Asia. I also did a lot of knitting, crocheting, reading and catching up on TV series.
It was awesome! I would love to continue this pattern. Work for 2 years, take a few months off to travel. Next agenda, around the world southern hemisphere.
It was awesome! I would love to continue this pattern. Work for 2 years, take a few months off to travel. Next agenda, around the world southern hemisphere.
179
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Taking years off to get experience
« on: May 10, 2011, 08:55 am »
I highly recommend taking a few years between your bachelors degree and your masters degree. Make sure you really want to be a stage manager before you commit to a school.
180
Tools of the Trade / Re: iPads
« on: Apr 28, 2011, 09:45 pm »
At Blue Man Group, they use excel on the iPad to create reports. They created the template, fill in the details and email to the distribution list all from the iPad. Pretty nifty.
The drawing software sounds cool. I didn't know there was a cad version available, I will have to check that out. I wonder if there's a vectorworks version.
The drawing software sounds cool. I didn't know there was a cad version available, I will have to check that out. I wonder if there's a vectorworks version.