Messages

166

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Communication with the production team/what do they need from us?

« on: Dec 15, 2014, 05:46 am »

You should communicate as much as the project needs with each designer - no more, no less - while always keeping the door open for more communication if they feel they need more.

I find that I am usually the SOURCE of information for most of my design staff, and they end up coming to me (or the director through me) to get more information - I find, after an initial list or ground plan - there may be little they have to offer me.

My job is to make sure they have the information they need for success.

167

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Meeting the director for the first time

« on: Dec 15, 2014, 05:42 am »

I think this really depends on your style.

My first meeting is the set-up for the entire relationship of the project.

Let's assume, for some reason, I am already on the project, but we haven't had a meeting yet.  (It happens).

This is how I start.

1) Why this show?
2) How do you feel about the cast?  Do you have any concerns?
3) How has the design process gone?  What have you lost or had to adjust?
4) How are your interactions going with the theater?  Producer? GM?
5) What do you want this final project to "be"?  (Look like, make the audience feel, what is this event?)
6) What do you want from me?  What do you like in past successful stage management relationships?  What do you hate?
7) How do you like rehearsal to be?
Good cop or bad cop?
9) I outline my "typical" style, how I can adjust, and what my process is like, and what I want/expect from the,.


I start in territory he feels comfortable talking to, and the turn it back on me.

But, this works for my style.

If you aren't comfortable engaging a director in artistic conversation . . . then maybe don't start there.

168

The Green Room / Article: Career Ladder versus Lattice

« on: Dec 14, 2014, 03:05 am »

Interesting Article . . .


http://mashable.com/2014/12/13/career-ladder-lattice/

Although, slanted towards corporate work, it sums up a lot about what I think about making lateral moves to get higher up the ladder.

169

Employment / Re: Staged Readings On Resume?

« on: Dec 11, 2014, 01:45 pm »

I have a section for stage reading/devo workshops, etc . . . just to show I do do those "short term" / 1 week / 2 week gigs besides full productions.

170

The Green Room / Re: Peter Pan Live

« on: Dec 06, 2014, 04:24 pm »

I haven't seen either of the live musical broadcasts, but in general, it seems to take all the best about live in person entertainment, and filter it through a filmed event, while not taking advantages of what film / videotape has to offer . . . it's odd in some ways.

But, I have a lot of friends who have gotten a lot of work out of these shows.  And that is great.

171

The Green Room / Re: The Great SM Gift List

« on: Dec 04, 2014, 08:31 pm »

I bought myself this . . .

I use it for tech table supplies that have to be carted up and down from the booth

http://www.thecentsableshoppin.com/sears-craftsman-12-tool-tote-9-89-great-christmas-basket-2/

Love it.

172

The Hardline / Re: Tech + Actors in Costume

« on: Dec 04, 2014, 12:40 am »

Some contracts do require time to get out of costume.


If an actor needs to get into costume you need to give them 30 minutes is a myth.  This is not true, you are not required to give them a half-hour except for PERFORMANCES.  (There are a lot good reasons why you might want to give them half-half).  You can give them ten minutes to get dressed.

In tech situations, where you give half-hour, half-hour needs to be counted as work.  (I know, it's odd) So often what I do during tech is give the actors 25 minutes to get dressed, give them a five minute break, and then we are set to do anything.  (Some producers think that half-hour is not counted against break time . . . so, a 12:00n half-hour, they think the first break would be do at 1:50p.  It is really do at 1:20p.)

The reason why some contracts have getting out of costume as part of work hours is, well, it's 12:00m end of the day, I should be able to just walk out. But, for some reason we count getting dressed as work, getting undressed doesn't count (on most contracts). 

The keeping actors in costume is a tad bit disrespectful to your wardrobe crew - I tend to before any notes - to get them out of costume - usually saying, "You guys are on ten, and not required to be in costume at the end of the break . . . so if you want to get out of costume during your break - you are free to do so."  It's amazing how often then we get out of costume.

But again, check your contract . . . as to if getting out of costume is required.  If my cast asked for that, I would do an exchange, okay 15 minutes to get in costume, 15 minutes to get out of costume.  And then I am not losing time.

173

The Green Room / Re: Sean Avery...

« on: Nov 06, 2014, 01:28 pm »

that is a gossip site

and chances are there are two sides to this story.

but still, not the best casting choice by the director/producer in hindsight

174

Self-Promotion / Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame

« on: Oct 31, 2014, 03:55 am »

If anyone is in the San Diego area (or can get down here during the run) and would like to Shadow . . . let me know.  We have a very aggressive cross training plan for the show, so not all dates would be available.

175

Employment / Re: Social media links on website

« on: Oct 26, 2014, 03:19 am »

No social media links.

No social media links.

No social media links.

remember, it's not only what you post, but what other people post on t.

176

Employment / Re: Which is better?

« on: Oct 21, 2014, 10:16 pm »

It's important to show variety in your career.

It will be important, professionally, to show that you get hired at the same place more then once - I am nervous when I see a resume where it's a person who has worked 20 shows, but at all different places. 

177

Employment / Re: Which is better?

« on: Oct 21, 2014, 03:18 am »

i would think early in you career showing a little diversity in your resume would be ideal.

178

Self-Promotion / HBND First Day of Tech

« on: Oct 14, 2014, 02:51 pm »

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152517202318742&set=a.19078883741.28314.717813741&type=1

179

The Hardline / Re: Recording rehearsals for designers

« on: Sep 30, 2014, 02:42 pm »

I disagree that videotaping rehearsals is

"it's *so much more* valuable to the producers"

Taping a complicated sequence for designers so they cast doesn't need to do it over and over again, it's pro-production - both producers and actors.  Think about a complicated tech transition with automation, flying, etc, that has to be scored . . . run it once, give it to the composer and move on.

Think about a complicated musical, where a swing has multiple tracks to learn . . .

A complicated show that a new SM needs to learn calling it . . .

Fight / dance work - although this has been approved for awhile.

I never see it a solution as pro union or pro-producer, but looking for the solution that is PRO-PRODUCTION, and I see this as a win-win solution.

180

The Hardline / Re: AEA LORT COSTUME FITTINGS

« on: Sep 29, 2014, 02:46 pm »

i had no idea there were senior business reps.

are the ultimate business reps?

supreme business reps?