Messages

166

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stage Managers Producing - Any Experince

« on: Apr 28, 2009, 04:41 pm »

I think SM's and PM's make fabulous producers.  We see the show from every angle and can sense when something isn't right.  We know how to put punch lists together and make sure the loose ends are tied up. SM's know what kind of director and artistic staff would make a good team.
Funny you should start a thread about this...

167

Stage Management: Other / Re: new to opera and kind of scared

« on: Apr 15, 2009, 08:16 am »

The G&S repertoire is actually classified as "operetta".  I would treat it as a musical--same duties an ASM would perform for that---but you still want to make sure entrances happen on cue.  English will be easier to follow (although it's not always easy to understand the words sung in any language).  I'm a big G&S fan...enjoy the Mikado!!

168

Stage Management: Other / Re: new to opera and kind of scared

« on: Apr 11, 2009, 07:24 pm »

In addition to the other jobs listed, I use the ASM make sure "so and so" is waiting in the wings and ready for his/her entrance.  It's a major meltdown if a singer doesn't make an entrance (been there, done that). You may have to cue them on so ask your SM to give you the cue if you're not sure.

169

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Barrell-Through Tech

« on: Apr 07, 2009, 10:39 am »

I've only done this on very simple shows.  There's a reason we tech a show in a certain order...work out timing and bugs first, then move on to full tech and then dress run throughs.  Maybe a conversation w/ the producers that this method actually can save $ and keep an accident from happening will help them understand.

170

The Hardline / Re: Musician's Union and Stage Managers

« on: Apr 07, 2009, 10:35 am »

Ditto on the breaks rule.  Also, end of rehearsal rule applies.  I've finished tech rehearsals with the accompanist only when time ran out for the orchestra.
Make sure to meet and discuss specifics w/ your orchestra manager.  as w/ any union (and non-union), I like to provide some simple refreshments, water, coffee tea--makes everyone feel appreciated.

171

Employment / Re: Other duties as assigned

« on: Mar 27, 2009, 11:17 am »

Being told by the producer/director that the SM makes coffee at rehearsals.  This was an AEA contract and I reminded him that "it's not part of my union duties"  but...when asked nicely..not told...I'm more than happy to do it.

172

Tools of the Trade / Re: Oops! I didn't mean to send that.

« on: Mar 27, 2009, 11:13 am »

I'm so worried about sending to the wrong person or parties that it's become habbit for me to really read the "Send" and "Copy to" blocks at the top of my emails before I hit send.  I also use spell check constantly--gives me a chance to re-read what I'm sending. And, as with my memos or notes, I've learned to word things carefully since they are words and not a face to face dialogue and may be misinterpreted.

173

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Lobby Signage

« on: Mar 27, 2009, 11:07 am »

cprted is right: too many signs will be a waste.
Are some (or most) of the patrons that attend shows on the theatre's mailing list?  Most theatres I've worked with have a quarterly newsletter that goes out---perhaps that's a place for a gentle reminder about audience etiquette where you can go over more than the basics that cprted mentioned.

174

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question about Production Meeting Reports - How much do you put in it?

« on: Mar 24, 2009, 02:23 pm »

I agree with Matthew: edit the notes down to the needed info and who will follow up w/whom.
I've attached the PM notes from the last show I SM'd where I teach.

175

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Post Mortem

« on: Mar 10, 2009, 10:05 pm »

The answer to your question is "yes": run it like any other production meeting and as was said, keep it constructive.  I LOVE post mortems.  I find that it's a great learning tool and policy is often set by it.  I worked at a large event center for many years and we used the post mortem on every event: even if just to say: "all went well, no problems to report".

176

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dealing with Directors

« on: Mar 10, 2009, 09:19 am »

I've learned to take the director aside and not be confrontational--make a request, like, " could you please go through me if you have notes for the crew.  They should get notes from one person, the stage manager. Thanks."  As I developed SM skills over the years, I learned to be proactive---have things ready for rehearsal, be a step ahead of the director so that s/he barely has to ask (or demand) something from me.

177

The Hardline / Re: Considering Going Equity

« on: Mar 07, 2009, 03:38 am »

  The other is just to find a theater that wants to hire you on an Equity contract, sign that contract, pay a deposit toward your initiation fee, and you are “in”.  So this isn’t necessarily a long term project. 

You do have a "drop dead" date to pay off the ballance or have it deducted from your AEA contract salary---otherwise, you're not a member in good standing.  Rebbe makes some very valid points about contract minimums (some may even pay less than you get on non-AEA shows), health benefits and that AEA does not guarantee work.

I have been SMing for quite some time now

My advice to SM's considering going AEA is " do you have enough shows under your belt?"  Being an SM is a tough enough job and having to be on top of the AEA contract(s) adds to your plate.  By "quite some time" do you mean a number of years?

178

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling Script

« on: Mar 03, 2009, 06:52 pm »

I guess I'm just very "old school".  Back in my day...we wrote blocking on the blank left hand page and cues on the right hand margin of the dialouge/script (in a 3-ring binder).  In high school...I used 2 copies of the script to get an even and odd page to page version in a 3-ring binder---didn't have xerox machines then.
So... to this day, my blocking etc., etc. is included in the final calling script.  I still make notes on the right hand margin as to whether a cue happens visually or underline the line I call a cue on.  As for Warns/Stand Bys---I just write: WARN L-4...SB L-4...#L-4 (the pound sign is my version of GO)
I'm used to seeing everything in one book: blocking, dance notation, motivation, cues. I see things as one big picture that way.
Been doing it this way for so long--don't know if I could change?

179

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: The Ultimate Decision

« on: Mar 02, 2009, 06:40 pm »

When I was young, I used to gather the kids in my apartment complex and direct them in shows (the budding sm/director in me).  I was asked by my high school drama teacher in my junior year--after not getting a role--if I'd like to SM.  I was in love with the job from then on!!!

180

Employment / Re: Unemployment Benefits Claims??

« on: Feb 26, 2009, 07:59 am »

Check in with a free legal clinic in your area, confirm that you are low-income "enough", and show up at an open advice clinic. You might be able to walk out with a letter that day. Since you don't have a need for ongoing representation (yet), a letter may be all it takes.

Most definately look into free legal advice.  You may also want to ask at at leagal aide if you can get any interest if they lose the case since you've been out this $$...doesn't hurt to ask.  Stage Managers are persistant and we keep good records!!!