Messages

1936

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Yale.

« on: Mar 21, 2007, 03:16 pm »

When I applied at Yale - there was only need based finanical aide - and then mostly loans.

There was no ability to teach, no RA-ships, nothing. 

Pretty much, I would have had to float it all on loans.

I was a resident in California when I went to UC-San Diego, and everyone was a resident by the second year.  The tution was waved once you started teaching, and then you were paid.  (something like $900-1500 a month, depending on your course load). 

I was able to pay for everything, a new computer, nice housing and an ankle surgery (I hurt myself the day before my grad insurance kicked in) by floating loads equal to about one years tuition at Yale.

This was all about 7 years ago though - things change.

1937

College and Graduate Studies / Re: BA or BFA

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 04:55 pm »

My 2 cents is that you go for a BA, get a well balanced education.

Are you still in high school?  You mind as you continue to go through life, you may change some of your goals and priorities, it might be nice to have a nice well round education.

My favorite classes during my time in school were my non-theatre classes.

1938

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Stubborn, stubborn Freshmen

« on: Mar 07, 2007, 01:13 am »

You are dealing with a freshman in college.

I deal with it all the time in a major regional theatre.

There are actors in the world who will not take notes form a stage manager, an assistant director or anyone who tries to give them notes during the run of show. 

Sadly, it's a fact of life.

You can hope in the end they won't get hired agian.

But sadly, they do over and over.

The best thing to do is to notify is remember that ultimately stage management is middle management, and report the issue to someone above you.

Birdie was right, often actors don't want to take a note form someone they view as a peer, like a stage manager, or someone who they view is under them, which a lot of actors someitmes view a stage manager.  Again, there are all types of actors out there.

No names mentioned.  (Just wanted to point that out)

1939

Employment / Re: Confidentiality Question

« on: Mar 03, 2007, 05:50 pm »

Yeah, totally black out names, e-mails and phone numbers.

Or make them up.

1940

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ASM's Prompt Book

« on: Mar 01, 2007, 07:55 pm »

Yes, I agree the ASM and the SM only - the origional post was what should be in an ASM's book.

1941

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ASM's Prompt Book

« on: Feb 28, 2007, 08:53 pm »

Here's the reason the ASM should have this info.

You are calling the show.

An actor breaks a leg (or gets sick, or hurt) and goes to the hospital.

Have you ever tried to call 911 or someone's emergency contact info while calling a show and trying to make decisions on how to keep the show going without stopping it.  Being an SM who has had to call 911 (three times) while calling the show, it's nice that someone else has the info.

Also, I feel strongly the ASM should have a copy of the calling script.  (Ever need to rush to the bathroom, loose all headset communication, have to call 911, put a fire out in the booth . . .)  Nice to know someone else can carry on.

1942

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Backstage Etiquette

« on: Feb 28, 2007, 08:49 pm »

Um, it's not illegal and it's not affecting their job.

WHY BOTHER?

What is your position?  Are you managing this person?  Why is it gross?  If it really, really makes you uncomfortable, talk to the SM, and have them deal it.

As a SM, I might say something casually about it to someone, if someone backstage felt VERY uncomfortable about - but as long as they are doing thier job, and they are both consenting adults, then leave it alone. 

1943

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Yale.

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 01:34 pm »

Yale is a very good program, but make sure to try to take a recent graduate and, if possible, a current student.  When I was applying, and accepted to Yale, I was hesitent to accept based on the fact, at the time, they were very hesitent to give me names and contact information.  I really didn't get a STUDENT'S perspective, as opposed to other programs where eager to get me in contact with both graduates and students.

The only reason I chose UC San Diego over Yale was money.  Which is a concern - how much debt do you want upon graduation?

1944

Employment / Re: College Name

« on: Feb 23, 2007, 12:16 pm »

My opinion is that two years outside of school, it doesn't really matter that much where you went to school.

Your professional experience will quickly overshadow any name of your school. 7 years after graduating from grad school - I don't think anyone cares where I went to school.  Now, they look at my professional experience.

I will admit, right after school, the school is important.  BUT, don't pick a school for it's name - pick a school where you will get your best education.

1945

The Hardline / Re: SNOW DAY = CANCELED PERFORMANCE = NO PAY?

« on: Feb 20, 2007, 07:59 pm »

Equity sided with the cast, even after going to council.  They will be paid for the ninth show, even though they did not perform it.

Interesting, eah?

1946

The Hardline / Re: SNOW DAY = CANCELED PERFORMANCE = NO PAY?

« on: Feb 20, 2007, 11:18 am »

The show was canceled due to snow.

Schools were delayed two hours, not canceled.

So the show would not have let out until 3:30p, which was extremely problematic due to transportation.

The cast was willing to come in two hours later (With overtime), but the producers canceled.  (Please note this was rescheduled to a 7 show week, so it became the 8th show  - so they are making up the show with only the 12-hour turn around penalty.

The metro was running, cast and crew would have had no problem coming in.

The cast was notified between 6:45a and 7:45a for a 9:15a fight call.  Most had not left home.  Some had not woken up.

Please note:  Our city and theatre has a pretty clear snow emergency policy, and this did not fall into the relm.  It really basically had to do with the fact the schools could not make it here in time to get home in time.

1947

The Hardline / SNOW DAY = CANCELED PERFORMANCE = NO PAY?

« on: Feb 19, 2007, 11:16 am »

Interesting events taking place at my theatre, only one of which I am posing here.  I am not involved in this, not my show, but interesting tidbit.

So, a nine show week is scheduled.

6:15a, just a mere 3 hours and 45 minutes before curtain for a school show, the schools are delayed (not canceled, but the delay makes the show impossible to do - since school will be out before the show would be over).

Cast and Crew is called between 6:45 and 7:30p.

Is the cast due payment for this show that was canceled.

I am torn - it's like being paid overtime for rehearsal scheduled, but canceled . . . . but there was no notice per se?

Thoughts? 

Equity and Producer are still out on this one.

1948

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How do you call your sound cues....

« on: Feb 15, 2007, 10:19 pm »

As with Scoot, I have never had an option.

The best I could do is ask to renumber is a LX and Sound Cue numbers got too close.

But, what the designer puts on the cue list is what you have to call.

1949

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Wish Me Luck!

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 08:02 am »

Making people warm up?  Not in a professional, equity situation.  Half-hour is the call, with 15 minutes allowed for a fight call before hand.  You can make the stage available for a physical/vocal warm up, but it's hard to make them show up to it.

1950

Employment / Re: PM and SM: what is the difference?

« on: Feb 11, 2007, 03:45 pm »

Are you asking the difference between a Production Manager and a Stage Manager?

Or a Production Stage Manager (PSM) and a Stage Manager?