Messages

196

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clock/Timer recommendation

« on: Apr 25, 2007, 08:08 am »

I've been using the MegaWatch program lately (the one that also gives you Equity breaks), which has 2 timers in it too.  I will say however that there's nothing quite like having a stopwatch for intermission so that you can walk around....I sometimes set both, so both I can have it with me but others can see what's left without tracking me down.  One theatre I work at has a major "control center" for the SM that has computer-monitor-sized stopwatches for all the crew to see.

The MegaWatch link is at http://www.geocities.com/willpickens/ under "Flash Projects" - available for both PC and Mac (and I've used both platforms).

Erin

197

Tools of the Trade / Re: Computer Clock built with AEA Breaks in mind

« on: Mar 02, 2007, 12:56 am »

I've seen a couple different calculator/break programs before, but this is my favorite so far.  I played around with the colors, too, and think as obnoxious as it is, I like the orange the best.  Will try it when my next show starts rehearsals.

Don't know if it was my computer connection tonight or what, but took me a couple tries to get it to download.  And I did see a MAC option, too.

Erin

198

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Astrology for Stage Managers

« on: Mar 02, 2007, 12:40 am »

Loved this!

Being an Aries, yes, you got me down pretty accurately.  Except for the bar part....I often find it hard to balance the social part with the manager part.  Not to mention, as stagemonkey said, the whole part of being late out of the building.

Erin

199

The Hardline / Re: AGMA?

« on: Jan 12, 2007, 12:44 am »

Since AGMA is a sister union of AEA, I think you can join at a discounted rate.

The normal fee, as per AGMA's website is a $500 initiation fee and $78/year, plus 2% wages. I emailed AGMA's membership department and today I got a response:  "We do have a discount on the initiation fee for Equity members in good standing.  The initiation fee is $250.  There is no reduction on the basic dues and work dues."

Erin

200

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Another difference doing opera...

« on: Jan 05, 2007, 02:19 pm »

Interesting because I'm feeling the same thing about Day'n. (See, I did that for you!)

Back in Philly, I was surrounded by healthy people who exercised constantly, in a non-obsessive way. It was very motivating, and I felt disappointed in myself if the conversation turned to going to the gym and I had nothing to contribute that day.

Here, not so much. I feel like the way of life here is a generally much unhealthier one, with a lot more fast food, and a lot less working out, which does not do much to motivate me.

True, Day'n was my fatter days.  When I began to tour more is when I concentrated on the Pilates (and ultimately, I did it because it got rid of my chronic lower back pain...and then I started realizing my clothes were much looser as I continued).  And now I'm based in Colorado where "thinking outdoors and sporty" is just the norm - heck, I was a RIVER GUIDE this summer, and never would've thought of that in Ohio.  At my last first aid/CPR class at Red Cross they got to the required section about reminding people to eat healthy and exercise and literally said, "Well, this doesn't really need to be discussed here in Colorado, but in OTHER parts of the country..."

As for "fat ladies"...as I mentioned, they aren't necessarily a majority of people here, but the average weight is still much more than what I've been around more recently.  As you said, they're not dancers.  And there's a sheet cake sitting in the company lounge that people don't really think twice about eating...And a conversation DID come up about access to the local gym, and I really only heard 1 person sound interested.  I like the lunchtime yoga situation...I have done 1 or 2 Pilates sessions with co-workers in housing during tour, but nothing that regular.

Erin

201

Stage Management: Other / Re: Comparing rep, touring and opera

« on: Jan 05, 2007, 02:10 pm »

Whereas on tours, as centaura says, ASMs are sort of lackeys, in opera they are very valuable and work hard.

Not the bigger tours, of course.  As ASM on bigger shows, I also rotate into the calling position, as well as have intense cue-heavy tracks on the sides of the stage (cueing, and being traffic cop).  But it depends on the show and staff...my boyfriend is IATSE at a roadhouse and is often telling me of the ASMs who don't do very much.

Erin

202

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / HEALTH: Another difference doing opera...

« on: Jan 05, 2007, 12:48 am »

Okay, so this is going to come across fairly un-PC and probably rude, but...

I don't think anyone's mentioned another very different aspect about opera.  In general, people are not as health/weight conscious as other genres....I mean there's the general idea about "fat ladies in opera" - I've done an educational tour, where we make fun of that stereotype and all....but having worked around a lot of dancers and musical theatre types in my past...let's just say I really have to actively think about exercise and dieting right now as I do an opera gig.  True, there are nowhere near the amount of stereotypical larger people in the cast that would first come to mind...but it's definitely not an obsession with skinniness like many other companies I've worked with lately.

Am glad I packed my Pilates mat, but still finding myself slipping into "oh, I could eat/drink that, too"...and "oh, gee, did I drink ANY water today?"  (Doesn't help that water bottles are basically outlawed in the rehearsal halls, too, of this particular place.)  And of course with any stage managers' schedule, it's hard to fit time in for exercise when sleep is also important...or catching up on things like SMNetwork...

Erin (Who managed to lose quite a bit of fat about 4 years ago and have basically maintained since then, though it's creeping back right now...)

203

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!

« on: Jan 05, 2007, 12:36 am »

Also, unclear...were the actors going off a cue light?  (You mentioned the board op was running one.)  On the cases when I don't have an ASM near a cue light and I don't see whatever I expected to happen on the cue light, I tend to flash it several times on and off - hopefully the strobe light effect catches the eye of whoever was supposed to have gone, and then they go....late...(This is in shows where there aren't a ton of cuelights in a row of course.)  I've also used it as a signal to ASMs who've gone off headset in a non-wireless house to come back to headset to talk to me (like, "he threw the flower WAY downstage left, can you get it during the next shift?")...and we set that up as a form of communication from the beginning.  Kinda like the "call" button on a headset.

Erin

204

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!

« on: Jan 05, 2007, 12:30 am »

Any thoughts? Any way that you think I could have dealt with the situation better?

My first response is "what was the other ASM doing?"  If the answer is "helping deal with the flood", that's probably not good.  At least one person should've been still on deck if the show was going on.  And if the person was AWAKE, even with no headset communication, one would think that person would've figured out that the "dramatic pause" was for the uncued entrance, and either crossed around backstage to push the 2 onstage, or made frantic hand gestures, etc from the other side.

This is one reason I don't like opera (though you didn't say it was), in that I feel an actor ultimately should be responsible for their own entrance.  Yes, there are things for cueing, etc, and safety, but come on, after 2 minutes they couldn't figure it out?  My bias - you true opera SMs can feel free to bash away...

Also, seems the theatre manager could've come joined you near the stage, so you could've multitasked THERE.  I've certainly had my share of "important" conversations in the booth while calling a show, during the more down moments.  And the person understands you stop to call a cue, then return to the conversation.  If the show IS still going on, you do have a duty there.  You can just try to find a way to multitask - or cover your own ass on your cues.

Erin

205

The Hardline / Re: Joining the SMA

« on: Jan 03, 2007, 10:47 pm »

I am one of the "theys" who processes the SMA applications.  Let me tell you, I'm trying to phase out the Affiliate level, or else get the board to seriously change it.  The Affiliates get NO access to the Members Only portion (from what I can gather, it was originally intended for theatre companies and production manager-types, etc).  Plus an Associate level is lower priced anyway, $30 a year.  The only difference is that you do have to pay a one-time initiation fee of $25 (which honestly, is what registers in the computer as the thing that lets me issue usernames for the members only portions). 

Also, what area of the country do you live?  There may be more active local groups depending where you are....

PM me for more info if needed.

Erin

206

Stage Management: Other / Re: Opera Rehearsal Reports

« on: Jan 03, 2007, 03:49 pm »

The fact that you said "educational opera tour" makes me think a little differently....I did one in the fall, and it was a very laid-back kind of report.  They basically only needed to know major things that happened at the schools/venues.  I'd do one for each day, and we usually did 2 schools in a day.  I listed the name of the school, what times we started the workshops and then the performance, and then anything different....The educational staff wanted some idea of the "problem" schools, plus we had an actor who was sick for much of the 2 week run, so we cut some of his stuff.  I'd talk to your opera staff and see how much info they want, but you may in fact need to put very little in the "report."  I didn't even have divisions for departments, as there were often only 1 or 2 notes in the whole thing.

Oh, wait, re-reading....you're only talking about rehearsal reports.  Again, these people were fairly laid back, but I did do more of departmentalized headings in these.  One that said what we covered that day, and then notes for each department.  I also had a section for script changes (i.e., we're only doing the 1st verse of such-and-such song).  I'd go with Owen and say to create your own version. 

Erin

207

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Printers

« on: Jan 03, 2007, 03:40 pm »

Gotta say I'm a fan of the Canon portable printers...used mine like a workhorse dropping it 4 too many times....beyond salvaging now, but it was rugged while it lasted.  I'm not touring quite as much now, and can't quite justify buying another one...but bet I will soon.  I do do color quite a bit, as I'm an avid photographer too, so that's my biggest bugaboo about not having it right now.  The Canon portables were great for photos (last one I had was the i70).  But I do feel I want a "workhorse" to do black and white when I'm at home.  The portable was just nice because I could actually fit it, my computer AND my scanner in one backpack if I needed to (yes I have a big backpack). 

Erin

208

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Digging Out in Denver

« on: Jan 03, 2007, 03:36 pm »

I guess no one wants to hear about my Christmas in Hawaii...?

Ow - okay - stop...
Wow, those Denver snowballs hurt!!!

Well, it is surreal to be in Florida now and wondering WHERE IS THE SNOW?  (Since my boyfriend's truck was stuck in snow outside our apartment last I talked to him on the phone.)  And the humidity is killing me...

But VSM, we do want to hear how your new camera went with your Hawaii vacation...(guess I should check if you've already written about it in the original digital camera forum....I'll poke on over there now....

Erin

209

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Digging Out in Denver

« on: Jan 02, 2007, 09:56 pm »

Where are you in Sarasota?

Sarasota Opera.  First time doing "real" opera (other than educational tours).  Different.

Erin

210

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Digging Out in Denver

« on: Jan 01, 2007, 10:44 pm »

Nope, never made it to Ohio for Christmas.  Shoveled out of the blizzard, and got one other dusting of snow while I was there.  Was able to fly out on the 26th for my (current) job in Sarasota.  They've had another foot of snow in the "blizzard" this week, and due for more later in the week it sounds like.  (And FYI, Kay and I just crossed paths...she flew from Ohio to Denver to see her daughter just in time to miss me...)

Erin

EDIT: Not this Kay! --PSMKay