Messages

196

Tools of the Trade / Re: [FAQ] Scheduling and Calendar Applications

« on: Feb 18, 2008, 09:57 pm »

I've tried using Google to share documents and schedules before but it never caught on with me.  I think it's more because a lot of people I've worked with prefer the documents directly in the email or just want hard copies.  But who knows, maybe I'll try and get back to it at some point.

This is the same thing I'm experiencing. My assistants and I use it constantly, it's great for updating conflicts and last minute changes but my actors seem to hate it. And we're working on a complicated piece: 10 writing teams, 5 directors and 10 actors. Needless to say clear communication is essential!

197

Employment / Re: Two River Theatre Co

« on: Feb 18, 2008, 09:54 pm »

I know someone who works there and she only has good things to say about it. She's been with them for one or two years, so they can't be all that bad!

Same here. My friend has done some SM and sound work for them and only has good things to say.

198

Tools of the Trade / Re: Business Cards

« on: Feb 11, 2008, 03:54 am »

I got tempted to put a quote on the bottom at one point, or something like the AEA logo (which I don't think you can even use legally),

Does anybody know the answer to that? I can't find anything on the AEA website.

199

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question from an newbie! (Merging Libretto and Score)

« on: Jan 14, 2008, 03:10 pm »

All of my books are done electronically using PDFs of the score that I usually get from the composer.

How lucky!!

For the show I'm currently working on there was a massive computer storage crisis and all copies and backups of the score and breakdowns were destroyed. The only thing that remains is a reduced conductor's score.

It's been fun...

200

The Hardline / Re: Need a doctor in NYC

« on: Jan 14, 2008, 12:04 am »

Thanks for the advice.

I know how to find a doctor, I was just asking if someone had a doctor that perhaps they loved and would recommend is all.

201

The Hardline / Need a doctor in NYC

« on: Jan 13, 2008, 07:37 pm »

Not sure if this is quite the right spot for this, but:

I find myself quite sick and living here in NYC without a doctor nearby. My primary care is in Phila and if I do not improve in the next 24 hrs would be in need of a doctor. I have my healthcare through Equity.

Can anyone in NY make a  recommendation, please? Someone had suggested the Hirshfeld clinic, but I don't think I qualify as underinsured?

202

Uploaded Forms / Re: Actor/Scene Breakdowns

« on: Nov 09, 2007, 06:33 pm »

Scene Breakdown, in Excel

There's tracking underneath to note when it is blocked, tweaked, ran, etc.

This one was for a reading so it's only the first act. I also added a line in that tracking to note what day the rehearsal was scheduled for since we only had a week.

203

Employment / Re: Summer Internships

« on: Nov 04, 2007, 02:15 pm »

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has given me 2 wonderful summers, though neither in stage management.

They have both non-union ASMs and SM interns, so various levels of experience are hired. They do a 4 show summer with an additional children's show and a renaissance style green show before every evening performance.

www.pashakespeare.org

204

Tools of the Trade / Re: Box Office Software

« on: Nov 02, 2007, 04:05 pm »

I am against WinTix, but my old theatre uses ProVenueMax, again another sizeable investment.

I think that most of the actual box office ticketing programs you are going to find out there are going to be expensive. What about asking some other smallish theatres in the area what they use?

205

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: Oct 27, 2007, 01:42 pm »

Just chiming in on the shoe debate...and I think I may have already said this on this thread...but DANSKOS, DANSKOS, DANSKOS!  They are the best shoes ever.  I have....4 pairs total...1 of them is a nice pair of heels that is as comfortable as my flat pairs.  I live in them. 

I second this! I have a pair of clogs, a pair of dress shoes and an awesome pair of boots. I can stand in them for HOURS and walking in them is great too. They are totally worth the price!

206

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: Oct 26, 2007, 01:12 pm »

Interestingly enough, since I moved to NY and started a day job that required me to be more dressed up, I've discovered that I like it! I can't wear jeans to work, which were (with a nice shirt, or a nice t-shirt for taping and props pulling and such) pretty much my staple, but I find myself pairing nicer shirts with my dark, dressy jeans or black pants more often now.

207

The Hardline / Re: SPT 10 Question

« on: Oct 26, 2007, 01:13 am »

I agree with Rebbe, and he beat me to the punch on the response.

My immediate response was to say that because you don't have a week's notice, you can't change the day off, and it's as simple as that. Sick days are not the same as having time off.  If the 4th actor and you agree to overtime, you could add it onto Sunday if it doesn't go past 8.5 hrs or next week.

A wise actor once said to me "I see rehearsals as this: if we have a 40 hour week, I'm scheduled to rehearse for 40 hours. Any hour, let alone day that I'm not called is just extra time for me that I didn't count on."

That being said, if your director tries to pull the 'but I didn't call those two for 2 days' line, remind them that they chose not to call them and there's not enough time left in the week to alter the schedule for it.

Also. I miss you Jenna Hen!!!! When are you coming up here to visit!?

208

The Hardline / Re: Equity "half-hour"

« on: Oct 14, 2007, 01:09 am »

I know this has been discussed on another thread as well, but I give all of my calls in person, half hour included. I like knowing what's going on backstage and I take care to stay out of people's way. I've been lucky enough to be in spaces where this is possible. I can also be the one to collect and lock up valuables.

Plus, when you call 5 and an actor has a fit that they're not ready, they can't possibly go onstage without preparing further, I can't start, no way!, blah blah blah, I can very politely point out that the reason they are not ready was because they were playing video games on their PSP in the green room instead of getting ready.

Not that this has happened...

209

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Jesus Christ Superstar

« on: Oct 14, 2007, 01:04 am »

Nah! I did JCS with 35 plastic machine guns,

That's not how it happened?

210

Uploaded Forms / Re: Line Notes (for going "off book")

« on: Oct 14, 2007, 01:02 am »

This is my line notes form, in excel.

I type it up after rehearsal or put an assistant in charge of it and type it in page order and then sort by actor. I email it out, tabs for each actor and also print them a copy as well and bring it to them the next day.

I've used it for a while and it does me just fine. The version I've attached is the printing version (from Harold and Maude), before I make the tabs. I put the date and act at the top of each slip once I've cut them up.