Messages

211

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Point Park: I guess putting it on SMNet makes it real...

« on: Jul 20, 2009, 12:50 pm »

I did my undergrad at Pitt and lived for 2 years right outside the theater at Point Park. Enjoy.  Drink some IC Light for me.

212

The Hardline / Re: Dancers' Union

« on: Jun 26, 2009, 03:36 am »

In the US, dance and opera are covered by AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists).  http://www.musicalartists.org/

213

The Hardline / Re: Actors Federal Credit Union

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 12:30 pm »

Marcie- I have not had real problems living overseas and using my AFCU account.  The online banking is universal.  There was a computer security problem and they had to cancel all ATM/ check cards and re-issue new cards.  This created a small problem as they did not update the expiration date and I got rejected a few times.  But a phone call cleared that up.

Honestly though, I don't use my AFCU account for many transactions here.  I use it for online purchases and credit card bills, but that's about it.  But, I do have a bank account in Belgium (ING) that I use for most things (and where my salary gets deposited so there is more money there than in my AFCU anyway).

I totally plan to keep my AFCU account for the forseeable future.  I can use the online banking to write checks and pay bills that are tied to the USA, which is important.  I was able to have my tax return directly deposited into that account as opposed to trying to figure out how to get it wired to Belgium.

The ATM/ check cards that they issue are Visa which is excepted pretty much everywhere (even more places than my European Maestro card) so it is still worthwhile to have in my wallet.

Even with the cons I pointed out earlier, I have been very satisfied with AFCU.  When I was touring domestically, I did sometimes have to suck it up and pay the ATM fee to withdraw, but mostly I was able to do the cashback option and avoid charges.

Just watch out when they issue you a new card, call and make sure the expiration date they have in the computer is correct and you should be fine.

As for McDonald's ATMs.  McDonald's sucks - hands down.  I never ever eat there.  But they are EVERYWHERE.  There was one across the street from my apartment, near anyplace I ever worked or drank or whatever.  Just hold your breath and run in and run out.  Usually there is no line for the ATM there so you can be in and out quicker than most bank ATMs.

214

The Hardline / Re: TYA Questions to Ask

« on: Jun 22, 2009, 06:20 pm »

I believe in TYA tours, the SM (even AEA) will have additional duties and be responsible for a lot more technical elements than on typical AEA contracts.

Theatreworks?

215

The Hardline / Re: Actors Federal Credit Union

« on: Jun 22, 2009, 06:16 pm »

There's no minimum to open and no minimum to keep in the account.

Actually this is not exactly true.  You must open and keep a savings account with a minimum of $100.  The checking account has no minimum, but you must open a savings account to open a checking account.

I have been with AFCU for 6+ years now.  It is good if you live in NYC.  All the ATMs at McDonalds are free.

Some important Cons:
-When your ATM/check card expires and they send you a new one, they NEVER update the expiration date in the computer.  So you try to use it and it gets rejected until you figure it out and call the bank.  This has happened to me each time I have gotten a new card.
-Branch locations: there are 2 in NYC.  One at AEA and one at the musicians' union, I believe.  This has never been too serious an issue for me.  But sometimes weeks can go by before I would have a chance to make it to Times Square during banking hours.
-They do not mail you a hard copy of interested earned for taxes.  You need to download it through the website for your records.  (Which I neglected to do for 2007 and the IRS caught me)

Some important Pros:
-low fees compared to other banks.  (99 cents for using another ATM, very reasonable minimum balance)
-the online banking is pretty user friendly.  I have not had much opportunity to use the new BillPay but the old BillPay was pretty simple and very reliable.
-the eMax savings account actually offers you interest!  It is on a tiered scale depending on qualifications you met, but when the stock market is loosing money, it's nice to see my balance grow even if it baby steps.
-I have had many bad experiences with larger banks and I like being a part of a smaller bank/ credit union.  I feel less like a number and more like someone will help me if I need it.

216

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Who writes your rehearsal schedules?

« on: May 31, 2009, 09:39 am »

In most cases, I have worked with the director to make the schedule.  We discuss what scenes to rehearse and how long each requires.  Sometimes directors write a draft and we discuss it together and check against union rules, actor availability and other schedule restraints.  Sometimes they leave more of it up to me.

I don't necessarily think there is a set standard.  It is best to discuss the schedule making procedure with your director before rehearsals start.

Schedule making at my current job (which is not a theater and not in the US) is really complicated.  We have 62 artists, 12 coaches and 6 rehearsal spaces.  Juggling all of that and outside needs (consulate visits, vaccinations, injuries), is a huge challenge.  I take input from the artistic staff, coaches and our technical departments including requests, demands and constraints.  I create a draft for the following week and go through it with various people a few times before publication.  We also do a review of the next day's schedule each afternoon before publishing it officially.

I do most of the puzzle work (who where when) and then make adjustments based on notes from directors, etc.  There is no way that a director or coach could make a schedule in this environment.

217

The Green Room / Re: How do you keep in shape?

« on: May 31, 2009, 09:28 am »

I feel much shame to write this.  My current job is with a cirque style production.  We have a fully equipped gym in our studio.  And I never use it.  Shame on me.

I do manage to eat pretty healthily (if you don't count all the beer I drink).  We have healthy catered lunches and I cook my own evening meals.  I have been a vegetarian for 15 years and even in really busy/ stressful times can manage my food pretty well.

Really sad that I can't make myself hop on a treadmill that sits literally 20 feet from my desk . . .

218

Employment / Re: Moving for a Career

« on: May 26, 2009, 04:19 pm »

I have moved several times, but always with work lined up.  I moved to NYC (stayed for 6 years) because I was offered a full time position there.  I have done extended gigs in other cities (Chicago, Upstate NY) with and without housing provided. 

Earlier this year, I got a job in Belgium and am now living in company housing just outside of Antwerp.  I had never been to Belgium before I moved here and would certainly never chose it as a place to settle down.  I will be here until the end of the year.

Then in December, I (and everyone involved in the show) will move to Macau, China.  We will all be there for several years (minimum 2 years) and perform the show there.  I have never been to China before, I really have no idea what kind of adjustment there will be.  I imagine it will be a little harder to get used to than Belgium, but hopefully will also be a funner place to spend a few years. 

The scariest thing about this upcoming move is that we go straight into tech/ creation after the move.  (We actually get 4 days to move, but as a stage manager I will work 2 of those days).  They give us a month of housing and then we must find our own apartments.  I can't imagine trying to find an apartment while teching a show 18 hours a day.

219

Employment / Re: Where do I begin?

« on: Mar 22, 2009, 05:09 pm »

When I was in college, my roommate was a foreigner and was allowed to stay for 1 year after graduation for work purposes.  I imagine that this would apply to many situations.  Are you from Europe?

She was able to find an employer to sponsor her for a work visa after that first year.  However, she is criminal therapist not a theater person. I don't think it is likely that within a year you could find a theater job willing to sponsor you for a work permit with your experience level. 

If you are intent upon staying in the United States at this time, I really recommend finding another field where you are more likely to make a living and more able to sponsor you for a work permit.  You can still gain experience by working theater on nights and weekends.

220

Employment / Re: NY SM Question

« on: Mar 06, 2009, 02:07 pm »

I agree that the "Off Broadway" category (though I do not personally use on my resume) could be used to indicate non-Broadway NY gigs.  But I would only consider a few other AEA contracts or theaters would merit inclusion.

Certainly never refer to an AEA Showcase as Off Broadway.  But would consider listing an ANTC contract if it was at a well known enough place.  (example: Atlantic Theater Company.  Well known, has sent shows to Broadway, but is not under an OB contract with AEA)

Always when putting an entry under Off Broadway remember, most NYC producers and SMs have a pretty good idea of the shows/ theaters in town and will be able to spot an illegitimate placement.  This will not make you look good.

If I did not have enough legit OB credits, I would use the header New York Theater with the OB credit at the top.  Again, the employer will probably recognize the show or theater and take notice without the header.

221

Employment / Re: When Hiring Other SM's...

« on: Feb 25, 2009, 03:53 pm »

I have to say that on the receiving end, I usually prefer an email with dates, terms, job description and request for interview by e-mail.  A phone call or voicemail is not always convenient to receive, but you can check you email anytime and have a "written record" of the dates, etc.

222

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Blending a libretto with a score

« on: Feb 18, 2009, 03:14 pm »

On several occasions, I have had to literally cut and paste pages from the libretto and score together.  I kept my page breaks the same as I had in libretto, but added pages/ chunks when necessary.  If the score doesn't include the short spoken dialogue you need, just cut the page up and make it work for you. 

You might find that writing 8 counts or arrows for repeats in the libretto works good during the Acts, but use the score for overture/ entr'acte/ bows or dance sequences. 

After rehearsing the show for weeks, and having a chat with the designers to see what they are using, you should be able to make a pretty followable book before tech.  Have a copy of score and libretto handy in separate in case you suddenly need either.

223

Tools of the Trade / Re: Holiday SM Gifts

« on: Jan 03, 2009, 12:49 pm »

I also received a new leatherman wave to replace mine that had gotten stolen!

224

The Hardline / Re: IATSE house

« on: Dec 16, 2008, 08:34 pm »

It is of my experience that you can have the actors do the scene change, but you cannot NOT have the crew.  Therefore, for each actor moving scenery, you have one stagehand waiting in the wings to receive said scenic item as soon as it comes offstage.  

You can "take the job" of the stagehand, but they must still be hired and present for the shows.

But please confirm with your local BA.

225

Employment / Re: CV help

« on: Dec 04, 2008, 02:19 pm »

I had my name and title the top (no photo); then contact details and personal details (birthday, marrital status, etc), no hair color or eye color.

Are you supposed to put personal details like that in a CV? I've never applied for anything that required it but something about putting my exact age, marital status, etc. would make me uncomfortable.

For a resume in the US, no those things are not common or necessary.

For CV's in the rest of the, yes it is common.  My particular CV is to be used as supporting evidence for a Belgian work permit.  Things like age and marital status and number of dependents are useful information in this case.