Messages

211

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with animals?

« on: Mar 16, 2009, 09:12 am »

I'm not sure how much leverage you feel you have, but if there is not going to be a trainer I would put my foot down and say there is not going to be any live animal. It's just not safe. Period.

212

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: "We'll sort that out at the theatre"

« on: Mar 12, 2009, 10:52 am »

Just to play devils advocate -- I know some directors really don't want the actors worrying about technical things (the wardrobe thing is still beyond me..) and have a habit of saying "Don't worry, we'll figure it out in tech" but what they really mean is "There are two dozen other people that worry about these things and you should just worry about your blocking and singing"...where a SM knows a good answer to these queries is something along the lines of "Thanks for the heads up, I'll take care of it" the director leaves the last part out, assuming it's implied.

Of course he could just have unrealistic expectations of you, the crew, and the amount of time you have for tech... but again, just wanted to play devils advocate

hope it works out!

213

Tools of the Trade / Re: line note post its

« on: Mar 04, 2009, 07:56 pm »

great idea-but to make the same thing at kinkos probably is about the same price :-/

214

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / ASMS: ASM Duties on very small show?

« on: Feb 28, 2009, 12:09 am »

Hi All--

So the last 6 shows I've worked on have been rather small 1-3 person cast, where I was the only SM team member which was more than enough for the amount of work being done.

I've also done full musicals in the past with 2-3 trusty ASMs on my team with me that of course are indispensable for all the nuances and endless tracking that goes along with a musical.

The next show I'm doing however... is a one woman show, VERY projection heavy, moderately prop heavy, and requires no running crew (actor never leaves stage, no scene changes, etc) and early in the process the powers that be said I would be getting an ASM/Board Op to run lights and sound as I will be dealing with running projection and calling the show. Now today they said that I'll have the ASM for all rehearsals as well...which is wonderful...but..

What shall I do with them?? I'll admit that I'm not always the best at delegating tasks, usually with ASMs on musicals during rehearsals it will be props tracking, actor tracking, line notes, costume tracking, making copies, corralling chorus members..etc..

But with this show it seems like there will be so much less of that sort of work-I'm leaning towards lending them to the scenic/props designer as assistance for all the props we need to buy/track down.

We have 4 weeks of rehearsals, 6 days a week, 6 hour days... I always was irked being the ASM who sat in rehearsal waiting for a task to be given to me...

Any ideas???

215

Employment / Re: Unemployment Benefits Claims??

« on: Feb 26, 2009, 11:26 pm »

TRIUMPH!

As of today my case has been closed, and I will be able to receive my back benefits as well as further benefits.

My case worker was as incredulous as I was about the dispute on the claim (he even said it became water cooler fodder for him and his co-workers because of how ridiculous it was) We went over my job title and expectations, he confirmed that he received my fax of the contract that I signed, and that they had not offered me a 2nd contract...

That became a sticky topic because they HAD offered me a 2nd show starting several weeks later, but I turned it down because I do not wish to work with the company because of it's way of over-working and under-paying it's employees (including sub-par per diem.) Also I had already accepted another show at that time with a different company. In January the other show fell through, but it was obviously too late to take the contract with the 1st company (not that I wanted to )

Luckily the case worker listened to me and agreed that while I "turned down" further employment I was totally in my right to seek and accept "more remunerative employment" even if it did end up falling through.

So as of tomorrow my benefits will be released and this whole thing is behind me (I hope!) There is a chance that they can appeal the decision in the next 30 days, but I hope that they aren't feeling like putting up that much of a fight.

Thanks everyone for all of the info and advice!

216

Employment / Re: Unemployment Benefits Claims??

« on: Feb 23, 2009, 05:18 pm »

Wanting to keep everyone updated-in hopes that no one else has to go through what I have..

So nearly 3 weeks after my benefits have been denied, my case worker finally got in touch with me saying that the payroll company, while "advised by their contact with the company" (a.k.a. the producer and owner of the small theater company)  they were still upholding their claim that I was not eligible.

After about 45 minutes on the phone with the case worker, and then my old boss, both of them are still at a loss on how to resolve this quickly without a hearing before a judge. (Which I'm told I could be waiting 3-6 months for one..)

So what it is coming down to is: Employee says I'm eligible, Employer says I'm eligible, NYS says I'm eligible, Paychex (the payroll company) say's I'm not..which means I get no benefits until either they budge or we appear before a judge.

My next plan of action is getting in touch with the powers that be at the payroll company and getting their policies (in writing) of challenging claims and try and see what grounds they may think they have. The case worker said that this particular company has challenged A LOT of claims in the last 2 months (so all of 2009) and most people either find work or give up before it is resolved.

That all being said--I'm sticking with this, at present date I'm owed over $700 in benefits. I don't care how long this takes I will get my money that is owed to me. Just a heads up to everyone out there to be pro-active in keeping an eye on these things, because they can get out of hand really fast.

More updates when I get them! They can't keep a good SM down!

217

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Getting Motivated

« on: Feb 10, 2009, 03:42 pm »

In this tedious economy one of my favorite mantras has become:

'I love what I do. I have a job.'

I've definitely had shows where I wasn't completely "on board" or enthusiastic about it. But sometimes working on shows is just that, work. If you can find any glimmer of enjoyment in the show, from the cast, to the music, to the lovely paperwork you generate, count it as some good experience and keep moving forward.

Case in point, the last show I did was a lot less professional than I had anticipated (read: I was put under the impression it was off-bway with an experienced team, when in reality it was a group of undergrad students putting up a show in an off-off space with no experience) When I was able to get past my grudges of being misled, I had an alright time trying to make the best of it...and the writer of said show has now asked me to SM his next show which will be a much bigger production.

Work begets work.

218

Employment / Re: Being new during tough times...

« on: Feb 09, 2009, 03:19 pm »

I can completely relate, and agree it's a sucky situation.

That being said, in this situation I'd do one of two things:
1) If being part of that specific company is especially important, do what you can to become indispensable to them, meaning work for them as a PA, ASM, in the box office, (as long as you can afford it) anything they may be needing support in. They'll always remember the people who didn't desert them when times were tough. 

2)Look at this as an opportunity to get out there and meet new companies, directors, etc and widen your base. If you're able to relocate temporarily consider the plethora of summer stock coming up, where you're likely to get a lot of experience in a short amount of time, and meet ton of new people.

Just remember, everyone goes through lulls in their career, what may differ is how each of us chooses to react to the situation.

219

Employment / Re: Unemployment Benefits Claims??

« on: Feb 09, 2009, 03:08 pm »

Thank you everyone for all your advice and help!!

I did have all my paperwork from my book (the company itself had the original book as per my contract) and sent copies to my producer asking (in a very nice way)... WTF?!?

Found out today, apparently their payroll company misinterpreted the contract/info that they had on file for me and was trying to be a cheapskate and not give me benefits. The producer had approved my claim back in December as soon as I filed it, and for whatever reason it took over a month for some random red flag to get raised at the payroll company...

Unfortunately...I have to wait for my case manager type person to contact me to help get this straightened out. My producer has already spoken to the payroll people and they are in the process of canceling their complaint..

And here I am in the red tape.   

220

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Sound cues: turning off actor's mic when they exit

« on: Feb 07, 2009, 10:53 pm »

Not sure at what level you're doing this in.. but in my experience in musicals it is the sound person who will be doing the live mixing (meaning mics) during the show to take those cues on their own. Usually they'll either ask for the cues from the SM team, or some wonderful people have come to rehearsals, marked their own scripts, and been 100% ready for tech.

I've never called a mic cue.

221

Employment / Re: Unemployment Benefits Claims??

« on: Feb 06, 2009, 10:28 pm »

Not wanting to assume---did you work under a 1099 or W-4?

I was working under a W4 for the tour.

I've heard advice that if you're not given a 1099 or a W4 for your pay that you can file unemployment because it's not taxable wages...thoughts? I've done lots of work for $599.99 so the company could avoid 1099's...just wondering if I could have been collecting unemployment most of those times...

222

Employment / Unemployment Benefits Claims??

« on: Feb 06, 2009, 03:18 pm »

Hi All---

Just a long shot because I'm seeking some advice in a battle with a previous employer over claiming benefits... If anyone is familiar with NY state unemployment benefits and how they relate to a non-union freelancer I would love to hear your advice on this one..

So I was employed from September 12-December 15 2008 as a PSM on a children's tour. I signed a contract for those dates and completed all of those dates and tasks required in the contract. The week after the tour ended I applied for and was granted unemployment benefits as I fell under the tenet of 'lack of work' since there was not an opportunity for me to continue with the company at that time. Now, over a month after I started claiming (and receiving benefits), my benefits are suspended because the company is claiming that I "resigned before my contractual obligations had finished", and also that I'm "not eligible" since I knew when the contract was ending.

What am I missing here?! I spoke to several people at the department of labor who work with freelancers and the entertainment industry and they said my claim SEEMED valid on paper, but they would have to wait for the investigation (I may have to go to court) to be completed before I would see any more benefits.

This is so completely frustrating since I have been scouring the city for ANY work (not even just theater) and have only come up with some interviews which never transpired. Also most theater work right now does not pay me enough to live on-actually less than my benefits would be...

Another side note: for freelancers, do you claim benefits while working for a contract that the payment is a 'reimbursement?' I know under AEA that members who are doing showcases can still claim unemployment during the showcase rehearsal and performance periods since the pay is a 'reimbursement' and not a wage. I've never tried to do it because I always thought it was an Equity loophole that I wasn't able to use...Thoughts??

223

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student SM Challenge #5: Critical Paperwork

« on: Feb 05, 2009, 04:16 pm »

Hypothetical question - how do you make a contact sheet before acquiring the actors' contact information?

Touche!

In this situation (which I've almost been in..haha) I'd piece together a contact sheet of what I did have, and have everyone else fill it in first thing in the AM so I could publish it ASAP

Other things I'd do - (other than trying to schedule a production meeting following rehearsal that day)
-Emergency Information & Conflicts Form
-Character/Scene/# breakdown
-Calendar (with giant SUBJECT TO CHANGE's all over it..)
-Put together my binder with tabs for scenes, musical #'s, in script and score (if they gave you that)
-Pull templates for conflict calendar, props, costume, and actor tracking to be photocopied

And that would probably get me through the first day, considering the first day could end up being design presentations (in that case I'd nab photocopies of scenic design drafts & costume plots) music work with the MD, or read-thrus and table work with the director, leaving more time to fill in the blanks..

224

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Feb 05, 2009, 11:31 am »

To add to the list...one of my favorite spaces in NYC, The Zipper Theater closed its doors suddenly a few weeks ago with no talks of re-opening. They also put a lot of shows that were on their program out on the street searching for a venue at last notice.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125224.html

225

Employment / Re: Blacklist of companies for SMs?

« on: Feb 04, 2009, 05:08 pm »

Thanks everyone for your input and ideas...

I understand no one wants to go around tattle-telling on past employers, but I was less interested in airing of personal qualms with a company (we all have those people we would rather not work with again) but more from a safety and payment standpoint. (Since I'm not Equity I don't have a union to back me up, warn me about non-payment..etc)

The only real reasons I wouldn't recommend a particular job/company to someone is if they A) had unsafe practices that could harm someone... or B) they didn't pay me or follow through on contractual obligations.

I think it's fair for someone who is beginning their career freelancing to have the opportunity to see companies' errors before they get in over their heads. On the flip side, I can see how it could turn very easily to a grievance board of bad experiences...