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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Advice Needed: Working with Minimal Show Familiarity; Rocky Job Performance
« on: Jun 21, 2014, 05:41 pm »
First, take a deep breath. And then another.
It sounds like your job description has shifted, and with it your responsibilities and your work load.
1) You need your own script. This is not the tech script, this is the ASM/deck manager script, and it is not to be shared. The TD needs to get his own shared one for the shop.
Once you reclaim that script, read it. Read it again. And again. Out loud if it makes better sense. Then go through it and break it down. Separate the scenes, and all the obvious props and shifts. Then take assiduous notes during rehearsal to make sure everything is written down. Then organize it in a way that makes sense to you.
Bring paper and pencil with you everywhere and take notes on everything: Actor entrances/exits, wagon shifts, possible costume QCs, perishable or delicate (or dangerous) props .... EVERYTHING.
2) Don't touch things that you don't know about. Ask first. Always. Same things as the rule for props.
3) Cut yourself some slack. You are learning. You will make mistakes. That's ok, just don't let them stop you.
4) Do one thing at a time. Today, for example, take all prop notes (write down everything regardless, but don't worry abt organizing the costume/set/etc). Track them in a way that makes sense to you, but allows room for things to change (including who brings it on/off, where it lives before and after, etc).
5) Breathe.
6) Breathe.
7) Be willing to apologize - but not toady. Be willing to forgive yourself.
8 ) Be willing to look for middle ground, for creative solutions, for middle ground. Find appreciation and find love.
9) BREATHE.
10) Use this site as the amazing resource it is - for forms, for advice, for support.
11) BREATHE.
12) See a doctor if any of your symptoms appear again. Immediately.
It sounds like your job description has shifted, and with it your responsibilities and your work load.
1) You need your own script. This is not the tech script, this is the ASM/deck manager script, and it is not to be shared. The TD needs to get his own shared one for the shop.
Once you reclaim that script, read it. Read it again. And again. Out loud if it makes better sense. Then go through it and break it down. Separate the scenes, and all the obvious props and shifts. Then take assiduous notes during rehearsal to make sure everything is written down. Then organize it in a way that makes sense to you.
Bring paper and pencil with you everywhere and take notes on everything: Actor entrances/exits, wagon shifts, possible costume QCs, perishable or delicate (or dangerous) props .... EVERYTHING.
2) Don't touch things that you don't know about. Ask first. Always. Same things as the rule for props.
3) Cut yourself some slack. You are learning. You will make mistakes. That's ok, just don't let them stop you.
4) Do one thing at a time. Today, for example, take all prop notes (write down everything regardless, but don't worry abt organizing the costume/set/etc). Track them in a way that makes sense to you, but allows room for things to change (including who brings it on/off, where it lives before and after, etc).
5) Breathe.
6) Breathe.
7) Be willing to apologize - but not toady. Be willing to forgive yourself.
8 ) Be willing to look for middle ground, for creative solutions, for middle ground. Find appreciation and find love.
9) BREATHE.
10) Use this site as the amazing resource it is - for forms, for advice, for support.
11) BREATHE.
12) See a doctor if any of your symptoms appear again. Immediately.