Messages

226

Employment / Re: CV help

« on: Dec 03, 2008, 06:49 pm »

Well, I finished it.  I ended up being a lot less descriptive than others that I had seen online.  They accepted it and said that it met their needs. 

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.

Then I listed all the shows/ jobs I have done in reverse chronological order.

Then I listed internships and education.

I am really glad I did not have to write descriptions for each job.  That would have taken forever.

227

Employment / Re: CV help

« on: Nov 30, 2008, 10:47 pm »

It is for Belgium.  I have poked around the internet for a bit and found lots of different styles, but none for theater, which is unfortunate.

I think I need to include more descriptions than I am used to including.

228

Employment / Re: CV help

« on: Nov 28, 2008, 09:32 am »

Also do I include special skills and references?

I figure I should include my education, should it just be university or high school too? Do I include my GPA?

Thanks again!

229

Employment / CV help

« on: Nov 28, 2008, 09:30 am »

So I am being asked to create a CV. Not
a 1 page resume, but a full-career spanning CV. I need some advice on formatting, please.

Do I include dates? Director names? Do I list each show if I did a whole season? Do I list in simple chronological order or group by type of production (dance, theater, opera)? Do I list cities?

If anyone has any hints or even a sample CV, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

230

Employment / Re: Location, Location, Location!

« on: Nov 22, 2008, 11:30 am »

I currently live in NYC.  It certainly has a lot of jobs, but it also has a lot of competition for those jobs.  Is it the best place?  For some people, yes.  For others, no.

NYC is a great place for people who can handle a full time day job and also work smaller (example Showcase) shows on the side.  There are thousands of small theater companies that are always looking for good help but cannot even come close to paying a living wage.

There are jobs that can pay a decent wage and a few jobs that pay a good wage.  But lots of competition.  Lots.  And as the economy gets worse and worse, more qualified SMs will be willing to work for the "decent" wage instead of the "good" wage rather than not working at all.

There are also a lot of jobs that are considered a full time commitment but still don't pay what I would consider a livable wage. And yet, there is still a tremendous amount of competition for these jobs.

I have traveled a lot with jobs.  Both with tours and with sit-down jobs in theaters outside the City. 

The key to having a career in stage management is flexibilty.  Be willing to travel, be willing to compromise (on money or time or duties), but also know your bottome line (on money or time or duties) and stick with it. 

With the economy going the way it is, smaller companies will really begin to flourish, I think.  As more expensive productions must close, there is room for lower budget theaters to get higher calibre employees and more audience.

It will be interesting to see what the next few years bring.

231

The Hardline / Re: Non-Union SM

« on: Nov 19, 2008, 02:12 pm »

If you are in NYC, the Showcase code allows for AEA actors/ non-AEA actors and either an AEA SM or non-AEA SM.

Also, many regional contracts allow for non-AEA ASMs.

232

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Fight Call

« on: Nov 19, 2008, 10:25 am »

Agreed. 

233

Employment / Re: Resume - special circumstances

« on: Nov 14, 2008, 02:20 pm »

I have held positions similar to this, but I have always listed them on my resume simply as PSM and then discussed special tasks in the cover letter or during interview if it applies.  Never really thought about listing it specially on the resume.

234

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Summer Activities in Canada

« on: Nov 11, 2008, 11:05 am »

Try the stratford festival. www.stratford-festival.on.ca/

235

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: When the show is going bad

« on: Nov 10, 2008, 04:02 pm »

Again, based on a very negative experience I had, where the producer did come to me and ask for such info, I would caution you.  I recommend inviting the producer to watch rehearsal and schedule it with the director.  But I would not insert opinions of my own or be willing to report back outside of standard rehearsal report.

You work FOR the producer, WITH the director but IN the rehearsal.  Keep your rehearsal space sacred.

236

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: When the show is going bad

« on: Nov 10, 2008, 12:18 pm »

I can't think of the best way to word all of this.

Having been "caught" in between a director and a producer before, I recommend keeping out of it as much as possible.  If you even hint at getting yourself set up as a "spy" or "reporter" to the producer, it will destroy any control you have in rehearsal.

PM me if you want examples of what I went through.

237

The Hardline / Re: Actor Notes - After opening

« on: Nov 10, 2008, 12:12 pm »

I give notes, I try to phrase them more as a conversation starter than a correction.  Though if a correction is due, I give said correction.  Even if something is off once, I will usually bring it up just in case.  Sometimes people respond well, sometimes they don't.  I try not to take it personally when an actor objects to the principle of an SM giving notes.

238

Tools of the Trade / Re: Going Green

« on: Nov 10, 2008, 12:10 pm »

The SMA has a similar thread on their forum.

Here is what I posted there:

"easy steps:

recycling bins for cans, bottles, paper, etc
compact fluorescent light bulbs
motion sensors on dressing room and office lights so that they are only on when in use
dimmers on dressing room and office lights so you can only use the amount of light you need
unplug anything that can be unplugged when not in use (or turn off at power switch)
donate/ recycle old sets/ costumes/ props
switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products
switch to environmentally friendly paper products
buy a bunch of coffee mugs for your coffee station instead of paper or styrofoam cups
use a container of sweetener and a spoon instead of individual packets of sweetener
set aside tote bags for shopping errands instead of using plastic bags from the store
use rags to clean instead of paper towels
live plants outside and inside
get furnace and a/c serviced (they work ore efficiently when in good condition)
wash laundry on cold setting or use 1/2 as much detergent

more challenging:
gray water recycling
compost bin
use environmentally friendly products when renovating (example- roof shingles made from recycled tires)"

Add to that:
-energy star appliances
-use organic/ fair trade/ shade grown coffees and teas at your water station
-buy a filter system for your kitchen instead of water coolers
-solar powered water heating system

239

Stage Management: Other / Re: How to break into Music?

« on: Nov 08, 2008, 08:33 pm »

Outside of craigslist, I recommend googling or searching on LinkedIn.  Also try BizBash.com

Good luck.

240

Stage Management: Other / Re: How to break into Music?

« on: Nov 08, 2008, 12:38 pm »

Try contacting events companies.  I have done a couple of rock concerts through my company.  Also contact venues and try to get on their overhire list.  Work a few shows as a stage hand and make connections.