Messages

226

Introductions / Re: Hello...It's me...

« on: Feb 09, 2016, 06:02 pm »

Hi and welcome! I'm the SM on a children's theatre tour right now, so if you have any questions, post away! There are a number of other SMs here who have done TYA tours as well so lots of different perspectives.

227

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / MOVED: PROMPT SCRIPT: How do you divide a rectangular stage up?

« on: Feb 09, 2016, 01:24 am »

This topic has been moved to Students and Novice Stage Managers.

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php?topic=8874.0

228

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / MOVED: CALLING: Calling a group of stoodby cues

« on: Feb 09, 2016, 01:24 am »

This topic has been moved to Students and Novice Stage Managers.

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php?topic=8873.0

229

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How do you divide a rectangular stage up?

« on: Feb 07, 2016, 10:30 pm »

Those are my general zones as well (except that I lose the extra 'S' and just use UR, DR, etc.).  When I have an upper level,  add designations like UUR (up up right) and UUL (up up left). 

On a unit set, I'll often reference furniture or other features in my blocking notation (ex. 'D x sink' or 'H x sofa'), as I find that's more specific for my brain.

I find I can be even more specific with musicals (and occasionally straight plays) when there is a number line.

Second all of this. Except, for upper levels, I underline the area- "DG x UR".

You should do what works for you. Whatever you decide, it's helpful to put a "key" in the front of the book explaining your shorthand, in case someone else has to read it. You can put a little diagram of the stage, and mark off which area is "UR", "UL", etc

230

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Calling a group of stoodby cues

« on: Feb 06, 2016, 07:36 pm »

If there's time, I prefer to say the cue number. If there's any confusion about what cue you are supposed to be in, saying the cue number can help eliminate that. If there's not time to say the number, then I'll say, "Lights GO".

Also, most stage managers generally set their own standbys, based on what works for them. If you find that your preference for standbys is different than the designer/board ops, you can adjust them as needed. If there is a large gap in the cues, I will generally have 2nd standby for the cues after the gap.

231

Introductions / Re: Hello

« on: Jan 21, 2016, 10:10 pm »

Hi and welcome to the boards!

I think some of the most interesting things you can do to teach stage management are hands-on. Have your students tape out a groundplan, take blocking for a scene, etc. Have guest speakers in your class, and/or have your students shadow professional SMs.

232

Introductions / Re: Hello Everyone

« on: Jan 16, 2016, 09:43 am »

Hi there- we're glad to have you. Tell us about yourself. How did you come to be a stage manager? What kind of shows do you like to work on?

233

Introductions / Re: Career Standby, career....go!

« on: Jan 10, 2016, 12:55 pm »

Welcome aboard, Rose!

There are some helpful pre-production checklists on this forum- you might get some ideas from them about what to do in preparation. Creating your own, personalized checklist will give you a jumping-off point for future productions.

Erin's got a good start there. Understanding the show will help you figure out what the next step is. Once you have a list of questions, I like to set up a meeting with the production manager to ask them what's already been figured out- the who, what, when, where and how of everything. After that, I set up meetings or conversations with the director and other creative and production team members, and figure out my next steps of the process.

Congrats on your first SM gig!

234

Introductions / Re: Yello!

« on: Jan 05, 2016, 10:47 pm »

Welcome aboard!

235

Uploaded Forms / Re: !! - Request Forms Here - !!

« on: Dec 28, 2015, 06:29 pm »

I'm interested in seeing reports for touring shows- if you have a general daily report that covers travel, performances, load-ins/outs, etc I'd love to see it. Thanks!

236

Tools of the Trade / Re: Prop cards

« on: Dec 23, 2015, 03:12 pm »

Maribeth - I've also found using any soft, rollable table cover is good for this, with the added benefit that you can't lose a single card.

True- I actually haven't ever used them on a show that had to be completely packed up each night. A table cover would be an excellent alternative in that situation. If you don't have to strike things every night, you can just tape the card down to the table whenever the preset is "set" and tape boxes or whatever your table layout method is.

The other nice thing about the cards is that you can tape them to a wall above a hook, or in "unusual" preset positions that aren't on the table.

237

Tools of the Trade / Prop cards

« on: Dec 22, 2015, 09:59 pm »

Here's a trick l learned from a stagehand....I don't use it every time, but on certain shows it can be a big help.

Make a "business card" for each prop. When you are setting up your prop tables during tech, you can tape the card down on the appropriate table. If the prop gets moved from SR to SL at some point during tech, it's really easy to move the prop card over to the other table.

It makes it really easy to glance at the prop table and see what is missing. This could also be used in a venue where more than one group is in the venue each night- easy to pack away and reset each day. I'm planning on using this method on tour for quick and easy prop table setup in a new venue. (I'm going to laminate the cards to make them more re-useable.)

238

The Green Room / Just a little something fun...

« on: Dec 22, 2015, 09:37 pm »

The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House in 360 degrees...

239

Introductions / Re: Hello!

« on: Dec 22, 2015, 09:30 pm »

Hi and welcome, Megan!

240

Introductions / Re: Hello!

« on: Dec 22, 2015, 09:29 pm »

Hi and welcome, Abby!