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The Hardline / Re: Director Giving Notes
« on: May 24, 2014, 06:24 pm »
The director is welcome to give notes *through the stage manager* until time immemorial. On the other hand, changes in the show and major alterations (specifically those that affect cues and blocking) require additional rehearsal, and subsequent payment for time to rehearse and re-tech those moments. That is a discussion you need to have with the producer. No question that many shows could benefit from improvements after opening, but it isn't something done on the fly. So you should let the producer know that the director is making the kinds of changes that require additional time, and let them tell her that the show needs to be locked.
The other problem, however, is you choosing which notes to give. That part is not ok. When you say "offensive" what do you mean? Can you offer a specific? And - the key here is to figure out the intent of the note so you understand what she's trying to get at. That is the note to give. You can soften the blow and joke about it, you can show them how it's being solved, but refusing to deliver them is a whole other deal. Again, you can take the offensive notes to the producer and explain your concerns. (As I was typing this, Matthew showed a perfect example of how to deal with it.)
Does she email them, call them in, hand you hard copy? You can forward emails with the hedder "from the director", cut up the hard copy and place on their tables, etc - so you don't merge her notes with yours at all. But I also remember hearing how Charles Nelson Reilly papered his dressing room walls with notes he promptly ignored.
The other problem, however, is you choosing which notes to give. That part is not ok. When you say "offensive" what do you mean? Can you offer a specific? And - the key here is to figure out the intent of the note so you understand what she's trying to get at. That is the note to give. You can soften the blow and joke about it, you can show them how it's being solved, but refusing to deliver them is a whole other deal. Again, you can take the offensive notes to the producer and explain your concerns. (As I was typing this, Matthew showed a perfect example of how to deal with it.)
Does she email them, call them in, hand you hard copy? You can forward emails with the hedder "from the director", cut up the hard copy and place on their tables, etc - so you don't merge her notes with yours at all. But I also remember hearing how Charles Nelson Reilly papered his dressing room walls with notes he promptly ignored.