Messages

226

The Green Room / Re: Where and when are you at your best?

« on: Sep 12, 2009, 03:46 pm »

I believe I am at my best when, as someone put it, "cattle wrangling."  I love auditions and coordinating different spaces and times and being able to walk into a lobby and tell a large group of people where and when to go to a room efficiently and have them understand it perfectly.

I also love the design meetings, having a small background in design.  I feel like I can point out different solutions for tricky situations that may not come to anyone else's mind. For instance, being able to eliminate a set piece by suggesting using lights instead. Fun times.

227

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Pranks

« on: Sep 08, 2009, 02:02 pm »

Very wise comments by MatthewShiner.

I also believe small pranks are harmless and can be moral boosting.  It is VERY important to gauge your cast and crew appropriately and always be ready for an over-reaction.  I have had actors play "pass-the-object" during a performance just to keep them on their toes, only to pass it to the wrong individual who happened to rant about it when they were offstage.  Apologies were made from the parties involved and that was that.  Doesn't seem like much, but it all depends.

I can tolerate a lot and generally am collected and relaxed, so a prank doesn't phase me.  But if it affects the overall performance and relationships between member of the company, then that's too far.

228

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Require cast to have an email?

« on: Sep 05, 2009, 03:52 pm »

I don't think it's that big of a deal to call the person.  It's only a 2-3 minute phone call, tops, a few times every week.  And if the rehearsals are planned well in advance, you just give them their printed schedule, tell them to post it on their refrigerator and only have to call them if there's major changes.

229

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Multitaskers are "Lousy at Everything"

« on: Sep 04, 2009, 04:11 pm »

I have to say, this doesn't sound like a "multi-tasking" study.  It sounds like just another memory study (a multi-memory study), but this time it's with a larger amount of variables.  And they say multi-taskers are in a constant state of stress....well, maybe sometimes, but I have to say that for most of my day I'm relatively calm and have a system for all the assignments and duties I have to perform.

I think we can all agree, as SMs we do have to remember a large amount of facts and information over the course of a day (let's not even talk about over the course of a show or season).  But that's why we have note-pads, lists, and forms of organization.  If anything, I feel like SMs are the exception to this "Lousy at everything" conclusion.  We find ways to get around the inefficiencies of the human condition and make things work.  Of course we don't remember every color of people's clothes and what they brought for lunch and who called us when.  But we can build a prop and fix a costume, all while monitoring a show before curtain and giving places and working with a egotistical member of your crew.

And lets think about how other jobs also do the same things as us.  How could you possibly run a company, or a store, or an office, or fill any managerial position without the ability to multi-task.

Personally, I have to declare shenanigans on this study just from what I've read.

230

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Being Assertive

« on: Sep 04, 2009, 03:57 pm »

It sounds like you might be assuming a lot about this particular person:

(She intimidates me more than anything, just because she has a rude tone in her voice, and I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm a moron)

I would just be polite and professional and treat them as equally as everyone else and then if there's an issue with following directions, etc...that's the time to talk one on one and figure out what exactly is causing the problems.

231

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How can I find these props???

« on: Sep 04, 2009, 03:54 pm »

Did they have toe nail polish in the medieval ages?  And would anyone be able to tell the difference if you used modern toe nail polish?

The board with wheels you're describing just sounds like a dolly which you should have around the shop.  I'd just cover it with something to make it look presentable and no one should be the wiser.

Of course all these things depend on the director so make sure to go through them before settling on any particular design.

232

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Contact Sheets

« on: Aug 26, 2009, 05:32 pm »

I usually do three sheets.

One is for the actors and includes their contact information, along with anyone who they might need to get in touch with (myself, the costumer for fittings and such, etc...).  This is handed out to the cast.  This might also have some basic information they may need as well.
A second is the production contact list, which I am sure is pretty standard, listing the production team.
The final sheet is a combination of the two.  This is the sheet I keep handy at all times in case I need to get in touch with anyone.

Each of these sheets includes names, positions/roles, phone#(s), and email(s).  I guess my "sm version" is just a comprehensive list of the two contact sheets I hand out to two different groups.

Personal contact: very often folks have private/back numbers they don't want spread far and wide. This is my personal contact sheet, the one that lives with me until we close = this can be the director with a private cell or an actor's work number or a star's home. Anything that doesn't get shared and only gets used in emergency.

I put these right in my phone, just in case.

Now my question is:
Is it standard procedure to put your contacts from this sheet in your phone and remove them once a production is finished?  I would assume the answers vary on size of the production.

233

Tools of the Trade / Re: Twitter.

« on: Aug 21, 2009, 06:40 pm »

I can see the advertising side to twitter, but as a communications tool in a company, I just can't picture it. But perhaps I will be proven wrong.  I think with Facebook (or any website) and new forms of communication in our society, if you can use it to improve your business then all the power to you.

I never understood the purpose of twitter, and frankly I think the word "tweet" is mildly moronic! (Just a personal opinion, though!).

Totally agree.  I think I get enough of the tweets on twitter from the twits on the major news networks and radio stations to drive me insane anyway.

234

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Enforcing Punctuality in Community Theater

« on: Aug 21, 2009, 06:32 pm »

To premise: an individual who refuses to come on time, plan ahead, be courteous, etc...will not change merely because of a policy you institute ::insert The Price Is Right losing music here::  However, as SMs, we can always plan ahead and try to schedule in the most efficient manner possible.

A policy that has worked for me in the past has been to keep all those who arrived late an equal amount of time after the rehearsal has ended to help clean up, close up, or help with the after-work tasks we all perform.  This, as far as I can tell, helps to establish the notion that everyone's time is valuable and that if they choose to waste your time, you will be happy to waste theirs after the rehearsal.  But I'd stress the former of those last two.

If a policy of yours does not seem to do the trick either, you might want to schedule a buffer before rehearsals normally start. For example, your rehearsals are scheduled for 7 and people stroll in late, so your actual start time is more like 7:15/:30. Make call 6:45/:30 to compensate.

Best of luck, and hope this helps~

235

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Flexbinder

« on: Aug 05, 2009, 03:25 pm »

very cool Gal! definitely going to have to check that out...

236

The Green Room / Re: Stage managing your life

« on: Jul 28, 2009, 02:23 pm »

I definitely have my moments of OCD behavior, especially when it comes to money.  Comparing and contrasting to try and get the best deal and learn the most is something I do constantly.  I plan out my finances and use calendars to plan when payments are due. Other than that, I think I am pretty laid back.  I try and be spontaneous and just try new things without thinking too much.

237

Employment / Re: Forced to be stuck in a rut. Please help.

« on: Jun 30, 2009, 04:06 pm »

I think that your best course of action is to be as blunt, but as respectful as possible.

Tell him exactly what is lacking for you as a SM in your current role, and that as such, you would like the opportunity to grow as a stage manager and this SM role would be the ideal opportunity to do so.

Part of getting your point across is being able to stand your ground. Don't let him brush you off, and if he has reasons for not giving you this job, ask why. You're entitled to a reason.

I agree. What position is your boss? Artistic Director? Producer? Fellow SM?

Be honest and tell them what you told us. Your at this job to learn and grow and if your boss won't let you on another SM team, ask him/her for something else to do.  Get onto properties, sets, lights, costumes, something to occupy your time.

Good luck!

238

Employment / Re: Crossroads in Life - where to live?

« on: Jun 23, 2009, 05:37 pm »

Hey catalinacisne, I'm also a recent college grad so good luck to you! I'm also trying to find my footing.  I'm working in a theatre in N. Rhode Island, while commuting from the South Shore of Mass.  I always liked the Boston theatre scene, even though people say it's hard to break into (I still haven't yet...).  If you don't mind working crews and working in other venues, like concerts, then you figure that everyone knows everyone else, at least in my experience.  Especially since I went to school in RI. Such a small state!

Best of luck!

239

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What I did over my summer vacation...

« on: Jun 23, 2009, 05:32 pm »

I am currently in production for the first of two shows this summer, You Can't Take It With You and Harvey.  I'll be making day trips throughout the summer to six flags, staying in Cape Cod during nights after work for a week or so, and hopefully making some low-budget films with some friends.  I've also dedicated myself to getting to more sporting events and concerts. Go Sox!

240

Tools of the Trade / Re: Drills?

« on: May 30, 2009, 01:41 am »

mikita's tend to last pretty long, since they have lithium-ion batteries, but most brands now offer some type of alternate battery pack that lasts quite a while.  i have a ryobi and it has never let me down.  i also hear great reviews from bosch users.  i would recommend buying a brand that allows for expansion, like ryobi or dewalt, so you can add more tools if need be.