Messages

241

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Communication Issues

« on: Oct 28, 2008, 03:03 pm »

Set your email so that you get proof that they receive your emails.  Gently remind them to read.

But no you can't make people read, remember, understand, obey.

Take 3 deep breathes and do your best.

242

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Hell Week...?

« on: Oct 22, 2008, 02:58 pm »

Having just finished a tech week for a show with 60 actors, 20 crew, more than 500 light cues, one run with an under rehearsed orchestra before having an audience, with a horrible cold to boot, I understand how it can feel like hell.  However, I have to say that the term "Hell Week" drives me crazy.  Yes, sometimes the hours are long and the people are difficult.  But it is just part of the job.  Do accountants call the week before April 15th when taxes are due hell week?  I don't think so.  As everyone else has said it is a term that is used in high schools and community theatres, but doesn't have a place in the professional world.

When I read this post, I turned to the accountant sitting beside me in my office and said, "Is there an industry slang term for tax season?" and he said, "It's just hell."

But upon further questioning, he did admit that he would not ever publicly use that term.

(Not that this in anyway changes my complete agreement with Scooter, I just thought that it was a funny tidbit.)

243

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Hell Week...?

« on: Oct 20, 2008, 11:25 pm »

I haven't called tech week hell week since high school.  It wasn't hell then, it certainly has been hell at other times.  I agree we should focus on the positive.

I do object to the term show bible.  a prompt script should hold a lot of info, but  . . .

244

Employment / Re: When is enough enough

« on: Oct 12, 2008, 12:54 pm »

I don't have a good answer to this question.  (Which is why every time I have been tempted to leave the business, I have never actually managed to leave)

Someone once told me that if I could imagine myself doing anything else, I should do that.  So I guess when you can seriously imagine doing something else, maybe it's time to try.

245

The Hardline / Re: Agreements!

« on: Oct 09, 2008, 11:19 am »

Production Contract through AEA.

http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=3

All AEA agreements are on this link.

246

The Green Room / Re: Trivia Dispute

« on: Oct 08, 2008, 01:43 pm »

WTF?  How about cruel and unusual?

247

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alley Staging

« on: Sep 13, 2008, 02:18 pm »

this is getting sidetracked - but do you ever call that configuration a 'transverse' staging in the US?

Nope, never heard that.  Anyone else?

248

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: NY Cell Number?

« on: Aug 31, 2008, 11:54 pm »

Do whatever you feel best doing.  Nobody really pays attention to cell area codes anymore.  You might even get a better reaction to an out of state because an interviewer might be curious and ask you about it.

As far as resumes go, a NY mailing address makes a bigger impact than a NY area code.

249

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question For NY SM's

« on: Aug 26, 2008, 11:54 pm »

There is an extensive discussion about this topic here:

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1875.0.html

I find it interesting that both this current thread and the thread linked to above are started by GradSM.

Girl, you must really love clothes.  You should find yourself a gig in fashion.  I have a great time making the most out of my dress blacks during fashion week.

On a serious note, your clothes are what you wear them as.  Sometimes a t-shirt and jeans can be dressy, if it's the right t-shirt with the right jeans.  You can get away with "funkier" clothing if you always look put together.  A more casual "outfit" can be better than a generic business wear, if it's done well.  Personally, if I wanted to wear a polo shirt and khakis, I would work at BestBuy. But to each his/ her own.)

You don't want to be sloppy but you need to be comfortable.

250

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Do you call from house or backstage?

« on: Aug 21, 2008, 01:03 am »

For my current production (opera - the magic flute) I have the option of calling the show from backstage w/a monitor or back of the house in the tech booth.  I have a while to decide yet, and it will probably depend on scenic elements (lots of moving pieces).  I've never called from backstage, except a handful of cues as ASM for things the SM couldn't see, but have called plenty from tech booths.

When you are given a choice, which do you prefer, and why?

Maybe I've missed something, but we're taking about statistics here right? Not preference. I don't know what everyone else's situation is, but I call from where the booth is.

I've never been in a situation where I was able to choose or state a preference as to where I would be sitting to call a show. I've called from in the booth, in the house, backstage and currently, I call the show from the balcony, right next to the door that leads to it.

Original post quoted above.  We are speaking preferences, I guess.

I can't believe I didn't chime in before.  For the most part, I prefer calling from backstage because it is closer to the action.  I usually do not sit down through the whole show, but will walk away from the desk (with calling pages) to see things if I don't have a monitor.  Though sometimes visibility can be limited, I consider it a small sacrifice to make. 

However, when I am the SM responsible for maintaining the show, I prefer to call from the booth.  That way I can better do the note-taking portion of my job.

I must also say that a huge part of my SM experience is in dance which is traditionally called from backstage.

251

College and Graduate Studies / Re: options for education...?

« on: Aug 21, 2008, 12:55 am »

How much SM experience do you have and at what level?  If you can prove adequate experience level to the MFA programs, you can probably get away with skipping the BA.  If not, then you should pursue a BFA or a BA and not waste your money on grad school applications.

252

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Is an AA degree enough?

« on: Aug 18, 2008, 06:18 pm »

I agree with Matthew.  You have your whole life to hussle for a job.

Take your 4 years, get your full degree.  Change your major or don't.  Take electives, make friends.  Study abroad, do it all.

And be aware that many schools have better equipment and nicer theatres than many "real world" theaters.

And many schools will pay you work study to work in the shop or on tours that come in.  Therefore, more experience, more connections and more real life education.

I see no reason to press yourself to start SMing in the real world as soon as possible.  The jobs you get at that age are low low low end for the most part.  And starting 2 years earlier will not necessarily move you up the professional food chain any faster.

253

The Hardline / Re: Possibly Stupid NYMF Question

« on: Aug 09, 2008, 11:41 am »

oops. My bad.

LCF- Lincoln Center Festival

254

The Hardline / Re: Possibly Stupid NYMF Question

« on: Aug 09, 2008, 12:20 am »

New York Midtown Festival

255

Employment / Re: Resume question (replacment SM)

« on: Aug 06, 2008, 11:47 pm »

I would say SM sub or replacement SM.