Messages

241

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Posting contact sheets on the call board?

« on: Apr 17, 2014, 07:10 pm »

I was taught to prepare two types of contact sheets - one for use during a run, whether a single sheet with everyone's contact or separate sheets for cast and production, and a final contact which includes everyone who worked the show which includes addresses. So if we swap wardrobe mistresses (for example) midshow, both are on the final, even if both are not on my current run contact sheet.

With the initial emergency contact sheet, I ask everyone to list the address and contact info they want on that final contact and use that. 

242

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Posting contact sheets on the call board?

« on: Apr 16, 2014, 03:14 pm »

I work w a lot of folks who either aren't computer facile or who don't want to print their own stuff. I always have a couple of hard copies for those folks. Otherwise, I carry it in my script and expect my ASM to do the same, but never, ever post on the callboard cuz everyone who walks by has access to that info.

243

The Hardline / Re: How to join AEA

« on: Apr 16, 2014, 03:11 pm »

First, this is an easy call to your local office membership department, as they have all the latest news

To my knowledge, there are three ways (unless things changed in the SAG/AFTRA merger)
1) earning EMC weeks (50 weeks unless you are in a sister union, in which case 25 weeks)
2) be a member of a sister union in good standing for a year with at least one non-extra role (ie principal/guest star)
3) be offered a contract by an employer.

Did you have a specific example to ask about?

244

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: POLICIES: Actors TOO Early for Call?

« on: Apr 13, 2014, 05:31 pm »

sounds like a general "if you arrive before 6 pm, please don't enter the theater, but get a cuppa or go for a walk until then" kinda message needs to be relayed to the cast

One of the theaters I work has early people because we never know how bad traffic is going to be, or the trains run really early for some reason. We just don't enter until 6 - but meet for dinner or windowshop about nearby.

245

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: POLICIES: Actors TOO Early for Call?

« on: Apr 13, 2014, 03:39 pm »

The space I work most often is owned by the city and until I arrive, their folks are not on that theater's clock so if the actors arrive before I do, the company is charged employee hours. So I make it very, very clear that "the theater will be open as of (x) time, when I arrive" or "I will be there to unlock dressing rooms and backstage as of 6 pm" - and make sure they know that if they are early, there will be no one to let them in. I also suggest they go to the $1 bookstore, or the restaurant that serves a wonderful happy hour until 6, or some other constructive alternative.

246

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Noises Off

« on: Apr 10, 2014, 12:29 pm »

I am a little confused why you are coming to stage management for input. We will make work whatever the director/designer/producer deems appropriate. But until your director and designer meet and you know what their plans are, and you as producer have the opportunity to weigh in on those, it's just theory.

True, seeing how others have done it and whether it has worked in other orientations (for ex., Matthew's 2nd level without being a 2nd story) has value, but right now it's all conjecture. Perhaps you should come back after you see the designs and talk with your director about his/her concept? It's always easier to create solutions with information rather than with theory

247

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Noises Off

« on: Apr 09, 2014, 04:51 pm »

millert - are you a director? because you mention giving your SM a coronary.....so what are you looking for us to advise you about?

248

The Green Room / comic abt SMs, LDs and DSs

« on: Apr 07, 2014, 02:32 am »

Another comic about SMs and other design team folks -

http://q2qcomics.com/2014/03/08/q2q1/

249

Tools of the Trade / Re: Who supplies spike tape?

« on: Apr 06, 2014, 03:42 pm »

in smaller houses we supply our own pads and pens/pencils most of the time - along w other basics - but I expect the house to provide tape and, in fact, dig my heels in on this - since so many seem to think that our extra hours over OUR weekly allotment along w all kinds of supplies are part of the deal.

250

The Green Room / Re: Trivia Tournament IV: Trivia's Revenge!!

« on: Apr 02, 2014, 03:00 am »

calling all lighting folks! I think the answer to #3 is wonky - but before I identify what I think is wonky please take the quiz! I tried to "send a correction" but wasn't able to access the OP or that quiz' site - and maybe I'm wrong?

anyway - feedback please! (trying to be good abt no spoilers so maybe tomorrow I can be more specific?)

251

Introductions / Re: Hi from Bev Loan

« on: Apr 01, 2014, 11:59 am »

what do you mean by "3rd degree" - is this your third degree program?

and - welcome!

252

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Learning how to read music

« on: Mar 25, 2014, 12:23 pm »

There are at least three other discussions on this topic you can find if you search - I was going to link them but after the 3rd one my computer had a hiccup - but there is a lot of info already on the boards on this topic if you give a quick look.

253

Self-Promotion / Re: Back to the cartoons . . .

« on: Mar 25, 2014, 12:44 am »

Congrats! Very very cool! And how nice to be coming home for a bit.....and who knows, maybe we can have a gather of all you successful SD SM types with some of us LA folks -

254

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM App Price

« on: Mar 23, 2014, 12:49 pm »

Given the salary range of too much of our work, even acknowledging that the market is smaller and therefore justifies a higher price break to make it profitable, this thing had better make dinner and clean up after to make me want to spend real money on it.

I would be open to the bottom two price breaks if it truly did what I needed and made my life easier in a larger way, but for now, I am happy with pencil and paper, especially for the shorter runs happening more and more often.

255

The Hardline / Re: To be Honest or to MRE

« on: Mar 21, 2014, 09:25 pm »

Honestly, I've come in to pick up a closing week or three - it's the easy part of the gig. They might be really happy to have someone they know and trust dealing with the hard part of the deal: rehearsal/tech/opening. And, especially if he can recommend someone who can pick up those final few weeks, he becomes a hero on several levels (I might add, I am available....)