Messages

241

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

« on: May 07, 2009, 11:52 pm »

I prefer booth. As said, I like to see what's going on.

I actually call my shows, not from backstage, not from the front of the theatre, but from ABOVE the stage.  Yes that's right, above the stage.

I have actually done this in our blackbox theatre (I sat in the grid that's approx. 20-30 feet up) and found it just like the booth.  You just have to be much quieter.

242

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Props List and Production Manager

« on: Apr 25, 2009, 12:11 am »

Definitely offer it to them.  And if they don't want a hard copy, then at least send an digital version just in case.

243

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Explaining Yourself

« on: Apr 22, 2009, 09:48 pm »

I like to tell people that every time they see a light change or hear a sound effect, it's because I told it to go.  That tends to be suitably impressive without having to explain too much.

About the same, yea.

244

Employment / Re: Share your special skills

« on: Apr 13, 2009, 08:46 pm »

I have experience in gymnastics.  You never know when you have to teach an actor to do a kip-up or a handspring.

245

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Barrell-Through Tech

« on: Apr 12, 2009, 10:37 am »

I think the way balletPSM and SMrose put it, "tech is for techies" is an antiquated phrase.  I am just getting out of college so perhaps I should stop using the term...I can admit when I am wrong. Apologies.

Back onto barrel through...anyone else have any good/bad experiences?

246

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student SM Challenge #6: Design your Department

« on: Apr 12, 2009, 10:32 am »

I think Tomorrow has a good grasp on what a department should look like.  I would add theatre management(owning and running a theatre) and a business course.  I found those very helpful throughout my 4 years.

247

Employment / Re: Job/Gig searching in the new economy

« on: Apr 12, 2009, 02:25 am »

I am graduating in May and have a 2 year position lined up, but I got really lucky.  A lot of my friends graduating with me are having the same dilemmas of "what am I going to do?!"  Even my friends going into film and music are having a hard time finding employment for post-graduation.

I feel like it's that time when you need to call up that friend in the business who owes you a favor.  Or use those networking skills we all need to find your way into something.

Also (I have seen this a lot on the network) jobs relating to theatre (carpentry, lighting, etc...) can really help now too.  You never know when you will be called on to build a deck or renovate a house.  Contractors in those lines of work do pretty well and it's always good to know people like that on the side. It seems theatre professionals get stuck in retail or the food industry.  They're not bad jobs and can certainly be helpful, given our hectic schedules, but look around.  You never know.

Best of luck everyone looking and hiring!  The market will recover as always.

248

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Barrell-Through Tech

« on: Apr 07, 2009, 12:45 am »

And yes, Tech is for the Techies. It is not actor time. They had their actor time before that.

Absolutely agree. They'll have their time after tech too.

I find cue to cues can be very useful in shows that aren't that complicated.  Cue, jump 10 pages, cue, end. Are the actor's lines necessary if there's no technical aspect associated with them? No. We got to hear their lines for weeks before and will after the cue to cue.  You save time for everyone.  If your schedule is way to hectic, as murdock says, then maybe a paper tech could suffice instead of a cue to cue.  You get to go through the show and plan everything out without the added pressure of a show actually going on in front of you. In summer stock, I paper-teched a complicated show then went right into runs.  It was crazy.  But, because both designers and myself were on top of all the details, the tech run went relatively smoothly.  There were the normal bumps and stops associated with the process, but we were able to break and do a full run that night.

Good luck murdock!  Remember to do what works for you, but to always use the time for tech wisely and not "barrel through."

249

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: "We'll sort that out at the theatre"

« on: Apr 04, 2009, 07:55 pm »

Sometimes it's okay to use that response. But when it means you'll have to either re-design or take apart costumes/re-block a dance routine...maybe not so much.

I probably would have confronted the director on that one.  "Maybe we should figure it out now in order to make our lives easier since we'll have plenty on our plates already during tech" sorta thing.

Shouldn't wardrobe have a better response than "our costumes won't allow us to do that?"

But best of luck kiwi!

250

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Apr 04, 2009, 01:53 am »

During the tech and run of a show, my friends at school had the unfortunate experience of being on a team with an SM who loved to talk over headset.  I was invited to listen in one night...and boy was that fun.  She was particularly fond of describing her sex life and bodily functions with the crew.  It mostly, and by mostly I mean hardly, stopped when one individual spoke up, raising the point that this might be a tid-bit unprofessional.'

We often use this example when talking to new ASM or SMs about backstage and headset etiquette.  A for my personal opinions, I think an occasional comment or joke is okay to liven a dull show and help moral.  However, the PSM in charge should be able to stop the chatter if need be.

251

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: The Ultimate Decision

« on: Mar 02, 2009, 09:49 pm »

I have been in theatre and performance since I was little but never started taking it seriously as a career choice until freshman year of high school.  I pursued acting and technical production until freshman year of college, when I started to branch out into other areas of tech and management.  I then started to concentrate on tech and management.  From there it's a been a college career, currently over in a few months, full of tech and management jobs.

I have always wanted to be a jack-of-all-trades and know a little bit about everything.  A tech and management concentrate in college was the best way to do that in my opinion.

The short version as to why I got into SMing?  I caught the bug...it's an addicting field to pursue, let's be honest.  Whether it is the control, the pride, the power...we all love it on some level.

When I grauduate, I get to SM and be a part of sound, lighting, scenic production, and costumes...talk about just what I wanted!

252

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student SM Challenge #5: Critical Paperwork

« on: Feb 11, 2009, 03:32 am »

I would first make a basic prompt script by cutting and pasting the pages of the libretto since there is no time to type it up. It would be copied in the morning when you have access to the copy machine. Next comes any necessary forms the cast needs to fill out, like medical forms, company rules or production agreement contracts.  Third is a basic schedule for the week since the cast would most likely want to know when they are rehearsing.  Since this is a school show, we can assume the calendar is done since it is on a university/college budget and they would not leave that up to a student for multiple reasons.

You have multiple days to do everything else.  For a first rehearsal in a school setting, there is very little you need to begin since it takes so long to get rolling.  Students rarely come in, in my experience, with their parts entirely memorized and ready to be on their feet the first day.  Breakdowns can come after you acquire the full cast list and their contact information.  Props lists would be good to have the next day since you might be pulling rehearsal props.

Will you have ASMs?  Or will they too be assigned last minute? dun dun dun....

253

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Costuming the Crew

« on: Dec 18, 2008, 09:09 am »

I have had to wear costumes as a crew member before, and I don't really see many problems with it.  Like people have said, it could interfere with crew duties, but as long as the crew is responsible and well versed then there shouldn't be problems.

On thing I hear a lot is "why are ninjas stealing all the furniture?" when the crew is in all blacks. Crew in black can detere from a show and I believe one of the great things about theatre is the mystique and magic of scene changes.  If you can make a set change by having a crowd of costumed characters walk onstage, and by the time they are off we are in an entirely different location, the audience is going to love it.  Ultimately, it's about the audience.

If the gig is for something other than theatre, like tempest_gypsy mentioned, like a concert or music show, then why not blacks?  When crew are backstage and don't come on, blacks all the way.

254

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Picking a New Stage Manager

« on: Dec 14, 2008, 11:20 pm »

*Someone who enjoys problem solving. Ask them if they like math. Usually if they like math, they like problem solving.

I disagree with this. I HATE math with a passion, but I love problem solving.

Same here. I am quite good at problem solving, but I don't equate it with math because some problems require recreativity and flexibility....math doesn't allow for that kind of problem solving.

I agree with smccain. I think at that age, you should look for someone who is well organized, down to earth/calm under pressure, and willing to learn.  I find the best qualities in myself and the people I work with are how calm one can stay under pressure and how efficiently you can run a production from start to finish.

255

Tools of the Trade / Re: MTI's Stage Manager Scripts

« on: Dec 12, 2008, 10:15 pm »

Interesting idea. But stage managers are so personal about their paperwork and tools, that I think this would work for introductory stage managers instead of seasoned ones.  I know I prefer to type up my scripts in my own format because it works for me.  I am also a left-side scripter, saving the right side for blocking.