271
Employment / Re: Listing readings on a resume
« on: Jun 08, 2008, 11:00 pm »
Keep your readings/ workshops with NY stage management, just find a way to denote them as readings.
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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272
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Director From Hell
« on: Jun 08, 2008, 06:42 pm »
To echo a sentiment from the style thread. Yes, I have been faced with similar situations in the past. Each time is its own judgment call. I try to weigh it based on the consequences. Go with the lesser of two evils.
273
The Hardline / Re: Style
« on: Jun 08, 2008, 06:22 pm »
I have stage managed in some very union situations and followed the rules to a T. This is not my personal style, but in the right environment it can be very satisfying to know that you and those around you are being treated fairly and compensated accordingly. In these situations schedules are set pretty far in advance and double checked for adherence to rules. Overtime is calculated and approved by management in advance.
I recently worked in a (non-union not as SM) situation where meal breaks were not scheduled or given with consistency. I chose to bring my own food and muscle through to get the show going. If I am asked to skip a full meal break, I make sure to get a small break to eat my packed food and breathe some fresh air for a minute. I didn't complain about lack of meal break, but I did bill for all hours worked.
I am glad that I can find a way to adapt to each situation and still manage to take care of myself.
I recently worked in a (non-union not as SM) situation where meal breaks were not scheduled or given with consistency. I chose to bring my own food and muscle through to get the show going. If I am asked to skip a full meal break, I make sure to get a small break to eat my packed food and breathe some fresh air for a minute. I didn't complain about lack of meal break, but I did bill for all hours worked.
I am glad that I can find a way to adapt to each situation and still manage to take care of myself.
274
Tools of the Trade / Re: What software do you use?
« on: Jun 08, 2008, 02:46 pm »
I am XP
word
excel
outlook
vectorworks
picassa
itunes
powerpoint (never used for scene shifts but would love to know more and I might start)
word
excel
outlook
vectorworks
picassa
itunes
powerpoint (never used for scene shifts but would love to know more and I might start)
275
The Hardline / Re: Joining Equity
« on: Jun 03, 2008, 11:42 pm »
I recommend voting for the option of a straight six. Even the director does not plan to use a straight six, you never know when might become desirable for a given day/ week of rehearsal. When a cast votes to allow straight sixes, it doesn't mean that they vote to ONLY to do straight sixes.
276
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: STRIKE Help! (New Poster)
« on: Jun 01, 2008, 12:02 am »
Make a list of everything that you put into the theatre and think of how you will get it out.
Do you need to supervise the entire strike? Or are you just handling SM stuff (dressing rooms, props, general cleanliness. pulling up spike marks and signs)?
Do you need to supervise the entire strike? Or are you just handling SM stuff (dressing rooms, props, general cleanliness. pulling up spike marks and signs)?
277
Uploaded Forms / Re: Show Survival Kit
« on: May 31, 2008, 01:55 am »
This is an interesting idea. I had never thought of combining documents this way. Thanks to both of you for sharing.
278
Stage Management: Other / Re: Regarding SMing Dance with a Stopwatch
« on: May 24, 2008, 11:16 am »
Good job finding a method that works for you and your situation. It is always important to realize that sometimes you need to delay a cue for safety or blocking reasons. Thanks for sharing your technique.
279
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« on: May 07, 2008, 10:50 am »
Forever Plaid. The show could not be simpler.
280
Employment / Re: Wanting to move up in NY ranks
« on: May 07, 2008, 09:26 am »
Be prepared to plateau money-wise. Once you hit a certain level (off Broadway) there just aren't [many] better paying jobs out there.
281
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tech Questions
« on: May 02, 2008, 05:40 pm »I agree- I prefer to sit in the house for the inital tech - to easily confer with directors & designers. I move to the calling location after the initial tech(s). This is really what you are most comfortable with.
I also find it very helpful to have a 'chat' with the director about the mechanics of the tech rehearsal...stressing the 'tech' aspect & asking him/her to refrain from giving any artistic notes so as to allow me and the tech staff enough time to do our jobs completely. I have this chat prior to the tech rehearsal. I also let the cast know what the mechanics of the tech will be....Q-Q or a stop & start run....explaining exactly what we will be doing and what my expectations of the cast will be.
Unfortunately- you will always find directors who feel that 'tech' time is lost time artisitically. I try to remember not to work with those directors- given the option....however, I discovered last night that am going into a scheduled 6 hour tech for House of Blue Leaves in two weeks - with no ME and a novice lighting designer who does not know how to hang lights....it's always a challenge....break a leg...
Eek. Never ask a director to refrain from giving artistic notes. Find a way to allow both to happen. Often the tech process can inspire a director or give the director cause to make adjustments to match what the designers are doing. Theater is a collaboration. The designers can do their jobs better if they are seeing the real product onstage, so if the director needs to work with actors to meld with tech, let him/ her do so.
Examples of how to integrate tech and directing. When the LD is busy writing, suggest to the director that it might be an opportune moment to work with the actors. Then when the LD is finish, let the director know that you are ready to show him/ her the lights.
As an SM, you must find a way to keep ALL departments moving forward. This does not mean stopping the acting/ directing process for tech.
All of this leads to why it is best to tech from the house. If you are sitting near the director and designers you can better judge and guide the situation.
But remember, this is ultimately the director's show and he/ she can override you and work acting notes and you basically have to deal with it. (Unless union rules are being abused).
282
Tools of the Trade / Re: The Internet
« on: May 02, 2008, 12:05 pm »
For Cast:
99% of the performers I work with prefer to have the schedule emailed to them. In fact, I rarely do a rehearsal hotline anymore.
For some reason I feel the need to provide more details.
For larger more complicated shows, I do a hotline. (Or if even a single cast or crew member indicates that this is their preference)
But last year 1 of the plays I did was a 2 person play where both actors lived together and 2 of the plays were one man shows. On all three of these shows, the actors preferred a simple email reminding the what scenes to be prepared for, but a hotline was completely unnecessary.
Currently, I am working at a college and both of my casts are 100% students. They probably would prefer that I send them the schedule via text message, but email seems a little more professional than that.
Now that more and more people have smartphones, lap tops etc, I am sure that email will become the standard in rehearsal calls. (Never totally replacing hard copies, but probably outdating the rehearsal hotline sooner than we think)
283
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Good Advice for All
« on: May 02, 2008, 12:11 am »
My little brother is in the process of getting his MBA in Sports Management and wrote the following to a high school student asking for advice. He copied me on the email and I wanted to share his words with you all. Just replace the word "sports" with "theater."
" - Most importantly, in sports it is all about who you know. You must have connections inside of sports teams to have a shot at getting the exciting positions. You should do everything in your power to get to know people who can help further your career. Make the effort to develop relationships, and keep them over the years.
- Passion is not enough. Everyone who you're competing against is passionate about sports and wants to work in it for the same reasons you do. You must turn your passion into outstanding work and stand out above others who will be trying their best to stand out above you. How do you stand out? See the points below.
- Always have a smile on your face and make it clear that you really love what you're doing. This means that if you are doing bitch work (like moving boxes or standing outside during the game doing customer service instead of getting to watch) you still need to smile. It's at these moments where having a smile gets noticed.
- Do everything to the best of your ability. If you are moving boxes, do it well. My first day working for the Gators, I moved over 100 packets of posters from one storage area to another in 100 degree heat. One semester later I was promoted to leading the on-court promotions during Men's Basketball. I made this jump by doing every assignment my bosses gave me to my best ability. They responded by adding to my responsibilities little by little until I had a position that many people wanted.
- Ask for more responsibilities and then deliver better than expected. As you gain credibility, you will get a lot of opportunities to take on additional work."
(I'm so proud of him.)
" - Most importantly, in sports it is all about who you know. You must have connections inside of sports teams to have a shot at getting the exciting positions. You should do everything in your power to get to know people who can help further your career. Make the effort to develop relationships, and keep them over the years.
- Passion is not enough. Everyone who you're competing against is passionate about sports and wants to work in it for the same reasons you do. You must turn your passion into outstanding work and stand out above others who will be trying their best to stand out above you. How do you stand out? See the points below.
- Always have a smile on your face and make it clear that you really love what you're doing. This means that if you are doing bitch work (like moving boxes or standing outside during the game doing customer service instead of getting to watch) you still need to smile. It's at these moments where having a smile gets noticed.
- Do everything to the best of your ability. If you are moving boxes, do it well. My first day working for the Gators, I moved over 100 packets of posters from one storage area to another in 100 degree heat. One semester later I was promoted to leading the on-court promotions during Men's Basketball. I made this jump by doing every assignment my bosses gave me to my best ability. They responded by adding to my responsibilities little by little until I had a position that many people wanted.
- Ask for more responsibilities and then deliver better than expected. As you gain credibility, you will get a lot of opportunities to take on additional work."
(I'm so proud of him.)
284
Tools of the Trade / Re: Management Books
« on: May 02, 2008, 12:06 am »
On a whim at the airport, I picked up:
Face to Face Communications for Clarity and Impact
Face to Face Communications for Clarity and Impact
285
Tools of the Trade / Re: The Internet
« on: Apr 29, 2008, 01:29 am »
More: I also post hard copies on call board and rehearsal room door.
I am not solely relying on email. EVER. I am not advocating doing that.
I am not solely relying on email. EVER. I am not advocating doing that.