Messages

271

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: "Lighting" Cigarettes?

« on: Jan 18, 2008, 01:48 pm »

You can also use a Zippo lighter that does not have any fluid, but does have a flint.  What happens is the flint strikes so you get a bit of a spark, but there is nothing that can light so that is all you get.  This combined with the fake cigarettes that puff "smoke" when you blow on them works pretty well.  (Just FYI, the puffy cigarettes are fairly expensive, but for fakes they don't look too bad, so it might be worth the investment).

272

Employment / Re: Two sided resume?

« on: Jan 10, 2008, 10:12 pm »

I would generally agree with everyone else, that one page is best, however, if you are having that day where you have to send your resume ASAP (and can't email) and you only have 1 piece of resume paper left (which we have all had), I would rather that your references were on the back than you listing them as "available on request" to save room.  It is easier for me to turn your resume over than to have to try to track down your references...

Just my opinion! 

273

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Preshow (turn off your cellphone) announcements

« on: Nov 16, 2007, 07:26 pm »

  I can see the screens from the booth, and notify house management, but unlike the old days, when they would have an actual camera and could confiscate their film or tape, they just have a phone. 

Not an answer to your question -- but House Management does confiscate the phones, yes?

They try, but because of the set up of our theatre (we have very long rows) it is difficult to get to the patrons with out climbing over lots of other people so they usually can't talk to them until the intermission. 

274

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / COMMUNICATION: Preshow (turn off your cellphone) announcements

« on: Nov 16, 2007, 05:46 pm »

(I am not sure if this is the right place for this, so mods please feel free to move it, thanks!)

Does any one have any creative suggestions for preshow announcements?  Our management team is trying to find some ideas, as our standard announcement is not doing its job.  We have recently been having problems with patrons using their cellphone cameras to video the performances.  I can see the screens from the booth, and notify house management, but unlike the old days, when they would have an actual camera and could confiscate their film or tape, they just have a phone.  We are hoping to find ideas of creative announcements to discourage people from wanting to video, in addition to turning off their cellphones, talking to their neighbor, unwrapping any crinkly candies, and telling them where the emergency exits are.

Would anyone be willing to please share ideas that they have used in the past that have been successful?

Thanks!

SSM

275

Employment / Re: Advice on my resume

« on: Nov 15, 2007, 06:18 pm »

Looks much better.  Still check your spellings (things like "skills, recommendations, etc).  Don't use abbreviations like UNLV.  List what schools your degrees are from.

Other than that it is night and day different.  Great job!!

276

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Wireless mic issues - and advice?

« on: Nov 13, 2007, 02:13 pm »

Is there anywhere else on her body that she could wear her mic pack?  Many women sweat heavily on the small of their back, and if she could wear it on the back or front of her bra or outside of her thigh that might help.

I would also second the condom idea.  It does work better than saran wrap.

Best of luck!

277

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Reports during technicals

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 10:49 pm »

It depends on what kind of report you are talking about.  If you are talking about the "started at 11am, ended at 11pm, took xyz breaks, so and so was late" type of reports that might be needed for union or management documentation that is one thing.  A completely different type of report is the "door broke, fence needs to painted, SQGG has a glitch, etc" type of report.

I take the first type of report during techs for documentation of hours, etc.  The second type of report depends on the theatre.  Sometimes the heads of each dept takes the notes at the end of each night, or I will send emails about any notes that someone who wasn't at the end of rehearsal might have missed.  Another theatre I worked at the Production Manager maintained a list of notes that was kept in a public computer folder.  At the end of each night, items that had been completed were removed from the list, and items that still needed to be completed remained on the list.  New items were added.  It was actually a pretty effective system, since everyone was looking at the same "to-do" list, and there wasn't duplication or things slipping through the cracks.

I guess I am saying what everyone else has said.  It just depends on the situation... 

278

Stage Management: Other / Re: Finding ASMs

« on: Nov 07, 2007, 02:19 pm »

What I have found to be helpful (although it is a bit time consuming) is to contact the head of the SM/Tech depts at local universities, let them know you have positions open that would be perfect for their students, and ask what the best way would be to get the info to the students.  Typically they will ask me to send a posting for them to put up on their call boards, and will occasionally email it to their SM students.  Also ask them if it is possible for their students to get credit (in addition to any $$ that is available) for the work they do.  I have found some amazing ASM's this way.  When you are creating your posting, be very clear as to the skills requirements, work hours, and rehearsal performance locations, and what the compensation is.
www.backstagejobs.com is also a good resource.  You can also check the local area and see if they have a regional job board (for example, New England has www.netheater411.com).

Best of luck!

SSM

279

Tools of the Trade / Re: Painting on marley floor

« on: Nov 03, 2007, 11:55 pm »

Update....

So I actually found something that worked, although I do not want to make any assumptions that it would work on every floor or situation, just as a caveat...

Plaid brand Dimensional Fabric Paint stayed on the floor through rehearsals, didn't come off with water, and then peeled off/came off with a green scrub pad and a little rubbing alcohol.  It comes it about 20 colors, and wasn't that expensive.

Not as good as spike tape, but worked pretty well.

Thank you for all of the ideas!!!

SSM 

280

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Notes from director after opening??

« on: Nov 01, 2007, 11:33 pm »

Thanks for your input.  That is what I was basically thinking (the just smile and nod, and reassure him it is all take care of), I just wanted to make sure I wasn't completely off base.

 

281

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Calling attention

« on: Oct 28, 2007, 10:12 pm »

Try clapping loudly as you also loudly say whatever you need to.  For example, several loud claps and then saying "let's get started please" has been very successful for me, and I don't feel like I am condescending to the actors.

(I have always felt like a squirt gun would be an effective tool for silencing actors who talk during rehearsal, but that is just in my secret SM fantasy land... )

282

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Notes from director after opening??

« on: Oct 28, 2007, 05:09 pm »

I have been getting an email every afternoon with notes about the night before...

283

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / RUNNING: Notes from director after opening??

« on: Oct 28, 2007, 01:13 pm »

So I am having an issue with my current show that I am not quite sure how to deal with.  I apologize in advance if this is a bit of a rant...
We are well into our run, and I am still getting notes after every performance from the director, who goes to every show.  This is a professional (but non-union) company.  It not the "what happened with..." kind of notes that I have a problem with, but the "this set piece didn't move at the exact second I think it should, and that's dangerous, and you need to talk to the crew and fix it" kind of notes or notes about what I need to tell the crew.  I am trying to not be over sensitive about it, but I am used to working in an environment where the show is the SM's after opening, not the director's.  By the time that I get his notes, I have already resolved whatever the issues are and given the appropriate notes to the crew.   I will also say that this is a director that I work with frequently, and he does this to all of the staff, not just me.
Has anyone else had to deal with this?  Did you address it with the director?  If so, how?  Or is it just that I need to suck it up and ignore him, knowing that he is not trying to be malicious?  I appreciate any advice anyone can give.

Thanks!
SSM

284

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: Oct 28, 2007, 01:00 pm »

Has anyone had any luck finding nice-looking, comfortable, practical black shoes that are also vegetarian?

Try www.gaiam.com.  They have shoes that are comfy, but made with no animal products (100% vegan)

285

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: LX 56 was late- PSM Error

« on: Oct 02, 2007, 08:40 pm »

For any mistake, I typically will note it if it was noticable by anyone but me (this includes my own mistakes).  If the board op was 2 secs late hitting the go, and he knows that it was late, I feel like it is something that can be handled with a brief conversation after the show and doesn't need to be broadcast.  I also take responsibility (to management) for small crew errors if I know that it was a one time mental goof up, etc that has already been resolved.

However, if there is a error that is chronic or caused by negligence, then I would definitely note it.