Messages

271

The Green Room / Re: University of Iowa 2011 Stage Management Survey

« on: Jan 21, 2012, 10:22 am »

Thanks, David! I can't even imagine the amount of work has to go into crunching the numbers you get.....

.....and not that I wish more work on you but I hope you get to 1,000 responses next go around!!

I have to say the most surprising data point is the amount of money people are willing to spend on a SM app for their technology! I know I spent a lot of money to get Filemaker Pro, but I can adapt that to my own personal needs. An app is what it is, and you usually can't change them. And unless I know for a fact that the app will work for me exactly as I want it to.....I don't think I'd ever spend that much.

272

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Jan 20, 2012, 08:44 am »

Come now....I think we all know everyone here prefers a good blackout

273

Employment / Re: Need advise dealing with new job

« on: Jan 19, 2012, 10:45 pm »

If there is an AEA Stage Manager working the show, I'd actually have to presume the show is Equity.....or at least ruled as a showcase, otherwise how can an Equity member work on a non-equity show? They tend to not be very forgiving of that rule.....like....ever.

My first question to you is simply: Have you been told directly that you will be taking over as the rehearsal SM? Because things said in passing are just that: Said in passing.

Deck managers aren't frequently asked to run rehearsals. They tend to not be involved in the rehearsal process until tech week. However, if your theater and this Equity theater have an agreement to share personnel then there's some leeway to be had in job titles. Flexibility and understanding go a long way in forging those new working relationships between companies. Especially if its a longer term deal.

Now if this is one of those deals where an AEA house is trying to perhaps get out of the cost of producing a whole show and bringing in another company to produce work for them.........yeah...tread a little more carefully. You aren't there to work for the AEA house, you're there as a representative of your Community Theater. Act as professionally as possible and work your tail off...It might pay off for you in spades if you catch someone's eye and they want to work with you again.

I agree with Celeste_SM....it's really hard to give any advice on pay. I've worked for $100 and a metro card, and I've worked for 1200 a week and every where in between.

Talk to your Theater's Artistic Director and see if you can't get some information about what is going on and what is expected of you. If you aren't clear about who's employ you'll be under: Ask. If you're an employee of the larger AEA theater, you may be able to expect base benefits of working for them. If you're employed as a member of the community theater, you're probably entitled to your normal stipend plus maybe a bonus for working on a larger scale. Don't quote me on it, because I'm not privy to this situation's nuances. Best of luck! Let us know how it turns out.

274

Tools of the Trade / Re: Tool Belt

« on: Jan 13, 2012, 08:24 pm »

I've used an older version of this pouch here for years.

And it's perfect. I have a large pouch that can hold my multi tool and knife. I also usually keep two spare flashlights in that pouch too. The holsters on the outside fit most pocket flashlights, as well as pens/pencils/highlighters. The Nylon loop is where I tie my cue sheets (which I attach to index cards etc etc....I'll explain it again if people want to know, but this isn't the thread for that). Best part: Very inexpensive. Less costly than a roll of gaff.

As long as you're wearing a belt, these are an excellent option. I abuse everything I own (especially backstage) and this pouch still looks brand new.

275

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Jan 10, 2012, 04:43 pm »

for shame, Kay!

276

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Jan 10, 2012, 10:23 am »

Even the Mythbusters misfire....through three houses......and total a minivan.....

277

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: Little Shop of Horrors - Puppeteers/Training

« on: Jan 09, 2012, 06:36 pm »

Back in the dark ages when I did Little Shop we had 2 puppeteers and one voice. Our seymour played the youngest incarnation of audrey ii (small hand puppet in a pot). Then we had one puppeteer play the other two sizes and that was his only role. Never seen onstage except curtain call. He walked out of Audrey ii's mouth....drenched in sweat

278

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Jan 07, 2012, 06:47 pm »

This post haz 'em. Keanu doesn't

279

The Green Room / Backstagejobs Article about Fire Safety

« on: Jan 04, 2012, 09:01 am »

I found this article listed on backstagejobs and I think it's something everyone here should read as we tend to be the first line of defense for safety in the theater.

http://backstageat.backstagejobs.com/?p=845

Give it a read. Hopefully some of these things we all naturally do, but if you don't, its a good reminder of why fire safety is so important in the theater. I especially keyed on protecting the audience because they are our guests and it is our responsibility to make sure we do everything in our power to keep them safe.

EDIT: Read too quickly. Article is actually from backstagejobs

280

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Jan 02, 2012, 01:55 am »

Blastoise!

(psst....hey nick! Your geek is showing!)

281

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Dec 31, 2011, 09:06 am »

You used ACETONE in an enclosed, unventilated space. Its SUPER effective!

282

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Dec 29, 2011, 04:33 pm »

These don't require surgery to go away. And hurt way less. Henna= winning

283

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Dec 28, 2011, 10:48 pm »

Try to stay angry at this, bro.

284

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Dec 27, 2011, 09:01 pm »

Deep Blue's got nothing on me.

285

The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!

« on: Dec 26, 2011, 11:08 pm »

Ok...  I have a great picture, but I can't figure out how to post it...  When I click the add image button, it gives me the image brackets, but I don't know how to put the picture between them.  Can anyone help a technically inept SM out?? :-)

Sir yes sir! If you get the web address from the image (ending in a jpg, or png in the address bar) then you copy th address, and paste it between the image tags.

The trick is you have to get the isolated image, not a full page. When you find the image you want, right click on it and click "view image." that should bring you to the address you want. If that isn't clear, just let me know and I'll try to explain it a different way.