Messages

286

Tools of the Trade / Re: The Internet

« on: Apr 29, 2008, 01:26 am »

Here's my big concern with having schedules only done by email....

Everyone one has a phone (or is given one by the theatre while in town) but not everyone has a computer.  That's problem number one.  For those that do have computers and email, there is no safety net if the email doesn't get to them.  It can get lost in cyberspace, get sent to their spam folder, etc. etc, and then you're either dealing with actors who just said "screw it, I guess I don't rehearse tomorrow" or getting calls late at night/early in the morning asking "when do I come in?"  Email fails all the time.  We've all sent emails to find they haven't been received or been asked if an email has been received by us with no knowledge of it whatsoever.

Having the responsibility lie on the actor to check the schedule on a hotline is much safer than relying on an email sent to them.  sometimes I send the schedule as an email along with putting it on the voicemail, but I don't think sending it by email alone is a safe bet.

Just my opinion.

I feel the need to add that I ALWAYS clarify with the cast what their preferred method is.  If a single person says that email is NOT the preference, I provide alternatives for ALL.  But it has been 14 months since anyone has indicated that email is not their number 1 choice. 

I don't lead them to email.  I ask what they prefer.  They say email.  So I email.

287

Tools of the Trade / Re: The Internet

« on: Apr 26, 2008, 11:45 pm »

Today during tech, my sound designer made great use of the internet.

The director and he had gone through and figured out the music to use for underscore, transitions etc.  But as usual, inspiration hits during tech. The director would ask for sound in a new place or a different song and the designer was able to download instantly from iTunes and immediately use it.  No more waiting two days to go buy a CD!

288

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't be professional

« on: Apr 26, 2008, 11:39 pm »

Even when you get older, some people don't trust/ have faith in you.  Because you are a woman, a minority, wearing a red shirt, whatever.

Only thing you can do is have faith in yourself and do your best job.  Which is what you did, so GOOD JOB!

289

The Green Room / Re: SMs in media?

« on: Apr 25, 2008, 02:17 am »

I didn't mention her because I don't like what she is wearing.

290

Tools of the Trade / Re: The Internet

« on: Apr 21, 2008, 10:56 am »

For Production:
At my current job, I send all my reports, schedules etc via email.  I usually will send separate emails to individuals as follow ups.  And then usually have to do a follow up in person a couple times a week.  I find that some people read the emails, so people don't.  Some people only read their "section" of the report.  However, this is not really different from times when I have done hard copy reports.  Some people just don't read.  Even though it is their job to read.

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. 

I have made websites for plays before and posted schedules on the site.  But have stopped doing this because of security issues. 

Matthew Shiner- can you weigh in on this issue?  I have found that when I work with name-actors, they can be super touchy about people knowing where they will be.

For communications in general:
I personally enjoy using email because, as Paul pointed out, it keeps a record of who said what when.

Also, on my current show, some of the actors are bringing in costumes or props that inspire them.  I take pictures of these and email them to the designers.  It is very helpful to be able to send decent photos in a timely matter to designers who are out of state.

291

SMNetwork Archives / For discussions of actors and their underwear

« on: Apr 20, 2008, 02:54 am »

Ok. mods- I think we need to split this convo.

Unfortunately, the circumstances I refer to are not "standard dancer no undies"

In particular, I refer to a recent situation in which the script calls for an actress to lay down with knees splayed as an actor looks at and comments on her "area".  On the day we were first supposed to rehearse this scene, we had to stop and wait for actress to go out her car, into her gym bag and dig out some panties, because she had neglected to wear any that day (in a skirt).

292

SMNetwork Archives / For discussions of actors and their underwear

« on: Apr 19, 2008, 01:10 am »

Completely off post topic, but I have had an amazing number of actors (I mean actresses) forget to wear panties.

How do you forget?  I really want to know. 

293

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alertness

« on: Apr 15, 2008, 10:10 pm »

I fold origami flowers out of post-it notes.  I can fold them without looking for the most part and it keeps my hands busy between cues.

294

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Cast/Crew call format question

« on: Apr 15, 2008, 04:06 pm »

No need to use Show and Company name for each call.

I will say show or company name (usually not both unless it is necessary) for only 1/2 hour call.  Everything else, I just say "ladies and gentlemen."

295

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tips and Tricks: Raked stages

« on: Apr 15, 2008, 04:00 pm »

We did Godspell on a raked stage once, and the set designer painted this fantastic mural on the stage floor.

When he was done the floor was pretty slippery, and the actors feet were sliding a bit during the dance numbers, so he mixed up a batch of some kind of clear lacquer with sand and painted a gritty top coat over it and we never had an actor lose their footing all through the run.

Many moons ago, when I was an intern, I worked on a production of Camille.  The floor was raked and painted with CAR PAINT.  Super shiny, super beautiful, super slippery.  We manged to literally stumble-through to opening night and then did a similar grit treatment.  I believe we used sand mixed with clear gloss paint.  Totally ruined the design, but stopped people from falling.

296

The Hardline / Re: NYTW Laying off Production Staff

« on: Apr 15, 2008, 03:57 pm »

I read about this yesterday. So depressing.

297

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tips and Tricks: Raked stages

« on: Apr 12, 2008, 08:52 pm »

Tip for dance that can apply to other genres:

While on tour in Italy (with tons of raked stages of various degrees), during warm-up/ stretching, my dancers would do their choreography on the reverse side to counteract the effects of overdoing one side due to the rake.

I hope that makes sense.

298

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Theatre Rules For Kids (and adults)

« on: Apr 12, 2008, 12:38 pm »

Gum?  Might want to throw that in.

299

Tools of the Trade / Re: Erasable highlighters?

« on: Apr 10, 2008, 10:39 pm »

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://p.office1000.com/mrp/63104TOM.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.office1000.com/discount/highlighter-tape.html&h=123&w=200&sz=4&hl=en&start=20&um=1&tbnid=IfePI2xc3oAdCM:&tbnh=64&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhighlighter%2Btape%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Have to scroll down to Tombow.  Erasable Highlighter tape.  Erase with regular pencil eraser. You can re-highlight and un-highlight the same area over and over again.  Does make a clicking noise, though, so no highlighting during quiet scenes.

300

Employment / Re: Changing lanes.....

« on: Apr 05, 2008, 03:12 pm »

Have you thought about maybe getting a job with a management company/ booking agency?  Like IMG or ICM or CAMI.  It would have regular hours and regular duties, but still expose you somewhat to arts.