31
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional, Round 2: Velcro vs. Headset
« on: Dec 04, 2012, 06:01 pm »
As a curly haired girl I have never been a fan of Velcro. I hope it gets crushed.
PSATW!
PSATW!
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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32
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Commercial, Round 2: Laptop vs. Straight Edge
« on: Dec 04, 2012, 06:00 pm »
PSATW!
33
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: University, Round 2: Tape measure vs Protractor
« on: Dec 04, 2012, 05:59 pm »
This one is going to be a blowout!
34
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 1: Gaff Tape Vs. Staples/Paperclips
« on: Dec 02, 2012, 12:32 am »
How can this even be a contest? Gaff tape is THE tool. Can a roll of staples hold my coffee cup from tipping over? Can a Paperclip fix my shoes? Not a chance!
I love my tape.
They call it Gaff
It changed my life.
Please.
Do not laugh.
I love my tape.
They call it Gaff
It changed my life.
Please.
Do not laugh.
35
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional, Round 1: Multitool vs. Unlubed Condoms
« on: Dec 02, 2012, 12:26 am »
My Multitool has a wine corkscrew. Best SM tool ever. Multitool all the way!!
36
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: University, Round 1: 3-ring Binder vs. Digital Light Board
« on: Dec 02, 2012, 12:19 am »
I like waterskiing and I am a fan of gin...but combining them seems like an odd idea.
I have to root for the lightboard...I am a gear head and if it has on on/off switch it wins...All you silly people with reason why this or that...Vote the PARTY PLATFORM!!
POWER SWITCHES ALL THE WAY!!!!
PSATW!
PSATW!
Not to mention you can make all your docs electronic docs and get rid of that binder all together...Save a tree!! Save the environment...use electricity. Wait. I need to...Hmmm....I need to look at this slogan again...
Ah - never mind.
PSATW!!!!
I have to root for the lightboard...I am a gear head and if it has on on/off switch it wins...All you silly people with reason why this or that...Vote the PARTY PLATFORM!!
POWER SWITCHES ALL THE WAY!!!!
PSATW!
PSATW!
Not to mention you can make all your docs electronic docs and get rid of that binder all together...Save a tree!! Save the environment...use electricity. Wait. I need to...Hmmm....I need to look at this slogan again...
Ah - never mind.
PSATW!!!!
37
The Green Room / Re: Inside the SM Office
« on: Nov 30, 2012, 09:44 pm »
1. What is your favorite word?
Cornucopia
2. What is your least favorite word?
Was'up?
3. What turns you on?
Intellectual Curiosity
4. What turns you off?
Walmart thinking (lowest common denominator)
5. What sound do you love?
Rain on a rooftop.
6. What sound do you hate?
SMPTE through speakers.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
F*ck. I really wish I could be the lady my father thinks I should be and stop swearing...but alas.
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Statistical Analyst - I may even try applying.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Walmart greeter. That would definitely be my version of hell.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Nice job.
Cornucopia
2. What is your least favorite word?
Was'up?
3. What turns you on?
Intellectual Curiosity
4. What turns you off?
Walmart thinking (lowest common denominator)
5. What sound do you love?
Rain on a rooftop.
6. What sound do you hate?
SMPTE through speakers.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
F*ck. I really wish I could be the lady my father thinks I should be and stop swearing...but alas.
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Statistical Analyst - I may even try applying.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Walmart greeter. That would definitely be my version of hell.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Nice job.
38
The Green Room / Re: When the phone DOES ring...
« on: Nov 19, 2012, 09:07 pm »
SO my favorite. I am not on the clock I am not answering my phone story now must be told.
As many of you know I have recently worked for an automation company that specialized in flight programming. I had a certain client that was calling me every day after I left. Sometimes multiple times a day. It was almost a guarantee they would call on a holiday. They made a choice when we installed their system to only fully train a few staff. Those guys never answered their phone. At one point I had spoken to them on every single holiday (memorial day, 4th of july, labor day, thanksgiving) in about six months. We started charging them for these calls. We gave them a service number to call...we did everything we could think of but...to no avail they still called. This went on for months and was killing my nerves so I took a vacation to a place where my cell phone would not work (Grand Canyon). On the way back to LA my phone rings. I deliberately ignored it and let it go to voicemail. This was the voicemail.
"Um, Dani, um, the rig has stopped and the girl is in the air and we do not know how to get her down. Can you please call us back as soon as possible." Really?
They had a rescue plan. They had practiced a rescue plan. They had signed off on a rescue plan. It involved a ladder. Apparently a few weeks into the run they decided the ladder was in the way and someone removed it from the space. Brilliant.
I called them right back and in that few minutes they had managed to get the girl down (someone grabbed a ladder from another space while the TD ran outside to call me). However, then they mentioned how glad they were that my phone was working again.
By then I was only about 30 minutes from the space and I went over and had a few words...but it is still my absolute favorite story of...I am not answering this phone call.
A year or so later I switched companies. They called me at 5 AM on Christmas morning and I was oh so very happy to give them my old bosses number and remind them he was their contact now!
As many of you know I have recently worked for an automation company that specialized in flight programming. I had a certain client that was calling me every day after I left. Sometimes multiple times a day. It was almost a guarantee they would call on a holiday. They made a choice when we installed their system to only fully train a few staff. Those guys never answered their phone. At one point I had spoken to them on every single holiday (memorial day, 4th of july, labor day, thanksgiving) in about six months. We started charging them for these calls. We gave them a service number to call...we did everything we could think of but...to no avail they still called. This went on for months and was killing my nerves so I took a vacation to a place where my cell phone would not work (Grand Canyon). On the way back to LA my phone rings. I deliberately ignored it and let it go to voicemail. This was the voicemail.
"Um, Dani, um, the rig has stopped and the girl is in the air and we do not know how to get her down. Can you please call us back as soon as possible." Really?
They had a rescue plan. They had practiced a rescue plan. They had signed off on a rescue plan. It involved a ladder. Apparently a few weeks into the run they decided the ladder was in the way and someone removed it from the space. Brilliant.
I called them right back and in that few minutes they had managed to get the girl down (someone grabbed a ladder from another space while the TD ran outside to call me). However, then they mentioned how glad they were that my phone was working again.
By then I was only about 30 minutes from the space and I went over and had a few words...but it is still my absolute favorite story of...I am not answering this phone call.
A year or so later I switched companies. They called me at 5 AM on Christmas morning and I was oh so very happy to give them my old bosses number and remind them he was their contact now!
39
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TOURS: Tips for Packing?
« on: Sep 19, 2012, 07:43 am »
I love the Purex sheets. I keep them in a bag in the front pocket of my suitcase at all times. They are not the best for handwashing....you have to get the water really hot. They will, however, work in a pinch. Also, the fabric softener requires heat to work in the dryer...so if you dry your clothes on low heat they will probably be very full of static.
40
College and Graduate Studies / Re: MFA Stage Management - Musical Theatre
« on: Aug 28, 2011, 07:38 pm »There is no MFA Stage Management that focuses on stage management, but there are programs that do musicals
What I think was a typo....still gives me great pleasure....
41
The Hardline / Re: More on the attacks on unions
« on: Apr 02, 2011, 04:58 am »
Matthew, Especially when people who have such a clear understanding of the craft are making the decisions about what things should cost 
.
Maybe they told him it would be $170,000 to put up those screens because they would have been ugly. I wonder how the people who bought non-obstructed view seats and discovered they were watching the show on video would have felt.
Just sayin...
Very one sided....but it is Fox News.
. Maybe they told him it would be $170,000 to put up those screens because they would have been ugly. I wonder how the people who bought non-obstructed view seats and discovered they were watching the show on video would have felt.
Just sayin...
Very one sided....but it is Fox News.
42
The Green Room / Re: Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark
« on: Dec 22, 2010, 12:15 pm »
This stunt was not an automated effect and Fisher did not build this effect.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/12/21/entertainment-us-spider-man-fall_8217793.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews
Fisher is doing the automated effects in the show.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/12/21/entertainment-us-spider-man-fall_8217793.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews
Fisher is doing the automated effects in the show.
43
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: HEALTH: Injured actor
« on: Apr 28, 2010, 12:22 pm »
I am not a medical professional and this only my two cents after having gone through this. The first few weeks of his recovery are the most important. Treating this correctly now will seriously shorten his recovery time. He is being told to limit his reading/computer time to allow his brain time to start recovery. I thought I could do shows too and quickly discovered that was impossible. He may not be the best judge, at this exact moment, of what is best for him. He is very likely to be very sensitive to his emotions and feelings right now and "taking things personally" and overreactions are par for the course. That is part of the injury. Concussions are difficult to deal with from inside and out. I think your instincts are good and I would strongly suggest talking to the AD. Many doctors do not fully understand what we do so they do not think to restrict it. That does not mean it is a good idea. If he has not been cleared by a doctor to read a book, be on a computer or talk on the phone than I am pretty certain performing a show would not be in his best interest.
44
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROFESSIONALISM: Stage Manager as Disciplinarian
« on: Oct 23, 2009, 12:53 am »
Everyone makes mistakes. I believe we are defined by how we treat people in their weakest state. I know my weakest state is when I have screwed up. I beat myself up and can definitely be found awake many hours later replaying what I should have done better. As Stage Managers we are frequently put in the situation of having to discipline people when they have made a big mistake.
How do you deal with this? What techniques have you found to keep people listening and not defensive?
The GSM of my show at Cirque was brilliant at this. He was able to open a conversation about why things went wrong and really listen without preconceived notions of why someone would do what they did. The result of this was much better communication between stage management and the rest of the show staff. I have tried to honor him by using this technique, sometimes I am successful and sometimes I fail but I keep trying. I also am always willing to put myself in someone else's shoes...empathy can go a long way.
So, what are your techniques?
How do you discipline?
How do you keep yourself listening?
What if the mistake is huge? What if someone is hurt?
How do you move on?
Do these techniques vary with different department? Do you treat technical different from artistic?
What about in your own team? How do you deal with a Stage Manager that may be naive but is also very wrong?
How do you keep them listening while setting them on the right path?
I do not have the answers here but i am very interested in hearing your thoughts.
Edit to subject-Rebbe
How do you deal with this? What techniques have you found to keep people listening and not defensive?
The GSM of my show at Cirque was brilliant at this. He was able to open a conversation about why things went wrong and really listen without preconceived notions of why someone would do what they did. The result of this was much better communication between stage management and the rest of the show staff. I have tried to honor him by using this technique, sometimes I am successful and sometimes I fail but I keep trying. I also am always willing to put myself in someone else's shoes...empathy can go a long way.
So, what are your techniques?
How do you discipline?
How do you keep yourself listening?
What if the mistake is huge? What if someone is hurt?
How do you move on?
Do these techniques vary with different department? Do you treat technical different from artistic?
What about in your own team? How do you deal with a Stage Manager that may be naive but is also very wrong?
How do you keep them listening while setting them on the right path?
I do not have the answers here but i am very interested in hearing your thoughts.
Edit to subject-Rebbe
45
The Green Room / Re: "I can't do that on stage."
« on: Sep 15, 2009, 11:51 pm »
Never ever point a gun directly at someone. Ever. Blanks can kill people....and have.
OK, removing myself from the soapbox.
We have drifted off topic (and it is a great topic).
I am amazed by people that cannot walk on stage. We did a production of Mame. The choreography involved walking across the stage. One of our dancers could not do it. He would always swing his same arm and leg. If you tried to walk that way off stage you could not do it.
OK, removing myself from the soapbox.
We have drifted off topic (and it is a great topic).
I am amazed by people that cannot walk on stage. We did a production of Mame. The choreography involved walking across the stage. One of our dancers could not do it. He would always swing his same arm and leg. If you tried to walk that way off stage you could not do it.