Messages

31

Tools of the Trade / Re: Line Note- POST ITS!

« on: Oct 09, 2007, 02:00 pm »

I was referring to buying new ones for every show.

32

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Oct 09, 2007, 01:58 pm »

I have used PCs for most of my life up until this summer when after repeated harddrive failures, I switched to a Mac. I love my Mac but you're right, but I love it because I can trust it and they're tech support is great. As far as my work is concerned, it doesn't make a differance but for reliability, the MacBook is amazing. I was / am also a Linux user and honestly, if I could get MS office to work correctly on linux (I hate openoffice) I would switch to linux only.


For me. Mac means reliability and AMAZING tech support if something does happen. It was worth the money considering the amount of drama and headache put in fixing and dealing with my old PCs. 

33

Tools of the Trade / Re: Line Note- POST ITS!

« on: Oct 08, 2007, 12:03 pm »

Interesting idea. One of my friends came up with the plan that since we have to type our scripts (I'm not sure why because we bought the rights) that we just mark it in the script and then copy and paste into an MS Word document already set up. I think it sounds good, but really expensive.

34

Articles from the Old Site / Re: So...do ya think you're theatre is haunted?

« on: Sep 26, 2007, 04:16 pm »

The Abbott Kaplan theatre at SUNY Purchase is said to have a ghost. People say they have seen a figure in door ways and in the hemp room. I dont think anyones seen it in years tho.

35

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Emerson/DePaul/Webster/Syracuse/Penn State?

« on: Sep 13, 2007, 10:41 am »

Thank you everyone so far with your comments, they have been very helpful! I understand that you can't just learn stage management, you have to have experiences and learn by trial and error. When I started high school, I knew I wanted to go to college. Most people do not know what they want to major in when they get to college, and in this case I do.
Updates if you are really interested:
School-wise-I think I have figured out the application processes for all the schools, which is good. 
I looked at SUNY-Purchase last year, and with out going on a long rant, I had a bad experience when I visited and talked to (I think) the head of the department. Also, I didn't get the whole "Apply as a stage manager, then you have to declare your major again when you are a sophomore (I think)."
Syracuse-I also looked at it last year, I think I might have come into a rehearsal you were working on Daz. I really liked the program there.

In terms of my resume and prompt book, I met with the stage manager of the theater I had an internship at this summer, and she helped me out a lot. My resume is a lot cleaner and clearer now.

Thanks again to everyone who has responded! I love this site, everyone is so awesome!

SUNY Purchase has had a HUGE admin change and whomever you spoke to may have given you the wrong impression. You don't actually declare a major twice. You interview as what you want to do and freshmen year is a bit of everything since most people have only tried one aspect of theatre and then sophmore year you start taking theatre classes. I won't say that freshmen isn't tedious for those who know what they wanna do but the other 3 years are so very worth it and the production value of the shows here is amazing. PM me if you have more questions. I'm a senior there now and I don't think I could've had a better experience. Even with the stuff that wasn't so good, I learned so much.

36

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I feel I have been cheated....am I really over my head...

« on: Sep 13, 2007, 10:31 am »

every school is going to teach you different things. If you find in a year or two that you weren't really ready to work, maybe look at a grad school. I don't know if that is financially possible but really, give working a shot first. Don't stress. In any college most of the experience comes from working on shows.

37

Employment / Re: Is NY Fringe Work worth it?

« on: Sep 11, 2007, 01:17 pm »

Hey All--

Starting to see lots of Fringe SM hiring, as it is the season here in NY. I'll just be coming off my first two AEA Showcases in August, and am wondering what the usual pay for a Fringe show is. I live on long island and weekly transportation runs about $50 so anything under $200 a week is a no-go. I know I need to pay my dues to get the experience, but I gotta pay rent too!

Any thoughts?

I would say don't do it. I lived on LI and its just not worth losing money.

38

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Emergency Contact/Medical Info forms for Students

« on: Sep 10, 2007, 07:43 am »

The sensitive topic of Medical Information forms has come up a couple of times, and if anyone out there knows of how we, as stage managers, can collect this information and still be within the boundaries of the HIPPA Act, I would greatly appreciate that information (and this may be a question for a lawyer or HR administrator).  I always worry that by even asking (as we can't REQUIRE) staff to fill out medical information sheets that we may be violating their right to medical privacy, although it may be essential information should someone become severely injured.  I see both sides of the coin . . . .anyone care to weigh in on that?

If they are over 18 you can certainly ask but they are just not required to answer. I get the info and then keep it only to myself. My assistants arn't even allowed to see it.

39

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Emergency Contact/Medical Info forms for Students

« on: Sep 09, 2007, 12:48 pm »

Check with the Admin at your high school first. They may have a policy against that being disributed to anyone other than themselves. High Schools are weird. I had to get info from kids at a camp once and it was a hassle.

This is my "all purpose" cast contact sheet that has a spot for the emergancy info

40

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Emerson/DePaul/Webster/Syracuse/Penn State?

« on: Sep 04, 2007, 02:01 am »

PM me about Emerson. My girlfriend went there and then transfered.



-Courtney

OH! and look at the SUNY Purchase conservatory while you're at it! I'm a senior there and its like 30min from NYC (plus, as I said, its a conservatory)

41

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Emerson/DePaul/Webster/Syracuse/Penn State?

« on: Sep 04, 2007, 02:00 am »

PM me about Emerson. My girlfriend went there and then transfered.



-Courtney

42

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PSMing vs. ASMing

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 04:51 pm »

In some ways they are such different jobs that it is hard to compare.  I don't necessarily think one is better than the other, as they are both important.  For me, I think being an ASM is much harder than a PSM. 

It does lead me to a secondary question, which is why if they are such different jobs/skill requirements, is the traditional career path PA, ASM, SM, PSM?  Is there a way that makes more sense?

SSM

well SM / PSM is the same thing in some places. SM is really just a first assistant if there is a PSM. Atleast thats how it is at my school.

43

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PSMing vs. ASMing

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 03:04 pm »

"essentially" being the key word. I never said they were sheep.

yes ASMs just do what they're told.  they don't have to make command decisions.  there's more grunt work, but less stress.

For me, I think there is so much more pressure as a PSM. I like PSMing more but ASMing is totally easier. You just do what your told essentially.

Not true at all, if an ASM is only doing what they're told then they're not doing their job.

44

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PSMing vs. ASMing

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 08:38 am »

For me, I think there is so much more pressure as a PSM. I like PSMing more but ASMing is totally easier. You just do what your told essentially.

45

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Other Colleges

« on: Aug 22, 2007, 05:27 pm »

and SUNY Purchase!