Messages

31

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

« on: Oct 09, 2007, 10:47 pm »

The first time I go through the script, I number every other line (1 3 5 7 etc.) in each scene. Then, I have a separate TextEdit (Notepad) document open for each actor on my computer. As I go along, I can quickly (I use expose on my Mac, windows would be alt+tabbing) switch between each of the actors and just type in the Scene/Line # and the reason, then go back through once I'm done and fill it out, which doesn't take very long. Sometimes, if it's a short enough screw-up, I'll just type out the line they miss as I go along. That way, at the end of the night, it takes 5 minutes to e-mail everyone their line notes and I'm good to go.

32

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

« on: Oct 09, 2007, 10:44 pm »

I think there's a lot of misconceptions out there regarding Macs.

1) While we are not immune to viruses, I have yet to have one, nor have any of the mac users I have encountered - which is a heckofalot. I have to do zero maintenance on my machine, no spyware scans, no adware scans, no virus scans, no defragmenting my hard drive, nothing. I can just use my computer. Something I never had during 19 years of Windows usage.

2) I'm not sure where the "$1000+ more" comes from. I did my market research before buying a mac, and to get a similarly sized Windows machine with the same specs as my MacBook would've cost me $200 more for a decent quality machine. True - Mac doesn't sell a low-end laptop or desktop, but my logic on the issue is this: For a fog machine, do you buy the crappiest dollar store fog-juice you can find? Or do you go out and spend the extra money and get the fog-juice that will actually work, even if it's double the cost? You *can* buy good Windows machines - I custom built them for years, and am planning on building my next desktop to run Windows XP on. It will cost roughly the same as a 24" iMac and probably outperform it slightly.

3) We are almost completely compatible with all file formats, we just have some issues with certain apps. However, there are cheap or free alternatives to almost every Windows app that doesn't exist on a Mac.

All that having been said... I'm really sick of the whole angsty windows vs. mac arguments. Lets have friendly debates, but it's not a huge deal really... both have their uses, both have their positives and negatives, and both are impressive in their own right.

33

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

« on: Oct 04, 2007, 05:08 pm »

Also it should be noted that compatibility issues essentially don't exist. I have 3 windows boxes and 4 macs hooked up to the same network on a combination of wired/wireless using a Linksys (non-Apple) router sharing an AT&T DSL Elite connection. I use a Mac in a windows-dominant environment, with no issues. Good luck! You'll love getting a Mac. :-)

34

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: The Most Qs Ever

« on: Sep 29, 2007, 10:06 am »

I ASM'd Sense & Sensibility and our sound q's went up to XX I think (started a, b, c, etc.) and we had upwards of 200 light q's. It was just nuts because there was also a turntable that was pulled by hand (7 actors + sets + props on the turntable with only a 2:1 mechanical advantage) that had to be timed in perfectly without monitors.

Also, over the summer, I worked on a 'gala' event for a mime show (R.I.P. Marcel Marceau - I'm just bummed because he was going to come see the show I'm SMing in a few months =/) and he had us hang lights, focus them, and write 145 cues in 2 days for a 50 min show. Same guy is directing the show I'm SMing - Alice in Wonderland. I'm not looking forwards to q-write. >.<

35

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Inner Crew Issues

« on: Sep 08, 2007, 10:00 pm »

During my experience in HS as a SM, there were several people who wanted to SM, but the SM's were always director-appointed. IIRC, the director of the show is typically the one who at least has decisions over crew stuffs and should be able to deal with the situation. If there have been issues with her in the past, the director likely won't work with her. I don't think this is an issue that you should have to deal with.

36

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Where do I start?

« on: Aug 19, 2007, 10:43 pm »

One time I complained to my SM advisor about having to take acting classes. She said "This way when you're stage managing a show, even if you don't know what you're doing, you can act like you do."

I thought that was funny.

"Professionalism is the art of pretending like you know what you're doing even if you have no idea what the hell is going on."

I don't know where I first heard it, but it's become my mantra. It's the only way I've gotten through some shows.

37

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Where do I start?

« on: Aug 18, 2007, 09:23 am »

Feedback as an SM comes from all of the above - literally. I'm not paying $25k+ for an education in SMing. I'm paying it for an overall education, and gaining experience as an SM along the way. If I were going specifically for stage management, I would want to be trained by a stage manager, yeah. But as it is, it's a liberal-arts school focused as much on teaching it's students how to think as teaching them actual knowledge. As part of the theatre major, I'm required to take classes in all areas of theatre - directing, acting, lighting design, set design, and costuming, with options to focus more in one area than another. We're also taking a month-long trip to London next January to get an idea of the "theatre experience" there. So would I like to be taught by an SM? Ideally, yes. However, I think that you can get a good education that will prepare you for stage managing outside of school even if you're not. Which I know wasn't your point, and I agree with you fully on the point that if you're going to school for stage management, then yes. You should get taught by a stage manager.

38

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Where do I start?

« on: Aug 18, 2007, 12:15 am »

My point is, that a TD who teaches stage managers will form stage managers who are REALLY good at dealing with a shop, but can't talk to actors or deal with those personalities.  A Director who teaches stage managers will form SMs who are REALLY good artistically but don't know the difference between a flat and a source four; etc...  If you really want a well-rounded education/training in Stage Management the ideal way is to be taught by a Stage Manager.

I go to a liberal arts school whose Theatre major program is in it's fledgling stages (3-4 years old). They've got GREAT profs, but no SMing classes whatsoever. So what I'm doing is doing an independent study with the TD while getting direction from 2 of the directors. Should give me a fairly well-rounded education. There are no career stage managers (that I know of) at the school, but I still feel like I'm getting the 'overall picture' in terms of being able to work with the shop as well as actors.

Is there anything else that someone would suggest?

39

Tools of the Trade / Re: Glo-tape

« on: Aug 13, 2007, 01:37 am »

Sweet. I'll definitely keep that in mind. As I am on a college campus, I have access to the AV dept. and all their goodies in terms of cameras (and their flashes).

Also - glow tape being stored in the dark... how long of constant light exposure will kill it's ability to hold a charge? Are we talking 2 days or 2 months?

40

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Computer

« on: Aug 13, 2007, 01:35 am »

If I have time to prepare, I like paper. Though I'm trying to go all-digital since it makes communication with documents that much easier. Had to SM a show this past week on VERY short notice (72 hours to do basically doing a months worth of work, minus the blocking/rehearsals) and that was done all digitally because I didn't have time to make printouts.

41

Tools of the Trade / Re: Glo-tape

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 11:39 am »

Does a camera flash charge it fully? We always go around with flashlights and set a turned-on flashlight on top of the tape for about 30 seconds to charge it preshow. If I could just flash it, that would make life so much easier o.O

42

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Computer

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 11:38 am »

It is an audio application aimed at the consumer/garage band that want's to mix their own stuff. Audacity is a piece of free software which will do much the same stuff at no cost on any operating system.

Sweet! Where was the software when I was back on Windows trying to figure out how to cut down audio clips >.<!? I'd heard of it, I was just under the impression that it was highly specialized, and the only versions available free were trial versions. Will definitely keep that in mind.

43

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

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 11:33 am »

I just picked up a pair of black TDU's from 5.11. They are fantastic. VERY sturdy, but light and breathable. LOTS of pockets, and pockets within pockets. Also, built in expandable waste band - almost elastic - so they're very comfy. I was in a military auxiliary for a while, so got lots of experience with the ripstop material they're made of - and after 4 years of abuse, none of the ripstop pants I bought have faded or torn. My favorite part about the TDU (Tactical Dress Uniform) pants tho is the fact that they come with built in (albeit removable) kneepads. So kneeling on the ground (which I suprisingly do a lot of...) is vastly more comfortable. On a show night, those combined with a black fitted polo from Banana Republic looks VERY sharp, while still being extremely functional. I currently have a pair of skechers quasi-dress shoes, but I'm looking for a good, comfy pair of black sneakers that don't look like huge cross-trainers. Any suggestions?

44

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: New to the Industry

« on: Aug 12, 2007, 11:24 am »

How big is the congregation? I'm assuming a large one if you're able to do a musical using the members of the church. As a precaution, this will take way more time than you're planning on - especially if you're doing all three. If it's a large enough congregation to be able to afford it, I would strongly recommend asking for some form of stipend from the church, even if it's just $200. It will make them appreciate what you're doing a bit more. Some churches even pay their sound techs, and people like being techs at those churches because they're treated properly. At my church, I never got a penny for the countless hours of work I put in around services, and people seemed to think I was essentially slave labor. They'll treat you better and make sure you get what you need if you're getting paid a little bit.

That having been said... at your first meeting with your production team (you, ASM(s?), assistant production managers, etc.) explain to them that even though this is a very informal setting, you do have expectations (at which point you'd lay out your expectations for timeliness, as well as what you expect from each person individually in terms of commitment to the production) and for the sake of your sanity, the sanity of all those involved, and the project itself, that the expectations must be met. Doing all three is a HUGE chunk to bite off, and you're going to need to learn to rely on your assistants and not try to do it all yourself (which is my tendency).

What type of musical will this be? Will you have a full blown orchestra/band, or just be using CD recordings? Is it going to be entirely original (including music) or is it going to be a conglomeration?

45

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Computer

« on: Aug 11, 2007, 09:33 pm »

OpenOffice (openoffice.org) looks, feels, acts like, and uses the exact same file formats as Microsoft Office. And it's FREE. Save yourself a few hundred bucks there. GarageBand is very useful, but comes preloaded on all Macs, so a Mac might be a better investment, as there are few (if any) GarageBand like apps on Windows - and those that do exist are really pricey. A spreadsheet editor (part of OpenOffice) is essential, and I'm just getting in to using "Numbers" (Apple's latest addition to iWork '08) as it provides a bit more integration across the board.

Just a thought.