Messages

31

Employment / Re: Overhire?

« on: Nov 17, 2008, 05:37 pm »

First I would say calm down, you'll be fine. While you might be rusty, you have the knowledge and it will come back to you as you do the work. I also work on overhire crews to supplement my income and I don't have many issues. I also haven't had any formal education in lighting, what I know I've picked up along the way.
Absolutely bring your own wrench. They often don't have extras on site. If you have a multi-tool I would also throw that on your belt along with a mini mag (or some other flashlight).

32

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Prop Recipe Exchange

« on: Oct 15, 2008, 02:38 pm »

root beer would be the closest thing I can think of in terms of color. I don't know if that would give you the nice foamy head that Guinness has though.

33

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Do you have an actor code of conduct contract?

« on: Sep 12, 2008, 09:15 pm »

I'm an MFA student at Rutgers. We do have a contract. I've attached it to this post. Feel free to look at it and take ideas
There are some parts that are very specific to Mason Gross but there are some good thoughts in there

34

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Rutgers at the Globe

« on: Sep 08, 2008, 03:10 pm »

Say hi to Patrick, Sarah and Kristen for me and tell them they're missed here at Rutgers 

Emily

35

College and Graduate Studies / Re: options for education...?

« on: Aug 21, 2008, 02:30 am »

My BA is in a non-theatre related field. (It's actually mathematics, but that's a different story.) I decided during senior year of college that I wanted to Stage Manage professionally. I took three years off, during which I worked a full time day job and did theatre on the side. At that point I had enough experience to get into an MFA program. There are times I wish I had an undergrad degree in theatre because there are some things that I don't know. However, that tends to be on the more academic side of theatre (such as script analysis, etc.) I have managed to do very well in grad school despite my unorthodox background.
I think if you have enough experience to get into grad school, a BA in theatre is not essential.
Good Luck!

36

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Best schools for SM.

« on: Jul 28, 2008, 11:30 pm »

I know Emerson College in Boston has a good Stage Management program but I don't know anything about their music program. Good luck

37

Employment / Re: Money Matters...

« on: Jul 02, 2008, 11:44 pm »

If this is the NY fringe, they often don't pay very well at all. I have several friends who have done the fringe and their pay has ranged from nothing to about $700.
Make sure you calculate expenses and make sure you include travel. I recently just turned down a fringe show because the money they offered wouldn't cover my travel expenses (I commute in to the city from Jersey). I told them that and they couldn't offer more.
Then you have to make the decision - if they can't/won't meet your offer, can you do it for less.
Good luck

38

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Spike Marks on Carpet

« on: Jun 27, 2008, 06:39 pm »

I closed a show recently that had a carpet floor. We did exactly what MatthewShiner said. We used spike tape through tech until the furniture placement was set and then switched to sharpie.
The spike tape did keep pulling off which was very annoying during tech. The sharpie was great once things were set.

39

The Hardline / Re: NYC Showcase

« on: Jun 25, 2008, 11:24 pm »

Thank you.

40

The Hardline / NYC Showcase

« on: Jun 25, 2008, 07:27 pm »

I have an interview tomorrow for an AEA approved NYC Showcase in the Fringe Festival. Anyone know what contract that falls under? I didn't find a showcase contract on the AEA website.
I was hoping to read the contract over before the interview.
thanks for the help!

41

Tools of the Trade / Re: Sound Cue Software

« on: Jun 10, 2008, 10:02 am »

It depends on if you have a Mac or a PC. If you have a Mac, try Q-lab.

42

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: "Blood" cleaning techniques

« on: May 27, 2008, 09:21 pm »

I've done many shows that used blood. We've used safe blood (ie non-toxic) but I'm not sure what company makes it (but it tasted like mint).
It always came off the set (including a carpet once) with dish soap and a sponge.
good luck!

43

Tools of the Trade / Re: Q-Manager

« on: May 22, 2008, 09:01 am »

I don't know how to download Q-Manager but have you tried Q-lab? I know it's free and you can do fades in it.

44

Tools of the Trade / Re: Breakaway Bottles

« on: Apr 23, 2008, 02:20 pm »

I did a show recently that had a breakaway vase in it. We used packing tape to wrap the large base of the vase so that when it broke it was mostly contained.
The little bit that broke was rather small pieces but the majority of the vase stayed in one chunk due to the packing tape around it.
We had a fight between two actors directly on top of the broken glass and no one got hurt. It was obviously choreographed very carefully but one actor did fall directly on top of the glass and "cut" his hand.
The tape worked very well and the actors were never injured.
And elliebelle is right - you can't put liquid in sugar glass because it will melt. However, there are types of breakaways that are made differently (I think they're some kind of plastic but I'm not sure) that you can put water in. That's what we used because the vase had flowers put in it by an actor directly before the fight and there was a line about putting the flowers in water.

45

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How do you mark your script during rehearsals?

« on: Apr 16, 2008, 09:20 pm »

First - congratulations on your first paying gig.

The second thing I would say is never highlight. Always work in pencil - things change all the time.

I like to write down all blocking, esp. when the director says something very specific (ie. make sure you're at the door by this line, or look at so and so for this line, etc).

I also track props (where they come from, who uses them, where they end up, etc.). I also do the same thing for costumes, esp. if there are costume changes on stage.

And then the big ones, lights and sound cues (and any other types of cues the show may have). Sometimes sound cues are obvious where they will be (ie. the doorbell rings). Before you start tech speak to the sound and lighting designer and see if they have a prel. cue list that you can start to put in your book. And then expect to add more cues during tech.

Good luck on your job