Messages

31

Employment / Re: resume format

« on: Jul 16, 2009, 07:37 pm »

Hi everyone!  Question for you all...

I  consider myself a stage manager and general technician.  I am recently out of school and am currently working my first long-term contract at a theatre (3 shows: 2 as crew, 1 as ASM).  I want to send out my resume to theatres in anticipation of the end of my contract.  I would be open to either SM or crew work.  When not applying for a particular position, how would you suggest I format my resume?  Does it harm my image to present myself this way?  Should I concentrate on stage management (as some people have told me I should)?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
-V

As a suggestion, you might want to view the resumes in the resume viewer here on the website or the resumes currently posted to the Chats Board for ideas on how to format your resume.

32

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Backstage or Booth? (meta-topic)

« on: Jul 12, 2009, 11:34 pm »

I just called an opera (La Traviata) and a ballet (Coppelia) for the Southern Illinois Music Festival from the booth . . .it was the first time in 8 years I had not called from the deck.

It was actually kind of interesting, but was a great reminder of why I prefer to call from the deck.  Although there are more distractions when you are on deck, you can also see whats going on during shifts. 

I had also done the lighting design for the Traviata, so during tech not only was I calling the cues, but adjusting times and levels as we teched.

33

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What I did over my summer vacation...

« on: Jun 13, 2009, 04:23 am »

I'm currently in Vegas on business/vacation, then I call COPPELIA, then LA TRAVIATA, then THE MERRY WIDOW (all by August 9th), then it's back to Las Vegas!

34

Stage Management: Other / Re: 15 vs 30 second timings

« on: May 22, 2009, 01:40 am »

I think 15 second timings are more precise . . . I wouldn't necessarily say 30 second timings are "normal". 

I put a red check mark where the timing took place and the actual time in the margin.

35

Employment / Re: An Employment Dilemma

« on: Apr 12, 2009, 04:57 pm »

A diplomatically phrased e-mail to your contacts at Cirque letting them know that you have been offered other work and need to make a decision may be something to think about.  I've had to do this many times, and no one has ever been upset at me for it.

If you had to choose, I'd take the local gig and if you have to leave it to go to Cirque, no one in their right mind would be upset at you for that decision.

36

The Hardline / AGMA Guest Artist contract

« on: Apr 08, 2009, 10:02 pm »

I was wondering if any of my fellow AGMA members have had any luck with the AGMA Guest Artist Contract.  How were you able to convince your non-union employer to sign the contract?  Is it really worth the effort?

37

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Aging in stage management (those late 20's)

« on: Apr 08, 2009, 09:53 pm »

I hate to commit thread necromancy, but I was just re-reading this thread as I'm now in the last year of my twenties and am asking myself "What's next?".  I'm PSMing, I'm ASMing, I'm traveling, I'm still managing to find work in this economy although I am "breaking the rules" in terms of pay . . .at this point if it keeps me afloat it'll do.

I wonder, in times of economic hardships, what you all think in terms of taking that next step, keeping the momentum of your career moving.

38

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dear Abby: Torn between two majors

« on: Apr 06, 2009, 01:37 am »

I think you may find that these majors are less unrelated than you think, and unless you are in a conservatory program that won't allow a double major, it's your life, my friend - and you only get one shot at it.  You should do what makes you happy.  I know way to many people who push paper for a living and hate their lives. 

Especially if you'll be the one paying off the student loans afterwards, your parents will have to learn to cope.

39

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Mar 29, 2009, 09:23 pm »

Hey Katie,

First and foremost, welcome to SMNetwork.org, . . . I hope you'll find this site continually useful beyond the current situation.

As for the situation at hand, I can understand your director not wanting to lose rehearsal time.  If this is a university sponsored event and the university is closed due to a  natural disaster, then yes, I think you have a valid point.  This may not be the most popular opinion, but I actually wouldn't sweat not being able to be there yourself . . .but these rehearsals are going to be dangerous (because of the flooding) and pointless if no one can come and they are not staffed properly.  Is there a Head of the Department you can reach about this director?  

As much as we may not like to give up so early in the process, it may be worth canceling the production, or if you choose to continue a structured plan should be created rather than shooting in the dark at random scenes which will eventually become a jumbled mess and impossible to keep track of.  Losing two full weeks is pretty major, and it may be possible to move forward, or it may be time to pull the plug and focus on what really is important right now.  Sometimes we get so focused on our jobs we forget the world around us, and your director seems to have lost touch a bit.

My point is:

1)  Evaluate if moving forward with the project is possible

2)  Try to make sure rehearsals aren't happening until it's productive and safe to do so.

3)  Make sure the rehearsal period is highly planned . . .be flexible when things don't go as planned, but go in with a plan.

4)  If rehearsal is happening without you, just make sure you talk to the director after the rehearsal to keep up to speed, take blocking down as soon as you are present.

Hope this helps . . . keep us posted!

40

Employment / Read your contracts carefully

« on: Mar 26, 2009, 05:14 pm »

I've really been torn about whether or not to post about this, but since this has happened three times in three months, I think it's worth alerting the network.

During the past three months, three separate companies have pulled a fast one on me because I was not practicing what I know to be good business sense, and taking people for their word. 

For those of us who freelance in the non union world, I send out this warning and advice, PLEASE make sure you read your contracts with a fine toothed comb, make sure the producer signs it first (as all Equity contracts have to be), make sure you have a copy, and make sure you stand up when you know you are being taken advantage of.  These are tough times for producers and artists alike, but NOTHING is an appropriate excuse for a company to take advantage of contract employees.  Twice now I've completed gigs and not had my full travel reimbursed (due to budget), and one contract was "cancelled" after I signed it and before the producer signed it. 

I dare not write more at the moment as I'm seething with anger, but I urge you all to keep your ever watchful eyes on your finances especially in these troubled times.

If you have questions regarding this post, please feel free to PM me.

41

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Feb 05, 2009, 03:38 am »

I see your point Erin.  I think we are all taking one for the team right now, but, I will say that I'm tired of sitting around watching it and not doing something.  I feel like we are on the brink of apathy, or worse whining about the problem.  It's in my nature to do something . . . .The only course we have is to encourage our elected officials to pass this legislation, and quickly, so we can begin the road to recovery.

42

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Feb 04, 2009, 09:55 am »

Connecticut Opera Cancels Season's Remaining Shows
--------------------

By DONNA LARCEN
The Hartford Courant

January 30 2009

Connecticut Opera's 2,000 subscribers will get letters today informing them that "Daughter of the Regiment" in March and "La Boheme" in May, the remaining two productions of this season, are canceled. The decision was made by the opera's board Wednesday night.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.courant.com/features/hc-ctopera.artjan30,0,5123393.story

I think it's important to note that this is not a company closing.  They are making a smart financial decision to ensure the future of the company and future jobs, and I would much rather see this than the complete demise of the company.  I know I participated in these threads to begin with, but I wonder if we're doing more harm than good by feeding into the panic over the economy.  By trade, we are supposed to be the folks keeping a cool head when everything around us seems to be falling apart . . .moreso we are supposed to take action when this happens.  We are a nationwide network of stage managers . . .how about calling your senator today to get the stimulus package through?  Go to http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml and get your elected officials contact info and make some phone calls!

43

The Hardline / Re: How did you get your card?

« on: Dec 31, 2008, 01:17 am »

I got my AGMA card from signing an AGMA contract for Washington National Opera.  A friend of mine took a picture of me signing the contract, it was a big deal. 

44

The Hardline / Re: Dear Abby: AEA issues with show hand-off

« on: Dec 30, 2008, 04:40 pm »

It depends what level contract you are on, how long the takeover is, etc.

I have called an Equity show without an Equity contract, nor am I a member of Equity . . .I was a sub for less than two weeks at the end of the run and it was allowed by the SPT rulebook (I checked myself to make sure).  Had the show extended one more week I would have had to be signed to an Equity contract, etc.

As always, if you have questions, your business rep is the best place to start.

45

Employment / Re: Job/Gig searching in the new economy

« on: Dec 10, 2008, 04:25 pm »

Oh, I'd say it's definitely getting tougher out there . . .I just had my winter gig evaporate from under me. 

With that being said I also just got my substitute teaching certification today, so there is something to tide me over to my next contract.