Messages

301

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Cardstock pros and cons

« on: Mar 30, 2006, 01:29 am »

Also, for a lot of copiers, it takes much more effort (like the bypass tray) to get things onto cardstock vs. lower paper.  I usually do just regular paper, but I'd opt for the slightly heavier that you can still run through the regular paper tray over cardstock.

Erin

302

Employment / Company Management VS. Stage Management

« on: Mar 22, 2006, 05:16 pm »

I worked on a touring show that travelled with its own callboard.  A big foldup thing on hinges that we would place in the hallway.  Company management got one side, and stage management got the other.  Now granted, we had a lot of Little People in the show, and you could never count on a roadhouse having low enough callboards for them to sign, plus we tended to post a LOT of information.  So with Company management, we worked together on the callboard.  It was also nice to be able to place it where we found most people could look at it, rather than what the normal theatre deemed was the appropriate callboard area, and instead we thought would be a great quickchange area.

We actually travelled with a producer, too, and I believe she was the one to set up the phone lines, etc.  And bottled water sometimes is a joint feat to accomplish with the union roadhouse prop guys.

Erin

303

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / a musical

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 09:50 pm »

Other things...

1. Inevitably in a musical, when it comes to a song, people are looking at three different versions of it - the normal script, the conductor's score, and the vocal book (usually in the back of a script, with only the singing parts).  Take the time to create a chart for yourself of all pertinent info you can quickly access.  I usually put a column first with the song number (orchestra members will flip to #5 or #10a for example), then the Song Title, script page, vocal book page, and score page.  I also like to include which characters are in the number, too, for another quick reference.  Saves a LOT of time as people jump from song to song, to keep everyone on track.

2. With musicals moreso than other shows, I find it extremely useful to make a chart of which people are on for exactly which pages, not just by scene, to facilitate costume changes - especially when someone changes an entire character (bit parts for the chorus, I'm thinking).

Erin

304

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / a musical

« on: Mar 21, 2006, 09:33 pm »

Actually, if you can get the sound crew involved in sitzprobe, the actors can get used to where their mics are placed (forehead or lapel for example), and the sound crew can get a slight headsup on how the show sounds.  The actor can even just carry the mic pack rather than strapping it on...and you can have another day to prepare for the "oh, we don't have enough mic pack belts/hair bands/insert item here."

Erin

305

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Your book Left or right?

« on: Mar 18, 2006, 03:13 pm »

I know a lot of people believe in 2 scripts, but I tend to do it all-in-one.  Yes, I like to have the blocking so I can reference quickly if actors have changed blocking, as well as when needed for calling a cue.  And I just hate the waste of paper, since I think as stage managers/theatre people we kill enough trees as it is.

I also don't usually have the luxury of time to re-copy all blocking cleanly as some also do.  I try to take some time just before tech to clean up the script...and if needed, will replace some pages then, but environmentally it seems a waste to me to have a totally different script...plus, not have available ALL the information.

That said, when I learn a show from someone else, on something with a long run, it's nice to have typed cues right in a clean script (though I still think it would be nice to have the blocking).  I guess to me it makes sense to have separate scripts for longer runs, but traditional 2 to 6 week run theatre I'll just go ahead and have one.

To each his own,
Erin

306

The Hardline / Should I start EMC?

« on: Mar 18, 2006, 02:43 pm »

I would recommend joining now, and at least start a few points.  After reading the above post regarding Equity checking in on EMC candidates, I'm not sure if what I'm about to say still applies, but as for me...

I joined the EMC program back in 1996.  I got 6 points.  I then felt that I didn't know enough, and wanted more non-Equity experience before "turning too early"...I then proceeded to work at more Equity theatres, but didn't actually sign up for any points...and got lots of experience at really good theatres.  When I decided to try to continue my points, it was actually harder to do...Equity was becoming more stringent on which theatres could give you points, and under exactly how many Equity stage managers you had to be working (If an Equity ASM is hired, you only get points for the weeks they're working too...if they leave after the show opens, your points stop being accrued- at least on a LORT contract in the higher categories).  When I finally wanted to turn Equity, I was technically 6 points shy...and in fact, at one point Equity was going to retroactively give me points for a show I'd done in a blackbox earlier that year (Lort D I believe), and then changed their mind.  However, because I'd shown dedication to learning the craft, and also WOULD have been able to have gotten more points in the past but didn't choose to, I found a theatre that gave me a "poof-you're-Equity" contract, because they thought I deserved it.  So I didn't technically do it through the EMC program, but I certainly credit it with getting my foot in the door.  And besides, I already had $100 of the initiation fee paid.

Erin

307

SMNetwork Archives / SMA Scholarship deadline extended

« on: Mar 14, 2006, 03:47 pm »

We are now extending the deadline to March 22nd (just one more week left).  We are particularly looking for candidates in the Central and Eastern regions.  Please email your information to the appropriate address in the previous post.

We hope to have you as a member!

Erin

308

Students and Novice Stage Managers / prompt books

« on: Mar 14, 2006, 02:07 pm »

Oh, and I also have a binder I call the "Big Book of Stage Management Info" that has sample SM paperwork of all kinds over the years.  I usually have it in my office for interns to look over for ideas of how to create their own paperwork and the various ways different shows' paperwork can look.  I also have one small 1/2 inch binder that I have of my "best" paperwork that I can pull out for an interview if needed...but haven't really used that since I turned union other than taking when talking to college students for a master class.  Did work well when I was younger at interviews though.

Erin

309

Students and Novice Stage Managers / prompt books

« on: Mar 14, 2006, 02:04 pm »

If the theatre paid for the binder and tabs, etc, they get everything.  If I paid for it, I pack it in a manilla envelope with post-it flags for dividers and re-use the binder and tabs for the next time.  I do have one recurring show I do that I'm not the PSM, but 2nd in line...I have all of those binders still, and occasionally refer to old ones, but am looking for a chunk of free time when I can weed through those and recycle most of the paper.  Most of what I need is on computer or backup discs anyway.

Erin

310

Employment / Nervous

« on: Mar 14, 2006, 01:59 pm »

Just present yourself, in the best way, but honestly.  Be prepared with some of your own questions about the theatre, if you don't know about it.  Or even doublecheck things you think you know, so it shows that you're interested in learning about them.  "So, I see that you have a proscenium theatre...and you do NOT have a fly space, correct?"  Have in mind what you'd like to learn from the job, as well as what you've done in the past that can best help THEM.  And be a real person, not some overly sweet trying-all-the-right-answers person.  You do already have one person who spoke well of you, so you're off on the right foot.

I'd recommend having either pen and paper or a computer in front of you too, during the interview, so you can take your own notes...you'll probably be so nervous you'll forget much of what was discussed...you can refer to it later, or even back during the same interview.

And there will always be more interviews...we hope.

Best of luck,
Erin

311

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Dealing with stress

« on: Mar 12, 2006, 06:05 pm »

How do you deal with the stress that builds up over time?

I am quite a Queen of the Toys...especially ones that light up.  But I have several stress-relieving ones...there are various squishy balls, etc to have around at all times, but my favorites are the ones you only have in your office or at home...when I worked in Milwaukee we had a talking Babe the Pig.  At midnight or so it broke the tension to hear "LA LA LA!" sung very loudly by a pig.  Or the one that looked like someone's eyes peering out of a crate that knocked and said, "Excuse me....excuse me....EXCUSE ME!  COULD YOU LET ME OUT OF HERE??!!"  And my personal favorites are Jibber Jabbers.  The toy that looks like troll doll hair with a very long neck....that you can grab by the neck and shake (instead of any coworker you'd rather do it to) and it kinda gurgles back at you.  They were taken off the market years ago because of Shaken Baby Syndrome (a "don't do this to your little brother" warning came with it for a while).

And remember to laugh.  Even at yourself.

Erin

312

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / The SM times are a-changin'?

« on: Mar 12, 2006, 05:50 pm »

Well, let me say that I think the SM's job should be (as per the union contract) to maintain the director's intentions of the show...but...

I have found that harder recently.  I have run into more directors lately who don't think I need to be around for actor notes or that they've discussed anything that affects me if he talks to them without me.  Or in one very rude case at a theatre I no longer work, I had an actress inform me that the (guest) director didn't know how to direct the scene and she was going to do it her way.  HER job (she said) was to continue to grow in the role and MY job (she said) was to be supportive of the actors as they did so.  The (out of town, and not asked back) director whom I really liked and I agreed on how the scene should be...which was not the way the actress did.  It was a somewhat short run, and even my production manager (who agreed with me) decided it wasn't worth fighting.  My crew proceeded to distract me during the specific scene so I'd stop worrying.

That said, usually, and in better theatres, yes, the stage manager is the only one around to try to keep the show what it was intended to be.  It is very difficult to let one actor continue to grow because you know they hadn't quite reached what the director had wanted by opening...and yet, try to curtail another actor in the same show who is now starting to overdo it and going BEYOND the director's intentions.  A call to said director never hurts, and sometimes, unfortunately, is needed by some actors who don't believe you.

Anyway, long story short...sort of...I am an SM who DOES care...but sometimes feel stymied by other people in the production (including administrative) about whether that really is my job.  I also am quite aware of all production values - as per what I believe my job should be - checking if lights have fallen out of focus (some board ops seem to only check if a light actually comes on, not if it's still doing the right thing), and paint notes for sets that are falling apart.  Sometimes it's also a matter of budget of how much you can upkeep a show.  It's harder and harder to get producers to pay for work calls these days.  

Erin

313

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Question for all the SMs out there

« on: Feb 26, 2006, 01:28 pm »

I am 99.999678% sure there was a topic on this just a few weeks ago, if that. Quite a long topic.

Yes, the original poster posted the question twice in this same forum.  Go to the "General Stage Management" forum and look for the OTHER thread titled "Question for all the SMs out there" (the one with multiple pages).

Erin

314

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Gender and Age Issues

« on: Feb 23, 2006, 11:52 am »

Ah ageism. Sure does exist. I'm a 25 year old SM and on top of being small, only about 5 feet, I also get taken for much younger- usually 17 or 18. (And on a sidenote, if I hear one more time "You'll appreciate it when you're 30"... there will be violence. On the upside, people often tell me that as soon as I begin to speak, they then mistake me for much older than I am, so I guess it balances things out.)

I just moved across the country this weekend, and we spent one night at a hotel with free drinks in the evening (thanks Dad!).  But after this hard day of loading a 16' truck in the SNOW, I was carded at the freakin' hotel bar.  And I'm 30.  And I got the "you'll be happy one day".  Let me tell you, it doesn't necessarily get better at that magic 30.  I've been carded for 9 years now, and it doesn't look like it'll stop any time soon.  Made it worse that I was with boyfriend and parents and when I honestly asked if we ALL needed IDs (some places generically card all ages, and I knew most if not all of us did not have the ID, so since I was going back to the room I'd get them all)...and I was LAUGHED at.  Thanks.  Feels so great that I look so young.

Sorry, just had to rant.  I haven't had as much trouble at work recently, but definitely the age thing is dealt with a lot.

Erin

315

Tools of the Trade / About searching...and kits...

« on: Feb 11, 2006, 02:28 pm »

*POINTS AT SEARCH BUTTON* - There are a number of threads on them.

Okay, I admit, I had this same knee-jerk reaction...this is a question we're asked a LOT, as well as others on grad schools, etc...why don't people do their research, etc, etc...but then I tried to do a search myself, and I couldn't find those posts!  I put in the word "kit" thinking that would be very basic.

Do we only have search features for the last 6 months or a year or something?  I couldn't find any way to adjust any parameters...seems a waste if we can't access those old posts.  Not that this site isn't helpful, but it would be nice to keep those helpful answers around.  Maybe I'm just being silly with my computer abilities right now....

Erin