301
SMNetwork Archives / Re: Leatherman
« on: Sep 18, 2006, 03:59 pm »
Try Ebay too.
I got my Wave for $25.
I got my Wave for $25.
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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302
The Hardline / Re: Light Board Pay
« on: Sep 18, 2006, 02:09 pm »
All right. So I found my rider (in the yet to be unpacked new apartment) and it says: 'For an additional sum, the stage manager may negotiate to run sound or lights in the production. The terms and conditions of that arrangement, which shall be part of a seperate agreement that is not attached to the Equity contract, may only be discussed after the Equity contract has been negotiated and signed and may not be a condition of recieving the offer of employment under Equity contract.'
So that's that right? My contract is signed as a Stage Manager (not PSM) and actually my salary is just the 2007 rate, so it would've gone up anyway. It shouldn't matter b/c the handbook says 2/6 of the salary for additional duties. And $10 a week is not anywhere near 2/6.
So that's that right? My contract is signed as a Stage Manager (not PSM) and actually my salary is just the 2007 rate, so it would've gone up anyway. It shouldn't matter b/c the handbook says 2/6 of the salary for additional duties. And $10 a week is not anywhere near 2/6.
303
The Hardline / Re: Light Board Pay
« on: Sep 18, 2006, 01:59 pm »
Thank you! I knew it said I wasn't required to run lights, but I couldn't find the section on payment. (It hides everytime I need to find it!)
I don't want to be a bitch about it, but I feel like if money is involved, then I need to fight this battle. I do get paid slightly above minimum to PSM, though this is the first time those duties have been called into question.
But we won't mention the things I do that I shouldn't, such as obtaining all rehearsal props and furniture by myself, distributing paychecks...
(We rehearse at night and the office is locked so it's just easier to have them put in my mailbox by the CM and take them to rehearsal then taking a class trip to get them. But it still bothers me a little.)
I sortof dread having to have this conversaton, but I signed a rider that said I'd be getting paid, and that by itself means I should.
Thanks!
I don't want to be a bitch about it, but I feel like if money is involved, then I need to fight this battle. I do get paid slightly above minimum to PSM, though this is the first time those duties have been called into question.
But we won't mention the things I do that I shouldn't, such as obtaining all rehearsal props and furniture by myself, distributing paychecks...
(We rehearse at night and the office is locked so it's just easier to have them put in my mailbox by the CM and take them to rehearsal then taking a class trip to get them. But it still bothers me a little.)
I sortof dread having to have this conversaton, but I signed a rider that said I'd be getting paid, and that by itself means I should.
Thanks!
304
The Hardline / Light Board Pay
« on: Sep 18, 2006, 01:35 pm »
I'm the PSM at an SPT 6 and I am a little confused about something:
I am running lights for all performances and I was under the impression that I was getting paid for it. My rider said so, the handbook says that I am not required to, yet I was just told when I asked about it that it is part of my PSM duties and I won't be getting paid.
Now, am I wrong or is this wrong? I'm confused by this.
M
I am running lights for all performances and I was under the impression that I was getting paid for it. My rider said so, the handbook says that I am not required to, yet I was just told when I asked about it that it is part of my PSM duties and I won't be getting paid.
Now, am I wrong or is this wrong? I'm confused by this.
M
305
SMNetwork Archives / Re: Essential Theatre Books
« on: Sep 17, 2006, 10:30 pm »
Has anyone used this book:
Stage Management Forms and Formats: A Collection of over 100 Forms Ready to Use
by Barbara Dilker
An actor I'm working with asked if I had ever heard of it, but I haven't.
Stage Management Forms and Formats: A Collection of over 100 Forms Ready to Use
by Barbara Dilker
An actor I'm working with asked if I had ever heard of it, but I haven't.
306
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Who's Job???
« on: Sep 14, 2006, 12:24 pm »
Thank you all so much! Really. You've made me feel much better about my choices as a Stage Manager. While I'm not to to the job, I'm new to this position, and I've had a really hard time adjusting here, though I obviously don't let on in rehearsal that I feel that way, but that remark really threw me.
For the record: we are a 1-month rehearsal process, and about to enter our 3rd week of rehearsal. It's my ASM's job at this point to know what's going on, and if he couldn't take the iniative at this point, I'd be seriously worried. Also, we altered our rehearsal schedule 3 days into rehearsal to extend out hours (and add a day off) so now my ASM is only available 2 1/2 rehearsals out of 5 b/c he's in school. So I do an extremely large amount of work that's not mine (but it is because I'm the SM and it needs to be done). Which I don't resent at all, I kindof like the multitasking. I was a little resentful of having a prep-week without an ASM, but that's water under the bridge now.
Thank you all so much for you're responses! You've made me feel so much better.
For the record: we are a 1-month rehearsal process, and about to enter our 3rd week of rehearsal. It's my ASM's job at this point to know what's going on, and if he couldn't take the iniative at this point, I'd be seriously worried. Also, we altered our rehearsal schedule 3 days into rehearsal to extend out hours (and add a day off) so now my ASM is only available 2 1/2 rehearsals out of 5 b/c he's in school. So I do an extremely large amount of work that's not mine (but it is because I'm the SM and it needs to be done). Which I don't resent at all, I kindof like the multitasking. I was a little resentful of having a prep-week without an ASM, but that's water under the bridge now.
Thank you all so much for you're responses! You've made me feel so much better.
307
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / JOB DESCRIPTION: Who's Job???
« on: Sep 14, 2006, 12:00 am »
Sorry, but this one's going to be a little whiney. I've had a bad day/week/month and I need to get some of it out:
Tonight during a 10 minute break my ASM took it upon himself (as I feel that he should) to begin to set up for the next act. I was doing something personal at my table and an actor made the comment "You know, you're the first SM I've ever seen who just sits there and lets their assistant do all the work." He then (as people do when they've said something moderately insulting) proceeded to say "Don't take it personally, I was just making an observation."
Well I did take it personally. He just made an unsolicited comment, in front of the whole room, about how he thinks I do not do my job properly.
So I casually said to him "Well Kyle (ASM) just redid his paperwork and wants to check everything out himself." Kyle then said "I need to learn to do this and if she's not going to help with intermission, I don't want her helping now." Which is not to say that 5 minutes or so into his working I don't say "What would you like me to do?" or I don't just help out and say "I did this and this and this."
{I should note that I am friendly with this actor and it was not that his comment was out of context, just that I found it innapropriate. Also, this is this particular ASM's first time running a show by himself and I feel that it's very important for him to learn the process of tracking and creating paperwork that he can use. We talk frequently about it methods, and the like.}
The actor then proceeded to again say he didn't mean anything personal, and I said to him, "Well, I'm sorry, but I do take it personally." End of conversation and we are fine, the actor and I.
Here's the thing: I called my friend whom I ASMed with for an entire year and I said to her "When we did scene shifts did X or Y (our resident SMs there) just get up and start helping?" She said "Um, never. Not unless I'm really behind and say so and ask for help. It's not their job and I don't expect it."
And neither do I. I've never had a stage manager help me unless we are short on time for a big shift in the context of rehearsal. Obviously an SM would help move a table or boat or whatever b/c that's too much for one person to do themself, but as an ASM, scene shifts were my responsibility and mine alone. If I said "I would like help for this," they were glad to, but it never came without a request for it.
I realise that every situation is different, but it brings up a question that I've never questioned before.
So I'm just curious: How involved are you with your ASM's duties during rehearsal?
Tonight during a 10 minute break my ASM took it upon himself (as I feel that he should) to begin to set up for the next act. I was doing something personal at my table and an actor made the comment "You know, you're the first SM I've ever seen who just sits there and lets their assistant do all the work." He then (as people do when they've said something moderately insulting) proceeded to say "Don't take it personally, I was just making an observation."
Well I did take it personally. He just made an unsolicited comment, in front of the whole room, about how he thinks I do not do my job properly.
So I casually said to him "Well Kyle (ASM) just redid his paperwork and wants to check everything out himself." Kyle then said "I need to learn to do this and if she's not going to help with intermission, I don't want her helping now." Which is not to say that 5 minutes or so into his working I don't say "What would you like me to do?" or I don't just help out and say "I did this and this and this."
{I should note that I am friendly with this actor and it was not that his comment was out of context, just that I found it innapropriate. Also, this is this particular ASM's first time running a show by himself and I feel that it's very important for him to learn the process of tracking and creating paperwork that he can use. We talk frequently about it methods, and the like.}
The actor then proceeded to again say he didn't mean anything personal, and I said to him, "Well, I'm sorry, but I do take it personally." End of conversation and we are fine, the actor and I.
Here's the thing: I called my friend whom I ASMed with for an entire year and I said to her "When we did scene shifts did X or Y (our resident SMs there) just get up and start helping?" She said "Um, never. Not unless I'm really behind and say so and ask for help. It's not their job and I don't expect it."
And neither do I. I've never had a stage manager help me unless we are short on time for a big shift in the context of rehearsal. Obviously an SM would help move a table or boat or whatever b/c that's too much for one person to do themself, but as an ASM, scene shifts were my responsibility and mine alone. If I said "I would like help for this," they were glad to, but it never came without a request for it.
I realise that every situation is different, but it brings up a question that I've never questioned before.
So I'm just curious: How involved are you with your ASM's duties during rehearsal?
308
SMNetwork Archives / Re: Spike Tape Problems
« on: Aug 26, 2006, 11:10 am »An excellent alternative to using packaging tape over spike tape to seal it down is to get mat tape for gymnasts. It's usual use is to hold down gymnasts mats or wrestling mats, so it is very strong. This heavy duty clear tape works much better than the usual packaging cellophane tape. It also is more durable, and doesn't shred. You can find it online or in sports stores.
Interesting. I was a gymnast for 12 years and we never used that. We actually used gaff on our mats! (That was before I started theatre and learned the many other wonderful uses for gaff tape.)
309
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Creating a call script
« on: Aug 16, 2006, 10:00 am »Being based in England call scripts are so standardised that I don't dare to do it on computer even though I would like to. (Script goes on the left hand page and the right hand page has a number of columns; lighting cues in the left hand one; sound in the next; other cues in the next and blocking in the last. Everything is in pencil with no colour or highlighting.)
If you havw the means to, Froggy, I'd love to see a copy of one of your scripts. It seems different from anything I've seen.
310
Employment / Re: Do circuses have Stage Managers?
« on: Aug 08, 2006, 07:07 pm »
They have a show in Disney World, and I think that office solicits for their own work. It's is a non-bilingual position and that may be why.
I was interviewed by the Quebec office, and that was for an international tour.
I was interviewed by the Quebec office, and that was for an international tour.
311
Employment / Re: Do circuses have Stage Managers?
« on: Aug 03, 2006, 12:09 am »
Cirque definitely has SMs. So do many others.
The circus I toured with (Yes, I toured with a circus and it was the greatest thing I EVER did!!!) had a Backstage Supervisor who was a combination ASM/SM and the board ops took cues on their own.
The circus I toured with (Yes, I toured with a circus and it was the greatest thing I EVER did!!!) had a Backstage Supervisor who was a combination ASM/SM and the board ops took cues on their own.
312
Employment / Re: Websites
« on: Jul 01, 2006, 03:41 am »
I just thought I'd reply and say how much I like to read other SMs resumes.
I see people who I've never met that have worked with actors that I adore (and some that I don't adore all that much...) and directors that I've worked with, and jobs that I've applied for.
It's just interesting to me, as I'm sure it is many people.
I see people who I've never met that have worked with actors that I adore (and some that I don't adore all that much...) and directors that I've worked with, and jobs that I've applied for.
It's just interesting to me, as I'm sure it is many people.
313
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Working with nudity
« on: Jun 27, 2006, 12:57 am »
My experience with this leads me to say that you need to make sure the actor is comfortable above all. He accepted the role knowing what it entailed, but that doesn't mean he needs to walk around naked for all of the rehearsal process.
The show I ASMed, we didn't have the actor naked until the dress rehearsal. He did wear a robe for curtain call.
The play I did also had some graphic sex scenes in it. That was actually a closed rehearsal with only the actors, SM and the director. Maybe that's something to bring up as an option as well?
The show I ASMed, we didn't have the actor naked until the dress rehearsal. He did wear a robe for curtain call.
The play I did also had some graphic sex scenes in it. That was actually a closed rehearsal with only the actors, SM and the director. Maybe that's something to bring up as an option as well?
314
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Hospitality backstage
« on: May 14, 2006, 11:35 pm »
From my experience in Equity theatre, stage managers are not technically permitted to have anything to deal with hospitality. That's not to say it doesn't happen. I've made my fair share of coffee time and again.
Company management (if there is such a department---my theatre doesn't have a company manager, but rather 3 people who have specific responsibilities in regards to what a company manager will do) should provide such things, or they have when I've worked with one. Though, if I'm correct, according to the AEA handbook, nothing is required for an actor except fresh water.
At most theatres I've worked when I was a non-union ASM, it was my responsibility to maintain hospitality when there was no company manager. Petty cash or a hospitality budget was made available to maintain things.
At the theatre was at for the last 3-odd years (my last day was Monday, I'm quite sad...) the kitchen/green room was communal in each space. Anyone who drank coffee contributed to providing it and the needed supplies, the theatre provided the coffee makers and the hot pot for water. There was a list of what we used and if people took turns bringing things in. If no one who drank coffee bothered to mention that we were out of half-and-half, we were out of it. Typically the ASMs would clean up at the end of the day, but it wasn't out of the ordinary to find an actor at the sink scrubbing mugs in their robe when they had some down time.
And while it is my job as a stage manager to maintain a show and the well being of my actors, I don't believe it's my job to tell them when or what they should eat and drink. They are adults. Many of the actors in our resident acting company are professors at university or have other rehearsals during the day, not to mention families with young children. If that means that they need to come into the kitchen at 6 pm and have a salad and a coffee, after taking the kids to school, working 8 hours and rushing to the theatre for an 8PM curtain, then I'd rather them eat then pass out on stage. They are adults and as such, I need to trust them to make the decisions that are right for their situations. In the same regard, I don't agree with singers smoking, but again, it's not my business what their personal choices are, and while they are two very different ways of self-destructing, they are still that.
Company management (if there is such a department---my theatre doesn't have a company manager, but rather 3 people who have specific responsibilities in regards to what a company manager will do) should provide such things, or they have when I've worked with one. Though, if I'm correct, according to the AEA handbook, nothing is required for an actor except fresh water.
At most theatres I've worked when I was a non-union ASM, it was my responsibility to maintain hospitality when there was no company manager. Petty cash or a hospitality budget was made available to maintain things.
At the theatre was at for the last 3-odd years (my last day was Monday, I'm quite sad...) the kitchen/green room was communal in each space. Anyone who drank coffee contributed to providing it and the needed supplies, the theatre provided the coffee makers and the hot pot for water. There was a list of what we used and if people took turns bringing things in. If no one who drank coffee bothered to mention that we were out of half-and-half, we were out of it. Typically the ASMs would clean up at the end of the day, but it wasn't out of the ordinary to find an actor at the sink scrubbing mugs in their robe when they had some down time.
And while it is my job as a stage manager to maintain a show and the well being of my actors, I don't believe it's my job to tell them when or what they should eat and drink. They are adults. Many of the actors in our resident acting company are professors at university or have other rehearsals during the day, not to mention families with young children. If that means that they need to come into the kitchen at 6 pm and have a salad and a coffee, after taking the kids to school, working 8 hours and rushing to the theatre for an 8PM curtain, then I'd rather them eat then pass out on stage. They are adults and as such, I need to trust them to make the decisions that are right for their situations. In the same regard, I don't agree with singers smoking, but again, it's not my business what their personal choices are, and while they are two very different ways of self-destructing, they are still that.
315
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / the WHO-WHAT-WHERE
« on: May 14, 2006, 11:14 pm »
I've never heard this called a Who-What-Where before.
I've done them, many a time, and simply called them a Production Analysis, typically created before the first rehearsal begins, and then, depending on the needs of the show will update it with blocking during the reahearsal process.
A Who-What-Where. Clever.
I've done them, many a time, and simply called them a Production Analysis, typically created before the first rehearsal begins, and then, depending on the needs of the show will update it with blocking during the reahearsal process.
A Who-What-Where. Clever.