Messages

331

Employment / Re: When is it OK to work for free?

« on: Aug 13, 2010, 11:28 am »

I am a strong believer in compensation of some kind for services performed. Even when I was interning, I was paid. In a place where interns were paid below minimum wage, we were provided housing and (at one place) meals, which meant all the money was being saved. I know it's difficult now, but I think at the very least you can offer free tickets or a 6-pack of beer for a person's time.

The only times I have worked for free were one-off charity events. A minimal time commitment, plus everyone else there was working out of the goodness of their heart to raise money for a good cause....to me it was less about the job and more about helping out the best way I could.

332

The Green Room / Re: Deals and discounts for SMs

« on: Aug 12, 2010, 09:01 pm »

Union Plus:   http://www.unionplus.org/

Working Advantage: https://www.workingadvantage.com/index.cfm

Unionplus is only for AEA members, correct? What about Working Advantage?

333

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork's Resident expert in...

« on: Aug 12, 2010, 09:00 pm »

I also cook a damned fine cheesecake!

When I throw my fabulous SM cocktail and dessert party, I know what you're bringing.

334

The Green Room / Deals and discounts for SMs

« on: Aug 12, 2010, 03:39 pm »

Thought I'd start a post to help frugal SMs....inspired by the MASSIVE school supply sale at Target in Manhattan right now. Packs of pencils and folders are $1!

So- post your money-saving tips for SMs here.

Personally, I love the Staples reward card....10% back on every purchase (including copies). Lots of coupons too.

Another tip I picked up from an SM friend- she has a GAP credit card that's only used for show purchases where she will be reimbursed. She pays it off with the reimbursement money and earns points towards a GAP card!

335

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork's Resident expert in...

« on: Aug 12, 2010, 10:26 am »

Hostess with the mostess. I am an excellent cocktail/dinner party host...I think because it combines my love of food and cooking with my natural inclination to turn gatherings into EVENTS.

336

The Green Room / Re: What did you learn today?

« on: Aug 11, 2010, 08:28 pm »

That Audrey Hepburn was considered terribly miscast in Breakfast at Tiffany's...that nobody would find her attractive or elegant.

(Good for all those times you wonder "WTF was the director thinking?!")

337

The Green Room / Re: "Seasoned" - yikes

« on: Aug 05, 2010, 10:56 am »

Sounds delicious.

338

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: CALLING: Watching 100% of the show.

« on: Aug 04, 2010, 11:06 pm »

OOPS! Ouch I knew if forgot to add something...Tag Line. Sorry about the Rebbe!

It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this. With my current show Into The Woods, which is very cue heavy. Blame it on the lighting and sound designer (Pointing to myself!) there are just sequences where I can't watch. So when an actor after the performance says "Did you see that?", I have to tell them no.

I actually used to make a little announcement at the beginning of tech...just to say "Hey, actors, now my focus has to switch to the tech elements, and that's my priority, not the acting. If there's something you want me to watch for, let me know, but know I might not be able to."

339

Tools of the Trade / Re: PROPS: irish car bombs (beverages)

« on: Aug 03, 2010, 11:59 pm »

Thought I'd add a follow-up in case someone runs across this in the future.

We found pint-like glasses that have a decorative design on the side that curves in, meaning less liquid. (The actor has to chug two of these in a pretty short period!) They're being filled most of the way with decaf root beer (actor preference) with some added caramel coloring. The shot glasses are also shorter and thicker- less liquid, again. We're dropping in shots of condensed milk. I've been told "it tastes like a root beer float!" and seems to be going over (down?) well.

Thankfully he also has time to run to the bathroom before his next scene if need be!

340

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROPS: Cake

« on: Aug 03, 2010, 11:55 pm »

Floral foam usually comes in an unappetizing green color, but I bet with some cheap craft paint you could easily paint/dye it a cake type color, but then you'd need to pre-cut the slice and paint the facings on that as well...

maybe baking would be easier after all

Be careful of this...there may have been great improvements in foam technology since I last did this, but I have tried to spraypaint garden phone to have it shrink/warp on me.

What about that dense foam for bedding, etc? It's thicker and has that great yellow-cake color. I'd also second the shaving cream for frosting.

341

The Green Room / Re: MIA Stage Manager - what would you do?

« on: Aug 03, 2010, 10:25 am »

I agree with everything Kay said. That you were in communication with a person who was going to show you around early, that you could talk about schedules with, etc was almost like a bonus. Now do what you'd normally do going into a new job where you don't know anybody.

342

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Watching 100% of the show.

« on: Jul 31, 2010, 10:26 am »

I KNOW I can't watch 100% of the show. There's always a chance I'll miss something. I have to prioritize. Fight sequence? My eyes are always on that, regardless of the rest of the action onstage. If there's a quick-change that's been having some problems, I'm looking out for that. Difficult cue sequence...well, sorry actors.

343

The Green Room / Re: Why is it that...

« on: Jul 30, 2010, 01:57 pm »

Why is it that the moment I send the schedule to the cast, the director decides to change it?

344

The Green Room / Re: Why is it that...

« on: Jul 30, 2010, 12:26 pm »

Why am I expected to know everything when I'm only given half the information?

345

The Green Room / Re: What's on your screen?

« on: Jul 29, 2010, 08:58 pm »

I have a hard time following TV shows, but my must-watch includes Mad Men and Top Chef. Always.

I also got Netflix instead of cable, which means I'm watching a bunch of older shows. Skins and Pushing Daisies are recent finds, and if I feel like watching shows about theater, Slings and Arrows. (Favorite recent quote: "Can you stop being a stage manager for FIVE MINUTES?!" "I CAAAAAAN'T!")