Messages

361

The Green Room / Re: Sleeping in your theatre

« on: Mar 11, 2013, 12:16 pm »

Hammock on an empty fly batten.  Fly it in between shows on a two show day for the most comfortable nap in history.  Obviously this only works if the space is quiet between shows.

362

Employment / Re: Job Applying Words of Wisdom to College Graduates

« on: Mar 06, 2013, 09:02 am »

My cover letter is usually the body of the email unless a posting specifically asks for an attached cover letter. I only hear good things back about doing it this way. Anyone have a different experience?

I have always operated on the method that the goal of the cover letter is to pique interest, get them to read your resume, and add an informal, human touch to contrast the formality of the resume.  If you're operating on those same assumptions, I see no issues with putting it as the body of an email.  If anything, I think they're more likely to read it in the body of an email than in an attachment.

 

363

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork fundraising drive 2013

« on: Mar 01, 2013, 10:37 pm »

I'm pretty sure I didn't donate last year, so $100 on my tab.  I no longer stage manage but this is a critical resource and one I am happy to support.  Thanks for all you do Kay. 

364

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stupid Question..

« on: Mar 01, 2013, 08:36 am »

There are no stupid questions.   

365

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Is It Even Worth It?? (Conflict resolution)

« on: Feb 28, 2013, 10:48 am »

Still waiting... two snow days are getting in my way. 

I'll tell you when I know.

I think your post here (maybe inadvertently) puts this into perspective...

Enjoy the snow days, go build a snowman with your friends and relax a bit.  I don't at all intend to sound condescending, but you're in high school - enjoy it.  The stresses you're experiencing now will be long forgotten in a few months' time.

As Matthew said, there will be other productions and other shows.  There will be plenty to stress about in the future.

For now, maybe taking a step back and breathing is your best bet?   

366

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: JOB DESCRIPTION: SM Role in the automated future

« on: Feb 28, 2013, 10:42 am »

Since leaving the field of Stage Management several years ago I have worked for a company that designs, engineers, and installs integrated entertainment technology systems. 

The lighting, audio, video, and rigging systems we supply are capable of taking every cue on their own from a timecoded source.  From a technology point of view, this could all happen automatically at 8:07pm without any input from any human anywhere.

The reality though is of course far different.  I can tell you first hand that technolgoy is not going to eliminate the jobs of Stage Managers or Technicians in our lifetime.  Though these systems are capable of full autonomy, the reality is you still need a human there to interact with the technology.  Live entertainment, by definition, is never going to be flawless.  Two shows are never going to the same and at the end of the day you still need people to react and make changes, adjustments, etc.. based on the unexpected events and problems that each individual performance has the potential to bring.

The points below are excellent.  While the SM's role as a cue-calling voice will evolve and in some cases may diminish; the role as a manager of people, as the manager of a living, breathing production; will not be going anywhere in our lifetime.  And isn't that really where our strengths lie? 

367

Self-Promotion / Re: Off to China

« on: Feb 26, 2013, 08:36 am »

AND NOW THAT I KNOW THERE IS GUAC!!!!

A key dietary staple.  Not sure where I'd be without the delicious avocado.  I'd probably be exactly where I am now, just slightly less satisfied....

Good luck and safe travels. 

368

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Should I switch from journalism to theatre major halfway through college?

« on: Feb 26, 2013, 08:32 am »

I'd stick with your current plan and add a minor.  By having a journalism degree you're not locking yourself into journalism, and you don't need a degree in theatre to do theatre.  Following that, just because someone has a degree in theatre doesn't mean they're guaranteed to do theatre (by their own choice or, more often, a lack of paying work). 

It's quite a romantic notion to sit in the audience of a show and watch the curtain go up or be regaled by friends' war stories of how the show went on despite the longest of odds, but if you've got no experience I would second Matthew's question of how do you know this is what you want?

I can speak from a bit of experience on your situation - I didn't go in to school with Stage Management as my declared major.  It wasn't until after I did a professional internship that I realized I wanted to stage manage for the rest of my life.  I was good at it, and I loved doing it.  I was certain it was the career for me.  I switched into the SM program, completed it, and worked professionally.  That internship was 11 years ago this summer, and guess what - I'm no longer stage managing. 

Can you handle long hours for extremely low pay - possibly into your 30s? 
Can you handle sacrificing your nights/weeks consistently and everything that goes with it?  Your social life is wildly different from anyone outside of theatre due to the hours, relationships with folks in 9-5 industries are challenging, you'll miss holidays with loved ones, important family events, weddings, funerals, etc...
Can you handle not being appreciated for the work you do?
The list goes on...

You've changed your mind once, it's likely you will again - maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next year - but it's likely you will.  That's not to say don't follow your dreams or don't pursue your passions, but proceed with a bit of caution.  We must crawl before we can walk.  Get your feet wet and see if it's really for you. 

369

The Green Room / Weird Dreams

« on: Feb 25, 2013, 08:22 am »

So I had a very weird dream last night relating to office supplies.  I was on this seemingly unending quest to mix and match my favorite pen's ink with a better housing for the ink.  Bizzare. 

What's your weirdest dream relating to Stage Management?

370

Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful iPad apps

« on: Feb 25, 2013, 08:18 am »

A couple of weeks ago I began using a stylus for note taking as opposed to my fingers - what a game changer that's been.  I've been using the Kensington Virtuoso Stylus+Pen and highly recommend it.

371

Tools of the Trade / Re: Any Stage Managers use LiveScribe Pens?

« on: Feb 25, 2013, 08:13 am »

I'm not sure I'd use something like this in my everyday work routine.  The idea and concept are great, however to me this device is a bit cost prohibitive.  It looks like their cheapest new pen runs around $120, while if you want anything more than the most basic functionality and storage capacity you can pretty quickly find yourself North of $200.  At that point you're fairly close to tablet+stylus territory, which gives you note taking plus loads of other functionality. 

I do see they have some "refurbished" pens for around $70, so that could definitely be an option. 

Has anyone else used this device?  Thoughts?  Would love to hear from some others on the subject.

372

Employment / Re: Former employer at job fair-how to approach?

« on: Feb 21, 2013, 08:27 am »

Kill 'em with kindness.  If he wants to feel awkward that's on him, but I don't see a reason you should feel awkward.  If the situation is truly as you described below (no reason to believe it's not) you didn't breach a contract or go back on any verbal agreement.  You weren't available for whatever reason - it really doesn't matter why - and you didn't sign on for another season.  I don't see any harm in that.   

373

Tools of the Trade / Re: stopwatches?

« on: Feb 19, 2013, 08:14 am »

I know this is an old thread, but I would like to mention something my wonderful husband just did for me. He removed the "beep" from my favorite stopwatch.

I've had a Sportline 240 Econosport stopwatch for at least 8 years. The screen has finally started to dim, so I asked my husband to replace the battery. Granted, it's an $11 stopwatch, but it's the best I've had, so it's worth it to me to replace the battery. While he had it open, I asked if there was anything he could do to stop it from beeping.

He noticed that 2 small springs touch the large silver plate that is attached to the back of the stopwatch. When you press a button, it presses the spring into the plate and you get the beep. He added a piece of scotch tape as a buffer between the springs and the metal plate and PRESTO! No more beeping!

So if you've found the stopwatch of your dreams, you can always make it a silent one with a tiny screwdriver and some tape.

That's quite an excellent little hack, and even more excellent for backstage and in rehearsal!

374

Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful iPad apps

« on: Feb 18, 2013, 09:53 pm »

Changing track here for a quick question about iAnnotate...

So, I've got everything working, all good. My only issue is making the notes I add stand out enough. I can't highlight notes I make, or parts of the score (each page is scanned in as one image) - what I'm looking for is a way to add a background to any notes I add in.

Any thoughts?

C

I'm not sure if iAnnotate has this function, however with Notability you can highlight, mark up, and otherwise write over a PDF document as if you had a marker on a page.

375

Employment / Re: Internship Choices

« on: Feb 15, 2013, 09:13 am »

Hi Lauren, you may also find it helpful to check our "Been there, done that!" section (BTDT in the top right menu).  If you can find some members who have worked for these companies in the past you may be able to get some detailed and inside information on the structure of the internship program.  Good luck!