Messages

421

Tools of the Trade / Re: TECHNOLOGY: Would you use it?

« on: Sep 13, 2010, 12:22 pm »

I'd be interested in having a look - I may not use it for a while, but it could be an idea. Could you send me a link to your Streetcar site as an example?

Chris

PM me with your email address and I'll add you to the site as a viewer. Anyone else, please feel free to do the same. Thanks for the feedback thus far, it's been very helpful!

422

Tools of the Trade / TECHNOLOGY: Would you use it?

« on: Sep 10, 2010, 01:57 pm »

I would like your input, if you would be so willing to offer it.

I have received quite a few PMs and emails recently regarding the Google Sites project that I took on for "A Streetcar Named Desire." Most inquiries are from those curious about what was done, while others are looking for a template to start sites for their own productions.
A friend suggested I take my email responses a step further and set up an online site describing exactly what I did and how to replicate it yourself, specifically for stage managers. It struck me as interesting, and I'm very much about sharing information, but I wouldn't want to take it on unless there was a decent amount of interest and feedback from this community - who, after all, helped me to make the decision to start the original site in the first place.

I know there is debate on whether setting up a site is necessary much less desired, but I know some are curious enough to try it. So, would you be interested? What would you like to learn? If there was a blank template you could download and quickly fill in the blanks yourself, would you be more prone to use Sites? Any questions?

423

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Portfolio?

« on: Sep 10, 2010, 01:46 pm »

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.

Any reports you've developed (production, rehearsal, meeting, etc.), lists, spreadsheets, and an example of your prompt and call books, preferably 'real' paperwork from past shows you've done. Make sure any personal information doesn't make it into the portfolio.

424

The Green Room / Re: For those who have ever felt like their job was like herding cats...

« on: Sep 10, 2010, 11:21 am »

"I don't know why they say that thing about children and animals..." Oh I do, lady!

425

Employment / Re: Resumes and Cover Letters......The Nitty Gritty Part of Stage Managing

« on: Sep 07, 2010, 09:04 pm »

To add to that, follow directions.

I recently did a phone interview at a children's theatre and the human resources director let me know that, even though only 25 people applied for the job, only 16 were being interviewed...because the others didn't follow the directions outlined on the website. They either forgot a cover letter, the employment application or the three letters of recommendation; if they're not competent enough to give a complete application, she said she'd doubt they could be an organized, detail oriented stage manager.

426

The Green Room / Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE

« on: Sep 07, 2010, 01:04 pm »

dallas - I am stealing your mentor's saying - and posting it on my callboard next time I have super-high-maintenance actors/designers!

dallas10086, thanks for posting that one.  I need that reminder now and again, especially when I'm being constantly berated, by control freaks, for doing my job.

You're welcome!

427

The Green Room / Re: BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE

« on: Sep 07, 2010, 12:11 pm »

Matthew, I think I may borrow that one.

From a mentor when I was first starting out: "You have as much right to do your job as the director and the actors. Never ask permission to do your job." In the context of the moment it was the best advice he could have given to someone who needed confidence at the time.

428

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

« on: Sep 01, 2010, 02:11 pm »

(side note): in Streetcar, three S characters are Stanley, Stella, Steve - often on stage at the same time. Yeah, makes it fun!

I had to abbreviate them to Sy, Sa and Se. Yeah, that poker scene was interesting to block with all those S's running around!

429

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

« on: Aug 24, 2010, 11:04 pm »

Dallas, that's pretty much the standard non-union rate in Chicago, and has been since I got here in 1998.  And I had to do laundry, run boards and maintain both set & props for nearly all of my gigs out here.

However, if things are still as they were when I stepped out of active theatre in 2002, the majority of the actors aren't getting paid anything at all, only the techs are making any sort of income.  However, most non-union shows out here rehearse in the evenings and expect all staff to also be working a day job (or at least they did a few years ago).

I didn't know that's the usual rate. And for that long? That's ridiculous.

430

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TECHNOLOGY: Anyone else using Google Sites?

« on: Aug 24, 2010, 06:19 pm »

As the project proved, when it comes to callboard information, always push email. If you're going to do Google Sites, do it for the production team.

431

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

« on: Aug 24, 2010, 06:12 pm »

I saw another example of ridiculous job listing today. A theatre in Chicago wants a SM who will work from Nov. to Feb. with a possible extension through March, for a flat fee of $400. Apart from stage managing, they are also requiring the SM to do the company laundry, run the sound and light boards and maintain props!

I would hope that no one worth their salt would take the job; the pay (AND doing the laundry?!) is insulting at best.

432

The Green Room / Re: Funny definitions

« on: Aug 21, 2010, 10:46 pm »

The Switch: when in the on position, the switch is the inability to watch any performance or production without watching through a stage manager's eyes, i.e. "they took that cue late," "she's not in her light" and "I know how they did that effect."

In the off position...well, no one really knows what happens in the off position because the switch is usually taped, glued or otherwise permanently fixed in the on position.

433

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Humor: Stage Managing the World

« on: Aug 21, 2010, 10:40 pm »

A few weekends ago I was at a friends' wedding, and I would say over half of the attendees were employed by local theatres. A few of us were seated outside and the coordinator came up to our group and said the bride and groom would be coming in five minutes.

Without a thought in my mind I said, "Thank you five!" followed immediately by, "Oh my god, I can't believe I said that." Everyone at the table laughed except my husband, who had to be told why it was funny.

I've never done that before...I blame the people I was surrounded by and the conversation I was having at the time 

434

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

« on: Aug 13, 2010, 09:41 am »

...grammar police.

...movie trivia - when it comes to "Six Degrees" or "SceneIt!" I kick patootie!

...baking desserts.

435

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

« on: Aug 13, 2010, 09:37 am »

I've been lucky in the respect that, as an intern, I've always been paid. It wasn't what could be considered a living wage, but considering where I was working and who I was learning from, the experiences and contacts were worth it. Would I do it again for free? For one production at an amazing theatre working with the right people - yes, I would. But I would have saved up prior to taking the position 

I don't know about the internship models now, but when I worked at NSMT before it closed (and reopened) the majority of the production team was comprised of interns, some in college, some fresh out of high school. We were treated very well, we attended workshops to help improve and further our careers, we worked with highly experienced designers, etc. who were always willing to answer questions or otherwise impart their wisdom...We all knew that a large part of the full-time administrative and production employees had begun as interns, so it was reassuring and motivating to know that if you did good work, rewards came soon after.

If someone were to consider an internship for little to no money, they should first find someone who recently did the internship and asked how they liked the experience and how they were treated as an intern. Not all programs are the same!

As for working for free outside of an internship - working locally on a contractual basis, I've always charged a fee for SM work. One theatre here does spectacular technical work but doesn't pay their actors or production team, and they've asked me often to SM for them. I've been tempted, but I have to think as a business person: why would I offer the same services to one company that refuses to pay, when another company is willing to pay me? If the company that pays me finds I'm doing the same high-quality work for free somewhere else, what motivation do they have to hire me back for a fee? Or be willing to secure me at a higher rate when I have more than one offer? Plus, I find that it creates competition - the old adage that what everyone can't have, everyone wants. Smart companies AND smart directors know that a bad SM can ruin a production and are willing to pay to make sure that doesn't happen.