Messages

436

The Green Room / Re: SM: WORST THINGS

« on: Jun 27, 2012, 09:06 am »

Clients who turn in music and sound effects in formats which are completely incompatible and useless. (What am I supposed to do with .celp files? What is a .celp file? Why do you do these horrible, horrible things?)

I can certainly sympathize with this one!!!  When I worked on ships we had a guest entertainer who would bring his media that was to be used during the show on a cassette tape (and this was 2006).  The kicker, though, was him wondering why it sounded like the Northern end of a Southbound donkey. 

437

Tools of the Trade / Re: Useful iPhone apps?

« on: Jun 27, 2012, 09:01 am »

A couple that I have started using recently, not necessarily SM related but still fun/useful.

• Red Laser - Scans bar codes of products in grocery, retail, etc... stores and compares prices immediately to online prices, and also uses your current location (if you allow permission) to show you better deals in close proximity.  Free.
• Trainyard EX - Logic-based puzzle game that is a heck of a lot of fun, also free!
• Spotify - Self explanatory.  Not a new one by any means but by far the best $10 I spend each month.  Also, the updated version of the mobile app now includes a genre/artist radio station - think Pandora - which delivers (in my opinion) the biggest piece of functionality that was missing from the mobile version.

438

Tools of the Trade / Re: Least Irritating Smoke / Fog / Haze products on the market?

« on: Jun 11, 2012, 11:11 am »

Most hazers and foggers specify exactly which type of fluid should be used in their machines, which may make selecting an alternate fluid difficult if the hardware is already owned.

I've used the Martin Pro Haze Fluid extensively and have not encountered issues with that.  It's a water-based fluid using food grade glycols (MSDS here).  Is it specific things that irritate you, or is it any type of airborne partical?  If it's airborn particals I'm afraid you'll likely have issues with any fog or haze, however a food grade product would hopefully be a bit easier to tolerate. 

@Nick, interesting on the natural fluid.  Their website advertises "higher quality chemicals than food grade", however reading their MSDS they don't actually specify what the composition of the fluid is.  Not to say this product wouldn't be well-suited for this, just curious to know what it's actually made from? 

439

The Green Room / Re: Ten Reasons to Date a Stage Manager

« on: Jun 11, 2012, 08:32 am »

This is fantastic! 

440

Tools of the Trade / Re: Comm Adaptors

« on: May 15, 2012, 09:57 am »

Your best bet would likely be to buy a 4-pin XLR connector, 1/8" and/or 1/4" TRS plug, and some cable and have someone knowledgeable with your requirements terminate the connectors in the desired configuration. 

Be careful though, if the parts you're looking for aren't sold by anyone it usually means the equipment isn't intended to function in that method.  That's not to say it won't work, but be careful with kludge type solutions! 

441

Tools of the Trade / Re: Recording Calls

« on: May 02, 2012, 10:08 am »

This certainly sounds like the cleanest way, but I would definitely give it a trial run as others have mentioned.  Is there a line out per comms channel or is there just one line out?  If it's just one, it's likely that all channels on the base station are summed together, which means you'll get all of the chatter on your recording. 

442

Tools of the Trade / Re: Recording Calls

« on: May 01, 2012, 10:03 am »

Are you using a comm system (HME, Clearcom, etc..) to call the show?  If so, which one?  This could be the easiest way.

443

The Green Room / ARTICLE: Getting What You Want In Life

« on: Apr 30, 2012, 01:10 pm »

14 Lessons From Benjamin Franklin About Getting What You Want In Life. 

Great read from one of our founding fathers on how to be a man or woman of action and achieve success in life. 

444

The Green Room / Re: Favorite Smoothie Recipes

« on: Apr 24, 2012, 08:09 pm »

My breakfast recipe:

1 banana
1 cup kale greens
1/2 cup julienned bell peppers (I use green and red, any are extremely healthy)
1/2 cup grapefruit juice
1/2 cup frozen fruit
1/2 cup nonfat yogurt (blueberry is my preference, any works)
Handful of ice cubes

Blend.

445

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Apr 24, 2012, 07:26 pm »

Thought it was worth mentioning that North Shore Music Theatre re-opened in 2010.  It was purchased from the bank by Bill Hanney and is now running as a for-profit theatre.  It's not quite the same that it was but at least it's open again.

Not sure if this was a dig at for-profit ventures or I'm misreading it, but I thought it worth saying: if people can earn a profit producing theatre, that's a good thing folks.  Profit means more folks are likely to invest, which as VSM mentioned means more theatre and more jobs. 

Thanks for sharing some good news Maggie K!

446

The Green Room / STG MGR

« on: Apr 03, 2012, 02:40 pm »

Driving through Carnegie, PA (Pittsburgh) today and saw a parked car with a license plate "STG MGR".  If this is your car, good work!

447

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clipboard that holds your iPad?

« on: Mar 31, 2012, 09:45 pm »

It's also odd it says it holds the iPad 1 . . . are the other ipads okay?

If you scroll over on the website there are models for the iPad2 as well.  Not sure about the newest one, what are they calling that anyway?

448

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clipboard that holds your iPad?

« on: Mar 30, 2012, 08:46 am »

It seems very useful to me.  It certainly looks to be about the most elegant solution if you're going to be switching between the two - and I agree with you, as much as a techophile as I am, nothing replaces a simple paper and pencil.  I don't have an iPad but I'd be a bit nervous setting it down or carrying it around in a backstage environment, especially if you're on a large, complex show with a lot of traffic and moving pieces.  As far as clunky - The only thing that kind of struck me in looking at the video was that the case opens from the top.  Would it be tough to hold it open and use your iPad while you're standing?  I don't know the answer to that, but something to think about.  And realistically I don't think it's going to be any worse than juggling a clipboard and a $400+ piece of equipment . 

449

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clear-Com Headsets

« on: Mar 27, 2012, 12:19 pm »

Just checked my Clear-Com dealer price sheet for some more info on both of the products.  Again on the price sheet the CC-25 is clearly intended only for the RS-600 series beltpack.  Additionally, the CC-27 is slightly cheaper.  $148 list price versus $153 for the CC-25.  You should be able to get either one significantly lower than list price online. 

I'd also definitely recommend Mac's suggestion of checking out some other options. 

450

Tools of the Trade / Re: Clear-Com Headsets

« on: Mar 27, 2012, 09:04 am »

I'd be wary of that - Clear-Com specifically states the CC-25 is for use with the RS-600 beltpacks only.  Conversely, they do sell the CC-27 which is another over the ear model and comes pre-terminated with the more typical 4-pin XLR connector.