436
The Green Room / Re: 2009 Stage Management Survey Results!
« on: Jan 15, 2010, 05:16 pm »
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
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437
The Green Room / Re: 10 things actors can do to get off to a good start with a stage manager
« on: Jan 15, 2010, 10:06 am »Quote10) Do not tell me how to do my job. I'm a stage manager because I know theatre better than most, so the day that you want to tell me how to do my job properly, is the day you better be SMing a broadway production. PERIOD.
That seems a little harsh.
I am always looking for ways to do my job better, and don't mind input from other people.
Once I stop learning and adapting, I will think about retiring for this job.
And quite frankly, just because you are SM'ing on Broadway, means your good.
It's worded harshly, but it was a maddening experience when an actor followed behind me preshow, questioning everything I did. "I don't think that's the right way to do that...my LAST stage manager...."
438
The Green Room / 10 things actors can do to get off to a good start with a stage manager
« on: Jan 13, 2010, 10:29 pm »
A friend wrote this on her blog (http://www.loisbackstage.com/?p=517), but I thought it was worth sharing here:
___
1. If you’ve never worked with the Stage Manager before? Don’t assume you know how they work
2. Remember that Stage Managers work in your interest. They don’t work for you
3. They don’t get you coffee, you should think about getting them coffee
4. Bring your own pen, pencil, & eraser. The Stage Manager’s are back up – not your first line of defense.
5. Be early. Early is on time. On time is late.
6. Take your own blocking notes. When you do it it’s for character and intention, the Stage Manager is taking them for visual picture and cuing – you can help each other, but one is not a replacement for the other.
7. Express gratitude. (When warranted.)
8. When the cast goes out for lunch, invite the Stage Manager along. They probably will not be able to join you, but the invitation is nice.
9. The Stage Manager is three steps ahead of you. At least. Try to keep up. (h/t @lekogirl)
10. Suggest the 10th item in the comments below.
___
___
1. If you’ve never worked with the Stage Manager before? Don’t assume you know how they work
2. Remember that Stage Managers work in your interest. They don’t work for you
3. They don’t get you coffee, you should think about getting them coffee
4. Bring your own pen, pencil, & eraser. The Stage Manager’s are back up – not your first line of defense.
5. Be early. Early is on time. On time is late.
6. Take your own blocking notes. When you do it it’s for character and intention, the Stage Manager is taking them for visual picture and cuing – you can help each other, but one is not a replacement for the other.
7. Express gratitude. (When warranted.)
8. When the cast goes out for lunch, invite the Stage Manager along. They probably will not be able to join you, but the invitation is nice.
9. The Stage Manager is three steps ahead of you. At least. Try to keep up. (h/t @lekogirl)
10. Suggest the 10th item in the comments below.
___
439
The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say
« on: Jan 13, 2010, 10:25 pm »
"oh, just put that wherever."
440
The Green Room / Re: how to deal with the a biology major turn into a SM
« on: Jan 13, 2010, 10:24 pm »
Firstly, don't fault her for not being a "theater kid." I have many friends in theater who started off as bio majors, French majors, lawyers and ad execs. It's the individual experiences that bring new ideas to the job.
That said-
It sounds like this person does have more experience with the company than you do. Even if you don't agree with her techniques, she DOES know how the company operates. I would work with her to find out how the company works, THEN make suggestions. Don't assume the way you know how to do it is the only way. If you make a suggestion, explain WHY you think it will work. For ex: "I made a prop tracking chart this way, so we always know where everything is." Ultimately, she is your superior, and stating that you think you're better than she is, especially directly to her, isn't going to be taken well. It's a team effort, and you both have important information to share with each other.
As for insulting her ego, I suggest pulling her aside before rehearsal and apologizing and explaining how you want to work together to make this the best show it can be.
That said-
It sounds like this person does have more experience with the company than you do. Even if you don't agree with her techniques, she DOES know how the company operates. I would work with her to find out how the company works, THEN make suggestions. Don't assume the way you know how to do it is the only way. If you make a suggestion, explain WHY you think it will work. For ex: "I made a prop tracking chart this way, so we always know where everything is." Ultimately, she is your superior, and stating that you think you're better than she is, especially directly to her, isn't going to be taken well. It's a team effort, and you both have important information to share with each other.
As for insulting her ego, I suggest pulling her aside before rehearsal and apologizing and explaining how you want to work together to make this the best show it can be.
441
The Green Room / Re: SM Joke
« on: Jan 13, 2010, 10:18 pm »I heard that one years ago, Celeste_SM, and it still makes me laugh. OK" how many union stagehands does it take to screw in a light bulb?...Five...GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT???
I've heard a slightly different version:
How many union stagehands does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Fifteen with a four-hour minimum. Is that a problem?
442
The Green Room / SM Joke
« on: Jan 12, 2010, 11:30 am »
Two stage managers, nearing the ends of their careers, were discussing the likelihood of there being some form of theatrical endeavor in the hereafter. The first consulted a friendly medium. Later the following exchange took place between the two stage managers:
"I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that there is a wonderful theatre in heaven -- well equipped, spacious, plenty of wing space. In fact, there's a show opening tomorrow night."
"That's wonderful! So what's the bad news?"
"You're calling the show."
My director told me this yesterday. It's one of his favorites.
The other one I've heard is
Q. How many stage managers does it take to fix a lightbulb?
A. IT'S ON MY LIST!
Anyone else have some good techie jokes?
"I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that there is a wonderful theatre in heaven -- well equipped, spacious, plenty of wing space. In fact, there's a show opening tomorrow night."
"That's wonderful! So what's the bad news?"
"You're calling the show."
My director told me this yesterday. It's one of his favorites.
The other one I've heard isQ. How many stage managers does it take to fix a lightbulb?
A. IT'S ON MY LIST!
Anyone else have some good techie jokes?
443
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSALS: prompting requests around the world
« on: Jan 11, 2010, 11:16 am »In high school there was this one actor (quite a few others did it often too, but he did it constantly) that would say "Sorry" every time he'd forget a line so it was a COMPLETE break in acting because of course the director or I the first couple times would feel the need to respond "Don't say sorry" or "Don't worry about, just keep going". I'd give the line and then he'd go a few more words and say it again, and again...and again. And eventually I was just getting mad that he was saying "Sorry" so much that I was getting frustrated and angry and it seemed like he should be apologizing. It was the most infuriating thing.
This is my biggest problem...when going up on a line breaks the scene and takes the actor out of character. I emphasize that point when actors are off-book, and it seems to help with actors only calling "line" and not futzing around and ruining momentum.
444
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REHEARSALS: prompting requests around the world
« on: Jan 08, 2010, 09:44 am »The hardest is when they just stop talking and look at you - OK if you are looking at them instead of at your script, notes, director, props table, asm....
That's a huge pet peeve of mine. Or when there's a huge pause and they get mad that I don't give a line, because inevitably there will be ANOTHER long pause and I'll give the line and get "Excuse me, I didn't call for line, I was ACTING!"
My casts know I only answer to "line" or "word."
445
Tools of the Trade / Re: Laptop Recommendations ?
« on: Jan 06, 2010, 06:25 pm »Hi folks - let's steer clear of recommending or discussing MACs. The original poster has clearly stated she is looking strictly at PCs
Carry on!
Oops, I thought the OP was still debating between the two. Ignore me!
446
Tools of the Trade / Re: Laptop Recommendations ?
« on: Jan 06, 2010, 06:00 pm »
I recently switched from a PC to a Mac, and I'm thrilled. It has the basics and not much else, which is fine for me. (I pretty much explained to the computer guy what I needed to do for work, and he helped me "downgrade" to the Mac.) It also runs Qlab, which I've found to be immensely helpful for editing/running shows.
447
The Green Room / Re: An eye for details?
« on: Dec 30, 2009, 11:31 am »I'll admit, I missed the bear. The second one, though... I couldn't put my finger exactly on what was going on, but I knew things were not the same!
Me too. I'm going to chalk it up to drinking an old-fashioned at the time.
Great links, cprted. Clicking around, there were a lot of these videos. Seems to have been a PSA campaign?
448
The Green Room / Re: SM gifts!
« on: Dec 27, 2009, 10:37 am »I got a tool belt and a beautiful new hammer. I also got a new iPod mini which has stopwatch, voice recorder, calendar, video, photos, and can function as a flash light in a pinch!
I've been eyeing that ipod mini....that's impressive!
449
The Green Room / SM gifts!
« on: Dec 25, 2009, 09:22 pm »
Anybody get any great stage-managery gifts for the holidays?
My dad gave me THREE giant rolls of gaff tape, and one of black duct tape. "I know this is like gold," he said. My little sister also found a gold star door plaque that she ordered to say "Stage Manager" on it. She wants me to put it on the door of the booth.
My dad gave me THREE giant rolls of gaff tape, and one of black duct tape. "I know this is like gold," he said. My little sister also found a gold star door plaque that she ordered to say "Stage Manager" on it. She wants me to put it on the door of the booth.
450
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Resume questions
« on: Dec 19, 2009, 01:02 am »
On a resume, I tend to put "selected credits" and put my best work. Shows there's more. And I also put "References Available On Request" at the bottom.
I used to have a 2-pg resume- the first page was credits, skills, references on request, etc- second page was related jobs I had held (i.e. theater instructor). The "meat" was on the first page, but additional information was on the second if they wanted it. I just assume that they only look at the first page, and only add the second if they're already interested.
I used to have a 2-pg resume- the first page was credits, skills, references on request, etc- second page was related jobs I had held (i.e. theater instructor). The "meat" was on the first page, but additional information was on the second if they wanted it. I just assume that they only look at the first page, and only add the second if they're already interested.