46
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Well, if you can't admit it here, where can you?
« on: Feb 27, 2007, 07:41 am »Quote
I really hope I never plan to lose 1000 pencils in my lifetime.
Then don't go into stage managment. :-)
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Then don't go into stage managment. :-)
47
SMNetwork Archives / Screwdriver Recommendation
« on: Feb 21, 2007, 02:37 pm »
This is really an LD question but since there’s no ldnetwork.org bear with me.
I'm looking to get some good insulated screwdrivers for my light kit. I've done a bunch of searches but looking at pictures of them on the internet is a lot different than using them in the field. Does anyone have some success or horror stories from all the LD's out there?
I'm looking to get some good insulated screwdrivers for my light kit. I've done a bunch of searches but looking at pictures of them on the internet is a lot different than using them in the field. Does anyone have some success or horror stories from all the LD's out there?
48
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!
« on: Feb 04, 2007, 02:33 pm »
I was at a production of something (either Crazy For You or Me and My Girl) with Tommy Tune, they were doing a scene and one actor just blew up, couldn't cover and the scene just started to deteriorate. All of a sudden Tommy walks out on stage stops them, calling the actors by names and says "These people paid good money for these seats! We're going to start this scene from the top and do it right", and then left the stage. The lights went back to the first cue of the scene, the set peices that started the scene came back out and the show picked up from the top of the scene.
The audience laughed but I just remember staring at the stage with my mouth agape.
The audience laughed but I just remember staring at the stage with my mouth agape.
49
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Well, if you can't admit it here, where can you?
« on: Feb 01, 2007, 02:47 pm »
Every SM on this board has these stories, don't sweat it.
I do the lists that Mac menionted and then put them in one of those clear page holders, that allows me to use a dry erase pen to check off each of the items as I go, then erase the check marks after rehearsal and start all over again.
Relax and have fun.
I do the lists that Mac menionted and then put them in one of those clear page holders, that allows me to use a dry erase pen to check off each of the items as I go, then erase the check marks after rehearsal and start all over again.
Relax and have fun.
50
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Light Walkers
« on: Jan 29, 2007, 07:09 pm »
Just messin with you, ljh... Just messin
I've never heard of light walkers being asked to dress in blacks... kind of defeats the purpose.
I've never heard of light walkers being asked to dress in blacks... kind of defeats the purpose.
51
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Guys and Dolls
« on: Jan 29, 2007, 03:56 pm »Quote
During music rehearsals if I have no paperwork to do, is it ok to...read a book and such?
Sure, but I've found that it's more productive to take notes in reguard to changes in the music, or lines that are cut. I've had situations where musical directors couldn't remember some of what they've done and my note of, "Wait on... " "No Vamp" or whatever has helped jog peoples memory. Moreover it may help the actors to have notes about mood, tempo and such.
Quote
What do i need to do to get ready for dance rehearsals, what do I do during a dance rehearsal
First of make sure the space is set up right. Second I'd see if the choreographer has notes on what they are doing. If they don't then I'd take notes as to dance steps and formations. If they do ask to make copies and keep them in the production book.
Quote
ummm anything else
Prop list, prop list, prop list. GnD is a prop HEAVY show, from cheesecake, to racing forms, to band instruments, to coconut drinks, to dice, make sure your lists are impeccable, and up to date.
At least that's what I'd do. I've never worked with a revolve or mechanicals so I can't help you there.
52
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Light Walkers
« on: Jan 29, 2007, 03:19 pm »Quote
well it's an opera..so maybe something weird
Truer words have never been spoken.
53
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: help with "real" stage management
« on: Jan 26, 2007, 02:30 pm »
I'm all over the 5th of that. Thomas Kelly's book is an excellent place to start.
54
Tools of the Trade / Re: Environmental Theater
« on: Jan 18, 2007, 03:22 pm »
Pine is the only one... all the time.
55
Tools of the Trade / Re: Environmental Theater
« on: Jan 18, 2007, 01:27 pm »
It's a 300 seat old vaudeville house with exactly the same style ventilation system you speak of. Now I kick myself for not thinking of that sooner.
I did wonder about allergies myself, but considering the mold level can get kind of high in there, those with allergies will have bigger problems.
I did wonder about allergies myself, but considering the mold level can get kind of high in there, those with allergies will have bigger problems.
56
Tools of the Trade / Environmental Theater - Scents in the House
« on: Jan 18, 2007, 10:30 am »
Ok, I'm know it's not an SM question but you all have a knowledgebase that I can't help but tap. I'm looking for a quick and easy and hopefully cheap way to pump scents into the house. One scent in particular, pine.
Right now the front runner is a case of glade scented plug ins.
Right now the front runner is a case of glade scented plug ins.
57
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Response to "calling a show by feel" from "things you would never hear..."
« on: Jan 17, 2007, 12:45 pm »
I meant without out writing cues in the script. Or looking at it Of course you go when the moment is right. Sorry bad way of expressing myself.
I'm going through that right now, I'm calling The Last 5 Years. The music is perfect and the performers are adding so much non verbal acting, and character development that I keep finding myself moving the que down a measure or two from where the LD wanted them.
Of course you go when the moment is right. Sorry bad way of expressing myself. I'm going through that right now, I'm calling The Last 5 Years. The music is perfect and the performers are adding so much non verbal acting, and character development that I keep finding myself moving the que down a measure or two from where the LD wanted them.
58
Stage Management: Other / Re: School productions.
« on: Jan 15, 2007, 09:07 am »
Hey Mac,
The principal is leaving an outside contractor in charge of finding an access control method to his students? That seems very un-principal like to me.
For access control, the school might have some way of denoting vistors already that you can adapt to this situation. I worked for 8 years as an IT guy at a school district and they had a temporary "pass" system where a parent, contractor, whatever had to show ID and sign in and out of the school denoting times. Then wear the pass around their neck kind of like a backstage pass. On special occasions like this, the secretaries would print labels much like the "Hi my name is" labels and, after verifying who they are, have the parent's wear them in a visible area. Then teachers and backstage people would only have to see the label. It seems like all you really need is a way to allow only one point of access to the backstage and post an ASM, parent volunteer, teacher, or administrator to man a sign in sheet. Asking for ID is a good thing too, but remember that parents last names don't always equal kids last names, the better thing is, what class is Tommy in? Who's his teacher? That kind of thing. The school should be able to provide you with some type of list to use.
Logistically you're actually pretty sound. I'd have a conversation with the Principal and find out what (if anything) he's thinking along those lines. He might have an idea as to how he wants to deploy his teachers. If he's writing a blank check and saying Mac fix it.. The one thing you might want to keep in mind is kids are going to respond best to their teacher as opposed to other teachers. If it were me and it were possible I'd tell the teacher to bring their own class down. As for kiddy control... again teachers are your friends... by instinct they control the kids and usually by instinct the kids respond. Use them. It sounds like you actually have the potential to not have a problem when it comes to that. You're biggest challenge will be controlling a bunch of 5 year olds during a two hour show with no break. Again rely on your teachers. If you not sensing your going to get that help, and your dreading doing it as much as you sound like you are get away, far, far away.
Kids in theater are kids in life... they can be wonderful and awful in the same breath, though my experience with kids in theater is the worst is no where near as bad as the parent it's spawned from. I started a kid’s theater company with a dear friend a few years ago after working for another for 12 years. It can be the some of the most amazing and rewarding hell you've ever been through. When all else fails, (and at one point it will) remember the music man syndrome, the balcony can get as noisy as you want... the parents will think "it was better than cats".
The principal is leaving an outside contractor in charge of finding an access control method to his students? That seems very un-principal like to me.
For access control, the school might have some way of denoting vistors already that you can adapt to this situation. I worked for 8 years as an IT guy at a school district and they had a temporary "pass" system where a parent, contractor, whatever had to show ID and sign in and out of the school denoting times. Then wear the pass around their neck kind of like a backstage pass. On special occasions like this, the secretaries would print labels much like the "Hi my name is" labels and, after verifying who they are, have the parent's wear them in a visible area. Then teachers and backstage people would only have to see the label. It seems like all you really need is a way to allow only one point of access to the backstage and post an ASM, parent volunteer, teacher, or administrator to man a sign in sheet. Asking for ID is a good thing too, but remember that parents last names don't always equal kids last names, the better thing is, what class is Tommy in? Who's his teacher? That kind of thing. The school should be able to provide you with some type of list to use.
Logistically you're actually pretty sound. I'd have a conversation with the Principal and find out what (if anything) he's thinking along those lines. He might have an idea as to how he wants to deploy his teachers. If he's writing a blank check and saying Mac fix it.. The one thing you might want to keep in mind is kids are going to respond best to their teacher as opposed to other teachers. If it were me and it were possible I'd tell the teacher to bring their own class down. As for kiddy control... again teachers are your friends... by instinct they control the kids and usually by instinct the kids respond. Use them. It sounds like you actually have the potential to not have a problem when it comes to that. You're biggest challenge will be controlling a bunch of 5 year olds during a two hour show with no break. Again rely on your teachers. If you not sensing your going to get that help, and your dreading doing it as much as you sound like you are get away, far, far away.
Kids in theater are kids in life... they can be wonderful and awful in the same breath, though my experience with kids in theater is the worst is no where near as bad as the parent it's spawned from. I started a kid’s theater company with a dear friend a few years ago after working for another for 12 years. It can be the some of the most amazing and rewarding hell you've ever been through. When all else fails, (and at one point it will) remember the music man syndrome, the balcony can get as noisy as you want... the parents will think "it was better than cats".
59
Tools of the Trade / Re: Trees on stage
« on: Jan 10, 2007, 03:59 pm »
I'm thinking evergreens and other smaller trees you might find in a North eastern US forest. Eastern White Pine, Sugar Maple, White and Red Oak. All of them would have to be rather young as our trim height wouldn't allow it.
60
Employment / Re: Serving on a Board of Directors and Stage Managing for the Same Company?
« on: Jan 10, 2007, 10:09 am »
As long as abstain from votes that could cause a conflict, and leave the room when you feel uncomfortable it shouldn't be an issue. Im a member of the board of directors, a SM and one of the resident directors in my theater company and it hasn't been an issue yet.