Messages

46

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How do you call your sound cues....

« on: Feb 25, 2007, 01:57 pm »

I've already posted that I prefer giving sound Qs numbers ... Well, the show I'm working on is over-run with "experts" and they insist on the letter system, so what the heck?.  However, there are so many changes in the show that things are getting crazy and now I'm calling Sound DD2.75, DD2.77 ... etc, and having to do it very quickly.  Last night I got so frustrated and so sick of huge labels that I named a Sound Q Fred - it's much easier to call.  I think I'll start a new fad - giving each sound Q a separate pet name!

47

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question about musical blocking

« on: Feb 25, 2007, 01:50 pm »

Mac ... True confessions here - I don't know what in the heck you were talking about, but if I ever have the opportunity to meet you I hope you'll show me!  I guess that's what I get for doing way too much Rodgers and Hammerstein!

Lilz

48

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question about musical blocking

« on: Feb 22, 2007, 01:36 pm »

I have my own version of labnotation where I write out 12345678 -  22345678, etc .... going down a sheet of paper, creating the bars of music.   Usually I can make it to 82345678 twice on one sheet. I give myself enough space so I can write a little detail regarding the moves of the principle dancers and some basic movement for the chorus.  When it happens on a specific beat, I can draw a line from that number.  I leave the right hand margin clear in case I need to mark cues during a dance sequence.  Of course, I'm not a dancer, and I'm not about to jump onstage to fill in or to demonstrate the moves should someone forget something - that's why we have dance captains.  But it does come in handy from time to time during understudy rehearsals and it helps for visual cue calling.

49

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Pre-show Blues

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 04:34 pm »

Breathe deeply ... remember that you love the entire process of theatre, not just each moment.  Trust that you'll be fine a do great work.  This past fall, just after the final dress rehearsal for "A Midsummer Night's Dream", an actor put their foot through the  ass's head.  Need I tell you where I wanted to put my foot?  I spent 8 hours repairing it the next day while juggling all of the other opening night matters, a handful of emergencies and teaching the full day.  I can't tell you how many times I had to think about the entire process of a show, from inception to closing, just to keep the moment in perspective.  But, it works.  You'll get through this show with all of it's stumbles and gaffs, you'll have great, heroic moments to make you proud, and you'll have terrific stories to share forever.  Hang in there - the wrap party is on its way!

50

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Wish Me Luck!

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 04:25 pm »

You can't force actors to do a warm-up and if you try you might damage your relationship with them.  Asking if they'd like to make time to do one and asking for volunteers to lead one is a great idea - maybe it's a discussion you can have with the director so they can support you.  You know, I've had problems on many shows getting the actors to leave the stage and STOP warming up.  Who knows - maybe you'll hit that end of the spectrum this time.

51

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: How do you call your sound cues....

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 04:17 pm »

I prefer numbers as well, but have used letters if it was going to cause a huge conflict with the designer or if I was working with a novice sound tech who freaked at the thought of using numbers.  However, if there are a lot of sounds cues, I lobby all the harder for using numbers.

52

Employment / Re: Part-Time Work

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 04:12 pm »

Hi!  Another source for event shops is Debbi's book - www.debbisbook.com - I've gotten work through event planning companies and a couple equipment rental houses in the past.  It can be a lot of fun and sometimes pays really well.  I haven't done it for a while because of the teaching thing, but I used to really enjoy it.

53

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Anyone willing to be interviewed?

« on: Feb 13, 2007, 04:04 pm »

I've been at it for a lotta years and would be happy to answer any questions I can,too.

54

Employment / Re: Benefits and Galas...

« on: Feb 07, 2007, 08:14 pm »

I used to get hired for events through event planning companies.  You may want to contact some of them to ask about submitting your resume.  Good luck!

55

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Painting A Scrim

« on: Jan 29, 2007, 07:11 pm »

Scrim can be a bit tricky because it stretches when it gets painted.  My high school is very low tech and doesn't have a shop, so we had to get resourceful when painting our scrim.  We used Rosco Supersaturated paint, which is painfully expensive.  However, it can be diluted up to 10 to 1 and it works incredibly well under bright lights.  Plus, it works well with fabrics - it's fairly pliable and doesn't flake.  We had to paint the scrim in sections, so did our best to spread it evenly on the floor, keeping its shape.  We had a grid underneath, but because we had to move the scrim, it couldn't have the finished painting, so we had a painter's elevation on a separate chart and had to more or less freehand the design onto the scrim.  We assigned someone with a blow dryer to each painter so they could make sure the paint was being blown through the holes as the scrim was painted.  Also, they had to make sure paint wasn't pooling on the bogus underneath, or it would soak through and ruin the work that was being done.  In an ideal world with a fancy shop there would be framing and spray guns involved, but my school can't afford them. 

You may want to contact a couple vendors for advice.  The folks at Rosco are always helpful as are the people at Rosebrand.  Also, if you research a local rental house that provides scrims and explain your situation you may find someone who will give you some good advice.

Best of luck!

Lilz

56

Employment / Re: Cruise jobs

« on: Jan 21, 2007, 02:21 pm »

Hi, Tim ... Which ships were you with on the Carnival line?  A good friend of mine works with Carnival ... I wonder if we have a common acquaintance ... he started with the Paradise out of Long Beach and is now on the Valor out of Miami.

Lilz

57

Employment / Re: Follow Up Thank-You Letters

« on: Jan 19, 2007, 11:16 pm »

I agree with Mac - keep it short, professional, and sweet.  However, if something memorable happened or a special bond was created, don't be afraid to mention it.  If there's something brief you can say that will help position you in their minds, that will help them remember the show and, therefore, you, go for it. 

58

Tools of the Trade / Re: Environmental Theater

« on: Jan 18, 2007, 02:18 pm »

Do you want the scent to be in the house the entire show or just part of it?  Will there be times when you want other scents or is pine the only one? Whether you use the vents or some other source, pine oil will be really helpful and you may still be able to find it in piles of Christmas stuff ... and really inexpensively at this point.  I use it in my house during the holidays ... I bought a little fan thing from QVC with scented oils ... it works really well - makes my whole apartment smell like fresh pine.  The scent is really concentrated, so a little bit goes a long way.

59

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Response to "calling a show by feel" from "things you would never hear..."

« on: Jan 18, 2007, 02:08 pm »

I think that most tech has an element that's done emotionally, or "by feel."  Your instinct tells you the exact moment to call or run a cue to create the perfect emotional effect.  I've been in the game long enough to have run many manual lighting boards and remember the amazing feeling of bringing those lights up, feeling the exact timing, creating what felt like an orchestral a swell as I brought them to full.  The same thing happens when running sound, though the analogy is more literal.  Learning to use instinct and my innate sense of artistic timing has been one of my favorite things about tech.

60

Stage Management: Other / Re: School productions.

« on: Jan 15, 2007, 05:07 pm »

Hi, Mac. 

My heart goes out to you.  I don't envy you the job you face, but I think you're really doing a great job of getting things under control.

Containing entrances and exits is key in my book.  As long as they are limited and well manned, especially from parental units deciding to pull their kids early or pulling surprise backstage visits, you've won half the battle. My school is small and doesn't face a lot of the issues you describe, but our parents can really stir things up!  Secretaries are invaluable resources at entrances - they know everybody and already have relationships with faculty and parents.  Plus, have you had an opportunity to meet with the venue's security guys just to make sure they're working with you?  I know that we've had a proble when we've had events off campus - If the venue sub-contracts their security and doesn't communicate our plan things can go to hell in about 2 seconds.

In addition to puke buckets and wet cloths, I encourage you to keep a few sets of gym clothes or something for the kids who will inevitably have bathroom accidents.  I swear, one of our little ones wees onstage almost every year.  Being friends with the plant manager always helps.

Luckily, the problems on these events are usually miniscule compared to the fun and it's all good for a laugh over a couple beers when you're done.  I look forward to hearing how it all turns out.

Lilz