46
Self-Promotion / Re: Blue Man Group National Tour
« on: Mar 08, 2012, 10:44 pm »
Thanks everyone!
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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47
Self-Promotion / Re: Julius Caesar & The Comedy of Errors National Tour
« on: Feb 11, 2012, 07:23 pm »
When you're in Schenectady, there's a cool sandwich shop called 'Ambition' right by the theater - you should check it out! Have a good tour!
48
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: Chicago
« on: Feb 08, 2012, 05:52 pm »
(side note - I know you said don't ask, but why do you have a cue light in the rehearsal hall?)
49
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: Chicago
« on: Feb 08, 2012, 02:29 pm »
I agree that setting the sound guy up with a cue light is the way to go. This way you can cue everything. Also, if you are worried about communication, you can set him up with a comm pack and a phone headset instead of a normal headset. If you need him, you can press the call button, and he can pick up the phone easily. Just make sure the comm pack is in a position where he can see the call light.
Our sound guy has the call button wired into his board somehow, so when we hit the call button, it lights up on his board. Pretty nifty.
Our sound guy has the call button wired into his board somehow, so when we hit the call button, it lights up on his board. Pretty nifty.
50
Self-Promotion / Blue Man Group National Tour
« on: Jan 24, 2012, 08:25 am »
The contracts have finally been signed, and I'm excited to announce that I'll be the new PSM of the tour for which I am the current ASM. Very excited!!
51
The Green Room / Re: Picture Wars!
« on: Jan 20, 2012, 08:22 pm »
Blue Men don't stands a chance to a crew with hudson sprayers and brooms....
52
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROP: Almost, Maine Shoe
« on: Jan 18, 2012, 11:58 pm »
I had a friend who did this show, and the 'string and pulley' system is exactly what they did...worked very well for them.
53
The Green Room / Re: Backstagejobs Article about Fire Safety
« on: Jan 05, 2012, 03:50 pm »
This is a great article. It's so easy to try and skirt around some of the fire safety issues (especially when touring and needing to find space for all the road cases, etc)....but after reading this article, why it's so important is really emphasized!
54
Tools of the Trade / Re: Stage Write - an iPad app for idiots, by idiots
« on: Dec 27, 2011, 12:07 pm »
I agree Matthew.
It's functions look really cool, but I think that every time I had to go into a menu to select a new character (as it appears that you do), I would loose so much valuable information...I would still love to try it out!
It's functions look really cool, but I think that every time I had to go into a menu to select a new character (as it appears that you do), I would loose so much valuable information...I would still love to try it out!
55
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Observational Awareness Training?
« on: Dec 12, 2011, 01:13 am »
Everything that everyone else has said is great...and like they have all said, it's a skill that takes time.
If you didn't get to tech the show yourself and thus didn't get that time to really study all the tech elements, my two cents is this:
Start with those times when you see something off and think it is wrong. Ask your crew in the moment if something is different - like Matthew said, question everything. If they say yes, something is off, then they can give you specifics so you know for next time (like if a specific lighting fixture is out of focus, etc.). BUT, if they say no, nothing is wrong and your gut says otherwise, write it down anyway. This way, next time you call the show, you can take a close look at that section and see if it happens again. If it doesn't, obviously there was definitely a problem one of the times. Clearly, this won't work for things like a burned out lamp because if it's out, then the lamp will just still be out, but with moving lights that occasionally don't hit their focus or something odd in an audio mix, etc., it can be helpful.
You can alternately ask what the thing is supposed to look like, rather than asking if it is wrong (like asking what the focus is supposed to be doing with a lighting cue, or how the prop presets).
You'll also learn about your crew, and their willingness to tell you when something is wrong. I once worked as an ASM with a head electrician, and every time I called the show and asked him if something was off focus, he would say no. Then after the show, my PSM would tell me, in fact, my hunch was correct and something was off focus. So I would just write it down and then I would know for sure the next time.
If you didn't get to tech the show yourself and thus didn't get that time to really study all the tech elements, my two cents is this:
Start with those times when you see something off and think it is wrong. Ask your crew in the moment if something is different - like Matthew said, question everything. If they say yes, something is off, then they can give you specifics so you know for next time (like if a specific lighting fixture is out of focus, etc.). BUT, if they say no, nothing is wrong and your gut says otherwise, write it down anyway. This way, next time you call the show, you can take a close look at that section and see if it happens again. If it doesn't, obviously there was definitely a problem one of the times. Clearly, this won't work for things like a burned out lamp because if it's out, then the lamp will just still be out, but with moving lights that occasionally don't hit their focus or something odd in an audio mix, etc., it can be helpful.
You can alternately ask what the thing is supposed to look like, rather than asking if it is wrong (like asking what the focus is supposed to be doing with a lighting cue, or how the prop presets).
You'll also learn about your crew, and their willingness to tell you when something is wrong. I once worked as an ASM with a head electrician, and every time I called the show and asked him if something was off focus, he would say no. Then after the show, my PSM would tell me, in fact, my hunch was correct and something was off focus. So I would just write it down and then I would know for sure the next time.
56
The Green Room / Re: Thread to vent about / Actors behaving badly / As haiku only
« on: Dec 11, 2011, 01:23 am »
You do six show weeks
and had the matinee off
Wish I had that luck.
Do not tell me you
needed to go 'off template'
because you're tired
and needed to do
this to keep yourself awake.
Take the gosh darn note!!
and had the matinee off
Wish I had that luck.
Do not tell me you
needed to go 'off template'
because you're tired
and needed to do
this to keep yourself awake.
Take the gosh darn note!!
57
Tools of the Trade / Re: Backstage Calling Station/Console
« on: Dec 05, 2011, 11:30 pm »
I would second a cup holder!
58
The Hardline / Re: Changing Economics of the Road
« on: Dec 05, 2011, 02:11 am »
An interesting article a friend showed me about the business model of touring from AEA
http://actorsequity.org/NewsMedia/news2011/oct31.Touring102.asp
http://actorsequity.org/NewsMedia/news2011/oct31.Touring102.asp
59
The Green Room / Re: Pavlovian Response ?
« on: Dec 03, 2011, 04:21 pm »
Similar to missliz, my show has the standard Iphone phone ring in it, and it also happens with the first big automation and video cue of the show. After doing 400+ shows with the sound effect, it still gets me anxious when I hear that same sound in real life when someone's phone rings.
Sidenote- our head LX STILL continues to use that particular ringtone for his phone. I don't know how he does it.
Sidenote- our head LX STILL continues to use that particular ringtone for his phone. I don't know how he does it.
60
The Green Room / Re: The Great SM Gift List
« on: Nov 16, 2011, 09:52 pm »
I'm getting my Christmas wish this year. Our tour has a layoff that week, and I'll be spending it in St. Johns!!