46
The Hardline / Re: AEA rulebooks no longer publicly available on website
« on: Dec 28, 2016, 11:15 am »
Thanks for the heads up. Was there any rationale given for the change?
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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47
The Green Room / Re: Self-reflection, on WHY do I do what I do?
« on: Dec 06, 2016, 09:28 am »
Thanks for sharing Tarythe: that list is a great way of explaining the whys of the trade for newbies. For me, it all comes down to servant leadership: how can I make things better for the director/designers/cast/crew, so they can do their jobs better? Often I remember early theatre experiences that got me down (similar to yours on deck crew) and ask myself: how can I make sure that doesn't happen? What can I do differently to ensure we not only survive but thrive in this production?
48
The Green Room / Re: Kay
« on: Nov 24, 2016, 03:44 pm »
I'll just chime in my thanks, especially on this Thanksgiving day, for this forum and all who contribute to it. I recommend this resource to everyone for how friendly, helpful, and wonderful it is.
And for everyone heading to a Christmas show tech soon, break legs!
And for everyone heading to a Christmas show tech soon, break legs!
49
Employment / Re: Dear Abby: Is there life after Equity?
« on: Oct 31, 2016, 06:18 pm »
I work in the southeast and have been able to get a good amount of SM work, but it took a while to build the contacts needed. Also, being willing to travel around the state is a must. I'm fortunate that I was an early computer geek and freelance as a web developer as well, so wherever I can get online with my laptop, I can work my other gig as well. I've used the website Thumbtack to bid on editing/web/computer work before (https://www.thumbtack.com), even making Word templates for a company that needed them.
Depending on the theatres in your area, look into teaching opportunities, especially summer camp; also at hire work for loadins/load outs at venues.
Depending on the theatres in your area, look into teaching opportunities, especially summer camp; also at hire work for loadins/load outs at venues.
50
Introductions / Re: Hello from Bangkok
« on: Oct 16, 2016, 05:38 pm »
So, you're actually "living in Bangkok? (requisite Miss Saigon reference) Welcome to the forum: hope it proves as good a resource as I've found it.
51
The Green Room / Re: Line Notes: How soon is too soon?
« on: Oct 07, 2016, 10:56 am »
Is he giving line notes during the rehearsal itself (ie, stopping a scene to correct speech) or making notes and giving them after the scene is finished? If the latter, it's probably never a bad idea to correct bad habits from forming. If the former, though, I'd have issues: if the actor is not supposed to be offbook yet, and is still working things out in his or her head, having constant interruptions to correct minor line flubs could be detrimental to getting through a scene and focusing on the acting.
There's also the question of line corrections once you go into tech/performances. If the actors get used to having notes from the director, it may be difficult for them to adjust to getting notes from you once he is no longer there to do so (assuming the director will not be there for the entire run). I prefer to establish that sort of "chain of command" early on to prevent confusion as we go through the process.
There's also the question of line corrections once you go into tech/performances. If the actors get used to having notes from the director, it may be difficult for them to adjust to getting notes from you once he is no longer there to do so (assuming the director will not be there for the entire run). I prefer to establish that sort of "chain of command" early on to prevent confusion as we go through the process.
52
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Assistant Design Experience?
« on: Jul 27, 2016, 02:08 pm »Quote
So late to this party - but I actually thinking being a ALD would be more beneficial as a stage manager since you are the one performing the lighting designer's cues in the show.
I spent most of my time in college in the lighting shop, and served as an AME and ME in several early gigs. It certainly helps me understand better how to communicate with the LD (and it's always handy to be experienced with lots of lighting boards).
53
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Unable to communicate with Director
« on: Jul 23, 2016, 11:30 am »
@ BayAreaSM, I had a similarish experience this year with communication. To quote Maribeth, a good Assistant Director is invaluable! In my situation, the only reason we were able to put on the show we did was through the tireless energy and work of the AD. We found a good rhythm of communication and he was able to talk the director into things I don't think I would have been able to. Now, it was an unusual AD situation: he had many, many years of experience and is an established director in his own right, so the power dynamic's different than if he'd been someone new in his career. Still, it made a huge difference.
I understand about coming back to gigs you thought you were through with; I try very hard to never say never, since the future may unfold differently. Best wishes on a more successful festival this year.
I understand about coming back to gigs you thought you were through with; I try very hard to never say never, since the future may unfold differently. Best wishes on a more successful festival this year.
54
Self-Promotion / Re: Weird life transition
« on: Jun 30, 2016, 12:35 pm »
Congrats on joining us in the freelance trenches: it's an exciting, wild ride. My very best wishes on your next gig, and your next, and your next. 
55
Employment / Re: How far are you willing to travel?
« on: Jun 25, 2016, 11:40 am »
When I first got started looking for theare work, I would drive 1.5 to 2 hours all the time. It was a slog, but it was also the only way I could find good gigs (audiobooks are extremely helpful for those long late drives). It also helps if you have flexible hours at another job (if you have one) that will let you come in later.
For myself, I stopped driving so far when I had a scare on the road several years back during tech week and nearly went into a ditch. I made it home OK, but I realized that I couldn't keep doing it: I was exhausted all the time, I wasn't doing a good job on the show, and if I continued to drive so tired I could very likely find myself and/or someone else in the hospital.
I made some changes then, and one of those was that I would not travel that lengthy a commute again; now I keep it down to thirty minutes or less. Sometimes it's not an option to live closeby, which I understand completely, but you also have to consider how able you are to handle the drive. Now, if I could depend on someone else to drive, carpool, or take a public transit option, that might impact my thinking. For now, though, I judiciously choose where to work based on how able I am to get to there both healthy and ready to get the job done.
For myself, I stopped driving so far when I had a scare on the road several years back during tech week and nearly went into a ditch. I made it home OK, but I realized that I couldn't keep doing it: I was exhausted all the time, I wasn't doing a good job on the show, and if I continued to drive so tired I could very likely find myself and/or someone else in the hospital.
I made some changes then, and one of those was that I would not travel that lengthy a commute again; now I keep it down to thirty minutes or less. Sometimes it's not an option to live closeby, which I understand completely, but you also have to consider how able you are to handle the drive. Now, if I could depend on someone else to drive, carpool, or take a public transit option, that might impact my thinking. For now, though, I judiciously choose where to work based on how able I am to get to there both healthy and ready to get the job done.
56
The Green Room / Re: What Would You do? (Coverage of long-term abuse at a Chicago theatre Co)
« on: Jun 15, 2016, 08:47 am »
What I find sad is that closing this theatre will be taken as a victory for gaining better protection for actors ... when in actuality, it just means this particular space (flaws and virtues aside) will no longer produce shows. It does nothing to address to assist those damaged from past work experiences, it does nothing to protect those in other houses who may be (silently) suffering, it does little to address the wider issues. It is a very slim, minor moment that could have happened in a few years anyway for a variety of reasons (theatres open and close every day).
As you pointed out, there are still far too many questions and need for conversation in this ongoing story. I sincerely hope that there are more changes in the larger theatrical world due to this expose than the closure of one specific house.
As you pointed out, there are still far too many questions and need for conversation in this ongoing story. I sincerely hope that there are more changes in the larger theatrical world due to this expose than the closure of one specific house.
57
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Report/Notes Language
« on: Jun 13, 2016, 10:30 am »Quote
We were discouraged from making evaluative statements (eg. "The audience enjoyed the birds joke.")
That statement brings up a point: do you put anything about the audience in your reports? I didn't originally, then served under some SMs who did and adopted the practice. I feel like it gives a good summary of how the show went, especially for directors who leave and are unable to attend shows. I'd be curious to know how many SMs do and don't report on the audience, and why.
58
The Green Room / Re: Birth Order
« on: Jun 05, 2016, 10:33 pm »
My mother often says she knew I'd find a career telling people what to do (bossy oldest child that I am).
59
Tools of the Trade / Re: Smoke bomb effect
« on: May 20, 2016, 07:34 pm »
Thanks for the creative idea; they've decided against the effect in favor of lighting.
60
Tools of the Trade / Smoke bomb effect
« on: May 18, 2016, 04:53 pm »
A dance company I'm working with wants to use a smoke bomb effect for a soldier flashback dance. Anyone ever tried something like that before?