Messages

451

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Props Question....

« on: Dec 30, 2007, 09:19 am »

This is what production meetings are for.

If the props department and the costume department can't solve it between themselves or don't already have a regular tradition of who supplies  "costume props," ask at the meeting, in public, who will supply them, then let one department take responsibility voluntarily, or let your production manager assign responsibility.

Then you know who to give the notes to.  It is not your decision.

In my experience, I have found that purses and bags lie in that lovely grey area between props and costumes (along with parasols, umbrellas, fans, and other similar "accessories").  More often than not purses and bags will come from costumes because they are worn and are part of the look of the whole costume, but that isn't always the case.  You will just need to establish with your designers/production staff who is ultimately responsible for the items. 

452

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Reports during technicals

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 08:48 pm »

I'm with Matt. I work with theatres where all department heads (or their assistants) are present for note sessions following the Tech. If, by some odd chance, there's a note for someone not in attendance I drop them an e-mail or call their work phone extension and leave a message. The only paperwork I stay to do after a Tech. is the schedule and phone Hotline for the next call.

If there is an injury during Tech. I send one e-mail copied to the Artistic Director, Managing Director, and Company Manager (who I may have already contacted by phone if the injury requires medical attention) and any other necessary parties, stating the facts surrounding the accident just as I would in a Rehearsal Report. That's documentation enough for them and me!


Then, like Lauria, I go home and go to sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

I never do a report during tech.  Because after 14 hours, I am not spending anymore time in the theatre.

Since Production Management and all departments are present, it really would be a waste of time.

453

The Hardline / Re: LOA referencing contracts

« on: Nov 01, 2007, 04:45 pm »

Your instinct is correct, the answer is NO.  The word "referencing," means that the basic work hours, rules, conditions etc. of the contract are the ones that the LOA is based on.  You go to that rule book for any rule not specifically spelled out in your particular LOA.

Lower salaries are one reason a producer needs to use an LOA rather than the contract it is referencing. Other things that may be different include number of rehearsal hours allowed in a week, and number of performances allowed in a week.

snip
On an LOA contract that references another contract, do they have to pay according to the contract they're referencing?

For example, on an LOA ref. LORT D, does the LOA contract have to pay $670/wk for the SM?

I'm thinking that the answer is NO, it doesn't NOT have to match the pay of the contract it is referencing, but I just want to be 100%.

454

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Equity Books

« on: Aug 18, 2007, 05:20 pm »

Download them from here:
http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=3

and

http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=5

Hey, I was wondering if anyone had any extra Production Contracts, LOA Contracts, Off Broadway, Showcase, etc they could send me. [snip]

455

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: May 29, 2007, 10:54 pm »

Females take aside females, males take aside males. 

And make sure your crew has enough free time to do their laundry or that wardrobe will agree to launder the crew "uniforms." I've known theatres to kick in for extra sets of blacks for those crew members who don't own enough sets to get through a performance week. Sometimes, a smelly PA/ASM/Crew is just a young person who doesn't budget time well, or actually is without free time and extra funds!

(How do you tell your PA/ASM/Crew that they smell?!  )

456

The Hardline / Re: 2007 AEA Council Election

« on: Apr 20, 2007, 11:42 am »

Pick up a committee application from the receptionist on the 15th Floor of 165 W. 46th St.  Fill it out and return it.  You will then, most likely be invited to the committee as an observer with the option to become a member after a short time.

how does one get on the AEA committees (not the council, but the commitees that deal with each specific contract or other issues?)?

457

The Hardline / Re: 2007 AEA Council Election

« on: Apr 19, 2007, 11:55 pm »

Fellow AEA Members,

I will second most heartily what Jess W. Speaker says; please, please vote in the current AEA Council Elections.

You can vote either by paper ballot or on the Web.

If you've never voted before, and you think you don't know enough about the issues, read the candidates' statements on AEA's web site, in the current issue of Equity News, or in the mailing with the paper ballot, and find a voice or voices that may echo your own ideas.

Unlike Jess, however, I encourage you to vote for the maximum number of candidates possible in each category, or for as many candidates whose ideas and statements speak to you.  It takes all kinds of experience and many different opinions to populate a successful legislative body, and bullet voting can only deprive us all of the diversity necessary for success.

And, please, encourage all your AEA friends and colleagues to do the same, actors and stage managers alike.  And if I'm preaching to the choir, if you are a regular voter, then find someone who isn't and encourage them.  And then ask them to encourage someone else, and so on.

Just over 6000 of us, out of about 35,000 members in good standing voted in the last elections.  We can do better this year!

Ruth E. Kramer
Eastern Region Stage Manager Councillor

(No, I am NOT on the ballot this year.)

458

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I need some serious help!

« on: Apr 04, 2007, 05:19 pm »

I am working on a new musical right now.  We opened a week ago and the writers and director are still making small changes.  Some of the actors are frustrated by it, but, so far, the changes have been given as notes and there has been no need to call rehearsal to put them in. I wouldn't even dare suggest the writers freeze THEIR show!

(This IS the way this world works!)

just corroborating dramachic5191) snip
and (depending on the contract and if it IS an original) even then, small tweaks are allowed afterward. So, in addition to a much-needed company meeting-cum-vent session, it may make them feel better to know that, indeed, this IS how real, professional theater works.

459

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Warm-up/ Games

« on: Feb 25, 2007, 11:26 pm »

I am not the pheasant plucker, I'm the pheasant pluckers son, and I'm only plucking pheasants, till the pheasant plucker comes. 

I think one of my faves is:

What a to do, to die today, at a minute or two till two.
A thing distinctly hard to say but harder still to do.
For they'll beat a tattoo, at twenty til two,
with a rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tattoo
And the dragoon will come
to the beat of a drum
at a minute or two till two today,
at a minute or two till two.

She stood upon her balcony, inexplicably mimicking his hiccuping and amicably welcoming him in!

460

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Warm-up/ Games

« on: Feb 25, 2007, 07:01 pm »

On this same note, does anyone know the words to the "pheasant plucker" tongue twister? I know the first line, but I can't for the life of me remember the last one.

I'm a pleasant mother pheasant plucker.  I pluck mother pheasants.  I'm the fastest pleasant mother pheasant plucker ever plucked a mother pheasant in the whole wide world.


Interesting that you know this one.  Did I teach it to you?

461

The Hardline / Re: SNOW DAY = CANCELED PERFORMANCE = NO PAY?

« on: Feb 19, 2007, 07:02 pm »

This is an interesting one, Matt.  I hope you'll let us all know how it plays out.

Let me get out my crystal ball and take a guess:

No ninth show, no "extra services" payment, in what could be called "Act of God" circumstances. 

My crystal ball has been known to be wrong, however.

(Personally, I wouldn't want the extra money.  I'd be happy to have the morning to myself!)

Ruth

(snip)

So, a nine show week is scheduled.

6:15a, just a mere 3 hours and 45 minutes before curtain for a school show, the schools are delayed (not canceled, but the delay makes the show impossible to do - since school will be out before the show would be over).

(snip)

Is the cast due payment for this show that was canceled.

I am torn - it's like being paid overtime for rehearsal scheduled, but canceled . . . . but there was no notice per se?

Thoughts? 

Equity and Producer are still out on this one.

462

The Hardline / Re: Snow Day=Cancelled Rehearsal

« on: Feb 17, 2007, 01:48 pm »

I didn't ask because we ended up taking our scheduled day off. I'm going to call on Monday though as we are getting hit again with snow and have people driving an hour to rehearse, which is why we cancel in the first place.

If the producer wishes to change the day off for any reason, why don't you let him/her call the AEA Rep. and ask for a concession or a solution.  You can call to confirm the decision if you wish, but let the PRODUCER ask for this (or any) adjustment to the rules.

Just my 2 cents!

463

SMNetwork Archives / True to Life SM Anecdote

« on: Dec 12, 2006, 07:50 pm »

I told this story to someone today and then realized I had never posted it here. 

So, for no earthly reason other than I thought other SM's would appreciate it, here's a short, true to life SM anecdote you couldn't make up if you tried:

Years ago, while on tour with a modern dance company, I arrived in Toronto for our 8 hour load-in day prior to our first performance.  As usual, the first thing I did was introduce myself to the house crew I'd be working with for the week, and try to remember their names.  (I'm generally bad at remembering names...)

They introduced themselves, telling me their positions and their names.  Near the end of the group was a man of Chinese descent who said (and, no, I am NOT kidding) "Hi, I'm your Master Electrician and board operator, and my name is Gogo."

It made for a week filled with laughter and jokes, and a lifetime of telling this story.

Now post your true to life SM Anecdote, if you have one!

464

The Green Room / Re: Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say

« on: Dec 07, 2006, 09:19 am »

"No, thanks.  I don't drink."

I remember there being a list of "Things You'll Never Hear a Stage Manager Say" posted in the booth of a theatre where I once worked. I really wish I'd written down some of those pearls. Do any of you folks know where I could find a copy?  What are some of your favorite things you'll never hear a stage manager say?

465

The Hardline / Re: Showcase Agreement

« on: Dec 04, 2006, 12:58 pm »

Go to the AEA Document Library and click on "Codes" (rather than on "Agreements.")  or just use this link:

http://www.actorsequity.org/library/library.asp?cat=5

I am looking for a copy of the AEA Showcase Code Agreement and I cannot find it amoung the other rulebooks on the AEA website.

Does anyone know where I can find a copy?  Or who the showcase rep at AEA is?

Thanks.