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467
Tools of the Trade / Re: Online Rehearsal Calendars
« on: Dec 15, 2011, 08:50 am »I'll definitely give the free-trial a go when I have my next show, but just out of curiosity what is the cost for someone like me, for example. I'm a college student stage manager. I'll be doing two shows next year one from September to October and one from January to February?
It looks like there's a 14-day free trial offer already listed on the website. Since Joelroggenkamp was looking for feedback and suggestions perhaps he'd be willing to extend the trial period for one of your shows. However, as his last login was a day after his first (and only) post I'm not sure how much of a response you'd get, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.
468
Tools of the Trade / Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« on: Nov 13, 2011, 09:50 am »I've been using masking tape to put labels on coffee mugs for rehearsals. Hey, it's lying around anyway, right?
And so much cheaper than disposable cups!
469
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: "Senior Showcase"
« on: Nov 02, 2011, 03:18 pm »
You need to meet and network with people responsibile for the hiring, sell yourself. Paperwork is largely worthless in terms of hiring a Stage Manager. Managers are hired for their ability manage people, groups, environments, situations; for their ability to deliver results. I've never known a manager in any field hired for their ability to use excel or word. If you've been told otherwise I fear you've been done a great disservice.
Good on you for making the effort and taking initiative, biggest recommendation is to channel it away from paperwork and portfolios. Get out there and hit the pavement, meet people, sell yourself.
Good on you for making the effort and taking initiative, biggest recommendation is to channel it away from paperwork and portfolios. Get out there and hit the pavement, meet people, sell yourself.
470
The Green Room / Re: How to deal with an unruly ASM
« on: Oct 28, 2011, 09:20 am »
Sounds like you have tried a couple of different tactics to manage Jack. Have you had the "come to Jesus" talk?
My view on management is that your actions are calculated and taken out of a position of support for the production/company. Sometimes this results in the termination of an employee; this is not done out of a position of punishment to that employee, but rather a position of support for the production.
You're in the situation, you're living it - what action can you take to best support the production? The choices aren't always easy.
My view on management is that your actions are calculated and taken out of a position of support for the production/company. Sometimes this results in the termination of an employee; this is not done out of a position of punishment to that employee, but rather a position of support for the production.
You're in the situation, you're living it - what action can you take to best support the production? The choices aren't always easy.
471
Tools of the Trade / Re: Yikes! Any suggestions for roaches?
« on: Oct 24, 2011, 01:55 pm »
Is it feasible to get new hay? Don't know how long your run is and what the budget is like but would think the first course of action is to eliminate the source of the problem, then proceed with treatments to get rid of the remaining population.
472
Employment / Re: to QR or not to QR?
« on: Oct 06, 2011, 09:13 am »
For those of you who do use QR, here is an article about how some in the health care industry are thinking outside of the box. Some pretty cool ideas on how to use a QR code as more than simply a digital business card. Example: a scan of a QR code takes the person to a one minute youtube video of you introducing and selling yourself.
The latest health care marketing tool: QR codes
The latest health care marketing tool: QR codes
473
Employment / Personal Branding 101
« on: Oct 06, 2011, 08:57 am »
I've been working recently with a close friend and recruiter to develop my personal brand. One of the first articles she referred me to is linked below, it containes some helpful tips on creating a personal brand utilizing some of the social media technologies out there. Thought this particularly applicable to independent theater professionals. Create your brand and distinguish yourself from ordinary job seekers!
Personal Branding 101: How to Discover and Create Your Brand
Personal Branding 101: How to Discover and Create Your Brand
474
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Firing Actors
« on: Sep 28, 2011, 08:59 pm »
In the vast majority of cases in any industry it really is not appropriate to discuss reasons for terminating an employee (or any other HR issue for that matter). There are myriad reasons why this is bad idea including potential lawsuits, disruptions in the workplace, effect on morale, etc... If the employee is part of a labor union that adds additional factors that must be considered when discussing any kind of HR issue. Most times this is best left to management and the affected parties. The reality is it's nobody else's business, regardless of how close and social the theatrical workplace is.
Besides, as you've insinuated below, you can "guess" why the ASM was terminated. If it gets to the point where someone is let go, chances are everyone essentially understands the reason (whether they agree with it or not) well before the actual event. If the reason is not known, that's fine too; think: if you were let go, would you want the entire company knowing every messy detail? Best to move on, embrace those in the new roles and continue to contribute to the production as best you can.
Besides, as you've insinuated below, you can "guess" why the ASM was terminated. If it gets to the point where someone is let go, chances are everyone essentially understands the reason (whether they agree with it or not) well before the actual event. If the reason is not known, that's fine too; think: if you were let go, would you want the entire company knowing every messy detail? Best to move on, embrace those in the new roles and continue to contribute to the production as best you can.
475
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: 5 Reasons To Keep A Work Diary
« on: Aug 29, 2011, 05:21 pm »
Very interesting read. I think I will try this for a month, starting tomorrow. Sounds like it will be a great tool for self-improvement.
476
Employment / Re: to QR or not to QR?
« on: Aug 29, 2011, 09:06 am »
I would omit. I am extremely tech savvy and have never used QR.
Some inhibiting factors that would make me wary of putting on my resume:
#1 - Does the target (PM, Producer, HR manager...) know what QR is?
#2 - If yes, does the target have a smart phone?
#3 - If yes, do they have a QR reader app?
#4 - If answers 1-3 are "yes", are they going to just type the web address in to their computer anyway?
QR has a place in advertising, marketing, etc... I absolutely understand the desire to market yourself but let's think about the purpose of QR for a minute. Selling your product to people who are on the move, walking through a subway station, airport, with a coffee in one hand and their phone in the other. People who don't have time to write down a web address. The QR code is a way for that information to be transferred from some form of signage to the user's pocket. If someone has your resume then they already have the information in their pocket, on their desk, at their disposal. If they're in a position to scan the QR code on your resume that means they've got it on their desk and are looking at it. At that point hasn't the objective of the QR code already been achieved?
Some inhibiting factors that would make me wary of putting on my resume:
#1 - Does the target (PM, Producer, HR manager...) know what QR is?
#2 - If yes, does the target have a smart phone?
#3 - If yes, do they have a QR reader app?
#4 - If answers 1-3 are "yes", are they going to just type the web address in to their computer anyway?
QR has a place in advertising, marketing, etc... I absolutely understand the desire to market yourself but let's think about the purpose of QR for a minute. Selling your product to people who are on the move, walking through a subway station, airport, with a coffee in one hand and their phone in the other. People who don't have time to write down a web address. The QR code is a way for that information to be transferred from some form of signage to the user's pocket. If someone has your resume then they already have the information in their pocket, on their desk, at their disposal. If they're in a position to scan the QR code on your resume that means they've got it on their desk and are looking at it. At that point hasn't the objective of the QR code already been achieved?
477
The Green Room / Re: Hurricane Irene and your Company's plans
« on: Aug 26, 2011, 09:45 am »
Though I am no longer actively stage managing, living in Miami pretty much necessitates an up to date and extensive hurricane plan. Irene was staring us down for a while but tracked East. Nevertheless a good "practice run" of our company's emergency plan.
Distilled down, the main thing you will want to do as an SM is establish clear lines of communication and a clear timeline. The plan should be clearly communicated to everyone in the company several days prior to the event, and it should be clear who will activate the emergency plan (if necessary) and how they will communicate that. The nature of stage management is already very agile and well suited to these types of situations.
Think about how you will communicate with your team and the company after the storm if the internet, cell phones, power are out. Plan to not have these services for up to 72 hours after a storm. Obviously during the storm the only goal is to stay safe, however in the event of a severe storm you will likely need to resume daily life at some capacity before modern conveniences are fully restored.
On a personal level, have enough food and water for 72 hours. Think about what kind of food you will have, how will you cook if power is out? Canned foods, pre-cooked/frozen portions in a cooler? Flashlites and batteries for 72 hours (Hah! If you're a stage manager and don't have this already, maybe consider another career
). Have a battery operated radio and enough batteries for a few days, a first aid kit. In addition to your food and water... booze. Seriously. Not much else to do immediately after the storm, have a hurricane party.
Even a category 1 storm is nothing to sneeze at, especially in the Northeast where infrastructure is not built to withstand this type of weather (The thought of peoples' reaction to snow in Miami is terrifying). Be prepared and stay safe!
Distilled down, the main thing you will want to do as an SM is establish clear lines of communication and a clear timeline. The plan should be clearly communicated to everyone in the company several days prior to the event, and it should be clear who will activate the emergency plan (if necessary) and how they will communicate that. The nature of stage management is already very agile and well suited to these types of situations.
Think about how you will communicate with your team and the company after the storm if the internet, cell phones, power are out. Plan to not have these services for up to 72 hours after a storm. Obviously during the storm the only goal is to stay safe, however in the event of a severe storm you will likely need to resume daily life at some capacity before modern conveniences are fully restored.
On a personal level, have enough food and water for 72 hours. Think about what kind of food you will have, how will you cook if power is out? Canned foods, pre-cooked/frozen portions in a cooler? Flashlites and batteries for 72 hours (Hah! If you're a stage manager and don't have this already, maybe consider another career
). Have a battery operated radio and enough batteries for a few days, a first aid kit. In addition to your food and water... booze. Seriously. Not much else to do immediately after the storm, have a hurricane party.Even a category 1 storm is nothing to sneeze at, especially in the Northeast where infrastructure is not built to withstand this type of weather (The thought of peoples' reaction to snow in Miami is terrifying). Be prepared and stay safe!
478
Employment / Re: Consulting - A Hypothetical Situation
« on: Aug 25, 2011, 12:14 pm »
I think it depends what you're aiming to get out of this.
- Are you looking at this as an "in" to gain immediate employement? Networking? Informal advice? If that is your goal I don't see anything wrong with moving forward informally; but if you go this route you're probably eliminating charging a fee.
- Consulting would of course be the more formal route. If you elect this route you'd need to very clearly outline expectations with the client and be confident you can deliver what they're asking for. You'd like want to agree on a scope of work, fee (is it a flat fee, or a time & materials basis?), schedule, etc.. before moving forward. Also - don't think if you go this route that it will close you off to future work. In many industries consulting can be a great "in" to recurring contract work or a full time job.
However, you said this hasn't really been discussed at all yet with this gentleman. It's perfectly acceptable to speak with him and see where his head is at, how he's thinking of moving forward. When business relationships go pear shaped it's often because of unclear expectations and poor communication. Best to lay it on the table ahead of time so there is no confusion down the road. I'd think step one would be to have a conversation and feel this out..
- Are you looking at this as an "in" to gain immediate employement? Networking? Informal advice? If that is your goal I don't see anything wrong with moving forward informally; but if you go this route you're probably eliminating charging a fee.
- Consulting would of course be the more formal route. If you elect this route you'd need to very clearly outline expectations with the client and be confident you can deliver what they're asking for. You'd like want to agree on a scope of work, fee (is it a flat fee, or a time & materials basis?), schedule, etc.. before moving forward. Also - don't think if you go this route that it will close you off to future work. In many industries consulting can be a great "in" to recurring contract work or a full time job.
However, you said this hasn't really been discussed at all yet with this gentleman. It's perfectly acceptable to speak with him and see where his head is at, how he's thinking of moving forward. When business relationships go pear shaped it's often because of unclear expectations and poor communication. Best to lay it on the table ahead of time so there is no confusion down the road. I'd think step one would be to have a conversation and feel this out..
479
Tools of the Trade / Re: How to best use Dropbox?
« on: Aug 10, 2011, 08:46 am »Perhaps I'm understanding this incorrectly - but I just hit "share" on my folder, and it adds my folder to my intern's personal drop box (which means our computers are linked through that folder that is now on both of our computers, and on "the cloud"). Is this in reference to a folder that everyone has the same log in for? Is that why it would be so difficult? (Just curious.)
I believe BARussell's inconvenience was with multiple users using the same workstation. Example - I am using a computer, then you need to use that same computer but access your files (which may be entirely different from the files I have).
480
Tools of the Trade / Re: How to best use Dropbox?
« on: Aug 09, 2011, 03:25 pm »1. If it's on your personal computer it's great, if it's on a department computer then it is one person's dropbox and to change it it has to be deleted and redownloaded a huge hassle from show to show.
Remember also that there is also the option to log in using the web interface. It's not nearly as nice as the desktop application, but it would probably be easier than the steps you've mentioned here.