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Messages - missliz

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466
Rubber bands. Always. For hair, for quick fixing, etc.

Paperclips also- besides holding papers together, once you unfold them, they're great for little temp repairs. i've used them to hold pieces of styrofoam together and to hold together a broken zipper.

467
we have homemade video and cue lights rigged (honestly, i haven't used them anywhere else and been fine) and it was pretty simple:

the video camera is mounted HR, as the booth is HL and it covers what i can't already see. the video cable goes from there up through the grid into the booth window and plugs into a small tv. camera, tv, and cord are all hand-me-downs.

the cue light takes a little more work, but we basically wired a couple bulbs offstage, then connected it all to a basic 4-switch box. i know less about lighting, so i can't tell you how, but i know it was only about a half-day to put them all in.

468
I suppose I'm the opposite- I just assume a lot of people will be reading the report and try to keep it pretty neutral and gossip-free. I've been in situations where one of the actors was also the props person/TD/choreographer and therefore received reports as well. If something came up that wasn't appropriate to share with the group, I send personal emails about it, or just schedule a time to talk. Just seems easier.


That all said, I'm surprised they read from your report without telling you first. That'd bother me.

469
Ditto for me on clear markings in my prompt book for cues and all paperwork included (shift plots, prop plots, contact info, etc.). I've been in your shoes more than once, Mac, following  scripts with cues all over the pages and no stand-bys or warns marked (one had the same LX cue twice...hmmm, which is the actual cue?).  Oh, yeah... and leave your book at the theatre!

I definitely bus-proof myself, as I've had to give over my show for a night once or twice. But I love that you mention leaving your book at the theater- I always do this, but I worked with a SM who was HORRIFIED that I did that- "what if someone messes with it?!" which I can also understand.

470
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Reprimanding Actors
« on: Nov 12, 2009, 11:31 pm »
I've done shows with a mix of seasoned and younger actors, and I've found that a contract is great, as everyone seems to understand it. It lays out what's expected of the actors, and they get it BEFORE they commit to the show. It's basically a way to say "here's what you're getting yourself into, if you can't handle this, let me know now." It seems to have helped.

471
Employment / Re: Post College Employment
« on: Nov 11, 2009, 01:07 am »
For housing and pay (though not EMC), I had a lovely time at the New London Barn in New Hampshire. Housed, fed, and paid, so if you're smart most of your money is saved.

472
I don't know, as much as I enjoy my job, it's a real treat to NOT organize things. Every year, when my friends ask me what I want to do for my birthday, I say "not to run the show"- letting someone else plan is lovely (but sometimes hard for me to be passive!)

473
Employment / Re: Post College Employment
« on: Nov 05, 2009, 02:00 pm »
The Surflight in NJ does EMC internships, though I did it and was very unsatisfied for a lot of reasons. If you REAAAALLLY want your points, it's a place to go, but I wouldn't recommend it.

474
Just a followup- I made one last phone call where I said "if you don't get back to me by the end of the day, I'll be filing a report with Equity." Amazingly, THAT got him to call me. He's gone on tour but asked me to send him a paypal invoice. I did that the minute I got off the phone with him, and if this doesn't get filled in a timely manner, I'll be calling Equity.

475
I'm used to organizing the basics of the shift- what needs to go where when- and if it needs any more "finessing" or choreography, the director/AD/choreographer put it together. I guess I'm the safety/practicality end...leave it to the others to make it look the way they want.

476
The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report
« on: Nov 02, 2009, 10:40 am »
"[Actress] accidentally ran into a wall while trying to enter SL door. She's fine, but would rather enter through the door next time."

477
So, I SMed a reading. It was, in short, disastrous. The director was disorganized and frequently went MIA, including for most of the rehearsals. The evening of the reading, he was present, but stepped out early to take equipment back to his studio. I never got paid, but we were doing another reading together that started rehearsing the following day, so I wasn't worried.

We started the first day, I reminded him, he said he'd pay the next time we were in rehearsal. Unfortunately, the next rehearsal we were informed by the producers that the reading was being cancelled. The director wasn't in that day, as he was rehearsing ANOTHER show in another part of the city. I texted him to find when we could meet up so I could get paid, and he shot back "I just found out my Broadway-bound reading was cancelled, can you just give me a minute to take that in?!" so I let it go. I emailed him a week later, with a gentle reminder and an offer to stop by where I know he's rehearsing. No response. Another text 10 days later- still no response. It's been 4 or 5 days since then and still- nothing.

He is getting ready to go on tour, so I know he's busy but also why I want to get paid before he leaves town. It's not that much money- about $50- but it's the principle. I'm not sure what the next course of action is. It was registered with Equity, if that makes a difference.

Edit added label to subject line-Rebbe

478
Employment / Show Crew Network
« on: Oct 22, 2009, 01:28 pm »
This site isn't officially launching until 11/16, but I got the invite and wanted to share:

http://www.showcrewnetwork.com/

Seems to be another way to find/book jobs, but it keeps track of hours, days worked, etc. Basically a booking agent for freelance techies.

479
Employment / Re: UPTA vs. SETC
« on: Oct 21, 2009, 11:25 pm »
I didn't go to UPTA, but I didn't have much luck at SETC. This was a few years back, but the tech portion I found to be pretty disorganized, and a lot of theaters didn't stay the whole day or simply didn't show up as it was on a Monday. I did meet a couple theaters I ended up working for later on, and I did get a short-term job out of it, but it wasn't what I was hoping for.

480
Got a great suggestion from an actress I'm working with now...she said they'd play over-under with the house size (it varied wildly night-to-night). whoever was closest to the number of people in the house without going over won a prize someone had picked up from the dollar store. she said it was a nice thing to do as a group, and even when the house was small, someone was a winner! definitely filing this idea away...

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