Messages

496

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Computerizing Running Crew

« on: Mar 06, 2014, 07:58 pm »

Hi Flychief,
Welcome to SMNetwork. I would encourage you to head over to the Introductions page and post an intro, so that we can get to know you.

It's great that you want to create more organization so that your crew can work more smoothly and efficiently. Take a look around the site- there are many, many posts that would be helpful on this subject. I'm not sure what kind of technology you are talking about- digital versions of paperwork, new and improved headset systems, other forms of technology? Technology in general is a pretty broad topic for this forum.

Here's my suggestion: Take a look at the Uploaded Forms board for examples of how other stage managers use paperwork to keep the show running efficiently. There's a Tools of the Trade board that has tons of info on tools (including technology) that SMs use. Since your profile indicates that you are in high school, I would also recommend the Students and Novices board, which has great advice from and by students.

In the meantime, I'm locking this thread off. Once you've had a look around and explored the info on the board, I suggest you repost a more specific question. (There's also a search bar in the upper right-hand corner of the page.)

Best,

Maribeth

497

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Emergency Contact/Medical Info forms for Students

« on: Mar 02, 2014, 05:41 pm »

I ask at first rehearsal if anyone has allergies that I should be aware of. For a show that I know in advance is going to be food-heavy, I have asked about allergies and preferences during my prep week phone call to the actors. That way we can start an early conversation with props about what we are planning on using. This has helped me a lot during food-heavy shows, especially if there are vegans or vegetarians in the cast.

498

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: NEW WORKS: Script Changes with Colored Paper?

« on: Mar 01, 2014, 07:06 pm »

I've never tracked changes to scripts on colored paper, only to running paperwork. For running paperwork, I have used the "Mon-blue, Tues- yellow" system. But, there are a limited number of days where I would do that- usually 4 or 5 days of tech. Some companies I have worked have standard colors for each day- e.g. piano tech is always blue, piano dress is always yellow.

I would be more inclined to use the other system for script changes (with a new color for each time a certain page is revised)- otherwise you would potentially need a different color of paper for every day of rehearsal.

I generally do script changes in the same way you described- noted in the report, noting them in a running document of changes, keeping a 'master script', and handing out fresh (dated) pages. If it were me, I would continue to do all of those things as well. Colored paper does make it easier to tell at a glance if someone has the right version of that page.

499

Tools of the Trade / Re: TOOLS: Post It Tape

« on: Feb 26, 2014, 11:33 pm »

I have used this. It's pretty great.

500

Introductions / Re: Joining the gang

« on: Feb 24, 2014, 10:42 pm »

Hi and welcome to the boards!

501

Introductions / Re: Welcome to SMNetwork! / How to post an intro

« on: Feb 22, 2014, 11:53 pm »

Hi St Mary,
You can create your own 'thread' on the main Introductions page by clicking, "New Topic".

502

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: On the Verge

« on: Feb 17, 2014, 08:32 pm »

Can you be more specific? Are you looking for advice about working with water onstage, or something else?

I don't know On The Verge, but there's rain in my current show. I second what Bex said, particularly about having costume undergarments for actors who are going to get wet, and doubles for certain costume pieces.

If it's possible to control the temperature of the water, see if you can make it comfortably warm for actors who will get wet. Does your theatre have space warmers that can be used to keep changing areas warm?

Keep an eye out for bubbles in the floor. Water should be cleaned up as soon as possible afterward to prevent damage to scenery and mold. Beware "squishiness" in the floor. Wet-vacs, towels, mops, fans....

When possible, teching a water scene a couple of times without the actor actually getting wet always helps. That way, the actor doesn't have to go through it dozens of times, and sit around in wet clothes.


Edited to add: Check out this article on a production of Metamorphoses- lots of interesting info about working with water.

503

The Green Room / Re: Personal Budgeting

« on: Feb 17, 2014, 07:55 pm »

I use Mint and really like it. There's also a program called You Need A Budget, that is spreadsheet-based, if you don't want to go the online route. The downside for me is that you have to go through and manually input expenses and income, where Mint automates that for you. 

504

The Green Room / Re: LINK: The Aggregation of Marginal Gains

« on: Feb 06, 2014, 04:34 pm »

Really like this idea. Thanks for the link!

505

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / REPORTS: Including break times in report?

« on: Feb 06, 2014, 04:17 pm »

Just a curiosity question from another thread- do you include break times in your reports for 5s and 10s? I have seen some SMs who do this but never have myself.

506

Introductions / Re: Happy to Find this Forum!

« on: Feb 06, 2014, 04:11 pm »

Welcome to the boards, Christina! Check out the Regional board for the West/Northwest area, where people can post region-specific material.

507

The Hardline / Re: AEA: Straight Six for First Rehearsal

« on: Feb 06, 2014, 02:15 pm »

I usually mention it during my phone call to each actor during prep week, and give them the heads up that we are looking to do a straight six for first rehearsal. Obviously they don't have to tell you how they would vote, but I have found that most of the time they are forthcoming if they have an objection.

I am always prepared for the fact that on the first day of rehearsal, they might vote against it, and then we would have to either do a 5-hr day or a full day.

(The only times that I have ever had actors vote against a straight six is if there is nowhere to get food nearby.)

508

Introductions / Re: Good day!

« on: Jan 25, 2014, 01:09 pm »

Hi and welcome to the boards, Brandon! Be sure to check out the Students and Novices board- there's a lot of great information there.

What's your favorite production that you've worked on so far?

509

The Green Room / Re: video interview posted

« on: Jan 24, 2014, 12:40 am »

Great interview, Heath! A nice perspective on the role of the SM.

510

Introductions / Re: Hello to all

« on: Jan 24, 2014, 12:36 am »

Hi and welcome! I'm really interested in hearing more about your dance experience.