526
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Short Form ans Symbols
« on: Apr 08, 2012, 01:51 am »Quote
K with an arrow pointing down = Kneel
Yup - and arrow up to stand from it. Same w arrow thru S for sit or stand.
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14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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Yup - and arrow up to stand from it. Same w arrow thru S for sit or stand.
527
Tools of the Trade / Re: Running sound cues in rehearsal
« on: Apr 06, 2012, 01:04 pm »
Just to be clear - hitting a GO button in rehearsal is fine. Expecting me to have a computer that has room for and plays QLab is negotiable but I've done it a couple of times. Changing/altering cues other than starting later or ending sooner in something already loaded, which is simple - and helps with choreography when we don't have a rehearsal pianist? That's the sound designers job.
528
Tools of the Trade / Re: Running sound cues in rehearsal
« on: Apr 05, 2012, 09:09 pm »
Honestly, I would take those notes from the director and hand them to the sound designer to do. It is not the SMs responsibility to know how to program Qlab or SFX, let alone do it, and that director will think it is the SMs job if this continues. In union work, this would require additional payment as well as skill set.
I get it, with students or others who are computer facile it's easy for them to do, but we have enough to do and I am concerned this director and others will start making assumptions that will create issues in the future for the SM (who will be stepping on the sound designer's toes) and the director (who will have unrealistic expectations of their SM and who clearly does not understand what our job entails). Because this is really, clearly, not my job. I will gladly run rough cues in rehearsal, but not build them or adjust them. That's the sound designer's call.
I know there are Bway and other union SMs who have done far more than required - we each have what we are and are not willing to do over and above - but this, to me, is way way over the line into the designer's territory. And getting it during rehearsal or the next day, while the show is still in flux? I am guessing pretty much only in a university setting.
My sound designers make CDs for me to play so the actors get used to hearing their noises/music, but even when things are run in Qlab (and, in university shows, on my computer), someone else is doing editing/fixes. And with most of the designers I've worked with, if I tried to make the adjustments on my own - as with lighting cues - it would be a fire-able offense.
Just my 2cents.
I get it, with students or others who are computer facile it's easy for them to do, but we have enough to do and I am concerned this director and others will start making assumptions that will create issues in the future for the SM (who will be stepping on the sound designer's toes) and the director (who will have unrealistic expectations of their SM and who clearly does not understand what our job entails). Because this is really, clearly, not my job. I will gladly run rough cues in rehearsal, but not build them or adjust them. That's the sound designer's call.
I know there are Bway and other union SMs who have done far more than required - we each have what we are and are not willing to do over and above - but this, to me, is way way over the line into the designer's territory. And getting it during rehearsal or the next day, while the show is still in flux? I am guessing pretty much only in a university setting.
My sound designers make CDs for me to play so the actors get used to hearing their noises/music, but even when things are run in Qlab (and, in university shows, on my computer), someone else is doing editing/fixes. And with most of the designers I've worked with, if I tried to make the adjustments on my own - as with lighting cues - it would be a fire-able offense.
Just my 2cents.
529
The Green Room / Re: The Greatest Show Never Made
« on: Apr 05, 2012, 12:44 pm »
OMG...be careful what you deride as impossible.....Jersey Shore the Musical = Jersey Shoresical - make sure to check out the pix -
http://www.jerseyshoresical.com/
(Swapped couponing link with direct link)
http://www.jerseyshoresical.com/
(Swapped couponing link with direct link)
530
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Teaching someone to call the show
« on: Apr 05, 2012, 12:12 am »
I haven't done a ton of tours, but every one I've done has rotated all the SMs so everyone knows everyone else's job. And all the shows I've observed but one do the same thing, so any of the SM crew can do any piece of the puzzle as needed. They also have one spare body (it seems to always be a PA/spare crew who is a spouse of someone essential like the TD) who becomes the 2nd or 4th or whatever ASM and learns the show, so if someone is completely out of commission there is that last-ditch save. It's a very healthy system!
531
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Short Form ans Symbols
« on: Apr 04, 2012, 09:36 pm »
many of my symbols don't exist on a keyboard but work great - for example, P with an arrow at the bottom is put down, stem circles up is pick up. G with an arrow on the flat cross level part of it is give to (wish I cd illustrate) - and all character names are encircled, while cues are boxed and, for me, standbys have nothing.
532
The Green Room / Re: The Greatest Show Never Made
« on: Apr 04, 2012, 02:47 am »
We wrote "Savage in Limbo - the musical" in the booth during the play. It was pretty funny.
533
The Green Room / Re: The Greatest Show Never Made
« on: Apr 03, 2012, 08:04 pm »
Harry Potter, the Musical has been done - it was done at UofM and Harry was played by Darren Criss (now of Glee fame)
534
The Green Room / Why do theater - Ted Talk
« on: Apr 03, 2012, 03:21 am »
Interesting presentation from the TED conference 2008 about the importance of theater and actors/artists
http://www.ted.com/talks/patsy_rodenburg_why_i_do_theater.html?source=facebook#.T3qFR3ndW8x.facebook
http://www.ted.com/talks/patsy_rodenburg_why_i_do_theater.html?source=facebook#.T3qFR3ndW8x.facebook
535
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Teaching someone to call the show
« on: Apr 02, 2012, 02:48 pm »
(what show are you doing?) -
I have learned by watching, then asking qqs, but much of my replacement was on shows I didn't know. Knowing a show makes it so much easier....learning to call on my first tour was mo'bettah cuz the PSM had opened the show and run the first 10 days, finding the grey areas and fixing the wobbly stuff. Most of the time, it's the old standard - observe 1-2 times, be observed 1-2 times and then it's yours. On more complex shows, it used to be 1 week shadow and 1 week being observed, but that may be old-school.
Me personally, the first few really complex shows I called, I would go in an hour early, before anything was live, and practice all calls and hitting all toggle switches and cue lights so I cd get it in my hands.
At USITT I saw a new computer program being developed for this purpose, but it's in the early stages and there is a lot to build to make it useful. However, your having a video of the show is an amazing asset!
I have learned by watching, then asking qqs, but much of my replacement was on shows I didn't know. Knowing a show makes it so much easier....learning to call on my first tour was mo'bettah cuz the PSM had opened the show and run the first 10 days, finding the grey areas and fixing the wobbly stuff. Most of the time, it's the old standard - observe 1-2 times, be observed 1-2 times and then it's yours. On more complex shows, it used to be 1 week shadow and 1 week being observed, but that may be old-school.
Me personally, the first few really complex shows I called, I would go in an hour early, before anything was live, and practice all calls and hitting all toggle switches and cue lights so I cd get it in my hands.
At USITT I saw a new computer program being developed for this purpose, but it's in the early stages and there is a lot to build to make it useful. However, your having a video of the show is an amazing asset!
536
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Packing for a Summerstock
« on: Apr 02, 2012, 01:11 am »
If you are as far north as SD, one more thing - check the weather expectations over the time frame you are there. You may discover winter hasn't left when you start, or that it begins before you leave. Assume you have checked out the town online as well -
537
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Technology in Theater (projections)
« on: Mar 27, 2012, 01:01 pm »
wow. that is really amazing, and magnificent! And a little terrifying - wonder what the SM is calling!?
538
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Packing for a Summerstock
« on: Mar 27, 2012, 02:08 am »
Thx Maribeth!
If you share where you are headed, some of us may have personal experience w the venue to help direct you (things like kitchen or laundry or how close the market is, etc) -
and either way, break legs and have fun!
If you share where you are headed, some of us may have personal experience w the venue to help direct you (things like kitchen or laundry or how close the market is, etc) -
and either way, break legs and have fun!
539
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Packing for a Summerstock
« on: Mar 26, 2012, 06:57 pm »
WOW, they are not supplying sheets and blankets? Yikes!
There is a site about being on the road but I am out myself and just checking in - if someone gets to it before I do, great, and if not I will search when I get home tonite. In the meantime, check the city/space online and see what's nearby, what you can count on and what you might need to bring.
But, a few things:for one, your pillow. You will be glad to have your own pillow. Really. And a couple of specific home-based items (photos, a candle or two, a nicknack or toy to hang onto home for the bad days.
If you are there long enough, and since you are driving, clothes for two sets of weather. At least two weeks worth, so you can get thru first tech without dealing with laundry til your day off. Yes, they have grocery stores and all, but some places are pretty far from the nearest market plus you will have no time.
Don't forget laundry soap along with the obvious basics (toothbrush and paste, soap, two towels, etc)
SHOES - your feet will be grateful for variety. Flip flops or sandals for the shower, slippers at nite, something besides your work shoes (and two pairs of those).
I always bring a hotpot for late-nite tea or hot cocoa. Also, I bought a cheap version of the magic bullet and it has saved me many times over - from breakfast smoothies to late nite snacks to mixed drinks. Not an essential, but nice to have if you can make food in your own space.
If you share a "dorm" style room, something clever to lock up/hide any personal items/valuables you need to access regularly while you are out being efficient. But remember not to bring anything you don't mind losing.
Eye mask - can't tell you how many times it has helped encourage sleep during the day or if someone has a light on.
Of course, there are the obvious things: Is there a gym? Workout/gym clothes. Do you need dress-up for any reason? At least dress blacks for opening of each show. Is there a pool? Bathing suit.
Add mosquito netting/bug spray to your kit (depending on where you are, but most places have things that bite come out in the summer.
Check groupon and other discount couponing sites to see if there's anything featured in the area.
Have a blast
There is a site about being on the road but I am out myself and just checking in - if someone gets to it before I do, great, and if not I will search when I get home tonite. In the meantime, check the city/space online and see what's nearby, what you can count on and what you might need to bring.
But, a few things:for one, your pillow. You will be glad to have your own pillow. Really. And a couple of specific home-based items (photos, a candle or two, a nicknack or toy to hang onto home for the bad days.
If you are there long enough, and since you are driving, clothes for two sets of weather. At least two weeks worth, so you can get thru first tech without dealing with laundry til your day off. Yes, they have grocery stores and all, but some places are pretty far from the nearest market plus you will have no time.
Don't forget laundry soap along with the obvious basics (toothbrush and paste, soap, two towels, etc)
SHOES - your feet will be grateful for variety. Flip flops or sandals for the shower, slippers at nite, something besides your work shoes (and two pairs of those).
I always bring a hotpot for late-nite tea or hot cocoa. Also, I bought a cheap version of the magic bullet and it has saved me many times over - from breakfast smoothies to late nite snacks to mixed drinks. Not an essential, but nice to have if you can make food in your own space.
If you share a "dorm" style room, something clever to lock up/hide any personal items/valuables you need to access regularly while you are out being efficient. But remember not to bring anything you don't mind losing.
Eye mask - can't tell you how many times it has helped encourage sleep during the day or if someone has a light on.
Of course, there are the obvious things: Is there a gym? Workout/gym clothes. Do you need dress-up for any reason? At least dress blacks for opening of each show. Is there a pool? Bathing suit.
Add mosquito netting/bug spray to your kit (depending on where you are, but most places have things that bite come out in the summer.
Check groupon and other discount couponing sites to see if there's anything featured in the area.
Have a blast
540
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Orchestras moving out of the pit
« on: Mar 26, 2012, 12:25 pm »
(as a former harpist, I LOVE this picture! thank you for posting)