Messages

526

Tools of the Trade / Re: Twitter.

« on: May 31, 2009, 12:02 pm »

Yep, I have twitter. I was pressured into it (I was actually working an event and someone asked if I'd twitter for them during the show, then got the look of shock with "you don't have a TWITTER!?") but have found it a good way to keep up with friends, know where people are, etc. I'm not obsessive about it but it's a nice way to touch base. I'd say mine is about 50% theater/job, 50% personal.

I am also friends/following/what-have-you with other stage managers, both here and abroad. It's been nice to post little things about rehearsal/tech/performance and get a response almost immediately from other stage managers. I get news updates from broadwayworld.com and indietheater, so I stay informed. I've found it pretty useful in that regard too.

527

Employment / Re: Job/Gig searching in the new economy

« on: May 16, 2009, 12:35 am »

Is it just me or are a lot of companies that used to hire non-equity assistant stage managers opting to hire interns instead? I am taking a risk right now by not taking internships or PA jobs anymore because I want to move forward in my career in spite of the poor timing. Presently, I am working outside of the industry and am constantly job searching for positions that are on the next rung of the employment ladder. But with the scarcity of non-union ASM positions, it's getting harder and harder to determine whether or not I'm reaching too far when I apply for non-eq SM positions at a non-union theatres.

Oh god me too! I KNOW that skill-wise I'm past some of these jobs I keep seeing, but I'm having a hard time finding jobs that are the next level up. It makes me want to just take the easy/boring jobs just to keep working.

528

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: No Crew OR Stage Manager!!???

« on: May 15, 2009, 01:08 pm »

not having a crew i could see, if you have non-equity actors and can get them to move things, etc. is the director planning on teaching the actors all these things (like [oh god] mic use)?

529

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Requests for Electronic Scripts -- Post 'em here!

« on: May 13, 2009, 09:16 am »

Looking for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Does anyone have that?

530

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Docs?

« on: May 13, 2009, 09:12 am »

I love google docs/calendar. It's been especially helpful in scheduling time in the space (for ex, I put in when we're rehearsing, and if the TD wants to come in and build, he can book his time) and for things that are constantly updated, like prop tracking. I think it helps keep everyone on the same page (no pun intended) about what's going on. Everyone can update at their leisure and we know everyone is looking at the same, most recent version of a document.

531

The Hardline / Re: Stage Manager's Association

« on: May 12, 2009, 08:25 am »

I'm in NYC and non-union, so I think maybe this is a good decision for me. Thanks!

532

Tools of the Trade / Re: paint

« on: May 11, 2009, 05:10 pm »

I don't know about walls, but glass markers would work well for the mirrors.

533

The Hardline / Stage Manager's Association

« on: May 11, 2009, 10:12 am »

I've been looking at the SMA website, clicking around, debating on joining. I noticed the dues have gone down quite a bit since the last time I visited it, so I'm considering it even more.

For those of you who are members, has it been helpful? Is it worth it? 

534

Employment / Re: Blacklist of companies for SMs?

« on: May 10, 2009, 08:27 pm »

There's a website that might be helpful:

www.nonequitydeputy.com

granted, it can be a bit biased, but it does have a lot of information (positive and negative) about a lot of regional and touring companies.

535

Tools of the Trade / Re: Holiday SM Gifts

« on: May 10, 2009, 01:14 pm »

An LED blue-light. Works wonderfully. I also got a coffee-table book called "The Art of the Stage" with photos from the Menil's theater collection. Costumes, promptbooks, and sets. Very thoughtful.

I also love the show-themed gifts....my cast for Twelfth Night got me a (Malvolio) yellow messenger bag with "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" on it. Who doesn't need a giant messenger bag for work? And a bottle of champagne and oranges when I did The Real Thing (the biggest scene involves mimosas) was pretty nice too. 

536

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: The unwilling crew

« on: May 10, 2009, 01:08 pm »

Where I work, the actors are expected to act as ASMs when the show starts running. There's always some grumbling but I've found a few things that help-

Ask them what they are comfortable/enjoy doing. An actor who finds sewing relaxing? Costume repairs. I have an actor now who has worked as a TD, so he does small set repairs if necessary. If you can give everyone specific jobs that they're comfortable with, it seems to help.

During tech, I make a master list with each assignment (costumes, set, props, etc) and what each job entails pre- and post-show. For example, costumes will windex the dressing room mirrors, febreeze costumes, costume repairs if necessary, etc. If everyone has a sense of their tasks, it makes it more manageable.

Hope this helps!

537

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Do you call from house or backstage?

« on: May 07, 2009, 11:20 am »

Oh man...the thought of calling from backstage makes me very nervous. Maybe it's because I'm used to being in the booth, but it just seems much more convenient...better viewing of the stage, closer to the other tech people in case there's a headset issue, no distracting actors running around, etc.

538

Employment / Re: How do you work your network?

« on: May 06, 2009, 11:06 pm »

I volunteer a lot. I've worked a few charity/non-profit events and met a lot of theater people by going in the back way (literally, and occasionally while carrying boxes). Honestly, I enjoy volunteering for a good cause, and meeting people is a great perk that's worth as much as getting paid.

I keep a theater "brag list" and when I'm doing a show, I send a little note about it to all the people on the list. It's a way to check in, and if it's applicable, I invite them to industry night so they can get in for free and see the work I'm doing! Even if they can't make it, I tend to get "thanks for thinking of me!" emails, which are great.

539

Uploaded Forms / Re: Show Survival Kit

« on: May 03, 2009, 10:39 pm »

I think it is interesting to combine the documents in form . . . my only concern is if you are more then a one person team, how to update and access the form could be problematic.

How do you handle multiple users of the same document?

I'd suggest creating a communal GoogleDocs account. That's been a lifesaver for my theater. Everyone on the production team has the username and password and can upload basic Doc/Excel files, access the calendar, contact info, etc. and edit it. Works very well.

540

SMNetwork Archives / Re: I could have kissed them!

« on: Apr 30, 2009, 05:37 pm »

...when my cast said "Sure, we'll come in half an hour early to help you set up."