Messages

586

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Wave

« on: Oct 13, 2009, 11:33 am »

Well - Google Wave is currently in "limited preview".  I've requested an invitation from Google.  Assuming I receive an invitation, and assuming it's like gmail and I can invite others - I think it'd be great to put together an SMNet Beta Test group to play around with this and see how we might use it in our workplaces.

If anyone would be interested in participating in this, please respond in this thread.  Let's keep this current thread focused on the actual software itself.

One thought I've just had for this, how cool would it be for the designers, director, and SM who are all in different locations to be in a "wave" throughout the design process, sharing ideas, renderings, draftings, etc... with each other.  

587

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Advice for a newbie

« on: Oct 13, 2009, 11:12 am »

MissLiz' feedback below is spot on, and is certainly the most immediate need for your book to be clean and complete.

In addition, the Stage Manager's book is also the theater or production company's (whomever is paying the bills) historical record of the show.  It needs to be in a state where someone can pick it up in 10 years and understand everything long after the SM is gone and everyone has forgotten about the show.  It can also be subpoenaed as evidence in court proceedings dealing with injuries, accidents, negligence, etc... (this does happen).  It needs to be precise, accurate and able to be understood by anyone who picks up the book.

588

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Chrome

« on: Oct 07, 2009, 08:46 am »

If you haven't downloaded the newest verision, I would suggest doing so.  I just downloaded the new version and I used it through the beta version, it offers some new features like themes and allowing the same plug-ins you might use in firefox for videos and everything.

Hi CRVerdusco, welcome to SMNet!

Wasn't aware a new version was out - I'm actually a bit disappointed to hear about the themes and plugins, my biggest attraction to chrome was how lightweight it was.  My laptop is not exactly state of the art.  The word "themes" just screams "resource hog" to me, heh.  Perhaps I'll check it out - does it come with options to disable the extras?

589

The Hardline / Theatres that are thriving

« on: Sep 28, 2009, 12:39 pm »

Thought I'd start a topic about theatres that are doing well and succeeding through tough times.  

Below is an exerpt from a Wall Street Journal article (it's a lengthy article, Steppenwolf is about three fifths of the way down) highlighting some of the top small workplaces in the country for 2009.

STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY
BUSINESS: Nonprofit professional theater
BASED: Chicago
FOUNDED: 1975
EMPLOYEES: 151 full-time equivalents (77 full-time, 340 part-time)
2008 REVENUE: $15.5 million

Professional theaters aren't known as stellar workplaces. People come and go, hours are long, and pay and benefits are meager. Steppenwolf Theatre Company, on the contrary, gives its employee practices a lead role.

The Chicago theater, artistically led by an ensemble of 42 members including co-founder Gary Sinese and John Malkovich, puts unusual emphasis on creating a healthy work environment and satisfying both its full-time and part-time employees. At many theaters, says Executive Director David Hawkanson, the actors and other personnel actively involved in running shows have a louder voice in the workplace, largely because they're represented by outside unions. Nonunion workers can feel shafted.

When Mr. Hawkanson arrived at the theater five years ago, morale was very low and some nonunionized employees were trying to organize. The union vote failed, but Mr. Hawkanson realized changes needed to be made. He works hard to give equal voice to all employees, unionized or not, and provide comparable benefits. One employee from each department of the theater sits on Steppenwolf's 12-member employee-relations committee, which meets quarterly with management to discuss workplace practices and benefits. Notes of the meetings are shared with all employees on the theater's intranet.

Under Mr. Hawkanson's direction, Steppenwolf also greatly stepped up its benefits: In 2005, it began offering a 401(k) plan that matches dollar for dollar full-time and part-time employees' 401(k) contributions up to 4% of pay. Many theaters don't offer a 401(k) match at all—and especially not to part-timers. The company also covers 90% of employees' health-insurance premiums and is soon rolling out a low-cost group health plan for its many part-timers that will cost them about $60 a month.

Master properties artisan Charles Moser , 40, says Steppenwolf's workplace morale and benefits have improved "dramatically" since he started working there in 2001. "It just tells me that they value the people now over clear-cut economics," he says.

Steppenwolf also shines for its professional development of young and aspiring theater administrators and technical production workers. It takes on about 36 interns and apprentices annually and offers highly regarded fellowship programs for aspiring African-American arts administrators. The theater works to give its younger staff and interns exposure to all aspects of theater work. For instance, one theater management apprentice was asked this year to revamp the theater's volunteer program.

590

The Hardline / Re: TDF Membership

« on: Sep 17, 2009, 01:21 pm »

What is TDF???

May want to clarify.  I imagine a lot of folks, like myself, haven't a clue! :-)

591

Employment / Re: Workers' Comp

« on: Sep 11, 2009, 04:23 pm »

Workers' compensation programs are administered on the state level, this is important to know.  The laws will vary state to state on what is covered and what is not, and what is required of independent contractors.  Very important to know your local laws, especially if you are a freelancer working in different states.

592

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Require cast to have an email?

« on: Sep 06, 2009, 01:39 pm »

I can't imagine how management of acting calls was done 10+ years ago.

The same way it's been done since the Greeks, communication.  Stage Management dates back long before the internet, cell phones, telephone and the telegraph.  Technology is a tool, not a crutch.  Use the tools you have to disseminate information so that the message reaches the intended audience.

In this situation, even if you "require" someone to have an email address, you can't force them to check it.  Many people resist change that's forced upon them; looking at the big picture it'll be much less of a headache for you to get the information to the parties in question in a manner they're comfortable with.

593

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM View Video Monitor System

« on: Sep 04, 2009, 12:48 pm »

Hello Angel,

First off - welcome to SMNet.  I will write a proper response sometime this weekend for each of your points.

In the meantime you may check out this thread which is related to CCTV.

As far as troubleshooting your current system.  Try hooking a different monitor or television - if the picture improves you may be able to get away with only replacing the monitor.  What is the manufacturer and model# of the camera you're using now?

594

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: USITT Stage Management Mentor Project (2010)

« on: Sep 03, 2009, 10:38 am »

USITT (United States Institute of Theatre Technicians - or is that Technical Theatre?)

USITT = United States Institute for Theatre Technology.


As far as the SMMP goes there are definite pros and definite cons.  The main pro is that you gain some wonderful experience and can form some good professional and personal relationships, and the SMMP in itself is a good networking opportunity.  The main con is that it basically consumes your conference, there isn't time for much else.

Personally, I did not pursue the SMMP while I was a student.  I felt my time would be better spent on the show floor networking and trying to beg, borrow or steal to get a job (I kid...sort of).  But really, that is pure personal preference and opinion.  I have a few friends that did the SMMP and had nothing but good things to say about it.

I think before you make a decision you need to decide what you plan to gain from the conference, why are you going?  It also depends where you are in your college career.  Are you a sophomore or junior, will you be able to make it to conference your Senior year?  If so, a pretty lethal 1-2 punch could be to do the SMMP your junior year, then come back senior year and leverage those connections while trying to find a job.  If you're a senior trying to find a job you may decide your time is better spent on the show floor, or you may still opt for the SMMP and hope the smaller number of (but more personal and more substantive) connections lead to gainful employment.  

My advice would be to first decide what you want to gain from this conference.  From there, formulate your strategy and see how the SMMP and any other opportunities may fit into your ultimate goal.  

595

The Hardline / Re: Treating all actors as AEA in a showcase?

« on: Sep 01, 2009, 10:20 am »

What's the point of joining a union and paying dues if non-union people get the same benefits?

Hard work now will make them appreciate their AEA card later, won't it?

I mean, are they being abused?  Or just working more?

In a theoretical sense you are absolutely right. 

In practice it's not quite so academic.  Treating people differently will create a feeling of the "haves" and the "have-nots" within the company.  Once there is that division, kiss unity goodbye. 

596

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Contact Sheets

« on: Aug 30, 2009, 12:54 am »

In Excel there are two ways to do it.  One is the basic select your columns, then right click on the selection and click "hide".

There is a little niftier and more convenient version I've just started using recently a lot, and I really wish I'd have known about it sooner, so here is a little mini tutorial.  This is in Excel 2003, if you're running newer or later versions there may be some differences.

1.  Enter your data, but of course.  This obviously is something I've just thrown together in haste.  Apparently Excel has also decided to toss the "cell" column into scientific notation.




2.  Select the data you want to hide.  NOTE:  be sure you select the entire column(s) you want to hide and not individual cells.  You can also hide rows, the procedure is exactly the same, except you will select rows, not columns.




3.  Navigate to "Data > Group & Outline" and select "group" as shown below




4.  Note the "minus" sign that has now appeared in a grey area above the columns as shown below.  Clicking this minus sign will hide the data you selected.




5.  Below is a shot of what your sheet will look like hidden.  Note the "minus" sign has now turned into a "plus" sign.  As expected, clicking the "plus" sign will show your data.  





When you print or .pdf an excel sheet, any hidden data will not show up.  It's important to note if you send the spreadsheet to someone, they will be able to see this data!

I hope this was helpful  

597

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Too many sick days on Broadway.....

« on: Aug 23, 2009, 03:00 am »

I think it would be odd for AEA

to step into punish behavior of it's members . . . but I am sure the producers would love for their to be a solution to rampant absenteeism[/right].  

And therein lies the question.  When does AEA decide it's for the greater good to keep their own house in order?  When do these issues surface within the union?  Or when do the producers say 'enough is enough'?  How is compromise reached here?  Does the union continue to hold serve on the issue or do both sides compromise for the good of production quality?

598

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Too many sick days on Broadway.....

« on: Aug 21, 2009, 08:50 am »

Naturally the performer has a tough job with unique demands compared to other lines of work; I don't think you'll find anyone on this site who will argue otherwise.  We're all understanding of that, we have to be.  The way I look at it though is fairly simple.  If I call out sick or miss work enough at my job enough where it's a problem, my boss is going to deal with it.  He might let me hear it in a meeting, try to whip me into shape, and if that doesn't work he may just replace me.  I don't see why it should be any different for a performer, especially on that calibre stage.  Quite simply if a producer is paying you to perform, they expect you to perform.  Of course there will be legitimate sick days, but when people start to abuse the system you've got to expect a reaction.

Heath - I appreciate your passion on the issue.  Admittedly I am somewhat removed from the subject matter as I haven't called a cue in three years now, but that may actually help ground the debate on my end.  You mention the union has been working for ages to put these protections in place, and you'd be hard pressed to find someone who disagrees with their necessity.  When people start to abuse what's in place to protect them though it's actually going to hurt the union's cause.  If producers see certain processes being abused, it's going to come up next time there's a contract negotiation.  Certain things may be curtailed or re-written to be more strict and prevent abuse (even if only perceived abuse) of the system.

599

Tools of the Trade / Re: Waterproof Notebooks and Erasable Pens

« on: Aug 20, 2009, 12:37 pm »

Hey all - here are some products and love and thought I would share!

http://www.riteintherain.com

Has anyone else ever dropped a notebook in a puddle of water? It sucks. My dad is in the military and brought a bunch of these home from work. They're waterproof notebooks/pads that have a bunch of different configurations. I'm using the ones that look like moleskins. They're really well made and I love that it's waterproof! Now the condensation from my water bottle won't ruin my notes anymore. They also make loose leaf paper so that would be great for normal binder items too. Their products work with normal pencil or pen but they also sell an all-weather pen.

What a great find!  As you'd expect it's a little pricey but this would really be wonderful for outdoor theatre.

600

Employment / Re: Cruise Line Recommendations

« on: Jul 30, 2009, 06:01 am »

I work in the cruise industry with most every line you can think of except Carnival.  When I've got some time I'll try to put together a synopsis of each line I know.  Probably won't be able to get it to you until mid August so check back.  I know there are former RCI techs floating around here and probably some others as well, so you should expect some good info in addition to the HAL info above.