61
Introductions / Re: Hello From an Accidental Stage Manager!
« on: Sep 21, 2013, 12:40 pm »
Welcome, Sarah! I'm working in CT for the next few months - send me a PM 
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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62
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRE-PRODUCTION: Noises Off! How to be Prepared?
« on: Aug 21, 2013, 07:47 am »
I'm with Matthew on this - the movie is good research. The published play script is packed with detailed stage directions that you'll want to understand thoroughly - because these become as important as spoken words to telling the story.
Also... try to use anything other than sardines. They are called for (in several iterations) in the script, but nothing is more disgusting than cleaning them out of costumes, hair, off the floor, off furniture, etc. It's not too hard to create fake sardines from of jello, mashed potatoes in a mold, even slices of cheesecake with some creatively colored frosting... and the cleanup is far less smelly and greasy.
(I did a production where the director purchased a case of sardines, and insisted we use it.... ugh!)
Have fun, and keep us posted!
Also... try to use anything other than sardines. They are called for (in several iterations) in the script, but nothing is more disgusting than cleaning them out of costumes, hair, off the floor, off furniture, etc. It's not too hard to create fake sardines from of jello, mashed potatoes in a mold, even slices of cheesecake with some creatively colored frosting... and the cleanup is far less smelly and greasy.
(I did a production where the director purchased a case of sardines, and insisted we use it.... ugh!)
Have fun, and keep us posted!
63
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Harassment issue at a set build
« on: Jul 09, 2013, 10:33 pm »
PSMKay, I have to disagree. Expulsion only teaches this student that her ex still holds an extraordinary degree of control, and that even adults in a position to protect her will cede authority to him instead of support her.
I'm glad to hear jess1532 is working with the director, and that the director is, in turn, collaborating with school officials (admin, campus security...?) to find a solution. My next question, for the group at large, is WHAT ABOUT THE PARENTS?
This young woman is still, legally, a child. Without knowing the particulars of the neighborhood, the school, the unique details of the summer drama program, I'm very curious why this student doesn't have a parent or guardian picking her up, or, in fact, mentioned anywhere in this thread. (jess1532, this is clearly sensitive - I don't, nor does the general public need, to have these details about your situation!)
In my view, if the SM and ASM are the people helping this student through a scary, scary situation, they should be kept thoroughly informed of the steps taken by the school, director, parents/guardians, and any other people involved. They (and the rest of the adults) should also have a picture of the ex, so they can spot him if he is indeed hanging around the campus.
Expulsion is the absolute last thing that should happen. All it would accomplish would be to sever the already-tenuous lifeline this kid has to adults who can supervise and teach her this summer, and, hopefully, provide a healthy model for how to handle a terrible experience safely and with grace.
I'm glad to hear jess1532 is working with the director, and that the director is, in turn, collaborating with school officials (admin, campus security...?) to find a solution. My next question, for the group at large, is WHAT ABOUT THE PARENTS?
This young woman is still, legally, a child. Without knowing the particulars of the neighborhood, the school, the unique details of the summer drama program, I'm very curious why this student doesn't have a parent or guardian picking her up, or, in fact, mentioned anywhere in this thread. (jess1532, this is clearly sensitive - I don't, nor does the general public need, to have these details about your situation!)
In my view, if the SM and ASM are the people helping this student through a scary, scary situation, they should be kept thoroughly informed of the steps taken by the school, director, parents/guardians, and any other people involved. They (and the rest of the adults) should also have a picture of the ex, so they can spot him if he is indeed hanging around the campus.
Expulsion is the absolute last thing that should happen. All it would accomplish would be to sever the already-tenuous lifeline this kid has to adults who can supervise and teach her this summer, and, hopefully, provide a healthy model for how to handle a terrible experience safely and with grace.
64
Employment / Re: Should The Cradle Rock?
« on: Jun 14, 2013, 01:03 pm »
My advice, BARussell (since our private exchange) is to keep a thoughtful, thorough record of your concerns. Based on my experience with this organization, I know these and similar concerns have been voiced by previous apprentices for years, and the outcomes (in terms of housing assignments, PA time management, mentorship vs. straightforward boss/worker supervision) have varied wildly.
PM me if you'd like to discuss further.
PM me if you'd like to discuss further.
65
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Escripts=Do you HAVE to have them?
« on: Jun 07, 2013, 12:06 pm »
RuthNY, I'm with you here - I'm not inclined to type a script unless there is clear evidence of the need for a modifiable copy.
Given I've spent most of the last several years doing new or extensively revised works, the Word or Final Draft file IS important in rehearsal (and afterward)... but as MatthewShiner pointed out, an original file usually comes to Stage Management already typed up in these situations, and once rehearsal begins the file is maintained by a PA or ASM or other script secretary. I've never received the script for a new show ONLY in hard copy (thank goodness!)
kmc307, I can honestly say the length of the run is irrelevant to me. I've done new shows with a run well under forty performances, and without a master electronic file, we'd have lost tons of invaluable rehearsal time.
Given I've spent most of the last several years doing new or extensively revised works, the Word or Final Draft file IS important in rehearsal (and afterward)... but as MatthewShiner pointed out, an original file usually comes to Stage Management already typed up in these situations, and once rehearsal begins the file is maintained by a PA or ASM or other script secretary. I've never received the script for a new show ONLY in hard copy (thank goodness!)
kmc307, I can honestly say the length of the run is irrelevant to me. I've done new shows with a run well under forty performances, and without a master electronic file, we'd have lost tons of invaluable rehearsal time.
66
Stage Management: Other / Re: Dance First Aid
« on: Apr 17, 2013, 10:59 am »
Peanut butter, or any calorie-dense nut butter, and honey.
I know it's not technically first aid, but a two-ish hour dance performance is an endurance event. Having fast, easy-to-digest calories (and plastic spoons, so everyone can have a quick mouthful without sharing germs) will be very helpful, especially on longer rehearsal days. The dancers I've worked with are great about bringing enough fuel for themselves, but if someone is really lagging or forgot their lunch on the kitchen counter, this will keep their sugar up to get to the meal break.
I know it's not technically first aid, but a two-ish hour dance performance is an endurance event. Having fast, easy-to-digest calories (and plastic spoons, so everyone can have a quick mouthful without sharing germs) will be very helpful, especially on longer rehearsal days. The dancers I've worked with are great about bringing enough fuel for themselves, but if someone is really lagging or forgot their lunch on the kitchen counter, this will keep their sugar up to get to the meal break.
67
College and Graduate Studies / Re: USC or UCLA
« on: Mar 29, 2013, 12:33 pm »
I went to UCLA/TFT, and am a working SM in NYC. Send me a PM with your questions
68
Stage Management: Other / Re: Radio plays
« on: Dec 28, 2012, 11:21 am »
I did It's a Wonderful Life with live foley! Really fun. One actor was cast as the Foley Artist, and did about 90 percent of the cues live onstage, and the designer supplemented with a handful of called cues. What the cast found most helpful was a LOT of practice with the foley props - we had foodstuffs, water, bells, rocks, hammers, trays of stuff, several pairs of shoes, a foley door, etc. Running the lines wasn't quite enough; we learned that the foley had to be treated as another voice, and given space to land, just as a speaking part would be. (I played the foley part during some early rehearsals: banging on the table and calling out "door opens!")
69
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 6: Headset vs Cell Phone
« on: Dec 18, 2012, 09:37 pm »
Cell phone, all the way. And in some Off-Broadway theaters, that IS your headset.
70
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TERMS YOU NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE
« on: Dec 17, 2012, 05:17 pm »I would love to do one for the entire staff, the main issue - is number of pages, does everyone have a photo, and (if at an institution) how quick is the change over . . .
Regarding number of pages - how much real estate do you have on the walls backstage?
Alternatively, if it really is just to help acquaint the Audio department with cast, I would bet a packet is all they need, whatever the number of pages. (In my imaginary world where everyone is clever, the sound guy would cut out individual pics/names, and attach those slips to the mic bag or box used to deliver microphones to dressing rooms. A girl can dream...)If there is high turnover at the level of running crew and casual staff, why not just try to include all the regulars? Some crew may not be working on *your* show, but all the regional companies I've worked at had a short list of people they hired often, even if those folks weren't regular full-time staff. Of course, if you have frequent heavy turnover in the cast, that's another thing...
71
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TERMS YOU NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE
« on: Dec 16, 2012, 07:34 am »
I've done this before. Very helpful. I think we called it a "company cheat sheet" rather than "stalker page," but the essence of it was a breakdown of every single person in the building (by department - alphabetically within department) to ease the process of matching faces and names. In one case, we included all cast, management, local and Pink Contract stagehands, and all the creatives present during tech/previews... the document was many pages long
72
The Green Room / Re: What are you thankful for?
« on: Nov 22, 2012, 12:23 am »
...for my wonderful, classy, sweet cast. Really.
73
The Green Room / When the phone DOES ring...
« on: Nov 13, 2012, 12:48 pm »
Today falls squarely in the category of "Why won't my phone stop ringing?!" days.
I just wanted to make soup, go for a nice run and catch up on the NY Times website.... and then, I got a phone call. And then another. And more than a dozen calls later (not to mention the firestorm of emails and texts) I have managed to do nothing but gently, calmly negotiate with colleagues about many small details - and a few large details - and done almost nothing on my original list.
Anyone have this experience? In theory, this is my day off this week. Long story. Wahhh! ;-)
I just wanted to make soup, go for a nice run and catch up on the NY Times website.... and then, I got a phone call. And then another. And more than a dozen calls later (not to mention the firestorm of emails and texts) I have managed to do nothing but gently, calmly negotiate with colleagues about many small details - and a few large details - and done almost nothing on my original list.
Anyone have this experience? In theory, this is my day off this week. Long story. Wahhh! ;-)
74
The Green Room / Re: Inside the SM Office
« on: Nov 07, 2012, 09:56 am »
1. What is your favorite word?
Yes!
2. What is your least favorite word?
Can't.
3. What turns you on?
My sweetheart. And tech
4. What turns you off?
Smugness + ignorance.
5. What sound do you love?
"Thank you" and my sisters' voices.
6. What sound do you hate?
Broken or breaking machines.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
F***. Especially with any goofy prefixes, suffixes, or as a syllable in another word. (La-f***ing-sagna for dinner?)
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Project manager.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Retail.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Go back downstairs!
Yes!
2. What is your least favorite word?
Can't.
3. What turns you on?
My sweetheart. And tech
4. What turns you off?
Smugness + ignorance.
5. What sound do you love?
"Thank you" and my sisters' voices.
6. What sound do you hate?
Broken or breaking machines.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
F***. Especially with any goofy prefixes, suffixes, or as a syllable in another word. (La-f***ing-sagna for dinner?)
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Project manager.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Retail.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Go back downstairs!
75
The Green Room / Re: SANDY!
« on: Oct 30, 2012, 05:46 pm »
Pretty much all of Manhattan below East 31st, and West 39th, is experiencing severe flooding, loss of power and utility outages. Frighteningly, this includes two tremendous hospitals - Bellevue, on the East Side, and NYU Langone Medical Center. Both evacuated patients in ICU wards, including infants, due to loss of power. Swathes of Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey experienced similarly crippling floods and outages.
The subway service and commuter rail lines serving NYC and the immediate surrounding areas remain closed. Pictures of serious flooding at numerous subway stations are all over Facebook, Twitter and traditional news media websites. (The NY Times site has some amazing shots - in every sense of the word.) Buses are due to begin covering essential routes this afternoon, according to Governor Cuomo, but the lifeblood - the subways - are still an unknown quantity to the general public. Estimates put the recovery time anywhere between 14 hours and 5 days, depending on the extent of the damage to signal equipment, especially in tunnels under the East River.
Better news:
Bridges reopened this afternoon.
In true NYC fashion, many grocery stores, drug stores and restaurants are open, and some (like the Harlem Fairway) are providing bus pickup and dropoff, or taxi reimbursement, for employees. Bars are also open, and I've heard a few Facebook stories of bars opening up restrooms and power strips so folks without water or power at home can use the facilities, and charge their devices to contact loved ones and colleagues.
The subway service and commuter rail lines serving NYC and the immediate surrounding areas remain closed. Pictures of serious flooding at numerous subway stations are all over Facebook, Twitter and traditional news media websites. (The NY Times site has some amazing shots - in every sense of the word.) Buses are due to begin covering essential routes this afternoon, according to Governor Cuomo, but the lifeblood - the subways - are still an unknown quantity to the general public. Estimates put the recovery time anywhere between 14 hours and 5 days, depending on the extent of the damage to signal equipment, especially in tunnels under the East River.
Better news:
Bridges reopened this afternoon.
In true NYC fashion, many grocery stores, drug stores and restaurants are open, and some (like the Harlem Fairway) are providing bus pickup and dropoff, or taxi reimbursement, for employees. Bars are also open, and I've heard a few Facebook stories of bars opening up restrooms and power strips so folks without water or power at home can use the facilities, and charge their devices to contact loved ones and colleagues.