Messages

61

The Hardline / Re: Equity and Checks

« on: Oct 08, 2010, 08:52 pm »

I find the PDF versions of the contracts that you can get from the AEA website are very helpful for stuff like this.  Being able to search through the document for specific items is a lot easier on a computer than by flipping through the actual book.

62

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Compilation of grad schools

« on: Oct 19, 2009, 03:16 pm »

Digga . . . I went to grad school about 9 years after I stage managed my first show professionally at UCSD.

I think there is always something to learn in the field.

Does that mean you went to UCSD or was that the 1st show you did professionally? 

Either way, I think you're right in that there is always something to learn.  Thanks.

63

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Compilation of grad schools

« on: Oct 18, 2009, 01:20 pm »

What do you think of the program? 

For someone that has been doing this for about 8 years already, would there be something more to learn? 

Is there the ability to Teach as a Grad student? 

What is the work like? 

What types of productions does the college do to help prepare the students?

64

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Are you always completely honest?

« on: Oct 09, 2009, 08:44 pm »

I agree with Matt. I've often thought it would be simpler not to include things in the report that at the time seem irrelevant. I've even considered emailing the Production Manager separately so things get reported but so that not everyone sees it.  In the end, I always just put it in the report, regardless of the ramifications. It's easier, keeps your butt covered, and in the end it's part of the job and everyone reading the reports should understand that. 

Like Matt said, some things may develop into a pattern and you want that pattern documented or it will come back to bite you later.

65

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Compilation of grad schools

« on: Sep 30, 2009, 12:57 pm »

Anyone attend any of these programs?  I'd love to hear some feedback about the quality and everything.

66

Employment / Re: Locations and Area Codes

« on: Jul 18, 2009, 09:39 pm »

Most of the NYC area codes are probably unavailable - that's why they keep adding area codes to NYC.  They now have 212, 718, 917, 646, and 347 - if you want a NYC number chances are 646 or 347 are your only options.

But I too feel that the area code is not nearly as important as it may have been 10-15 years ago.  Everyone has a cell phone and I think you'll be hard pressed to find someone without free long distance on their cell phone or land-line.

67

The Hardline / Re: AEA Health Weeks

« on: Jul 18, 2009, 09:35 pm »

I'm going to agree with Matthew here.  Health Care in this country is expensive enough as it is and for those of us that work enough weeks to earn insurance - I don't want it going up.  I was upset enough when it went from being free with Dental included to having to pay for dental to having to pay for the insurance itself.  Even the number of weeks required to work has gone up.

And now, to cut the cost to the producers just to get a few more contracts on stage - I don't think it's worth it to the general pool.  I understand everyone is looking for work but you're looking to sacrifice the greater good for 1 person and I'd rather see it the other way around.  Sacrifice the contract to make sure everyone can keep the insurance they've earned.

68

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What I did over my summer vacation...

« on: Jun 21, 2009, 03:48 pm »

I'm going on my first Cruise with the 1 week I have off during this season.  Heading down to the Caribbean with my girlfriend at the beginning of August.  Definitely looking forward to it.

69

The Hardline / Re: Actors Federal Credit Union

« on: Jun 18, 2009, 05:00 pm »

I use Actors FCU and don't have a problem with it.  If I need cash, I generally just get cash back at a CVS or grocery store or something.  If I've ever needed a larger sum then cash back can give me - you can usually find a sister credit union that you can withdraw the money from (I just called AFCU and they pointed me in the right direction).

You can also deposit checks online now and the money is considered "there" up to $1500 (I think) and all you have to do is mail or bring the checks to them within 7 business days.  Makes my life much easier since I've moved up to CT.

There's no minimum to open and no minimum to keep in the account.

70

Employment / Re: your first paid SM job

« on: Jun 08, 2009, 02:59 pm »

My first paying gig was with Seaside Music Theatre as an ASM Intern.  A friend of mine from college was the ATD there and called to let me know they had a position open for that season and asked if I was interested.  Though I hadn't stage managed before, I said sure since I was about to graduate and had no job lined up yet.  I learned a lot that summer, nothing more pertinent than that I didn't know anything about Stage Managing and shouldn't presume to know more than people that have worked a lot longer than I had.

71

Employment / Re: Moving for a Career

« on: May 22, 2009, 10:46 pm »

I actually just did this a few months ago.  I moved from NYC (where I had been freelancing) to Hartford, CT to take over as the Resident PSM at an SPT theatre.

The money wasn't spectacular but was definitely enough to live well on and there was the lure of a consistent paycheck that I'd been missing.  3/5 of my way through my first season and except for the usual bumps when figuring a new theatre out, things have been going fairly well.  My lease on my apartment in NYC expires in August and I don't think I'll be renewing it.  I've made friends up here and actually started dating someone from the area already.  All in all, it's been a good decision thus far.

72

The Hardline / Re: Deputy on a One Man Show

« on: Apr 15, 2009, 11:57 pm »

Doing a 1 woman show right now and I'm the deputy.  There's not a whole lot to do with it and it takes some of the stress off the actress.

73

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

« on: Mar 03, 2009, 12:01 am »

Anyone have a copy of The Year of Magical Thinking ?

74

The Hardline / Re: Theatres That Have Closed--Can You Say "Emergency?"

« on: Mar 03, 2009, 12:00 am »

I've been hearing about Foothills and unfortunately for them, they've been having financial problems for years - long before the economic downturn.  There was a point where they were paying people in cash because of the problems and many non-eq people were going weeks without getting paid.  I think they were just starting to turn things around in the last couple of years too.

75

Employment / Re: NY SM Question

« on: Mar 02, 2009, 12:39 am »

I just list NY Credits and then specify which contract it was under in parenthesis next to the name of the show.