61
Tools of the Trade / Re: Q-Manager
« on: May 22, 2008, 10:11 am »
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62
Tools of the Trade / Q-Manager
« on: May 22, 2008, 02:21 am »
Does anyone know how to go about purchasing the full version of Q-Manager? The website (www.hammerandtong.com) is just a weird page of text with several hidden porn links at the bottom.
Is there any way to get this software? I've been trying every sound cue software I can find, and this demo is by far my favorite, but I need to be able to save. I need it specifically for programming fades, so the free version doesn't cut it.
Is there any way to get this software? I've been trying every sound cue software I can find, and this demo is by far my favorite, but I need to be able to save. I need it specifically for programming fades, so the free version doesn't cut it.
63
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Glass Menagerie
« on: May 14, 2008, 09:54 pm »
I'm intrigued by the hot glue method. Can you provide more specifics on how to do it? We don't have a props master, so I will probably be the one making them.
64
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SHOWS: Glass Menagerie
« on: May 14, 2008, 11:23 am »
Does anyone have advice about acquiring all the little glass animals for Glass Menagerie? Is there an easier and less expensive option than buying lots of real glass animals?
Thanks!
Thanks!
65
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: calling cues? (warning vs standby)
« on: May 13, 2008, 05:33 pm »
To start, you might want to check out these threads:
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2517.0.html
or
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2397.0.html
or
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2655.0.html
The short answer to your question is that you don't always need to call a warning - in fact, you usually don't. Warnings are just that - a warning that a cue sequence is coming up (say, if a cue requires more prep time than normal). Standbys are basically telling your operators to put their finger on the button and wait for your go to push it. Standbys are always necessary; warnings are not.
I usually call my standbys about a half-page before the cue, depending on how complicated it is: "Standby light cue 104 and sound cue H."
You should get back responses from your operators: "Lights." "Sound."
Then when the cue comes, I say, "Lights 104 and Sound H GO."
Sometimes you might need to be a little more verbose in your standbys: "Stand by light cue 104 and sound cue H. I will call lights first and then sound."
Everyone calls cues in their own way - as long as you don't hesitate ("Lights...um...go? I guess?") and speak clearly you'll be fine!
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2517.0.html
or
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2397.0.html
or
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,2655.0.html
The short answer to your question is that you don't always need to call a warning - in fact, you usually don't. Warnings are just that - a warning that a cue sequence is coming up (say, if a cue requires more prep time than normal). Standbys are basically telling your operators to put their finger on the button and wait for your go to push it. Standbys are always necessary; warnings are not.
I usually call my standbys about a half-page before the cue, depending on how complicated it is: "Standby light cue 104 and sound cue H."
You should get back responses from your operators: "Lights." "Sound."
Then when the cue comes, I say, "Lights 104 and Sound H GO."
Sometimes you might need to be a little more verbose in your standbys: "Stand by light cue 104 and sound cue H. I will call lights first and then sound."
Everyone calls cues in their own way - as long as you don't hesitate ("Lights...um...go? I guess?") and speak clearly you'll be fine!
66
College and Graduate Studies / Re: Is MA in stage management helpful?
« on: May 13, 2008, 03:09 pm »
Here's my two cents, although this is definitely something that's often debated:
I think that an MFA in stage management is designed for people who didn't necessarily get a complete SM education in undergrad. If you feel that your experience as an SM prepared you to be a professional stage manager, then grad school will probably be a little redundant for you. If undergrad only gave you a taste of what it's like to be an SM, but you know you want to do it professionally, then grad school is probably the right choice.
I agree that you should work for a year or two to see if you need the additional training. Once you've been working professionally, you may not want to return to school, or you may feel that you need more training. Either way, you'll feel much more confident in your decision.
For what it's worth, I know a few professional SMs who also teach at a university level, and none of them have MFAs in stage management. One has an education degree, one has an MFA in directing, one in lighting design.
I think that an MFA in stage management is designed for people who didn't necessarily get a complete SM education in undergrad. If you feel that your experience as an SM prepared you to be a professional stage manager, then grad school will probably be a little redundant for you. If undergrad only gave you a taste of what it's like to be an SM, but you know you want to do it professionally, then grad school is probably the right choice.
I agree that you should work for a year or two to see if you need the additional training. Once you've been working professionally, you may not want to return to school, or you may feel that you need more training. Either way, you'll feel much more confident in your decision.
For what it's worth, I know a few professional SMs who also teach at a university level, and none of them have MFAs in stage management. One has an education degree, one has an MFA in directing, one in lighting design.
67
The Hardline / Re: AEA Rulebook
« on: May 11, 2008, 09:56 pm »
In terms of giving notes, Equity says that once the show opens it's the SM's job to maintain the show as directed...meaning the SM should give notes to accomplish that goal.
68
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: College Choices in the US Midwest
« on: May 08, 2008, 01:53 am »
I second that. Two years ago I was faced with the same decision (between a $40k school with a great Theater program, or a free ride at a state school), and I chose the expensive school. I am so, so, so happy that I did - despite the loans I'll be paying off for a while. (Hey - everyone's got 'em!) If you are interested in stage management as a career, Depaul is absolutely worth it.
This is not to say there's anything wrong with an education from a state school, but stage management is such a specific field that I think it's well worth it to go with the specialized program.
Congrats on your acceptance!
This is not to say there's anything wrong with an education from a state school, but stage management is such a specific field that I think it's well worth it to go with the specialized program.
Congrats on your acceptance!
69
The Green Room / Re: Food, Tech Dinners, etc (Merged Topics)
« on: May 07, 2008, 01:50 am »
I've never been much of a cook, but I do have one specialty: roasted chick peas. I like to make three or four cans at a time and snack on them throughout the week. I get sick of the texture of hummus sometimes and these are always a welcome replacement.
I also love to make my own guacamole. Usually I dispense with chips and just eat it with a fork...mmm. (Also, something I learned from Alton Brown that's ridiculously good: adding pomegranate seeds to guacamole. Who knew?)
I also love to make my own guacamole. Usually I dispense with chips and just eat it with a fork...mmm. (Also, something I learned from Alton Brown that's ridiculously good: adding pomegranate seeds to guacamole. Who knew?)
70
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« on: May 06, 2008, 10:27 pm »
Look into Musical of Musicals: The Musical! if a satire show is up your alley. It's hilarious, has great music, and can be pulled off very minimally with a cast of five and a piano.
http://www.musicalofmusicals.com/
http://www.musicalofmusicals.com/
71
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tech Questions
« on: May 03, 2008, 01:37 am »
I've only had to run tech from a booth once, and although I much prefer doing it from the house, it's not as bad as you might think.
My best advice is to talk to your ASM beforehand and make sure they understand that they will be your eyes and ears not only backstage but in the house as well. Every time you call a hold, your ASM should bop out onstage as unobtrusively to see what's going on. A lot of the "can we move on?" stuff that you would normally say to your director will go through your ASM.
Good luck!
My best advice is to talk to your ASM beforehand and make sure they understand that they will be your eyes and ears not only backstage but in the house as well. Every time you call a hold, your ASM should bop out onstage as unobtrusively to see what's going on. A lot of the "can we move on?" stuff that you would normally say to your director will go through your ASM.
Good luck!
72
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Help! SMing peers
« on: Apr 27, 2008, 03:17 pm »
Nice job on these ground rules. Good luck on the rest of the project!
73
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't be professional
« on: Apr 26, 2008, 09:31 pm »
First of all, CONGRATS. That is a tough situation you faced, and it sounds like you did great!
I know that you felt insulted by what your director said, but he probably saw it as a compliment. Some older professionals have a hard time trusting young stage managers, especially if they've had bad experiences in the past with inexperienced SMs. Try not to take it personally if he assumed that because of your age you wouldn't be able to deal with the situation as efficiently, and know that you've impressed him and it's unlikely that he'll doubt your ability again.
I'm 20, and in my few professional experiences thus far I have run into people who assume that young equals inexperienced or less competent. Unfortunately, it's part of being a young professional in any field, and the best way to deal with it is to keep being mature and prove them wrong.
I know that you felt insulted by what your director said, but he probably saw it as a compliment. Some older professionals have a hard time trusting young stage managers, especially if they've had bad experiences in the past with inexperienced SMs. Try not to take it personally if he assumed that because of your age you wouldn't be able to deal with the situation as efficiently, and know that you've impressed him and it's unlikely that he'll doubt your ability again.
I'm 20, and in my few professional experiences thus far I have run into people who assume that young equals inexperienced or less competent. Unfortunately, it's part of being a young professional in any field, and the best way to deal with it is to keep being mature and prove them wrong.
74
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Rutgers at the Globe
« on: Apr 24, 2008, 06:06 pm »
Wahoo! I'm glad you got accepted!
See you there
See you there
75
SMNetwork Archives / Does anyone know the SM of the Scottish play on B'way?
« on: Apr 16, 2008, 03:01 pm »
I'm going to see Macbeth on April 26th, and I was wondering if anyone knew the SM (IBDB says it's Lorna Seymour). I'd love to contact her to see if I could shadow her, but I don't know how.
Thanks!
Thanks!