61
The Green Room / Re: Halloween 2011
« on: Oct 03, 2011, 12:34 pm »
Halloween is my travel day (wop wop) to my next gig (hooray!). But I'm bummed I won't get to do anything fun, really.
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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62
The Green Room / Re: Happiness is...
« on: Sep 20, 2011, 07:23 pm »Happiness is.....
.....showing up to the theatre and having your crew already working on their preshow presets.
.....showing up and having your crew already FINISHED with their preshow presets.
63
Self-Promotion / NYMF Show -- Central Avenue Breakdown
« on: Sep 16, 2011, 07:55 am »
A new Jazz Musical centering on two brothers' differing perspective of jazz music in the 1940s and where it's leading them -- both musically and personally. The show explores the various shades of character found on and around Central Avenue in Los Angeles.
I'm very excited for this show. And a lot of people are, too. In fact, Ken Davenport mentioned us in his blog as his number one show to check out at NYMF! http://www.theproducersperspective.com/my_weblog/2011/09/5-shows-that-standout-at-the-nymf.html
I'm very excited for this show. And a lot of people are, too. In fact, Ken Davenport mentioned us in his blog as his number one show to check out at NYMF! http://www.theproducersperspective.com/my_weblog/2011/09/5-shows-that-standout-at-the-nymf.html
64
The Green Room / Re: Stage Management Handbook
« on: Sep 06, 2011, 04:49 pm »
In terms of books that are not necessarily geared directly at stage managers (but are worth the read as an SM), I'm currently in the middle of Dealing with People you Can't Stand by Brinkman & Kirschner. I also read The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande.
65
The Green Room / Re: Name change and resume/references
« on: Sep 02, 2011, 01:04 pm »
Similarly, if you apply somewhere you have previously worked (with the married name), just give them a heads up that while the name has changed, you're still the same you.
66
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: 5 Reasons To Keep A Work Diary
« on: Aug 29, 2011, 04:56 pm »
My planner serves two purposes. I use it to forecast my future scheduling, but I also go back and recount the day. Its very useful for keeping events straight -- sometimes days and weeks can get kind of fuzzy.
67
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Recording blocking
« on: Aug 28, 2011, 12:13 pm »
SMeustace -- There are a some examples of dance/choreo notations in the forms section. Just search around a bit and I'm sure you'll find something useful.
68
The Hardline / Re: AEA Application?
« on: Aug 24, 2011, 08:08 pm »
I joined in April, and when I filled out the application it basically asked the basics -- permanent address, phone number, official equity name. Nothing too crazy or difficult from what I remember.
69
Tools of the Trade / Re: 1/4" Glow dots
« on: Aug 23, 2011, 09:33 pm »
At the theatre I worked at this summer, we stored our glow tape pieces in empty Altoids containers. It's really nice to have a lid.
70
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Business Cards For Students
« on: Aug 15, 2011, 12:21 pm »
From a simply frugal spending perspective, by omitting "student" from your cards, it will allow you to continue to use the same set even after graduation (assuming your contact information stays the same, but that's another story). It means less money spent on reprints.
71
The Green Room / Re: You know you're in tech when....
« on: Aug 03, 2011, 08:06 pm »
You've memorized the orders for your roommate (the props master) at every local fast food joint (plus Starbucks).
72
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling cues for the spotlight operator
« on: Jul 26, 2011, 12:06 am »
The one summer I worked as a spot op, we had cue sheets from which we took our own cues (and controlled our own spot power as well). We were listening in on headset so our cues were based off of or around the LQ numbers. So our sheets would say "LQ25, Tevye, Frame 2, Waist Iris, 3-count" or the same thing but "LQ25+ (He x's through the door)" Our ALD was also our board op, and he was in the same very-soundproof room as the spots (we were in a booth rather than the cats), so he was able to give us the little notes of "tighten up on so-and-so" and such. I think when we got a more complicated series of things, the SM would call a few particular cues (bumps that needed to go with a musical cue, etc).
This summer, I'm now working as a stage manager. We have four spots, and we call everything for them. The spots are controlled thru the board (on subs -- not even thru cues). The gels never change, and the irises rarely change. However, as I am calling from a backstage console, the board op is put in charge of iris-watch. The SMs give their standbys with two purposes: telling the LBO which spots are about to come up, and telling the spots whom they will be spotting and where.
For example, "Standby LQ25 and SpotQ F which is spot 2 on Mabel. She is not onstage yet, but you will pick her up on the up-center platform and she will be in blue." ... ... ... "LQ25 and SpotQ F GO"
Though this seems like overkill, it is actually necessary. Our spot ops are hourly-hired highschoolers, all of whom have a crazy list of conflicts. So every so often, you have a spot op on a performance who doesn't know the show at all. I had this happen on my opening performance this summer. It was the top of the first number after the overture, and the chorus sings a smidge and then there is a solo. I gave the standby (with, admittedly, a bit of lack in detail) for "SpotQ A which is spot 2 on Samuel. He will be USC singing the solo" and I heard a helpless voice from the headset ask, "Um, which one is that? I don't know this show." Gah, slight panic. I had to quickly remember what color jacket/pants he was wearing and quickly describe him -- how do you isolate one pirate from the 15 others onstage before they differentiate themselves? Anyway, I flung enough information at the spot op as possible, and all went fine. But I learned my lesson, and adjusted all of my standbys to include LOTS of info so that in the event that someone forgets to tell me I have a replacement spot op, they'll still be able to take the cues well.
This summer, I'm now working as a stage manager. We have four spots, and we call everything for them. The spots are controlled thru the board (on subs -- not even thru cues). The gels never change, and the irises rarely change. However, as I am calling from a backstage console, the board op is put in charge of iris-watch. The SMs give their standbys with two purposes: telling the LBO which spots are about to come up, and telling the spots whom they will be spotting and where.
For example, "Standby LQ25 and SpotQ F which is spot 2 on Mabel. She is not onstage yet, but you will pick her up on the up-center platform and she will be in blue." ... ... ... "LQ25 and SpotQ F GO"
Though this seems like overkill, it is actually necessary. Our spot ops are hourly-hired highschoolers, all of whom have a crazy list of conflicts. So every so often, you have a spot op on a performance who doesn't know the show at all. I had this happen on my opening performance this summer. It was the top of the first number after the overture, and the chorus sings a smidge and then there is a solo. I gave the standby (with, admittedly, a bit of lack in detail) for "SpotQ A which is spot 2 on Samuel. He will be USC singing the solo" and I heard a helpless voice from the headset ask, "Um, which one is that? I don't know this show." Gah, slight panic. I had to quickly remember what color jacket/pants he was wearing and quickly describe him -- how do you isolate one pirate from the 15 others onstage before they differentiate themselves? Anyway, I flung enough information at the spot op as possible, and all went fine. But I learned my lesson, and adjusted all of my standbys to include LOTS of info so that in the event that someone forgets to tell me I have a replacement spot op, they'll still be able to take the cues well.
73
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Tech week signage
« on: Jul 24, 2011, 02:53 pm »
I mean, you will probably still end up repeating "quiet please" (with the silent curses following) a million times anyway. But the signs will help too.
74
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Tech week signage
« on: Jul 23, 2011, 09:48 pm »
More "Quiet Backstage" signs than you can shake a stick at....
75
The Green Room / Re: WWMD? - Merchandising...
« on: Jul 16, 2011, 12:50 pm »
I love the skateboard. Because everyone needs a solid, inspirational skateboard.
I may, however, actually need to own the tote bag.
I may, however, actually need to own the tote bag.