Messages

61

Employment / Re: When is enough enough

« on: Oct 12, 2008, 03:16 am »

I do sometimes struggle with this question and have had doubts myself, but I think it will be when I stop being able to marvel at the world in which I work.  WNO never ceases to amaze me . . . I think as long as I'm having fun and can support myself, I'm in.

62

Employment / Re: Taking Time Off

« on: Oct 11, 2008, 01:37 am »

To put my two cents in, I agree with the post above that theater will always be there, and who knows, it may be a better job market in a year's time. 

63

Stage Management: Other / Your most interesting "Other" Project

« on: Oct 11, 2008, 01:35 am »

Just out of curiosity, I wanted to poll the Network to see what the craziest thing is that you've ever "stage managed" . . . .

Mine has got to be a circuit party that had aerial performers in it . . .It was a long process, long load in, no tech, fly by the seat of your pants special event fundraiser that was just over the top.  Over 24 hours nonstop.

64

Tools of the Trade / Re: Help with my book please.

« on: Sep 29, 2008, 12:31 am »

Maybe it's time to practice the ever important skill of letting comments like that roll off your back.  If you know what you are doing and are doing it well, I doubt you need the help anyone here can give.  There will always be people who make comments like that, and you have to learn to shrug it off.

Edited subject line to remove caps - kmc307

65

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dry Ice on stage

« on: Sep 22, 2008, 12:10 am »

As to the legality, if I remember correctly from my Equity days as long as you notify the cast you should be fine, but I'm not sure you will get the effect you want, since dry ice fog hangs close to the floor and smoke rises. 

66

Tools of the Trade / Freeware Graphics program suggestions

« on: Aug 26, 2008, 03:30 pm »

I'm looking for a fairly decent freeware graphics program to assist in creating diagrams for the props run crew for my current production.  Does anyone have any suggestions or anything that works well for such applications?

I'm looking for something better than Word or Paint on a Windows based PC, but it does have to be PC compatible.

Thanks!

67

Stage Management: Other / Re: Some Opera Questions

« on: Aug 07, 2008, 01:06 pm »

You can also find paperwork in the paperwork section of the main board.

With the water table, I'm in agreement with everything that is being said here but I also include filtered room temperature water.

68

Employment / Re: Making money with AEA?

« on: Jul 10, 2008, 07:29 pm »

This question pops up from time to time for the very same reason, and the answer is there's a bunch of us who make our full time living stage managing . . .which includes health benefits, retirements plans, etc.  But, Ryan, you do have to be good at what you do, and you have to wade through some tough years.  Right out of school it's not pretty.  Once you have your connections you can do very well if you haven't burned yourself out.

69

Tools of the Trade / Re: Things that went wrong with your technical equipment?

« on: Jul 03, 2008, 12:06 pm »

I've had light boards fail, sounds systems fail . . . my favorite comes from my community theatre days where we had ancient wireless mics, and as they went out during the course of the run I had to quickly decide who could switch mics with who and for how long, etc.  Fun times.

70

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Aging in stage management (those late 20's)

« on: Jun 29, 2008, 09:44 am »

Being smack in my late 20s, I second Matthew's call for advice.  I have certainly encountered the doldrums Matthew speaks of and wonder about how to get through it.

71

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Spike Marks on Carpet

« on: Jun 28, 2008, 12:11 pm »

These spike marks will be used by the singers during the show, and one more thing that I should throw into the mix is that at least two of the singers are in bare feet.

72

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Spike Marks on Carpet

« on: Jun 28, 2008, 12:09 am »

Sorry, I should have been more specific .  .  .it has a very deep pile, almost shag, in a very small house.

73

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SCENERY: Spike Marks on Carpet

« on: Jun 27, 2008, 05:22 pm »

I know this seems rather elementary, but I'm working with a set that is carpeted and raked . . .any suggestions on the best way to spike that?

74

Tools of the Trade / Re: The Blackberry

« on: Jun 26, 2008, 12:26 am »

I don't consider myself to be resistant to change or technology, but I purposefully have avoided buying a Blackberry.  I know I get very annoyed when I'm in the middle of conversation with someone and the oh so important text or e-mail comes in and I get put on hold, as I'm standing there, so they can respond.  I might be missing out, but I'm ok with not being in touch with everyone 24/7.  Admittedly, my phone does sync with a calendar program on my computer.

75

Stage Management: Other / Re: Orchestra Stage Management & Unions/Pay Rates

« on: Jun 20, 2008, 01:12 pm »

I would contact the American Federation of Musicians in regards to your questions.  I think it's the first place to start.