Messages

601

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Schools (undergrad)

« on: Jul 22, 2009, 08:56 am »

I am an alumnus of the Penn State program.  I graduated in '06 and the program certainly set me up for success.  I have had full time employment (save for a 4 week gap between jobs) since the day I graduated.  The campus life outside of the school of theatre is also wonderful.  With such a large student body there's a very diverse group of interests and definitely something for every taste.  It is a big party school, though, and that is the predominant social activity on the weekends and can be hard to avoid.  Out of state tuition for Penn State is quite high, especially when compared to other public universities, so this can definitely be an issue for some people. 

There is a certain stigma that comes with an NCSA degree.  The facilities are certainly top notch, but there is a sentiment in the industry that NCSA people only know the "NCSA way".  While no sweeping generalization is ever entirely accurate, I can say from my experience working with NCSA alum that this assumption is not entirely without merit.  The few I've worked with seemed lost in the professional world, unable to adapt and ultimately didn't survive their first contract.  I am sure that is not the case for all, but is certainly something to keep in mind.

A word of caution in general, and I've stood on this soap box many times in the past few years.  Be careful when talking to alumni of different programs, and take everything with a bit of salt.  People are generally biased to their program and think their program was the absolute best, yet 98% of those people have no idea what other programs are like and have no frame of reference to make an objective comparison.  Certainly listen to what alumni say, but do take it with a grain of salt.  Try to visit the campuses yourself and see if it's a good fit for you.

Good luck in your search and do keep us posted.

602

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Point Park: I guess putting it on SMNet makes it real...

« on: Jul 20, 2009, 08:41 am »

Good luck!  Enjoy Pittsburgh, the people are wonderful.

603

Employment / Re: Locations and Area Codes

« on: Jul 18, 2009, 03:31 pm »

I would say there a lot more important things to focus you're energy on when entering (or in your case re-entering) the workforce.  Experience, networking, resume, etc... 

When you sit and think about it, a phone number is a pretty ridiculous reason to hire or not hire someone.

604

Tools of the Trade / Re: Video Assist Camera again

« on: Jul 16, 2009, 04:46 pm »

And now that I think more about it, you may want to check with the University's IT and Police.  Surely there are hundreds of cameras around campus.  The IT folks should (if they're not being stubborn IT folks) be able to help you in the setup and integration of the camera, and the University may well have deals with certain manufacturers or distributors that could help you save some money.

605

Tools of the Trade / Re: Video Assist Camera again

« on: Jul 16, 2009, 04:35 pm »

I'd go with a day/night PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) IP dome camera.  IP will allow you to tap into the camera from a network and external sources if configured to do so, which is an added benefit when compared with an analog camera (IP is the new standard).  Also, while the University is allocating money you may be wise to push for two additional units - one stage left and one stage right, huge benefit when the curtain is closed and gives the operator multiple viewing angles.  For the stage left/right cameras you could go with a day/night fixed dome IP camera.  This will save you some money if you omit the PTZ feature for these two cameras

There are two manufacturers I'd recommend, Axis and Grandeye.  There are additional good quality manufacturers but these are the two with which I'm most familiar.  There are a lot of generic cameras out there that I'd steer clear of.  Go with the big boys.  You'll pay a bit more, but as always you get what you pay for.  They offer a high quality product that they support.  You won't find that with a lot of the random obscure manufacturers you'd see in a tech catalog.

606

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Chrome

« on: Jul 11, 2009, 06:20 am »

I like it a lot and use it exclusively on my laptop.  It doesn't offer a lot of the add-in features you can get with Firefox or IE, however the benefit in that is you've got a browser that is extremely light on system resources.  It is great for my laptop, which is an older machine that has not aged gracefully!  For older machines it can be a benefit as it runs extremely fast and loads pages quickly as well. 

607

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: What to include in a report vs when to send a private email

« on: Jul 02, 2009, 07:08 pm »

I've always been of the opinion that everything goes in the report.  The Stage Manager is responsible for documenting the entire show, not select bits and pieces.  Everything should be written 100% objectively and simply fact.  Don't use the report as a tool to advance your personal agenda towards a certain desired goal, don't let your feelings show, etc...  

For example:

"The director has requested a larger couch.  With the current blocking we are having trouble fitting three people side by side." - good.
"The director has requested a larger couch.  The current version is obviously way too small for three people." - bad

"Barbara was absent from rehearsal today." - good
"Barbara was absent from rehearsal again because of more drama with her boyfriend." - bad

If something touchy needs to be addressed, there are ways to mitigate its effect on the recipients (phone calls, conversations, etc.. ahead of time are great ways).  

608

Employment / Re: Forced to be stuck in a rut. Please help.

« on: Jul 01, 2009, 09:17 am »

I think I'm still in the process of figuring out how to, as you say, (and I can't really put it any better), "understand my own self worth." I think it is just hard because I know that in the eyes of the professional world, I am a beginner and I do need to climb the ladder by doing jobs that no one else wants to do -- like paperwork (unless I've got this completely wrong, and if so, please tell me.)

My advice, from my personal experiences, is to never settle (this is a bit of an idealist mindset as we all have bills to pay, however it's something I strive for always).  If you know you are capable of doing more, pursue it.  Relentlessly.  When you've reached your goal, set a new goal that is higher and pursue that, relentlessly.  That can be within your organization now or you can begin a relationship with another company.  Try to shift yourself from the mindset not of "I'd like to Stage Manage" to "I will Stage Manage", for example.  I am relatively young as well (25) and for the first few years of my career dealt with, as we all do, the age stigma - still dealing with it now in some ways.  I probably dealt with it a little more than most given the jobs I've held early in my career.  As I was graduating from college I was in the job hunt.  I was offered a PA position, explained to the company I was thankful for the offer and flattered they thought of me enough to offer me a position, but that I was looking for more than a PA position.  *Blasphemy!* many will say.  Bull, I say.  A week later I was offered a full time SM job managing a company of ~60 people.  The point is, I knew I was capable of SMing and wasn't going to settle for less unless it was an absolute last resort.

It's all about mindset and positioning yourself mentally.  Be flexible within your goals so you're able to take a wider range of opportunities, but keep your sights set on what you want and don't let yourself fall into a rut or a mindset of contentedness. 

Sorry if this whole post sounds like I'm one a motivational speaker or something, but trying to stress my main point, which is you can't wait for an opportunity to present itself.  YOU must find the opportunities, and always be ready. 

You're on the right track and your posts read as if some of these thoughts are evolving in your head at this moment.  Most importantly, don't be discouraged.

609

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Jun 28, 2009, 12:56 pm »

I see no issues with using photos as long as they're credited.  The SM has just as much of a right to document the production as anyone else on the artistic team.  The scenic designer isn't only photographing the set, the lighting designer not only photographing the lights, etc...  It's a collaboration, and without the combination of all the elements of the production an individual design is nothing more than an academic exercise.  

610

The Hardline / Re: Overtime

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 02:45 pm »

I have no idea how Equity works (or maybe in this case doesn't work), but isn't it possible for them to have some kind of knowledge base in place on their end?  At least that way they could provide consistent answers when you call.  Most equity issues that come up here get a quick response from members, which leads me to believe that the questions that come up here are asked by a good number of SMs to the various reps. 

611

Tools of the Trade / Re: Digital Prompt Books (Do you use them?)

« on: Jun 24, 2009, 09:01 am »

How do you handle page numbering if using an electronic version of a script? I'd think you'd need to have the same page numbers as the director and cast.

I attended a read through last night where there were four different versions of the script (two bound books from a library, two printed versions that were emailed to everyone). A couple times the emailed version was missing a couple words or lines. And it took a small amount of page flipping to make sure everyone was on the same page while corrections were made. (Of course, it was also fun that the two "official" versions differed as well in a few minor points.)

If you're the one typing it, insert a page break at the end of each page of the original script.  If you send it out, please god use .pdfs 

This will prevent peoples' computers from adjusting the margins and will keep pagination consistent no matter who prints it.  Sounds like you're at a disadvantage here with so many copies of the script floating around - that benefits nobody.  What level production is this?  Do you guys have the money to print a copy of the script for everyone?  Sounds like that would save you some headaches!

As far as digital prompt books, I was always a big fan of typing it myself.  It helped me get to know the show, word by painstaking word.  Once it came time for cues though I always had headaches with formatting - some of you that do this regularly, what tips or tricks might you offer to our members that may just be venturing into a digital script?  When typing in your cues, how do you leave all the text below the cue unaffected?

612

Employment / Re: Crossroads in Life - where to live?

« on: Jun 22, 2009, 07:06 pm »

I've lived in Miami for about three years and don't know of a big local (and paid) theatre scene.  There are three road houses in the Southeastern FL metro area (one each in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach), all are beautiful facilities and have some good shows, theatrical and otherwise, tour through.  It's definitely been nice as five or six close friends from my past have toured through the area at one point or another.  However, as a local SM I don't know how much work is actually down here.

The city itself is... interesting...  A lot of good and a lot of bad, and definitely a good place to be when you're young.  It's incredibly diverse, which is great, but a large portion of the ethnic groups tend to stay with their own.  Excellent night life, and excellent weather come October - May.  Cost of living is high - not quite as high as NYC, LA or Boston, however I'd put it approximately on par with Chicago and Vegas.  Not sure if you will be around tonight at 9pm, but stop by the chat if you'd like to me to elaborate or if you have specific questions about Miami.

613

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Jun 18, 2009, 11:04 pm »

I am a reference for a few folks and would not be happy if my information was put online for anyone to download.

614

Tools of the Trade / Google Chrome

« on: Jun 13, 2009, 12:28 pm »

As stage managers we tend to spend a good bit of time on the web, especially if you're using any web-based assets for your show.  I've recently downloaded the Google's somewhat new browser, Chrome.  I needed a browser on my personal laptop (which is aging not so gracefully) that is very light on system resources, and so far this seems to be the ticket.  Anyone else used this browser?  Thoughts?

615

Tools of the Trade / Re: Infocomm 2009

« on: Jun 13, 2009, 12:26 pm »

Moderator note:  This topic was split from the Wireless Headset Technology thread.