706
Tools of the Trade / Re: foggers gassing actors.
« on: Nov 25, 2008, 09:13 am »
Have you found a solution here? How's it going?
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707
SMNetwork Archives / Re: Just neet to vent...
« on: Nov 20, 2008, 10:35 am »
Stomp and Scream away! 
To date there have been almost 300 views of your post. Though not all the responses indicate it I'm sure a lot of SMs sympathize with your situation. Certainly unfortunate, and seems like it was unexpected too. Best of luck to you moving forward!
To date there have been almost 300 views of your post. Though not all the responses indicate it I'm sure a lot of SMs sympathize with your situation. Certainly unfortunate, and seems like it was unexpected too. Best of luck to you moving forward!
708
Tools of the Trade / Re: foggers gassing actors.
« on: Nov 19, 2008, 04:21 pm »
Are you using the fog fluid that is designed by the manufacturer of the fog machines? Fog machines are calibrated by their manufacturers and it's a good idea to use the fluid they recommend with each specific fogger. If the heating element inside is too cold for the specific fluid you're using, the fluid may not evaporate all the way and could leave a residue onstage. If the heating element is too hot for the fluid you're using, it can change the chemistry of the vapors and cause harmful side effects. Using their fluid is a good way to avoid these problems.
Also, how much vapor is in the air?? Maybe just scaling back the density of vapor in the air will solve your issues as well.
Also, how much vapor is in the air?? Maybe just scaling back the density of vapor in the air will solve your issues as well.
709
The Hardline / Re: Actor Notes - After opening
« on: Nov 11, 2008, 08:34 am »I'm still a college student, so I have a quick question on this topic, since I'll be graduating in May...
I have been told before it is best for the SM to not give acting notes and leave that to the director, ast. director, etc... I have given blocking and line notes before, but not acting ones. I do also try and encourage every actor at least a few times when they are having a good night on the stage.
So my question would be: Is it a common practice in the professional market to give an actor acting notes?
In almost all cases it is the SM's job to give acting notes after the show opens. If anyone has told you otherwise, they are wrong. One reason why all student SMs should take acting and directing courses in my opinion.
710
Tools of the Trade / Re: Road Cases for a kit?
« on: Nov 10, 2008, 10:33 am »
If you truly need something that big to hold that many things you could buy a nice tool box, or you could build a road box similar to what a lot of touring shows use. This would be basically a cabinet on wheels and you can design and build it for your exact needs.
Trimming the items you carry with you has been mentioned. I know sometimes in community theatre people wear many hats and wind up doing more than one job. If you can trim down though, I know a lot of people use fishing tackle boxes .
Trimming the items you carry with you has been mentioned. I know sometimes in community theatre people wear many hats and wind up doing more than one job. If you can trim down though, I know a lot of people use fishing tackle boxes .
711
Tools of the Trade / Going Green
« on: Nov 10, 2008, 10:14 am »
Many businesses are adjusting their practices and adopting a more environmentally friendly approach. The benefits of this are numerous. In addition to the obvious benefit of helping the environment this can be quite friendly to the bottom line economically as well.
How can we, as Stage Managers, adjust our tools and practices to take a more environmentally friendly approach? This could be anything big or small, i.e. printing double sided pages instead of one sided or changing our flashlights and backstage worklights to LED over incandescent.
We find some incredibly creative solutions to problems and if you ask me we're some of the most creative people in this business. So let's hear your thoughts and ideas!
How can we, as Stage Managers, adjust our tools and practices to take a more environmentally friendly approach? This could be anything big or small, i.e. printing double sided pages instead of one sided or changing our flashlights and backstage worklights to LED over incandescent.
We find some incredibly creative solutions to problems and if you ask me we're some of the most creative people in this business. So let's hear your thoughts and ideas!
712
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: When the show is going bad
« on: Nov 10, 2008, 08:58 am »
In my opinion the SM team is an arm of the theatre's management, ultimately reporting to the producer. While yes, we are there to facilitate the director's vision, our ultimate responsibility lies with management and to look out for the best interests of the theatre as a whole. The vast majority of the time the director's vision of the show will fall in line with management's best interest, however in some situations that will not be the case.
713
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Help- New lighting console/ dimmer bar....
« on: Nov 05, 2008, 10:24 pm »
I don't believe you can program proper "cues" with this console. Reading the instruction manual and product specs found here it looks like you're able to program "sequences" (what a sequence is, I've got no idea). I don't see any mention of the word cue anywhere with this product, whereas if you switch over to a console like the ETC Express or ETC Expression 3 it very clearly states 600 cues. My guess, you can't program cues at all with this unit.
I'd recommend contacting their sales department and speaking with them. They should be able to define what exactly a sequence is. It must be something different than a cue, otherwise they'd just call it a cue and not a sequence. Maybe it is something that will work for your application. If it won't work, they should be able to steer you in the right direction.
I'd recommend contacting their sales department and speaking with them. They should be able to define what exactly a sequence is. It must be something different than a cue, otherwise they'd just call it a cue and not a sequence. Maybe it is something that will work for your application. If it won't work, they should be able to steer you in the right direction.
714
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with a Russian Director
« on: Oct 29, 2008, 01:53 pm »
I've worked with Russian singers, dancers and some type of director/manager. It was only for two shows the same night with one rehearsal that day, so there was not any rehearsal process like you'll be having. Their director/manager, the guy in charge, could only say "thank you" in English and the singers spoke none, so that was a tough line of communication. They were middle-aged and had grown up in the cold war era, so English was certainly not something they'd learn in school. The dancers were younger, between 16 and 24 I'd guess, and most spoke some basic English. Their English though was not specialized enough to explain in detail their needs for a performance, which sounds similar to what your language barrier will be like.
Personally, I approach the job of stage management with my job description as: create an environment where everyone can do their best work (designers, directors, actors, etc...). I think everything a stage manager does falls under this basic idea. This is how I approach every show I SM. With that in mind, when working with the Russians I and my staff did what we had to do to facilitate their show. The basic approach was not "I am an SM, I will do this, this, this and this to get the show up tonight", it was "What do we need to do to get the show up tonight". This approach went very well, and though they couldn't express it in words, their body language definitely indicated they were happy with how things went.
The "check your assumptions" at the door is a very good piece of advice as well. Also, when she's speaking with her translator, be sure to key in on non-verbal communication. Inflection, tone of voice, gestures. This will add context to the words given to you by the translator. Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone of what an SM does and don't bring an ego into the room, you will be just fine.
Please do keep us updated, this is a great opportunity for you and I'm sure all of us are eager to hear how it goes!
Personally, I approach the job of stage management with my job description as: create an environment where everyone can do their best work (designers, directors, actors, etc...). I think everything a stage manager does falls under this basic idea. This is how I approach every show I SM. With that in mind, when working with the Russians I and my staff did what we had to do to facilitate their show. The basic approach was not "I am an SM, I will do this, this, this and this to get the show up tonight", it was "What do we need to do to get the show up tonight". This approach went very well, and though they couldn't express it in words, their body language definitely indicated they were happy with how things went.
The "check your assumptions" at the door is a very good piece of advice as well. Also, when she's speaking with her translator, be sure to key in on non-verbal communication. Inflection, tone of voice, gestures. This will add context to the words given to you by the translator. Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone of what an SM does and don't bring an ego into the room, you will be just fine.
Please do keep us updated, this is a great opportunity for you and I'm sure all of us are eager to hear how it goes!
715
Tools of the Trade / Re: Headset Heeeeeeeeelp!!!
« on: Oct 29, 2008, 09:03 am »
I'm glad the community could solve your problem. Generally when you're mixing and matching manufacturers (in this case Pioneer and Motorola) it's a good idea to make sure that the products are compatible before you purchase. It can save you frustration, time and money!
716
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Communication Issues
« on: Oct 28, 2008, 08:43 pm »
That is a great idea by cue_light. Sadly I hadn't even thought of it as it's fairly standard practice for me. If I'm emailing someone I don't know well (i.e. know they are on top of their stuff) or someone I know is somewhat lacking, I usually add "please confirm receipt" if it's anything more than an FYI email.
717
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Communication Issues
« on: Oct 28, 2008, 04:30 pm »
One of the most valuable lessons I ever learned in school was circle of influence vs. circle of concern (illustrated below). Anything that potentially effects how you do your job goes into the circle of concern. Anything you have direct control falls inside both the circle of influence and circle of concern. And as you'll notice, the circle of influence is much much smaller than the circle of concern.
In your situation, people not reading their emails absolutely falls into your circle of concern. Unfortunately it falls well outside the circle of influence.
Sometimes there is not a whole lot you can do!
In your situation, people not reading their emails absolutely falls into your circle of concern. Unfortunately it falls well outside the circle of influence.
Sometimes there is not a whole lot you can do!
718
Tools of the Trade / Re: Headset Heeeeeeeeelp!!!
« on: Oct 28, 2008, 12:40 am »
If I had to throw out a guess right now, I'd say make sure the radios are powered off before you plug in the headsets.
Do you have the manufacturer and model # of the radios available? I'd imagine there's a way to switch it out of vox, however to offer some useful help to you it'd be best to have the specifics of the radio.
Do you have the manufacturer and model # of the radios available? I'd imagine there's a way to switch it out of vox, however to offer some useful help to you it'd be best to have the specifics of the radio.
719
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Hell Week...?
« on: Oct 21, 2008, 08:49 am »
I agree with what ddsherrer said previously, especially in a public setting. As the SM your behavior, mood and actions are the primary barometer by which others (especially actors) read a situation. The SM needs to instill confidence heading into tech week, not a "get ready for the worst week of your life, hope you can survive!" attitude. Sure, there are definitely aspects of tech that are not fun for anyone, but it's a much better environment for everyone involved if the attitude is positive and upbeat.
720
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Prop Recipe Exchange
« on: Oct 17, 2008, 05:11 pm »
I would suggest something like this, and it'll only run you about $2. Just kidding, sorry, couldn't resist
On a more serious note though, you can buy prosthetic noses for stage use (one example here) They can be attached with wax fairly easily once you get the hang of it. I'd bet if you have a good wardrobe or makeup person you could get it down to 2-3 minutes. How much time between when the character is seen without nose, then seen with the nose? If it's 5 minutes or so, this route would probably look the best.
On a more serious note though, you can buy prosthetic noses for stage use (one example here) They can be attached with wax fairly easily once you get the hang of it. I'd bet if you have a good wardrobe or makeup person you could get it down to 2-3 minutes. How much time between when the character is seen without nose, then seen with the nose? If it's 5 minutes or so, this route would probably look the best.