Messages

76

The Green Room / Re: FACEWASH - clean up your facebook profile.

« on: Feb 09, 2013, 02:41 am »

The worst that came up on mine was the mentions of post-show/day off drinks (it really assumes all mentions of beer and wine are bad), and a touch of off-color language, but nothing that I would be worried about or feel that I need to remove.  It also questioned a picture of a dinner I made because I used "mushrooms."

77

Tools of the Trade / Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App

« on: Feb 08, 2013, 04:23 pm »

Your rough layouts make sense to me.  A quick visual scan and I was able to figure out at least roughly what you were going for.  It's hard to say, of course, until there is something hands on, but you definitely seem to be on the right course.

78

The Green Room / Re: SMASH - the TV series

« on: Feb 07, 2013, 03:53 pm »

I'm also going to go out on a limb and say the Betty White birthday special (which I think may have even been a repeat) was just not as strong a choice as a lead in as The Voice was last year.

79

Employment / Re: How do I make a short resume look more appealing?

« on: Feb 06, 2013, 06:23 pm »

I would rather receive a resume that's a little thin with a great cover letter explaining that you are just starting out and are eager to learn than a résumé that's obviously padded. We were all pretty much in the same situation at one point ourselves, after all, and, hopefully, can remember what it was like to be at that early point in our stage management careers.

I'll add that it was a great feeling when I finally felt that I had enough credits to take all of those non-stage management theatre credits off my résumé, and even better when I got to the point where I had to start removing credits to keep the stage management resume at just one page long.

80

The Hardline / Re: EMC program Pros. vs. Cons

« on: Jan 28, 2013, 09:19 pm »

I know there are some workshops and meetings you can attend, not sure about all of them.

Probably the biggest benefit of joining (other than showing that you are gaining experience in an Equity theatre) is not something that stage managers will really see as an advantage, in that at Equity open calls after all Equity members are seen EMC members will be placed on the waiting list ahead of non-Equity actors who are not members of the EMC program.

81

The Hardline / Re: EMC program Pros. vs. Cons

« on: Jan 28, 2013, 01:00 am »

From what I have read and heard your understanding of it is correct, Maribeth.  There has been very little change to the EMC program over the years.

The right-to-work laws in some states may throw a wrench in to that, but I would guess that if you've worked enough to earn the 50 points and are then being offered a contract you would want to jump on that chance to actually join anyway.

As to the original poster, if you were that concerned about the EMC membership scaring potential employers away from your resume you could always just leave it off of your resume when sending it to those companies.  There is nothing in the current rules regarding the EMC program that say that you have to let non-Equity companies know about your participation in the program.

82

The Green Room / Re: Tax Season!

« on: Jan 22, 2013, 12:05 pm »

Travel between your residence and the place of employment is not considered a business expense.

I would avoid your friend's advice to write off everything.  That is a sure way to raise a huge red flag on your return.  If you are working a lot of 1099 work (which I despise, as stage managers we do not meet the qualifications of an independent contractor, but that's a rant for another time) save every receipt, and then find a good accountant who knows the laws covering entertainment professionals.  It will save you so much time and grief.

83

The Green Room / Re: SMASH - the TV series

« on: Jan 19, 2013, 12:26 pm »

They've already filmed a good portion of the season, and with the limited time she is onscreen it will be entirely possible for Ann Harada to continue on with Smash while performing in Cinderella.

84

Stage Management: Other / Re: Dance First Aid

« on: Jan 12, 2013, 12:37 am »

Tiger Balm is basically a variation on Icy-Hot and other similar ointments.  Basically a lot of menthol and camphor in a petroleum and paraffin base.  It's comforting, but not really an actual item I would consider necessary for a backstage first aid kit.

85

Stage Management: Other / Re: Special Skill: Basic Rigging and Automation

« on: Jan 04, 2013, 02:33 am »

I have listed Automation Programming [basic] on my resume under Special Skills because I have programmed flying automated scenery (6 axes).

Even the way you listed it is a step up from just putting "Basic Automation" as it gives the person looking at your resume some idea of what your skill set actually might be.

86

Stage Management: Other / Re: Special Skill: Basic Rigging and Automation

« on: Jan 02, 2013, 12:45 am »

I think if you want to indicate that you've called/run a show that involves automation the best thing to do would be to mention it in your cover letter where you can then actually elaborate on your experience and avoid confusion.

87

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Fight Notation

« on: Nov 20, 2012, 01:34 am »

I guess I've been lucky in that the few fight choreographers that I've worked with in the past have always either come in with the fight already notated or have later notated it themselves (or had one of their assistants do it) and then passed out copies of said notation to everyone.

88

Tools of the Trade / Re: Portable Measuring Tape for stage spacing

« on: Nov 12, 2012, 05:45 pm »

At TheatreworksUSA we create number lines for tour using the Poly Pro Webbing from Rosebrand, 2" thickness in black.  We mark it every two feet with a piece of white gaff tape with the number on it.  Quick and easy and definitely helps on the road when you are in a new space every day.

http://www.rosebrand.com/product836/Poly-Pro-Webbing.aspx?tid=2&info=webbing

89

The Green Room / Re: Inside the SM Office

« on: Nov 07, 2012, 01:18 am »

1. What is your favorite word?
    Coolness

2. What is your least favorite word?
     Hemorrhoid (it's a terrible word for such a terrible condition)

3. What turns you on?   
    A wonderful smile

4. What turns you off?
    lack of self-reliance

5. What sound do you love?
   a summer rain storm, complete with thunder and lightning

6. What sound do you hate?
     Somebody cracking their neck

7. What is your favorite curse word?
     C*nt (used most often when driving and other drivers are pissing me off)

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
     Personal chef

9. What profession would you not like to do?
    Anything customer service related during the holidays

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
      It's been a good run.  Now go and enjoy yourself.  Everyone is waiting for you over there.

90

Tools of the Trade / Re: Help with a sweaty actor

« on: Nov 03, 2012, 05:06 pm »

I do also remember reading in an article about the last revival of South Pacific that Kelli O'Hara's mic pack, while "water proof" for "Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair," was also wrapped in Saran Wrap before going into the condom.  There was an anecdote that she once accidentally dropped the pack into the toilet once and between the Saran Wrap and condom it came out pretty clean.

If you do a double condom/athletic sock suggestion that was also suggested I would recommend putting the sock between the two condoms, so you have condom, sock, condom.  If the two condoms are on top of each other you run a higher risk of both of them breaking/ripping as the friction of latex on latex is not very kind to the integrity of said latex.