Messages

76

The Green Room / Burnt Out

« on: Mar 21, 2010, 07:32 pm »

I have heard this term a lot lately, and have been wondering about SM's being "burnt out" by the business. What are some helpful tips and advice to try to avoid this? I have been warned that my personality could lead to me being burnt out, and I just want some advice as to how to prevent this.  Thank you!

77

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Labtop vs. Pencil and Script/Notepad

« on: Mar 21, 2010, 07:17 pm »

This season I made a pack to myself to digitize my book for every show, mainly to see if I felt it was worth the extra effort.  Now that have have completed 6 shows this way, I have become more efficient at it and am not killing as many trees.  And I have to admit, it makes it pretty and neat and organized and probably far more detailed than my books were before.  However, I still do diagrams by hand, no show is worth having to digitalize diagrams, I have better things to do with my time. Also, in the end, I now have a digital copy to keep with me and don't have to lug around paper.

That being said,  I still use pencil and paper in the rehearsal room and only once blocking begins to solidify do I type it in to the computer after rehearsal.  I guess I am slightly more old school and I find it much faster to take notes on a pad and blocking in the book than have to fuss with the computer.  I am also a visual person and like to have the information and full picture sitting in front of me that I can flip through and not have to scroll through a computer that will only allow me to see limited information at a time.

This general idea is more what I was trying to convey. I do not, and never will use my laptop exclusively.  My last 5 shows have been completely digitized, and it really helps keep things clean. I do still take notes in rehearsal, and write all my blocking by hand FIRST before entering it into the computer.  I just like to keep it on hand to attempt to get things done in a more timely fashion, instead of being up until 1am doing paperwork when I have to be up at 4am for work 5 days a week. 

78

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Labtop vs. Pencil and Script/Notepad

« on: Mar 19, 2010, 07:00 pm »

hm...I honestly might have to somewhat disagree with everyone.  I am not opposed to using it in rehearsal, as long as the director and/or cast is alright with it.  I like to have the current report(s) up, and type them up as I go, rather than spending that extra hour or so after rehearsal working on reports and them sending them out.  I also find it much faster to type forms up during rehearsal rather than writing it down first and then transferring it later to paperwork. Where I work we are required to have all of those forms done before tech, not during. 

79

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROMPT BOOK: Organization?

« on: Mar 11, 2010, 08:35 pm »

It's worked multiple ways for me, depending on the show. My most current form is a mainly-electronic book.  I keep on hard copy my script, emergency info, contact info, and run sheets; the rest is completely electronic. I always keep a USB flash drive in my book when it is currently in production, and burn a hard CD for it when it is done (don't worry, I have multiple back-up locations for all my files, just in case). 

For previous shows, I have had two books, a "show bible" for all the relevant information and a "script bible" for my script and on-hand information. I've also just used one book for all information.  It really does depend on the show, size of script, etc.  However, I usually put my script right in front behind contact info, just cause It's easier to turn pages that way

80

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Tannoy etiquette?

« on: Mar 11, 2010, 08:28 pm »

Could someone explain this etiquette to me? I have never heard of this. Here at WSU we don't really have an etiquette standard. I would LOVE to learn about this.  Thank you in advance. 

81

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Printer Recommendations, Please!

« on: Mar 09, 2010, 03:16 pm »

I need a new printer as well. I'll look into the Brothers.

82

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: What's the most controversial show you've ever worked on?

« on: Mar 09, 2010, 03:10 pm »

It wasn't a show I personally worked on, but a show called The Complete Female Stage Beauty sparked a lot of controversy because of the blatant homosexual sex on stage. That and complete female nudity.  I ushered for it a few times, and had more than our share of walkouts.

83

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PREP: Taping multiple floor plans?

« on: Mar 09, 2010, 03:01 pm »

I like the corners idea, and the add-as-you-go approach. However, I would have to see the floorplan, and judge it based on how complicated it actually was. I dealt with a few crazy sets, and it varyied how I taped them depending on the complexity. 

84

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: When to take the blame

« on: Mar 06, 2010, 07:05 pm »

I generally say 'I'll take care of it' as well. 

85

College and Graduate Studies / Re: MFA at same school as BA?

« on: Mar 03, 2010, 09:48 pm »

I ultimately decided to go.  I feel it would really help me in my career progression in the long run. Dana Gamarra, our current mentor, called to some of his contacts at other theatres, and they seem to not have an issue with me having a degree from the same university as my undergrad. Wayne's grad school is not your typical situation of grad schools as well. It actually is a fellowship with Wayne State University, as in the Hilberry is a professional space being used by the university. I am salaried, and receive benefits, along with working full shows on a professional level 2 times a school year.  It's more along the lines of having a steady job to do theatre for the next three years while gaining an MFA at the same time.  I work exclusively with the theatre, and not at all with department, as far as undergrad goes. The curriculum literally consists of two classes per semester per year associated with stage management, the rest is basic classes and whatnot. This opportnity also gives me the change to explore other areas of theatre, such as lighting design and some costume work.  I would like to have that work on my resume as well. 

Wayne is not like other grad schools, as my research has shown, and it is also the only one that fully waivers tuition. 

86

Employment / Re: What if you can't find a theatre job? alternative theater-related work options

« on: Mar 03, 2010, 09:33 pm »

Producing/production work on Movie sets. We are quite valuable to management.  Working at the business level is also a good jump. 

If you are looking for grad schools, are you looking for theatre? Wayne State University is good. I was accepted there, and they are still looking for a second SM. Send in your app ASAP if you want to be considered

87

Tools of the Trade / Re: TECHNOLOGY: Smart phones

« on: Mar 03, 2010, 09:16 pm »

I am an iPhone user. Here is why I like it for Stage Management:

Dropbox: It's an internet-based program, but has an iPhone app that allows you to view all your documents anywhere. It's nice because it doesn't require a lot of space on your memory.

Docs To Go: This is a purchase app that allows you to download and save documents in excel, word, and powerpoint on your phone, and edit them if necessary.  I love it because you can basically have your whole prompt book on your phone, and editable.

Flashlight: obvious reasons.

Units: Allows me to have measurements anywhere-any and all units. 

Yelp: Allows me to look up anything within my local area, and close by without crazy searches.

Map: Has directionality built in.

And basically the fact that it is a smart phone.  I can get mail right to the minute about fittings, appointments, changes, etc.  I also like how you can sync your calendar with Google Calendar, so that all your appointments and schedules are already on your phone...and it works both ways: if you put an appt. on your phone it puts it on google calendar. 

88

Tools of the Trade / Re: Kit: Box vs. Bag

« on: Mar 03, 2010, 09:06 pm »

I use a duffel bag I bought at Totes. I use each compartment separately, and have some mini-boxes in the bag to keep it organized. I like it because it fits my personal headset and the side pocket is perfect for putting my steel-toes in.

89

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Portfolio Reviews

« on: Feb 21, 2010, 09:12 am »

Matthew Shiner is right, a portfolio could mean many things.  I have noticed a couple trends at various job conferences, and interviews, however. 

One is an 'edited' prompt book. and by this I mean you bring an intact prompt book, but only a few examples of each section, such as reports, sign in, daily's, weekly's, etc. 

The other is the portfolio book. As in, it's set up like a prompt book, but each section might have stuff from different shows.

And of course, there's always the ever-present design/shop work portfolio.

Some schools do like to keep copies of whole books for their archives. My best advice would be to check with the school. 

I hope this helps!

90

Tools of the Trade / Re: Do you prefer Word or Excel?

« on: Feb 20, 2010, 09:58 pm »

I find myself using excel a lot these days.