76
Employment / Re: Facebook through an Employer's eyes?
« on: Feb 03, 2009, 01:24 am »
I can't figure out the limited profile thing on the "new" facebook.... 
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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77
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Daily rehearsal report notes
« on: Feb 02, 2009, 12:08 pm »
"The director also knows now that I'm not trying to usurp her authority by talking with the costumer and prop person about potential issues."
^^ She is probably just not used to an effecient stage manager.
^^ She is probably just not used to an effecient stage manager.
78
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Director and Stage Manager at the same time???
« on: Feb 02, 2009, 02:02 am »
Here are my 2 cents on this:
You sound very prepared and determined (as well as very motivated). Those are excellent attributes. Very admirable. Go for it, if you want!
But keep in mind: many things are easier said than done, and this won't be easy no matter how much you plan ahead. Even the best laid plans don't manifest the way we want them too.
I am the co-founder of a local non-profit theatre company here in town (a friend and directing graduate from Columbia College in Chicago and I produced a production with our high school alumni from a span of graduating classes. We later registered as a state of Michigan non-profit organization and have produced shows and cabarets since). We functioned: director, stage managers, marketing, set design, producers. The only money we had was what was donated from our former high school's drama club for the rights to a show we were producing. We later paid the fee back and made a small profit. Everything else was either donations or we raised the money on our own.
We made it work, but we hit every obstacle you could imagine! Before, during and after production.
Additionally, I've also directed at the high school level for a school that really didn't have funding or support. Therefore, other tasks fell on our shoulders as well... play selection, set building, fundraising, directing, SMing...(or training the SM student).
And again, obstacles.
We overcame them. I learned A LOT from these experiences, but it's also easy to burn out.
Just know that advice comes from a good and experienced place.
Whatever you choose to do, BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!
You sound very prepared and determined (as well as very motivated). Those are excellent attributes. Very admirable. Go for it, if you want!
But keep in mind: many things are easier said than done, and this won't be easy no matter how much you plan ahead. Even the best laid plans don't manifest the way we want them too.
I am the co-founder of a local non-profit theatre company here in town (a friend and directing graduate from Columbia College in Chicago and I produced a production with our high school alumni from a span of graduating classes. We later registered as a state of Michigan non-profit organization and have produced shows and cabarets since). We functioned: director, stage managers, marketing, set design, producers. The only money we had was what was donated from our former high school's drama club for the rights to a show we were producing. We later paid the fee back and made a small profit. Everything else was either donations or we raised the money on our own.
We made it work, but we hit every obstacle you could imagine! Before, during and after production.
Additionally, I've also directed at the high school level for a school that really didn't have funding or support. Therefore, other tasks fell on our shoulders as well... play selection, set building, fundraising, directing, SMing...(or training the SM student).
And again, obstacles.
We overcame them. I learned A LOT from these experiences, but it's also easy to burn out.
Just know that advice comes from a good and experienced place.
Whatever you choose to do, BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!
79
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: They're making this job so difficult!
« on: Feb 02, 2009, 01:53 am »
Wow. Good luck. That would drive me bonkers too, but at the same time: it's a good experience in endurance and how to deal with challenging and frustrating situations. That's important as a stage manager. And also, possibly, how to call a show more on the fly than you would normally.
Just know that not all stage management experiences or theatre companies (community or otherwise) function this way. Sounds unique to me.
Best.
Amie
Just know that not all stage management experiences or theatre companies (community or otherwise) function this way. Sounds unique to me.
Best.
Amie
80
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Stage Managing Schools?
« on: Feb 01, 2009, 09:27 pm »
A few of my friends attend/graduate from Western Michigan University (www.wmich.edu) for undergrad in stage management. What I know, who I know and what I've seen of their productions, the program is very strong.
Worth a look.
Worth a look.
81
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: They're making this job so difficult!
« on: Feb 01, 2009, 09:20 pm »
They really said it wasn't important for you to know the changes?!
THIS BLOWS MY MIND!!!
Shock aside, who exactly are you approaching and has this been in person or via email/phone?
If it would me, I'd make a formal request via email and explain in clear terms what you use the script for and why it is imperative that you have the most current revision. This may be extreme, but it sounds like from your post that they really don't understand what you job entails.
Is the director on your side about this? Is the director one of the folks denying you the current script revisions?
Regardless of what they THINK about it being important or not, I'd still insist upon it. How can you maintain the integrity and continuity of the show without the proper information? I'm sorry you are frustrated. I hope this helps?....
THIS BLOWS MY MIND!!!
Shock aside, who exactly are you approaching and has this been in person or via email/phone?
If it would me, I'd make a formal request via email and explain in clear terms what you use the script for and why it is imperative that you have the most current revision. This may be extreme, but it sounds like from your post that they really don't understand what you job entails.
Is the director on your side about this? Is the director one of the folks denying you the current script revisions?
Regardless of what they THINK about it being important or not, I'd still insist upon it. How can you maintain the integrity and continuity of the show without the proper information? I'm sorry you are frustrated. I hope this helps?....
82
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Daily rehearsal report notes
« on: Feb 01, 2009, 09:15 pm »
Yes, Matthew's response was more of my concern.
There are issues I have in my reports that might either alarm or embarrass cast (or crew) members and sometimes, I simply don't want the cast to be aware of issues that would cause them to lose focus, etc.
However, my original comment was about the ONE report distributed and thoughts about that. And I agree: if required to CC casts on reports, they'd get a separate report.
It's just an interesting point of discussion, because it really can go either way depending on your company, how you write reports, the type of production, etc.
There are issues I have in my reports that might either alarm or embarrass cast (or crew) members and sometimes, I simply don't want the cast to be aware of issues that would cause them to lose focus, etc.
However, my original comment was about the ONE report distributed and thoughts about that. And I agree: if required to CC casts on reports, they'd get a separate report.
It's just an interesting point of discussion, because it really can go either way depending on your company, how you write reports, the type of production, etc.
83
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Daily rehearsal report notes
« on: Feb 01, 2009, 10:52 am »
Related to this topic (the distribution of rehearsal reports), I know some stage managers who distribute them also to the stagehands/crew. Additionally, some also send them out to the cast.
I personally do not send them to the crew or the cast because I email them often about other show related business, and I feel it is too much. I prefer to keep the business separate.
Thoughts on doing this?
I personally do not send them to the crew or the cast because I email them often about other show related business, and I feel it is too much. I prefer to keep the business separate.
Thoughts on doing this?
84
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: SM Tutorial
« on: Jan 30, 2009, 03:17 pm »
I would include:
Info/description of what a stage manager does/is.
What to do during auditions (even if they are not there)
Stage Managers and rehearsals
Basic forms used, etc.
And anything your organization expects of its stage managers.
I would make the guide a two parter.
One that starts them with the basics up to rehearsal point. That way, when they ARE assigned and working with you, you can teach them more in depth, and provide the second part of the guide. The second part would include:
During rehearsals, blocking (maybe this would be in the first parter), prompt book, preparing for tech, etc.
The second part could be subject matter that is dealt with later on in the process, and therefore, dealt with later on once they get into the swing of things and a handle on the first part...
Does this make sense?
That's my suggestion. I've trained stage managers before, and it wasn't until AFTER I had done so that I thought "hm...it would have been a good idea to break it down a little better" so this is my thought on that.
Info/description of what a stage manager does/is.
What to do during auditions (even if they are not there)
Stage Managers and rehearsals
Basic forms used, etc.
And anything your organization expects of its stage managers.
I would make the guide a two parter.
One that starts them with the basics up to rehearsal point. That way, when they ARE assigned and working with you, you can teach them more in depth, and provide the second part of the guide. The second part would include:
During rehearsals, blocking (maybe this would be in the first parter), prompt book, preparing for tech, etc.
The second part could be subject matter that is dealt with later on in the process, and therefore, dealt with later on once they get into the swing of things and a handle on the first part...
Does this make sense?
That's my suggestion. I've trained stage managers before, and it wasn't until AFTER I had done so that I thought "hm...it would have been a good idea to break it down a little better" so this is my thought on that.
85
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: SO MUCH PAPERWORK
« on: Jan 29, 2009, 08:35 am »Something I picked up from another SM: I use a steno pad and have separate pages labeled w/ post it flags for Director, Choreo, ASM, PA, Sets, Props, Costumes, LX, Sound, etc... So that as I come across and issue for a department I write it on "their" page. Then when I run to them I can ask them the ? and have the question sorted when it comes to writing reports.
I like this! It reminds me of an itemized rehearsal report, but not.
I think I might employ this idea............................hm
ALSO, PSMKay's idea about email folders/labels is great. I use both yahoo and gmail. For yahoo, I've learned to use email filters so show emails automatically are filtered into their individual "SHOW TITLE" folders. But with gmail, you can break it down even further, as she described. I haven't tried utilizing it in quite the same way...but also an idea I might employ.
86
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Poor stage weapon practices... Another close call
« on: Jan 23, 2009, 04:13 pm »Recently a community theatre (which shall remain nameless in my posting) used a pistol that fired blanks. The SM lost the gun one night (no one assigned to collect it after it's used on stage and the SM didn't have a clue that it should ultimately fall on her to secure it--now THAT scares me). I was not involved w/ that show but suggested from the sidelines that the theatre implement a procedure for weapons (like: they get locked up by the SM after each performance, taken outside and properly checked before each show and handed off to the actor just before that actor's cue to enter with it).
Now: SM's have a key to a safe where weapons are stored between performances.
Guns were not locked up?! Yikes! Isn't that commmon knowledge.
87
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Poor stage weapon practices... Another close call
« on: Jan 21, 2009, 01:58 pm »I wonder if this type of thing happens more often and we're just seeing more of it at the moment. There's a lot of little theatres out there like the Sarasota Senior Theater who may have someone handling the tech (but not very likely) and a lot of accidents that can happen when exuberance is matched with exhibitionism and very little else.
I've noticed that news stories on a certain gory topic tend to pop up more frequently if there's one first major story that builds hype. The one from December certainly drummed up quite a bit of attention - I hope that this doesn't become the next "big thing" for parents to freak out and protect their children from.
Agreed. And though we, as stage managers, would like to believe we all employ common sense, safety and responsibility, it's good to have a bit more awareness (a small scare to remind us) not to take certain tasks lightly.
88
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Poor stage weapon practices... Another close call
« on: Jan 21, 2009, 12:43 pm »
This makes me cringe all over!!!!
89
College and Graduate Studies / Re: Race question on applications
« on: Jan 19, 2009, 12:01 am »Of course it's subject to the fine print on each application... but the race question may correspond to a scholarship, grant or fellowship the school offers. While this shouldn't have any bearing on your acceptance, it might have an influence on how they set up your funding/financial aid package.
In my opinion, it's a bit dodgy not to offer an "Other" option... particularly when the options presented cover only a narrow handful of groups.
Regardless, I agree with Matthew - contact the school in question and ask what they recommend.
Yes, that what was I was concerned with.
Thank you, all. I wil post the responses I get, just fyi.
90
Tools of the Trade / Re: Going Green
« on: Jan 17, 2009, 03:56 pm »Using sheet protectors: (I got this from a friend of mine.) I also use them for my preset checklist. I have a piece of tie line through one of the 3 punch holes and I loop it to my belt. As I go through the checklist, I use a wet erase marker (I find that dry erase checks will get wiped onto my pant leg), and then, when I have to carry something/or use both hands, I don't have to shove the preset into a pocket/under an arm/etc. At the beginning of each day I take a wet paper towel and just wipe it off. Then back on my belt loop it goes.
I like it! (Takes note)