Messages

76

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: I have found myself SMing

« on: Nov 29, 2011, 11:08 am »

On one of my early profession SM gigs, I asked the TD if he'd mind assisting me in taping out the set.  I was honest with him and let him know that I didn't have a whole lot of experience in that area.   

77

Tools of the Trade / Re: So our theatre is poor, but I'm trying to make a cue light system.

« on: Nov 27, 2011, 08:19 am »

I had to cue a scene change crew upstage (not enough intercom packs in this case), so I ran a cable from one of the lighting circuits to their area and used a blue light bulb.  I programed the chanel to a submaster on the light board and then used the "flash" button to blink the light.  Light blinking meant "time to exicute the next scene change".

If you had enough spare circuits, you could use different color lights to expand the cueing.

78

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRE-PRODUCTION: Rights & Royalties

« on: Nov 20, 2011, 10:27 am »

I whole-heartedly agree with Matthew.  General Management should be delegated this task--if not soley for any leagal issues that may arise:

The real challenge comes if you're trying to obtain rights to a production from an estate and not from a publishing house. Like dealing with the Orwell estate or something like that. That can be tricky because estates are VERY protective of IP.

Stage Management should not have to deal with those issues in addition to all the duties stage managers do already.

79

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Designer Cue Lists

« on: Oct 07, 2011, 08:51 pm »

Maybe I'm just "old school" but whatever happended to having a paper tech? Designers, director and SM can discuss placement of cues in script all together. I usually do my own master cue list from the information gotten at the paper tech.

80

The Green Room / Re: Happiness is...

« on: Sep 21, 2011, 02:15 pm »

Getting to see a show as an audience member instead of having to call it.

81

The Hardline / Re: Going Equity 'Young'

« on: Jul 20, 2011, 09:07 pm »

I got my card when I was 23 or 24.  I was hired as an ASM for a 100% equity show: automatic card.  I was in an area (San Francisco) where there were many AEA SM jobs, so I felt it was a good move and proved to be so.

82

Stage Management: Other / Re: REVIVED THREAD: Transferring into Opera

« on: Apr 16, 2011, 09:43 am »

I'll pick up a CD of the (full) opera (not just "highlights and arias") and once paper tech has been completed, I'll practice calling my cues to the CD.  As was previously stated, the SM doesn't want to be the one to stop the tech or dress rehearsals.

Singers, chorus, supers, dancers (and anyone else) gets paged to the stage (and in some companies, escorted to the stage) to make sure entrances are right on cue: it's a train wreck if someone misses an entrance. Can you imagine the whole orchestra grinding to a halt and then re-starting in front of an audience??

83

The Green Room / Re: Is permanent marker okay?

« on: Mar 23, 2011, 03:20 pm »

I'd use chalk or pencil.  Pemanent marker will show through if and when you repaint the scenery for another show after this one (learned that the hard way).

84

The Hardline / Re: AEA ASM?

« on: Mar 22, 2011, 09:19 am »

Look at this as an opportunity to teach an actor/ASM to do things the way you'd want them done.

85

Stage Management: Other / Re: Looking for tips on Ice Shows

« on: Feb 22, 2011, 08:58 am »

Get some of those specialized shoe cleats for walking on ice.  I've had many slip and falls working as a local stagehand on ice shows!

86

The Green Room / Re: thoughts on sharing

« on: Feb 06, 2011, 11:03 am »

Knowledge is powerful if shared.  That's my mantra (one of them) as a stage manager.  Good and really great stage managers need not worry about competition---they will be hired for shows.  After years of working in professional theatre and now teaching in college and working with community theatres, I don't want to see any potential stage managers say, " I really didn't like stage managing this show.  I had no idea what I was doing and it was a horrible experience.  I'm not doing this again."  I do enjoy stage managing and if I can make it easier (or at least share some knowledge) and have that stage manager say, "I had a good time doing this.  Where do I sign up for the next show?",  that's someone who will help make the production better. And, it's someone I don't have to go back to step one with next time we work a show together.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but are there not many standards that stage manager's use? Blocking notation, warns and stand-bys, writing your cues legibly, prearing checklists and prop/costume plots/scene shift plots and so on.  I'm not giving away any trade secrets that haven't been invented already.  In fact, many of my tools and techniques were handed down to me by my mentor.
I also enjoy observing another experienced stage manager work, as there's always something new to learn.  And sometimes I learn something from the novice stage manager!
PS-Good topic Matthew.

87

The Hardline / Re: Equity? In this economy?

« on: Jan 15, 2011, 02:37 pm »

Keep in mind that while you read postings for AEA SMs that pay less than some non-AEA SMs, pension and welfare is an item that companies pay directly to AEA per person (add that to the offered  AEA salary). And just because it's the posted "contract minimum" you can always negotiate for more.

88

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: Ragtime! Advice

« on: Jan 11, 2011, 07:48 pm »

The show I did several years ago was boiled down to essential scenery (the facility had limited vertical flies and off stage storage).  The biggest special prop(s) were the 2 vehicles.  Coalhouses car was an actual period car (borrowed) and the TD/Designer had to build a fairly realistic (period) looking fire truck as both are on stage at the same time.
Of course, how realistic you go will depend on the oveall concept of your artistic staff.

89

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: Giving notes to young actors

« on: Dec 22, 2010, 10:31 am »

Having worked for years with young performers, I would refrain from any punish/scare tactics.  I would let them know the "why" behind why we need to keep the show as the director intended it to be.  As young performers, this is an opportunity to train them in acting and stage ediquette.  Positive re-enforcement goes a long way and, I feel, gets better results.

90

Employment / Re: Transitioning from non-union to CAEA

« on: Dec 13, 2010, 01:40 pm »

Does CAEA have a job page on it's website that lists companies looking for union member stage managers?