Messages

76

The Hardline / Re: Showcase

« on: Oct 17, 2007, 11:07 pm »

Short answer: No. 

Long Answer: Health weeks are accumulated through contracts, where the Producer contributes X amount of money into the Health Fund on your behalf for each week worked.  The Showcase Code allows small-time productions to use Equity members without compensation, except travel stipend.  Since the producer of the Showcase isn't putting money into the Health fund for you, it doesn't count for weeks.

77

Employment / Re: Reference changing jobs

« on: Aug 31, 2007, 01:23 pm »

Great idea!

(wondering why I couldn't think of such a concise and simple solution myself)

78

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stopwatch Use

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 10:19 pm »

To quote my favorite Disney character, Alice: "Curiouser and curiouser."

Why, exactly, are you asking this question?  Studying the evolution of stage management techniques or what?  Its just so specific! 

By the way, I was watching Saturday morning cartoons for the better part of the 80's and have no substance to add to this topic.

79

Employment / Reference changing jobs

« on: Aug 30, 2007, 03:36 pm »

I know we've hit the topic of references before, but here's a situation that I don't think we've discussed:

One of my major references (a Production Manager from a theatre I've worked at numerous times) has accepted a new position in another arts organization.  The new position is NOT at a theatre.

Should I list his position as Former PM at the theatre we worked at?  Or list his new title and position?  Does it really matter?  I've always liked that a prospective employer can see the link between the shows I've done at Theatre X and the references.  But then again, the new position has broader name recognition in NY.  But since I've never worked at the new place, I don't want to puzzle anyone, make them scratch their head and think there is something shady about my work history.

Of course, I have also asked for the reference's permission to potentially list the new title.  I'd appreciate anyone's advice on this.

Away from my specific situation, I would love to know what do you do when a reference moves on from a position where you were linked.  And those of you in hiring positions: how valuable is the position/title of the references when you look at a resume?  I generally try to have a mix of positions - one PM, one SM, one director, so they know I get along with all sorts of people.

80

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?

« on: Aug 09, 2007, 01:45 am »

Digga -

How do you turn off the Vista security questions?  Please fill me in...

81

Tools of the Trade / Re: Mikin a Baby grand piano adn a choir...

« on: Apr 19, 2007, 10:24 pm »

I recommend you post your question at controlbooth.com.  Its a great site with lots of knowledgable tech-folk in every field - including sound.  I posted a question and got multiple relies within an hour or so.

-Beatr79

82

Tools of the Trade / Vista and Microsoft 2007

« on: Apr 16, 2007, 08:44 pm »

So I purchased a new PC notebook recently, and it came with the new Windows Vista operating system.  On top of that, I purchased the new Microsoft Office 2007.  Well, between the two new programs its like I have to re-learn how to do the most basic tasks.  If I wanted to re-learn everything, I should have just bit the bullet and bought myself a Mac (no offense to Mac users implied).

I'm embracing the Vista system, since that's what my computer is built for, but I am seriously considering buying new Office 2003 and uninstalling Office 2007.  I often end up sharing my computer with fellow SMs on any given show, and they would have no idea how to do anything. 

Anyone else using these new programs?  Just wondering if I'm alone in my misery...

83

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Just finished calling my first show!...

« on: Mar 09, 2007, 10:20 am »

Congratulations!  (what happened?  I'm assuming you're OK?)

I called about 5 shows (plus all of tech) with about 8 stitches in my mouth and several on my lower lip.  I was officially still on painkillers, but had opted to do heavy doses of OTC medicine rather than the Tylenol with codeine that the doctor had given me. 

Other stories of silly stage managers doing their job, even when they probably shouldn't have?

84

SMNetwork Archives / A different eletronic script thread

« on: Mar 08, 2007, 05:45 pm »

I've scanned the other threads, and please point me in the right different if this topic has already been covered:

What programs do you all use for scripts during the rehearsal process? My company always gives us the script in Microsoft Word, but making script changes/ updates can be very complicated and labor-intensive.  I'm looking for a program that will "lock" the page numbers, so regardless of script changes, the master electronic copy will still match the copy distributed at first rehearsal.  Ideally, if the text needs to go onto another page, the program will start a new page "24a" instead of bumping down to page 25. 

The way I've dealt with this in Word is by manually inserting section / page breaks, and actually re-numbering the new pages myself.  This requires a LOT of double-checking, and I have had problems passing the project off to someone else.  Any suggestions?

85

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Lent?

« on: Feb 14, 2007, 12:46 pm »

I haven't made up my mind yet - might give up table salt (I bring my own shaker to every theatre I work at), or soda (I'm a Cherry coke and Sunkist gal).

Another Lentian strategy I'm considering is a combo: to give up / give back.  So it works like this.  I resolve to give up eating out - but I know realistically that I will get take-out probably once or twice a week anyway.  But every time I spend money on unnecessary or indulgent food (including the random slice of pizza, Chinese with the crew) I must give the same amount of money to a charity.  So my $7 sandwich = $7 for my charity.  I keep a running tab in my desk, and at the end of Lent, write a check for the total.  I've done this in the past, and it works for me.   This way, I'm giving something up for Lent but also giving something back to the world a little too. 

86

SMNetwork Archives / Re: word usage?

« on: Jan 06, 2007, 08:08 pm »

And "please" and "thank you" will get you anywhere

Funny, I once had my master carpenter berate me for saying please and thank you to him after he did anything for me.  He thought it was condescending, and implied that he was below me.  His exact words to me were "There is no assistant after my title."

I recognized that it was his self-image issue, and simply stopped using those common courtesies with him alone.   I actually thank those who are above me on the regular basis- the PSM, the director, the PM, because they are the ones who can make my life pleasant or miserable.  "Thanks for another good rehearsal" can make it a lot easier to approach someone down the road with a touchy subject ei "About that massive scene shift..."

87

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: Jan 06, 2007, 07:56 pm »

As a PA and intern, I did not worry about dressing casually.  I figured I was the lowest man on the totem pole, so to speak, and therefore not obligated to dress well.  I also used the others around me as the clue for appropriate dress, but I paid most careful attention to the other stage managers, rather than artistic or administrative staff.   After all, they are the ones who I worked with daily, and who had to do the type of work we do, namely, crawling around the floor with spike tape, hauling rehearsal furniture into studios, etc. My standard uniform then was chinos and a t-shirt or polo shirt.  Casual, yes, but not ratty.

After getting my card, I made a conscience effort to "dress the part" of a professional stage manager.  What this translated into: same chinos, nonathletic looking sneakers, and more button-down shirts and sweaters.  I also shy away from anything too clingy or revealing.  The last thing I want is to do is make the crew (esp!) view me as a dopey girl who gets by on her looks.  The t-shirt and polos are still a part of the repertory, but usually later in the process, after I've established myself within a company.

For me, the clothes are a visual clue to the cast, director, designers, and crew take I have my act together.   I'm often much younger than most of these people, and I want to convey a sense of responsibility and diligence to them from the outset.

All this being said, I never wear clothes to work that I would hesitate to get dirty, and I must be able to move easily in them. 

88

Employment / Skills

« on: Aug 14, 2006, 07:36 pm »

So I'm in the midst of re-vamping my resume, and am struggling with the skills section.  When I first graduated college and was looking for internships, I was encouraged to list all theatrical skills.  In order to compensate for professional experience, the skills section was my chance to show that I was a jack-of-all-trades (look I've run lights! and sound! I sew! props!...you get the picture)   

Anyway, I'e been equity for about a year now, and I don't want to include things that aren't really appropriate or informative to my prospective boss (ei. at a union house, my abilities to weild a screwgun will not be valued or employed) 

So two questions:

1. Do you have a skills section?  What do you include in it?

2. For those who hire: How valuable is the skills section to you in an accessment of a cold resume? 

I've browsed the resume section of the website, but I'd really love to hear your thoughts or rationale behind what you do/don't include.

Thanks