Messages

751

Employment / Re: Resume Format

« on: Sep 26, 2012, 06:06 pm »

I feel good about table use in word

Helps me when a director has a long name, or I want to change font size, etc.  etc.

Not for everyone, but I like it.

752

Employment / Re: Resume Format

« on: Sep 26, 2012, 12:34 pm »

I do it as a Word document with the tables, but print to PDF without the lines.

Seems to work fine.

I would never send out the WORD file directly as different computers will open it up different ways.

753

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: REPORTS: Printing A Hard Copy for Management

« on: Sep 25, 2012, 10:53 pm »

It's a challenge. I've worked with theaters where I had to email, hard copy and leave phone messages.  Some people just don't check email.

I think we have to have the flexibility to adjust our style to work with the company we are working. 

Now, the logistics of getting that paper copy to his text will be a challenge.  Can you fax it to him?

754

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Break-Time App: Take 10!

« on: Sep 25, 2012, 10:29 am »

And . . . here's a style challenge . . . when a director or cast seems me checking my stop watch or wrist watch for where we are on the break, versus me checking my iPhone (which could be used to text, check email or facebook) . . . there is subtle message being sent.

I know it's generational, but still, if I see an assistant deep into the cell phone, I don't think they are working on app, or checking the break time, I think they are texting . . . or facebooking.  But, I know this is truly a generational issue.

755

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Break-Time App: Take 10!

« on: Sep 24, 2012, 11:35 pm »

I think this app is a bit of a novelty, and not worth the 15.00 to me.

Perhaps, yes, we should be encouraging people to develop more software or apps for stage managers, but let's be honest, we are a niche and small market - and, let's be honest, we all have drastically different approaches to the job, and work on huge varieties of types of shows.  It's extremely hard to write a software program that could appeal to a large percentage of stage managers, and I would say impossible to write software program for every stage manager.   

756

Employment / Re: ARTICLE: Job Interview Starts BEFORE you step in the door

« on: Sep 24, 2012, 11:30 pm »

I ran auditions for the young child in Miss Saigon twice.

The person doing the casting spend the first round of the auditions in the waiting room, while I put them through the basics.  Run to the X on the floor, kneel, sit, stand . . . some basics.

Then call backs, he would come back in the room and work with the kids - but he based a lot of the decisions based on the parents and how they interact with their kids in the waiting room.

757

Employment / ARTICLE: Job Interview Starts BEFORE you step in the door

« on: Sep 24, 2012, 02:41 pm »

http://blogs.wsj.com/atwork/2012/09/21/the-receptionist-is-watching-you/


A very good reminder . . . a smart boss will be looking for input from everyone.

758

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Blocking help

« on: Sep 22, 2012, 10:47 pm »

other reasons we taking blocking that are truly sm centric

1) Where entrances and exits happen for costume changes
2) What areas of the stage are being used to communicate to lighting / sound / scenic deisgners
3) Who is in what scene for costume designers (who are group together).
4) To remind actors how the show was originally staged when noting a performance.

But all for us.

759

Tools of the Trade / Re: Looking for suggestions

« on: Sep 13, 2012, 01:10 am »

I don't have a desktop, and just the lop top.

I need the bigger keyboard (also big hands . . . you know what they say about a SM with big hands . . . ), but also crave the power . . .

760

The Hardline / Re: Christmas Rule LORT

« on: Sep 13, 2012, 01:07 am »

I believe the rule reading is correct in there needs to be a day off every week. 

I think everyone makes a really good point that the spirit of the rule seems to be upheld, but it would require a concession, and possible a cast vote.  BUT, I am pretty sure they can't vote for this schedule without the concession.

Check with AEA.

761

The Hardline / Re: LORT-LOA Tech Hours- Creative Suggestions More Than Welcome!

« on: Sep 09, 2012, 03:04 pm »

I find psychologically people feel better when they get out one day at midnight and the next night at 9. They can catch a movie, go out to dinner...they don't feel like their whole life is being sunk into the production. Less burned out actors makes for (potentially) easier tech.

But, most theatre's I work need the morning hours to do scenic notes, costumes notes, etc, etc.  So, days are either 12:00n - 12:00m, or 2:00p to 12:00m.

I like the two 10/12s together and early to get through more of the show earlier for departments to respond with more time before the first audience. 

And, I am always dealing more with long term fatigue . . . form a tech week into a week (or more) of previews - so, get them done early, together, and get more into the time schedule we are going to be in for previews . . .

762

The Hardline / Re: AEA Staged Reading Contract?

« on: Sep 08, 2012, 12:12 am »

Again, I recommend talking to AEA.

You need to be very clear on what contract you are actually on - I have done a bunch of "readings" but on the LORT casual employment rider . . .

Just keep an eye how it's being produced.

763

The Hardline / Re: AEA Staged Reading Contract?

« on: Sep 07, 2012, 11:57 am »

Staged readings are very tricky, and depends on who is sponsoring it.  Best to just cut to the chase and call AEA.

764

The Hardline / Re: LORT-LOA Tech Hours- Creative Suggestions More Than Welcome!

« on: Sep 07, 2012, 11:56 am »

Depending on the show, and the cast . . . can you stagger actor calls, so you save 2 hours with actors one day, and not pay them . . . I have done shows where there is 10/12 for one group one day and 10/12 for another group another day.  If you can tech out of order, you maybe able to gain some time that way.

If you early enough in the process, can you do a day of tech on the week before?  So gain hours in tech, but losing rehearsal time???

765

Tools of the Trade / Re: Radio mics - are performers too reliant on them?

« on: Sep 03, 2012, 12:36 pm »

It's true the training is very different, but musical singing versus opera singing is very, very different.  There are just different expectations for the singers.  Not a lot of opera singers are asked to tap dance while singing. 

No opera singer is expected to do the same type of show of musical theater actor is, and not for 8 shows a week.  Most opera singers don't do two shows a day, and don't do two days in a row.

The material is also vastly different.