Messages

856

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling a warning for a cue

« on: Aug 03, 2007, 08:43 am »

To add to my first post it also depends if you're calling a traditional show or a time-coded show with everything automated.  For the traditional show it's the standy/go or however you do it.  For an automated show you check your monitors to make sure your clear, have a stagehand on the deck as your eyes on the ground.  Then there are no warnings or anything, it's simply "such and such moving in 3, 2, 1, moving."  If someone gets in the way or something happens you just take your hand off the deadman and everything stops.

857

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling a warning for a cue

« on: Aug 03, 2007, 12:20 am »

I have only used one warn/standby for each cue.  Occasionally if there is a long period without any cues I will give a "long warning" at about 2 minutes, then a regular warning or standby at my usual 20-30 sec.

If your crew can't get normal cues with one warning/standby there is something wrong .

858

Tools of the Trade / Re: IM Programs in Rehearsal

« on: Aug 01, 2007, 10:04 pm »

I should clarify - in my post I meant using IM for business use only, not personal.  It's commonplace in many big companies as well.

There's a difference between having a 2 second IM exchange with a designer and pecking away to your friends all night about plans after rehearsal .

It's also quite nifty if your ASM is on the other side of the room during rehearsal.  Before the end of a scene you can send a quick IM that says "Heads up, schedule's changed - scene 2 next".

Nothing can or will replace face to face communication.  The trick is to find the balance.

859

Tools of the Trade / Re: IM Programs in Rehearsal

« on: Aug 01, 2007, 08:04 pm »

It's a great communication tool, especially if your ASMs are possibly in another studio rehearsing, or at a different place in the same studio.  Also great for tech for the designers and production staff to check in if it's not a show that requires them there for say, an entire 10/12. 

We're foolish not to use it!

860

Tools of the Trade / Re: SM Software

« on: Jul 31, 2007, 06:47 pm »

I don't know that we'll ever see a good SM Software Package on the market.  I've beta tested one that was for sale at USITT, it was an absolute joke.  We're all too picky to ever be satisfied by a software package.

861

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

« on: Jul 30, 2007, 12:46 pm »

Unless you're going to be using it for graphics intensive applications I'd stick with a PC.  PC is far and away the standard in business and will be for the forseeable future.

I have never had any problems with viruses or my wireless in any PC that I owned -ever.  If you do it's most likely operator error.  In fact I have a desktop PC that I have taken good care of and kept well-maintained, it's 5 years old and runs like new.  Don't listen to people who bash one or the other.  Find a friend who has a Mac, play it and see what you like better.  At the end of the day as long as you're getting your job done that's what matters the most.  

862

Tools of the Trade / Re: Triangulation taping technique

« on: Jul 28, 2007, 10:33 am »

A drafting course isn't absolutely necessary, but it helps you understand principles like this and apply them to a taping a floor.  And after all, a floorplan is nothing more than a full scale drafting.

863

Tools of the Trade / Re: Triangulation taping technique

« on: Jul 28, 2007, 01:00 am »

This is a great reason why all stage managers should take a course in hand drafting ).

864

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: thoughts on hanging out with the cast after shows

« on: Jul 26, 2007, 03:14 pm »

Here's my thoughts....  The people I like to socialize with outside of work are theatre people.  The four people I currently live with are all staff members at the same theatre I work at.  If I don't socialize with my cast, crew, and co-workers, then frankly I would never socialize with anyone it seems.

I see nothing wrong with socializing with my cast.  Frankly I've even gotten pretty drunk with them before.  I know to keep my mouth shut about any sensitive information that they shouldn't know when I'm out with them, so I think it's fine.  I personally think it creates a stronger bond between us and they are more likely to cooperate with me in rehearsal.

The college environment is completely different from a professional environment in this way.  In college it's usually acceptable to get crocked with your cast, and is often encouraged and at times almost expected.  It's different in the professional world.  I'd recommend not going overboard in front of your cast if you expect them to come to work the next day and take you seriously.

865

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: theatre romance

« on: Jul 25, 2007, 06:09 pm »

This one is a very grey area!!  Beeeeeee careful.

I just wrote a post about SMs socializing with their cast (which I think is great), but this is a very grey area.  I'm not saying it shouldn't be done, but it's very easy to get yourself in hot water this way.

866

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: thoughts on hanging out with the cast after shows

« on: Jul 25, 2007, 06:06 pm »

I think as long as it's a clear social environment, i.e. at a bar or restaurant, and you keep a clear distinction between you as a stage manager and you as a friend then you'll be okay.  Don't talk about work when you're out, the line has to be as clear as night and day.

Having been a Stage & Production Manager with a department of 60 people onboard a ship it's literally impossible not to find yourself in a social situation as you're living and working with the same people 24/7.  I found this situation to be a good balance between work and play.  But remember, you are still their boss, so make sure you're not doing things to lose their respect. 

Others will be of the opinion that you should never hang out with your cast.  I find that to be nonsense personally 

867

College and Graduate Studies / Re: SM Colleges in the MD, PA regions

« on: Jul 25, 2007, 08:34 am »

I'm going into my senior year at Penn State.  It's a BFA Stage Management program and by far the best program that I've come across while meeting other SM students.  It's a very specified program that gives you conservatory experience in a huge state university environment.  I couldn't be more satisfied with the education I'm getting.  If you don't believe me, ask Kevin (kmc307) above since he's a gainfully-employed alum!

Aww Rachey-Rach!!

The Penn Staters are coming in droves  .  Hail to the Lions!

868

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Jul 21, 2007, 09:29 am »

However, if walkies are used in the US, the FCC regulates profanity (strange but true).  Should profanity be overheard because you're being monitored or accidentally overheard or something, you can get fined. 

You're funny, the chances of that happening are about as good as you winning a small state lottery jackpot.

Actually, I work on an outdoor gig where we use radios, and the FCC did in fact beep in once and ask us to identify ourselves.  We didn't get fined, but I think we were reminded that we were using public airways. 
<running out to buy a lottery ticket now...how small does the state have to be for my odds to be good?> 

Do you live in Rhode Island?

869

Employment / Re: Freelancers

« on: Jul 20, 2007, 09:12 am »

The Schedule C is marvelous for itemizing deductions if you keep all of your receipts.  The nice thing about it is you can file a schedule C even if you only have one 1099 and the rest of your income is W-2.  You can deduct everything from mileage on your vehicle, meal per diem each day when you've been gone from your primary residence for more than 24 hours, office supplies, etc...  If you organize your place of residence right you can also deduct for a home office.  Say 25% of your home is taken by your home office (this is a large portion of course, but this is just for argument's sake).  You can deduct 25% of your rent, 25% of utilities, etc... on a schedule C. 

For those still in college and reading this, if your theatre department offers any kind of theatre business or professional prep course, I'd highly recommend taking it before graduation.  If they don't, get a few students together and ask to create one.

The professional prep course I took in school is one of the most beneficial courses I took in the four years there.

870

Stage Management: Other / Re: Welcome packet

« on: Jul 19, 2007, 11:02 pm »

Thanks for your suggestions.  The welcome packets were well received by 4 out of the 8 people that were coming over.  Unfortunately the other 4 had last minute visa trouble and will not be joining us.  We have hired local performers instead, so 4 packets to waste.  The show opens this Tuesday.

Ahh visas, such a pain in the rear!!

Glad the packets worked well for those who received