Messages

856

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Potential for issues with ASM

« on: May 28, 2010, 12:13 am »

I feel sad for last year's SM, cuz if they think they have nothing to learn or teach, and can't do it unless he's in charge, he will never learn anything nor work more than once in a professional situation. Sad.

For your sanity, you may want to bring him as a partner - that is, "hey, you were the SM last year, I appreciate your being my support so I can learn, thanks for being someone I can ask qqs of while I do my job and am the central figure/single voice from the team"

but make sure you stay the central voice, and make sure your profs know this attitude issue, since you don't need sabotage. You need to find your own voice, your own style - and most good SMs learn/steal from those they work with, plus lovely when you find someone with whom you team well

I have truly enjoyed ASMing, most recently to someone returning to SMing who needed someone who cd whisper in his ear and/or make sure things got done without needing to be the pin - frankly, kinda nice to be able to hand off things like the nightly report - 

 

857

The Green Room / Re: The Stage Manager's Nightmare

« on: May 26, 2010, 02:37 pm »

(that one almost sounds like an SM revenge fantasy rather than a nightmare)

858

Homework Help / Re: (Homework [Help) Me!]

« on: May 18, 2010, 11:24 am »

This is a GREAT question.

Above. This is not officially your issue, but as SM you are the first line of defense once the show is running so knowing state law and pathways to follow is really essential. This also requires supreme power of observation – body language, words and patterns that vary, etc. Your job is to notice things.

And tact, diplomacy and confidentiality are key. The guy may be doing something wrong. He may not be. But often, and to some, being accused is the same as being found guilty and can follow / destroy the life of this person even if they did nothing more than tell the cast bully they couldn't play their Gameboy in the wings before they go on. Some kids like to lie (Children's Hour was born from a real case). Some men are just naturally more touchy-feely than others. And pedophiles are too often found too late. (One of the young San Diego victims was the niece of a wonderful actor-friend). So prevention and protection are vital, but so is making sure this person's life is not destroyed by rumor and innuendo.

859

Tools of the Trade / Re: PROPS: Prairie Oysters

« on: May 17, 2010, 04:23 pm »

Several of us have had this conversation -

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,3172.msg19407.html#msg19407

in our prodn, we bought pasteurized eggs for the actor's sanity, but it was the real thing. Unless you are using a rigged (or mustache) cup, they gotta do the deed

here's a more detailed response from ruthny in a previous conversation on this topic:

I can confirm that we used real eggs and real Worcestershire Sauce.  Cliff just sipped at it, but Sally, after breaking an egg into a clear glass, adding the sauce, and stirring it, chugged it right down.  We first used the real items in Tech.  We  had offered the food props earlier in rehearsal and Sally said "Please, I know how to crack an egg.  Let's wait until Tech." So we did.  When we got to that moment in Tech. and Dress she just did the business, drank the mixture and we went on.  We never even stopped for it--not once.

Our house is large, but it is a thrust stage, and there were audience members no more than 3 feet from Sally every night.

Now, if she hadn't been such a pro, we would still have used real eggs, but used opaque, porcelain mugs instead of clear glasses.  The mugs would have been rigged in two compartments on the inside.   One for the mixing of the ingredients, and the other side empty to go up to the actors' mouths.  And you simply change the line to "tooth mug."

860

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: What to do when you sign on late?

« on: May 14, 2010, 03:44 pm »

assuming this is community or school theater?

Give them - and yourself - a date when a signed contract is a deal-breaker. In the union, we are taught not to start until we have a signed contract in hand (but with many theaters we get thru prepro without one). And find out what your duties and their expectations are. If you are doing SM duties, then make sure they let the cast know what you're doing, and you need to find creative ways to get the info you need without being demanding or officious. Humor is a great weapon. Logic is a great weapon. Is there already info collected that you can cull from? for example, I ask everyone to give me an emergency contact form, on which they agree to allow certain info to appear on lists, and I compile my final contact and back-up phone numbers from that.

861

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROFESSIONALISM: What to do when you sign on late?

« on: May 13, 2010, 04:15 pm »

you might check PSMKay's SM challenge, this was a problem she threw out somewhat recently and there were some interesting responses that may be of service.

Either way, paperwork, eyes and ears open, and patience patience patience.

break a pencil

862

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Getting Started in Theatre

« on: May 12, 2010, 10:26 pm »

please look around the student/novice SM boards - you may find a lot of your questions answered by others!

863

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SHOWS: How The Other Half Loves

« on: May 11, 2010, 07:00 pm »

our prop person was brilliant on this show - one frustration was that our actors insisted on real food for the WHOLE breakfast and Foster dinner, so we had to invent stuff (thank goodness we live in CA where avocados are plentiful and not exorbitant!)

but a total prop nightmare! wish I'd had an ASM on it - and for future ref, if anyone is doing the show, insist on it!

864

Tools of the Trade / Re: Production Intercom Headsets

« on: May 04, 2010, 03:13 am »

check this discussion

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,3659.msg22207/topicseen.html#msg22207

865

Homework Help / Re: Interview Request for Professional SMs(thank you in advance)

« on: May 03, 2010, 05:39 pm »

I would suggest you explore the site and then 1) ask questions that arise from that exploration and 2) if you want to use someone's response, PM them and ask permission. They can allow it and give you their real name for citation.

866

Homework Help / Re: Interview Request for Professional SMs(thank you in advance)

« on: May 03, 2010, 12:44 pm »

Where do you go to school and who assigned you these questions? I am curious since this identical list has been sent to our network more than our fair share of times.

It would be wise to explain your stake in this, and get as specific as possible with your questions, as well as looking around our site and asking questions generated by what you learn there, because otherwise the chances of you getting any responses are pretty slim.

Thank you

867

The Green Room / Re: Should SMNetwork ban all classroom assignments?

« on: May 02, 2010, 04:40 am »

This is not a new discussion for me - every time someone sends in a homework assignment, it's the same questions followed by desperate appeals when folks don't respond, compounded by many on SMNetwork having become tired of repeating their responses over and over again. I think there is plenty of great information available for a student who takes the time to search the site, which is fairly intuitive and blessedly easy to use (this from a relative luddite).

Perhaps it would be smart to have a thread listing the 20 or so questions we always, always are asked - if for no other reason than to help stimulate more original queries. I for one am more likely and willing to respond to someone who clearly has taken the time to wade through what's already here and asks legitimate questions generated by what they've discovered, rather than dealing with those over-generalized standard questions that feel like the student is asking us to do their work for them.

I would even prefer to list the historical responses to those questions on the board, since lifting them will be obvious (especially if those teachers or the student's classmates also go on SMNetwork), rather than continue to have homework assignment after identical homework assignment come through.

 

868

Employment / Re: Promissory Note versus Contract

« on: May 01, 2010, 05:09 pm »

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Leaving with your perspective and attitude is so constructive - congrats on reaching a decision that is based on your gut and your needs, and not dependent on what others think. Clearly this was the right choice, and handled in the right way.

Best wishes you your next opportunity, whatever it may be

869

Tools of the Trade / Re: Set Changes Software

« on: May 01, 2010, 05:07 pm »

not software, but check the forms section where there are a variety of templates and examples for them

870

Employment / Re: Promissory Note versus Contract

« on: May 01, 2010, 01:29 pm »

presuming this is a nonunion arena?

can you talk to folks who've worked w the theater or those involved to get their feedback? Are these people who will advance your career or have connections that make it worth the challenge?

If the promissory note only expresses that you will be paid (and hopefully how much), you are entitled to know what their expectations are for that pay, so they can't turn around and say well, you didn't do x or y, so we aren't giving you the amount discussed. And no, it's not a contract, but nonunion work is often done without one. But you are entitled to ask them why they use this, in a very non-threatening, "just wanting info" kinda way (think of it as a pre-nup). Have they been burned before?

I think it's worth it - and fair - to say "I need to know what your expectations are, what you expect of me, so there is no confusion and I am not making any assumptions about my job" - you can even phrase it as knowing what they expect so you can make sure to fulfill their needs. Of course, this gives you the opportunity to see if their expectations are realistic or within the parameters you're willing to accept for yourself, and to write it out so you can point to it later (or, perhaps, email a "this is what we talked about, can you make sure I heard you correctly email" which will document the discussion in case there are issues later on.

And yes, sounds like a micro-management kinda situation, where you may be very, very unhappy. Have you already been to productiojn meetings and done other work yet? Is your time and skill being valued and respected?

good luck - and let us know what you decide