Messages

886

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Jun 15, 2007, 08:57 am »

As for sitting there deliberately, we only ever do that with our somewhat bipolar Techie Actors, who flip from one side of the curtain to the other with every new performance

I'm by no means condoning the practice of eavesdropping on Mic'ed actors for sinister purposes, but I do maintain (in argument with scoot) that is is "a bit of fun".

Jem you have basically contradicted yourself here.  Even if you are only doing it with your friends (which I still don't think you should), the rest of the cast has no idea if you're eavesdropping on them or not.  While in your opinion the action is harmless and fun others will likely perceive it as sneaky and underhanded.

887

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Happy Stage Management Memories?

« on: Jun 15, 2007, 12:49 am »

Auction yourself off, good way to make some extra $$$ 

Thanks Kev!
 

You bet!  Supply and demand baby.

888

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Happy Stage Management Memories?

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:30 am »

Auction yourself off, good way to make some extra $$$ 

889

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Headset Etiquette

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:19 am »

I realise its not so much 'Headset' etiquette, but myself and my sound guys frequently take much amusement in piping the Wireless mics of unsuspecting actors through the Control Room monitors.
It is strange that actors don't realise that just because they can't hear themselves through the house and foldbacks doesn't mean that no-one's listening.

It's a bit of fun, and does make for some interesting moments:

Tech:  So Random Actor Dude, when you were talking about X and Y before...
Actor: Wait... weren't you somewhere else when that was happening?
[Actor walks away with puzzled expression.]

Great way to lose the respect of your cast.  If you do listen in (which I don't think you should), at least don't publicize it.

890

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

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:17 am »

I actually got the black scrubs for $9.95 a pair at Walmart...it's a bargain if you ask me.

How well do these hold up?  It may be a bargain now, but not if you have to buy a new pair every show 

891

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Performance reports (split from The Hardline)

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:16 am »

I disagree here - it's not usually a good idea to step on peoples' toes.  Not only is it not your job, but you shouldn't invade and take someone else's responsibility (especially if it has an artistic impact).

892

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Problem Actor...

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:13 am »

Excellent, glad to hear it was worked out - I think you took the right course of action escalating it to the next level.

893

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

« on: Jun 14, 2007, 12:12 am »

Are you looking specifically for Stage Management or are broader tech/production focus?

894

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: set changes

« on: Jun 04, 2007, 09:40 pm »

Something I don't think has been mentioned is what's going on in the scene change.  If it's a blackout and nothing is going on, yes of course quicker is better.  But if you have a a performer step downstage into an isolated special for a moment and the rest of the stage dark with a scene change behind the performer you'll want your stagehands to be almost in character.  Nothing is more distracting than 5 people quickly walking onto stage and tearing it apart.  I was taught and have always practiced as a stage manager you need to direct the scene changes, especially if the audience can see them.  If the audience can see it it needs to look neat, and even, and the last place their attention is should be where the next scene begins, at least in my opinion.

895

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Hydraulic Scenery accident, London "Lord of the Rings"

« on: Jun 02, 2007, 09:52 am »

I would think that as well as any blocking changes, the guards of some form would be put into place - either cloth skirting or something more ridged arround the mechanisms involved.

Mac this is the first thing I thought as well.  Every piece of automated scenery I've worked with (stage lifts, floor tracks, orchestra pit, fly system) has had a protective skirting around it if any moving parts were potentially exposed to performers.  Not only for safety, but also because seeing the "guts" of a stage lift at 7ft off the deck can be rather distracting to an audience. 

Also I'm surprised they didn't have some kind of safe edges, basically a pressure sensitive strip around the edge of the lift.  If it senses pressure from say, a human leg, the safe edge trips and the drive for that lift shuts down automatically.  You will end up with a nice bruise, but nothing more.

896

Employment / Re: job this summer....

« on: May 30, 2007, 10:09 pm »

The old fashioned way would be go door to door at the theatres and drop off your resume.

897

The Hardline / Re: Its the New Guy!

« on: May 29, 2007, 06:26 pm »

You don't need your card to be "successful" but you do need your card to get the health insurance, miminum pay scale, 401k, and pension, etc etc.

There are plenty of employers who offer these benefits, you just have to seek them out.  If you're talking about traditional theatre then you're correct, there are many benefits to joining the union.  However there is also a lot of "non-traditional" where you'll find these benefits, and it often pays rather well too. 

898

The Hardline / Re: Its the New Guy!

« on: May 29, 2007, 08:36 am »

I received my first 15 points as a non-equity ASM under an equity SM at a SPT 6 theatre.  I think the only caution I have been told about getting my card young is make sure you are in an area where you can get work.  My guess is I can at least get work at some low SPT theatres even if I cant get the big LORT contracts as a 25-30 year old.  Would others disagree with this?

This is the age old debate, when to go for your card.  There's tons and tons and tons of good non-eq work out there; some of this work will even provide you with health benefits and a retirement package.  I guess the biggest message I'd like to communicate is that you don't have to have your card to be successful in this business. 

899

Tools of the Trade / Re: [FAQ] Electronic Prompt Copies

« on: May 25, 2007, 07:31 pm »

dramabrit, let me know your findings - it will be interesting.  I've always thought it would take just as long to proofread and format the script once it's scanned into a word document as it would to type it in yourself (depending on your typing skills).  And when you type it yourself, you've got the benefit of learning the show inside out.

900

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Is this normal?

« on: May 25, 2007, 08:26 am »

Welcome to stage management.