Messages

91

The Hardline / Re: The Ever Scrutinized Straight Six

« on: Oct 19, 2008, 08:56 am »

Yeah - your best option for the 1st rehearsal is to schedule a 5 hour block before lunch and just try to get everything done within that 5 hours and not have to come back after lunch.  Otherwise you have to go with the 1.5 or 2 hour lunch (depending on your contract).  The vote is supposed to be anonymous and therefore can't even be done over email or anything. 

Though I've never found a company say no to a straight six rehearsal block.  Especially on the majority of contracts that make one of the AEA breaks a 20min break.  So far, I've only found that the Off-Broadway doesn't have this 20min break rule and most directors are willing to extend a break anyway so they can have a lunch too.

92

The Hardline / Re: LORT - Rehearsal Questions

« on: Oct 01, 2008, 11:49 pm »

Interesting, huh?  LORT never ceases to amaze me.

All of the contracts never cease to amaze me.  Nothing is consistent between any of them and each one seems to have their own little quirks.  Some are written better than others on some points but not on others. 

93

SMNetwork Archives / Re: I could have kissed them!

« on: Sep 08, 2008, 01:17 pm »

We were finishing the 2nd 10 out of 12 when the stress and fatigue started hitting the designers and director I think.  I had made clear (or thought I had) to everyone that I was going to run through each scene transition again and now incorporate costumes to get the quick changes down.  We would be skipping ahead once each transition was nailed. 

We started doing this and the lighting/costume designer started getting fussy about wanting to run through each scene in real time because that would best serve her needs as both designers to get things tweaked.  I was surprised that she hadn't mentioned it before and when I asked her to explain her reasoning she got a little snippy on the headset and said to just keep going as I had.  So I called a 10min break for the actors and then took off my headset and asked all of the designers to gather around me real quick.  I apologized for my miscommunication about not expressing what I wanted to do clearly and also apologized for not checking with everyone to see how best their needs would be met (whether it was my fault or not didn't matter to me - just easier to take the blame and keep everyone else happy in my opinion).  I told them for the last hour of the day we'd pick it up from where we left off and run through each scene in real time all the way through and continue on in the morning from where we left off.  Everyone understood and seemed to cheer up a little bit.  The lighting designer even gave me a hug and apologized for being snippy.

The next morning the Production Manager thanked me for the way I handled that meeting and said he was really impressed with the professionalism with which I did it.  He appreciated the way I was taking everything in stride and keeping everyone calm and also working. 

I don't expect recognition for my work but it's really nice when it comes along.

94

Tools of the Trade / Re: Scheduling and Calendar Applications

« on: Sep 04, 2008, 12:35 pm »

I actually just added a Calendar to my website, specific for each show.  I can update it regularly with Dreamweaver and everyone has been thrilled with it.  Actors love it because they don't have to call a hotline and know the breakdowns will be listed each evening.  They can even check it from their HTML capable Phones like the iPhone or HTC Touch.

The current show is found here - http://www.scottpomerico.com/schedules/taboos.html

95

The Hardline / Re: Trying to explain LORT scheduling rules to actors

« on: Aug 30, 2008, 01:30 pm »

I will say that explains it a hell of a lot better than the Rule Book.  I've never gotten so many questions as to try and explain it that way but it makes sense to me.  Then again, as an SM, I'm used to the rules and quirks of AEA.  You might be better served handing it off to an actor or 2 first to see that they understand it, than you will by asking Stage Managers.

96

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question For NY SM's

« on: Aug 25, 2008, 10:14 pm »

I like to wear witty t-shirts and shorts.  In other words, wear what I find comfortable that day.  I don't play dress up and the producers, directors, designers, etc, all seem to enjoy my attempt to lighten things up with what I wear.  If I wanted to dress up for work I would have gone into corporate america.  I like being able to dress casually and comfortably for work.

97

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Slightly Nervous, Advice and Words of Wisdom Please?

« on: Aug 22, 2008, 05:37 pm »

Working with an experienced asm is a blessing.

I think to often we get hung with I am the SM, your are the ASM, that is the PA - if you are smart, in my opinion, you are team, and having strong, strong people on the team is what you want.

Bully!  Well said.

98

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Slightly Nervous, Advice and Words of Wisdom Please?

« on: Aug 22, 2008, 02:29 pm »

How do you feel about being the Stage Manager on the production?  Are you comfortable in your abilities to get the job done?  If the answer is yes, then you should be the SM.

I understand your reservations about the situation.  Working with someone that has more experience can be daunting but it's not a bad thing.  Stay confident in your own abilities and you shouldn't experience any issues with your ASM.

99

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Shadowing: General Q&A

« on: Aug 15, 2008, 04:06 pm »

Look me up in the NY area when you're around.

And which Portland are you referring to?  Maine or Oregon?

100

The Hardline / Re: Staged Reading in NY

« on: Jul 27, 2008, 02:08 pm »

Excellent help people.  The readings are only selected scenes from 2 upcoming plays by Redshift productions.  They've accounted 2 hours for the reading and a Q&A afterward.

I have the copy of the Staged Reading Guidelines and read through it - but there isn't much in the way of specifics.  I know we won't use the full amount of time and that's about it.

The readings are from ICSI and Taboos.  It is taking place on Thursday (7/31) from 7-9pm at the CUNY Graduate Center, Martin Segal Theatre, 1st Floor.

101

The Hardline / Staged Reading in NY

« on: Jul 27, 2008, 04:03 am »

So I'm doing a Staged Reading in NY and have never done one.  What does a SM do at these besides call the breaks?  Are cues involved?  A 1/2 Hour call?  Do I have to schedule an AEA business meeting?  Anything anyone can help me with?  Much appreciated!

I'm emailing Equity too but who knows when they'll get back to me.

102

Employment / Re: Webpage Resume

« on: Jul 11, 2008, 02:42 pm »

I keep mine online but mostly send people to a link to the PDF version as opposed to the website.  And in all of my applications, I've also just sent the PDF attachment so the website link is more of a redundandcy factor more than anything.

103

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Aging in stage management (those late 20's)

« on: Jul 03, 2008, 02:57 pm »

I just entered the last year of my 20s and have been doing this professionally for about 7 years now and joined the union before I was 25.  For a while I wasn't sure if I was too young or missing too much and maybe I still did.  But I was given an opportunity at a good LORT theatre where their Resident PSM just got burnt out in her late 20s/early 30s and decided to quit theatre after the season started.  Needing an SM and having been their SM on their non-eq children's tour, I offered my services.  I ended up with 3 shows that season and 6 of the next season before moving on.   My only regret is that I had the great Resident PSM position when I was too young.  Now that I'm getting into my 30s, I would love to get that back but as long as I keep finding work at good theatres, I'm very happy with the life I've got.  Moving to NYC has opened up whole new possibilities and I still get to work at Regional Theatres on occasion. 

As for being burnt out, I haven't felt it yet and though I've been offered positions in different careers that offer far more money, I figure I'll keep doing this as long as I enjoy it.  I can't see myself enjoying another career nearly as much as this one.  My only next goal is Grad School at some point I think but I keep putting that off as I continue to work and gain more experience.

104

Tools of the Trade / Re: The Blackberry

« on: Jun 27, 2008, 03:48 am »

I've got the Motorola Q.  Love it.  Have had it for almost 2 years now and it was the best investment I made.  Emails, internet, full contact info, all connected to my PC and easily synced up.

But since it's been almost 2 years, my new every 2 for Verizon is up mid-July and I'm looking at the HTC Touch.  Similar to the iPhone without the Apple crap and better Wireless Internet Service.    I never really considered a Blackberry only because I didn't need the Blackberry service for what I was doing.  The basic Data plan from Verizon has been more than enough.  I'll update once I get my new phone though.

Either way, any kind of smartphone/pda phone is well worth it.  No need to carry 2 separate devices and having the calendar and all of my emails instantly within reach is very helpful.

105

Tools of the Trade / Re: What software do you use?

« on: Jun 08, 2008, 08:41 pm »

Looking at it I can see how it works.  I can also see why I've never thought of it.  Haven't worked on a show with that many set changes in a long time or at least with that many individual groundplans by a designer.

Might be good for musicals too though.