91
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 6: Headset vs Cell Phone
« on: Dec 19, 2012, 07:06 am »
I too have called a show on my cellphone when the comms unexpectedly failed.
News:
14 Jan 2021: Happy 21st birthday, SMNetwork! I replaced the old broken mobile theme. -K
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92
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: TERMS YOU NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE
« on: Dec 16, 2012, 12:06 pm »
At Voyage de la Vie, we had pages like this posted in strategic locations throughout the theatre. Cast, crew and staff. There was turnover, so we updated the pages about once a quarter. It was very helpful given the large cast, large crew and the fact that the Singaporean crew tended to go by nicknames. The chart included real name and nickname.
93
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Regional Round 5: Multitool vs Photocopier
« on: Dec 15, 2012, 09:50 pm »
I love photocopiers. I love multitools.
Photocopiers often get cranky with me and paper jam/ run out of toner/ whatever. And then they just stop working and beep at me. Often at the worst moment.
I love photocopiers. I think they don't love me back.
My Leatherman Wave loves me back.
Photocopiers often get cranky with me and paper jam/ run out of toner/ whatever. And then they just stop working and beep at me. Often at the worst moment.
I love photocopiers. I think they don't love me back.
My Leatherman Wave loves me back.
94
Employment / Re: How to differential between educational experience as a student and as a teacher
« on: Dec 15, 2012, 05:03 am »
These are definitely interesting thoughts to consider when I decide to re-enter the SM workforce (most likely at the end of this particular contract). I can see the importance to put the proper spin on it both in a cover letter and in an interview.
My ultimate reason to take this job was similar to what you mentioned about training and mentoring younger SMs and expanding my skillset in terms of communication methods.
So perhaps, your suggestion to put teaching in Special Skills can outweigh my apprehension at having a "gap."
My ultimate reason to take this job was similar to what you mentioned about training and mentoring younger SMs and expanding my skillset in terms of communication methods.
So perhaps, your suggestion to put teaching in Special Skills can outweigh my apprehension at having a "gap."
95
Employment / Re: How to differential between educational experience as a student and as a teacher
« on: Dec 15, 2012, 12:34 am »
Hmm. So you would hesitate to hire an ASM that had previously been a teacher. What about a PSM?
96
Employment / Re: How to differential between educational experience as a student and as a teacher
« on: Dec 14, 2012, 11:54 pm »QuoteI would agree with this from a skills perspective, but if you leave the teaching experience off, how do you explain a 1-2 year (or longer) gap on your resume?
First, the gap might not be noticed if you leave years off resume (I am huge about leaving dates off your resume).
But, if the topic came up, you can explain at that point what you were doing . . . like you would if you were out due to family issues, going to school, serving time for knocking over a liquor store to support your meth habit.
It happens.
And, I am not sure how I would feel with someone applying to me for a professional position with teaching experience . . . is it a bias that "those who can, do, those who can't, teach"? Is it because I would feel there are to set in their ways to be flexible enough to work as part of team? Too opinionated? I know, personally, that those applicants that have run across my "desk" that had teaching experience either left it off, or just put in the additional skills.
As for the meth- I only served a few months - so no noticeable gap. Just Kidding.
As for the teaching bias- I understand your feelings. I had them too before I started teaching. Now that I teaching, I realize that it forces me to be even more flexible and concentrate on the methods of my communication. Gone are the days where I can make a request and assume that my trusty ASM knows what I mean. Teaching has forced me to rethink my understanding of the basics AND taught me a lot about to how read people as well.
So my recommendation to you, would be to reconsider your bias. Teachers ARE do-ers.
97
Employment / Re: How to differential between educational experience as a student and as a teacher
« on: Dec 14, 2012, 07:17 am »
This question is mainly geared to how to add my teaching experience to my "traditional" stage management resume which would be used to apply for show jobs.
I am not working on shows currently, it's just teaching. So I need to create a separate category.
P.S. I have already created a hybrid/cv for teaching/ consultation type jobs. In this version, I have highlighted selected jobs in my career and written out bullet points of job description to tailor to each job application.
Post Merge: Dec 14, 2012, 07:22 am
More info - desired format
THEATRE
PSM Show 1 Company A Dir 9
ASM Show 2 Company B Dir 10
CIRCUS
PSM Show 3 Company C Dir 11
XXX?
- EDUCATIONAL ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION
Instructor Stage Management Training Program Esplanade Theatre Co Ltd
I am not working on shows currently, it's just teaching. So I need to create a separate category.
P.S. I have already created a hybrid/cv for teaching/ consultation type jobs. In this version, I have highlighted selected jobs in my career and written out bullet points of job description to tailor to each job application.
Post Merge: Dec 14, 2012, 07:22 am
More info - desired format
THEATRE
PSM Show 1 Company A Dir 9
ASM Show 2 Company B Dir 10
CIRCUS
PSM Show 3 Company C Dir 11
XXX?
- EDUCATIONAL ACADEMIC INSTRUCTIONInstructor Stage Management Training Program Esplanade Theatre Co Ltd
98
Employment / Re: How to differential between educational experience as a student and as a teacher
« on: Dec 13, 2012, 10:27 am »
Hmm. Does "Academic" sound more teacherly than "Educational"
99
Employment / How to differential between educational experience as a student and as a teacher
« on: Dec 13, 2012, 12:14 am »
I am in the process of updating my resume and have come upon a question.
My current job is as a teacher for a professional training program.
My resume is currently divided into categories:
Circus, Theatre, Opera etc
What can I title my new section? I am afraid to use the term Educational because I think it will end up looking like I am a student.
Thoughts?
My current job is as a teacher for a professional training program.
My resume is currently divided into categories:
Circus, Theatre, Opera etc
What can I title my new section? I am afraid to use the term Educational because I think it will end up looking like I am a student.
Thoughts?
100
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: NY TIMES saying no to college
« on: Dec 08, 2012, 04:49 am »Food for Thought:
Many countries won't hire foreign workers (for skilled positions) without a university degree.
Was that specifically a graduate degree, or undergrad as well?
I have an undergraduate (4 year) degree. The requirements vary from country to country and perhaps some would be OK with an associates (2 year) or shorter specialty degree.
101
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How to Fly a Kite in the House
« on: Dec 08, 2012, 04:47 am »
We did a similar trick for a scarf flight in my show Voyage de la Vie. Use strong fishing line or you run the risk of it breaking. Have an ASM standing by with a pair of scissors to cut the line in case of technical difficulties - TRUST ME.
102
December Madness I: 2012 / Re: Community, Round 3: Post-Its vs. Spike Tape
« on: Dec 08, 2012, 04:43 am »
Without spike tape, how can label my lunch before I put it in the communal fridge? Without spike tape - someone else may eat my food!! Hungry hungry stage manager...
103
Employment / Re: Working in Asia
« on: Dec 06, 2012, 03:38 am »
I've been working in Asia for almost three years now. (Macau and Singapore)
Option 1- Are you considering moving to Cambodia and trying to work as an SM there?
Things to consider:
-Cambodia specific- This is one of the poorest countries in Asia. There is NO high budget theatre or events scene there. There are lots of dance/ cultural shows (a lot of them geared towards tourists and in conjunction with restaurants and tours.) I wouldn't think that they would have an SM calling cues, but could probably use a backstage coordinator or techie kind of person. You'd definitely need to have a resident status and speak Khmer. None of these places would sponsor employment visas.
-Thailand and Malaysia are larger countries with larger budget events. They both have large resorts and casinos. These resorts would have entertainment onsite and also be a venue for one-off events and touring shows. The company Resorts World has branches in the Philippines (Manila), Malaysia (Genting) and Singapore (Sentosa). Resorts World does hire foreigners for some of their technical/ stage management needs. English is widely spoken in these countries.
-Bear in mind that to get hired in a foreign country you have two options: gain residency and get a work permit that way and get hired "as a local" OR prove that you are more qualified than any local and get sponsored for a work permit. Extensive professional experience and a university degree are usually required to prove your qualifications.
Option 2- Are you wanting to work for an events or theatre company from your home country that travels/ tours to Asia?
Things to consider:
-Touring shows and events will go to (usually) larger cities with both the budget and audience to support them. I imagine a few shows or companies might occasionally go to Pnom Penh (rarely). Larger cities like Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong will attract a lot more touring shows and events.
-Touring and/or events experience will help you get these kinds of jobs, obviously. I suggest applying at events companies in your home city to make connections and gain experience.
Feel free to PM me with specific questions.
Option 1- Are you considering moving to Cambodia and trying to work as an SM there?
Things to consider:
-Cambodia specific- This is one of the poorest countries in Asia. There is NO high budget theatre or events scene there. There are lots of dance/ cultural shows (a lot of them geared towards tourists and in conjunction with restaurants and tours.) I wouldn't think that they would have an SM calling cues, but could probably use a backstage coordinator or techie kind of person. You'd definitely need to have a resident status and speak Khmer. None of these places would sponsor employment visas.
-Thailand and Malaysia are larger countries with larger budget events. They both have large resorts and casinos. These resorts would have entertainment onsite and also be a venue for one-off events and touring shows. The company Resorts World has branches in the Philippines (Manila), Malaysia (Genting) and Singapore (Sentosa). Resorts World does hire foreigners for some of their technical/ stage management needs. English is widely spoken in these countries.
-Bear in mind that to get hired in a foreign country you have two options: gain residency and get a work permit that way and get hired "as a local" OR prove that you are more qualified than any local and get sponsored for a work permit. Extensive professional experience and a university degree are usually required to prove your qualifications.
Option 2- Are you wanting to work for an events or theatre company from your home country that travels/ tours to Asia?
Things to consider:
-Touring shows and events will go to (usually) larger cities with both the budget and audience to support them. I imagine a few shows or companies might occasionally go to Pnom Penh (rarely). Larger cities like Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong will attract a lot more touring shows and events.
-Touring and/or events experience will help you get these kinds of jobs, obviously. I suggest applying at events companies in your home city to make connections and gain experience.
Feel free to PM me with specific questions.
104
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: bass-ackwards
« on: Dec 06, 2012, 03:16 am »For timings, I write the time stamp on the top right corner of the page of the script once we hit full runs during tech week. This gives me a sense of how the show is going. The catch is always starting my stopwatch at the same point at each performance.
I find putting the stopwatch start and stop in the calling script like it was a cue makes sure I am timing it the saw way every time.
I do this too. Even if I'm doing a performance without a script - I include a cue for myself to start and stop my stopwatch.
105
The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: NY TIMES saying no to college
« on: Dec 06, 2012, 03:05 am »
Food for Thought:
I did get a University degree and for my entire employment in the USA, it never mattered at all. It hardly ever even came up in conversation.
All that changed when I started getting jobs abroad. Many countries won't hire foreign workers (for skilled positions) without a university degree.
I didn't know that or think about that when getting my degree. But it was my first overseas job that paid me enough to finally pay off all my debt.
(Yes, I know my situation is fairly unique and that MOST people don't leave their home country.)
I did get a University degree and for my entire employment in the USA, it never mattered at all. It hardly ever even came up in conversation.
All that changed when I started getting jobs abroad. Many countries won't hire foreign workers (for skilled positions) without a university degree.
I didn't know that or think about that when getting my degree. But it was my first overseas job that paid me enough to finally pay off all my debt.
(Yes, I know my situation is fairly unique and that MOST people don't leave their home country.)