91
The Green Room / Re: What a Stage Manager Does
« on: Feb 23, 2012, 10:15 pm »
I have wanted to add "Professional Cat Herder" to my e-mail signature for years right under "AEA Stage Manager" haha
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92
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Being friends with the SM
« on: Feb 23, 2012, 10:14 pm »
I agree with Matthew - my general style is to be pleasant and friendly to all as co-workers and try to leave work and home separate as much as possible.
This helps me decompress after a long day - meeting a friend for drinks after a long day and not talking about work is lovely. Spending the day off without the same 12 people I see all week is blissful.
Does this mean that you'll never form lasting friendships with some people in casts or crews? No. Some of my very closest friends are people I met during a show and we've fostered that friendship outside of work. It takes a good balance to make it work.
This helps me decompress after a long day - meeting a friend for drinks after a long day and not talking about work is lovely. Spending the day off without the same 12 people I see all week is blissful.
Does this mean that you'll never form lasting friendships with some people in casts or crews? No. Some of my very closest friends are people I met during a show and we've fostered that friendship outside of work. It takes a good balance to make it work.
93
The Green Room / "You get paid to do that?" - What's your oddest story?
« on: Feb 12, 2012, 02:16 pm »
Recently I've been getting to know a lot of people outside of the theater realm (crazy concept, right?) and find myself having to re-explain my job and what I do and every time I hear myself tell a story I think just how incredibly odd some things are to other people.
Very often I get asked "You get paid to do...that?" which always makes me laugh.
So what are everyone's oddest stories of things they did on the job?
My personal favorite from the last year:
- Undressing a male stranger in under 30 seconds, 8 times a week (I never even get to know their names!)
Very often I get asked "You get paid to do...that?" which always makes me laugh.
So what are everyone's oddest stories of things they did on the job?
My personal favorite from the last year:
- Undressing a male stranger in under 30 seconds, 8 times a week (I never even get to know their names!)
94
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: POLICIES: Standard policies for a SM's authority?
« on: Feb 12, 2012, 02:04 pm »Quote
Directors in the professional world are a very trick bunch, and if a director wants to come back note, tweak, change a show after opening, I really bump it up to the producer. In the heat of the moment, I would defer to a director - but that's because it's usually a director who will get me hired. (Now, safety trumps all of this . . . I will not do anything unsafe). Now, if a producer wants me to do something . . . well, again, as long as it's safe, they are paying me, they are the boss. NOW, I will, in all of these cases explain the situation and what their choice and request may require . . . "Oh, you want us to drop 500% more glitter on stage, you do that will require another hour of clean up, and put us in overtime, meal penalty and, even then, we might not be set for the evening show . . ."
This is a great summation of our job -- I can't tell you how many times I've had to do a cost/benefit conversation regarding new additions or PR appearances. While we can't unilaterally make decisions, we very often become the one (sometime the ONLY one) who sees the big picture of how it effects everyone on the show. Very often they go ahead and do it anyway - but that's the business.
In a community theater situation it can be rather tricky - I do remember having some luck with sitting down with a director and explaining how important it was for me and my learning experience to have the show in my hands once open. In that same vein I'd try to level with the board ops and let them know that if the designers have notes I am happy to take them after the show. If a scare tactic is necessary I have definitely pulled the "I am responsible for the safety of the actors" card. If they'd like to be responsible for someone tripping on the stairs because they put the cue in the "right" spot, they can be responsible for it... That kind of theoretical responsibility usually makes people re-think their actions... usually.
That all being said - some things will never change no matter how "professional" the people are that you work with. Some directors will drive you bonkers and will have to be locked out of the booth come showtime. Some board ops will fight you on cue placements and then you'll just learn to work around it or get another board op
95
The Green Room / Re: Things Stage Managers Say
« on: Jan 29, 2012, 04:27 pm »
Maybe we can make it a SMNetwork project? I'm sure a lot of us have webcams and could do a few lines each...although that means someone will have to edit them together.
Some of my favorites:
"Please don't leave your half eaten ricola on the walls backstage"
"Here. Take my pencil."
And a few of my catchphrases that my last cast were so helpful to point out that I say constantly:
"It's on the callboard. Does no one read the callboard?!"
"I'm not your mother."
"That...that is an excellent question" (For all those things cast members ask you and you can't quite give a diplomatic answer)
"If you're late for places one more time, I will start without you." (Actually happened, twice.)
Some of my favorites:
"Please don't leave your half eaten ricola on the walls backstage"
"Here. Take my pencil."
And a few of my catchphrases that my last cast were so helpful to point out that I say constantly:
"It's on the callboard. Does no one read the callboard?!"
"I'm not your mother."
"That...that is an excellent question" (For all those things cast members ask you and you can't quite give a diplomatic answer)
"If you're late for places one more time, I will start without you." (Actually happened, twice.)
96
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Screwing Up
« on: Jan 29, 2012, 04:21 pm »
Matthew - are we talking a judgement call based on opinions (I know so-and-so told me to do this, but I think THIS is the way to go) or purposely doing something wrong instead of fixing the issue (I know I should do xyz, but I'll do none of that, and let it ride)?
I guess they can be seen as pretty similar things.
In those veins I have definitely made a judgement call in the moment that was wrong, knowing it was wrong, but still thinking it was the lesser of two evils. For those things I think it is harder to bounce back from because you have to own up to a lot more, and it can really tarnish a working relationship with the higher-ups if it's a big enough issue.
I guess they can be seen as pretty similar things.
In those veins I have definitely made a judgement call in the moment that was wrong, knowing it was wrong, but still thinking it was the lesser of two evils. For those things I think it is harder to bounce back from because you have to own up to a lot more, and it can really tarnish a working relationship with the higher-ups if it's a big enough issue.
97
The Green Room / Re: Unwinding and Readjusting
« on: Jan 27, 2012, 08:02 pm »
I came off a long run (nearly 300 performances/previews) the beginning of the month and I'm just barely getting past that feeling that I should be somewhere in the evenings and weekends.
That being said though I've taken the time to re-do a lot of my apartment, organize things, and even have some serious downtime. I read books! I knit things! I watch an entire movie without being interrupted by my phone! I hang out with my friend and her baby daughter all afternoon and watch bad tv! It's amazing that these things seem so luxurious.
These little pockets of time, while they take getting used to, are sanity savers. Enjoy it while you can!
That being said though I've taken the time to re-do a lot of my apartment, organize things, and even have some serious downtime. I read books! I knit things! I watch an entire movie without being interrupted by my phone! I hang out with my friend and her baby daughter all afternoon and watch bad tv! It's amazing that these things seem so luxurious.
These little pockets of time, while they take getting used to, are sanity savers. Enjoy it while you can!
98
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Screwing Up
« on: Jan 27, 2012, 04:46 pm »
In general I TRY to treat myself with the kindness I show to actors and designers when they make a mistake, meaning I don't beat myself up too much about it. Once I realize the mistake, I immediately own up to it, apologize, do what I can to fix it, and move on.
The only exception to this rule is if something happens and it effects the safety of another person - then I become a nervous nut about it for quite awhile. I am all fine and good admitting I didn't send that e-mail, but if an actor or crew member almost got injured because of MY oversight I get pretty frazzled. Luckily this is a very rare occurrence.
A lot of the time a small flub in tech definitely helps bring back to light that while we do super human things - we are just people who sometimes make mistakes.
The only exception to this rule is if something happens and it effects the safety of another person - then I become a nervous nut about it for quite awhile. I am all fine and good admitting I didn't send that e-mail, but if an actor or crew member almost got injured because of MY oversight I get pretty frazzled. Luckily this is a very rare occurrence.
A lot of the time a small flub in tech definitely helps bring back to light that while we do super human things - we are just people who sometimes make mistakes.
99
Tools of the Trade / Re: Stage Write - an iPad app for idiots, by idiots
« on: Jan 26, 2012, 03:07 pm »
Looks fun in theory but as a SM I will stick to pencil and paper.
I can definitely see a lot of directors and choreographers using this though, and therefore perhaps making it something I would need to learn/use eventually to close the gap between their plans and what is actually happening on stage.
There is the interesting thoughts that a director, choreographer and stage manager could all share the same file, make changes, and have access to it in real time during rehearsals... or that might be creating a monster. Hmmm...
I can definitely see a lot of directors and choreographers using this though, and therefore perhaps making it something I would need to learn/use eventually to close the gap between their plans and what is actually happening on stage.
There is the interesting thoughts that a director, choreographer and stage manager could all share the same file, make changes, and have access to it in real time during rehearsals... or that might be creating a monster. Hmmm...
100
Self-Promotion / Re: TITUS ANDRONICUS
« on: Nov 30, 2011, 07:52 pm »
Congrats Matthew! Definitely sounds like one that will add lots of great stories to your SM file...haha
Makes me thankful that my show has a 5 minute preshow setup and absolutely nothing post show - living the dream
Makes me thankful that my show has a 5 minute preshow setup and absolutely nothing post show - living the dream
101
The Green Room / Re: "The Wind Beneath My Wings" or "With a Little Help From my Friends"
« on: Nov 14, 2011, 11:04 pm »
My sister and my niece are a great escape for talking about the silly things in life that are not theater related.
My best friend of 12 years who is a dancer (and an actor before that) who completely understands my job and knows that when we hang out that its best to just forget about work for a little while.
Also on my current show - my PSM and sound engineer. We are the three musketeers, the three of us do the entire show tops to tails (lights, sound, stage management, wardrobe, therapist..etc) 8 times a week and usually a half dozen PR gigs sprinkled in as well. We are as close as can be, can vent, can laugh, can always go to each other with a show annoyance. It's the most functional non-family I think I will ever have. I feel truly blessed that even on a crazy night like tonight where we have 3 subs in on an 8 person show that we all just hunker down and get it done together. (With plenty of drinking and sighing later)
My best friend of 12 years who is a dancer (and an actor before that) who completely understands my job and knows that when we hang out that its best to just forget about work for a little while.
Also on my current show - my PSM and sound engineer. We are the three musketeers, the three of us do the entire show tops to tails (lights, sound, stage management, wardrobe, therapist..etc) 8 times a week and usually a half dozen PR gigs sprinkled in as well. We are as close as can be, can vent, can laugh, can always go to each other with a show annoyance. It's the most functional non-family I think I will ever have. I feel truly blessed that even on a crazy night like tonight where we have 3 subs in on an 8 person show that we all just hunker down and get it done together. (With plenty of drinking and sighing later)
102
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRESS RELEASES
« on: Nov 07, 2011, 01:48 pm »
I've definitely gone back and forth with producers with including my name on press releases - sometimes I am successful and sometimes it falls to the wayside. My higher profile gigs were much more understanding and willing to oblige than the others.
Conversely - I've been a part of some projects where I've been GLAD they didn't list me anywhere as I was less than thrilled with how the project turned out and didn't want to be associated with it.
Conversely - I've been a part of some projects where I've been GLAD they didn't list me anywhere as I was less than thrilled with how the project turned out and didn't want to be associated with it.
103
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Battery Drain on wireless mics
« on: Nov 07, 2011, 01:43 pm »
Are they rechargeable batteries? Sometimes those are a little less reliable.
The only thing I can think of is that your wireless receiver is too far away from the transmitters and they're working super hard to maintain a signal - are they kept downstairs/in dressing rooms/etc? One show I did moving the wireless transmitters to backstage as opposed to the dressing rooms preshow helped quite a bit.
Let us know what you find out!
The only thing I can think of is that your wireless receiver is too far away from the transmitters and they're working super hard to maintain a signal - are they kept downstairs/in dressing rooms/etc? One show I did moving the wireless transmitters to backstage as opposed to the dressing rooms preshow helped quite a bit.
Let us know what you find out!
104
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: call times
« on: Nov 02, 2011, 12:42 am »
I'm pretty much the norm as well - I tend to call '10' but know that is a quirk that most stage managers I have met don't share.
The current show that I am working on we have quite a close knit and rambunctious group of young actors who still, after nearly 200 performances can still be surprised that "places" is called so close to "5" and thus their places call gets dragged out....
In an effort to light a fire under the repeat offenders (men's dressing room) I at one point started standing outside their dressing room door at 5 minutes checking my watch. It worked so well that we had places in 2 minutes that night, which totally screwed over the PSM's "cheat" of leaving a 5-6min buffer because that is what we were used to! Which leads to actors at places for 3 minutes wondering what is "wrong"
It's not a perfect science but we're learning how to adjust with each day to best get the show up on time.
The current show that I am working on we have quite a close knit and rambunctious group of young actors who still, after nearly 200 performances can still be surprised that "places" is called so close to "5" and thus their places call gets dragged out....
In an effort to light a fire under the repeat offenders (men's dressing room) I at one point started standing outside their dressing room door at 5 minutes checking my watch. It worked so well that we had places in 2 minutes that night, which totally screwed over the PSM's "cheat" of leaving a 5-6min buffer because that is what we were used to! Which leads to actors at places for 3 minutes wondering what is "wrong"
It's not a perfect science but we're learning how to adjust with each day to best get the show up on time.
105
The Green Room / Re: One of those days.
« on: Oct 29, 2011, 06:09 pm »
Another good mantra that has gotten me through a bad day or two:
I love what I do
I have a job
I love what I do
I have a job