Messages

946

The Green Room / Re: Mind Games

« on: Jan 06, 2010, 08:36 pm »

I can remember driving around Providence back in college with a group of theatre folk.  We had to navigate using relative terms: "Ok, turn towards Christy.  OK, now turn towards Kay."  Otherwise we'd wind up going the wrong way constantly for this exact reason.

947

Tools of the Trade / Re: Laptop Recommendations ?

« on: Jan 06, 2010, 06:10 pm »

I have a Dell Mini 9 netbook.  Solid State drive, Intel Atom processor.  For my purposes it's just fine, although I find that the keyboard is a bit cramped.  If you're going to be doing a lot of typing on it, I would suggest that you limit your choices to models that you can put your hands on in-person.

If you're doing a lot of jostling and moving about, I definitely recommend considering a solid state drive.  They're more resistant to shocks and bumps.  However, you will make a drastic sacrifice in storage space if you do so.  This can certainly be offset by carrying an external larger storage device - either a big flash drive or an external hard drive - that can be plugged in as needed when you want to watch movies or something.

948

SMNetwork Archives / Topics that do not belong on SMNetwork

« on: Jan 06, 2010, 05:58 pm »

Internet forums are no longer a new medium.  As online society has evolved, it has become apparent that certain topics inevitably create conflict and rarely achieve any notable progress.  While occasional discussions among friends about controversial subjects can be acceptable, they have no place on a career-oriented discussion board.  In order to keep the conversation productive and (hopefully) flame free, we respectfully request that no new discussions or posts be opened on the following subjects:

• Operating Systems (PC vs Mac, etc.)
• Gun control
• Abortion
• Religious preference
• Political preference if not directly related to the arts

We understand that theatre will often force us to deal with such subjects as the themes of various scripts and projects.  They may certainly be mentioned in passing if it is directly related to a gig.  However, partisanship and politicking have no place here, so please use your discretion when posting.

Thanks!

949

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PEOPLE: Dear Abby: Trouble with Managing an ASM

« on: Dec 15, 2009, 05:11 am »

From time to time our members will have questions that require an anonymous post, whether it be due to confidentiality issues or simply protecting their good name for future gigs.  In these cases, members are welcome to send their questions to a moderator, who will make the post on their behalf.  We call these "Dear Abby" posts.

Dear Abby,

What would you do if you were in this situation?
Say you're a resident SM for a theater company, where you do the same show every year - and let's say it's A Christmas Carol. And in the past, you've been in the ASM, and you know the track because the show NEVER changes - or at least hasn't since the last time the set has been redesigned. Now you're the SM, and you've got an ASM under you, doing your old Carol track. However, you're starting to notice things that you did aren't being done by your ASM - and when you ask, you're told that there isn't time to do those things. Granted, you know the track hasn't changed, and you know what's going on back there, and you really want the job done the way you did it. What do you do? (And, your ASM is also a resident with the company, so you both have to finish the season together.)

On a side note, what is too much for a SM/ASM to do on a show? I feel it's appropriate to at least give a quick glance at actors to make sure the costume looks right, that they aren't wearing non-show jewelry, etc. I wouldn't adjust them, but if I see something wrong, I'd let someone know. Is that beyond the job of the SM/ASM?

Sincerely,
Baffled in the Booth

950

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Wave - SMNetwork Sandbox

« on: Dec 11, 2009, 01:44 am »

Okay, given that Google has released a million invites into the wild this week I am officially reopening this thread.  I have 17 invites to give out.  I will start working my way down the list of people already posted above.  If other people would like to support the cause with invites of their own, please feel free to chip in.

If you have already received an invite, please go in and edit your post (use the "modify" link in the top right hand corner to do so) indicating that you don't need an invite anymore and I'll skip over you.

If you would like an invite, please add your name to the bottom of the list.

951

The Green Room / Re: New web site about stage managers?

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 03:45 pm »

I find it interesting that they missed emailing someone important here.

952

SMNetwork Archives / Congrats to the new moderators!

« on: Dec 04, 2009, 10:14 pm »

After lots of discussions and a round of voting, the current moderator team has elected four new staff members!  Please welcome the new moderators in training, who will be taking over supervision of the following boards within the next month or so:

SM: Plays & Musicals: Rebbe
SM: Students & Novices: Candy0081
SM: Other: BlantonRK
The Green Room: Missliz (co-moderating with current staffer tempest_gypsy)

Thank you to all of the members who stepped forward to help out over the course of the coming year.  It looks like all of the boards will stay open for the time being!

953

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What is a ASM suppose to do??

« on: Dec 03, 2009, 10:09 pm »

Permission granted, provided that proper member credit and context is given.

954

The Hardline / Re: John Connelly resigns as AEA exec director

« on: Dec 01, 2009, 09:38 pm »

The Playbill article reads nearly identically to the two articles on the AEA website.  My guess is they both came from the same press release.  Balls will be dropped at times of leadership transition.  Playbill is dedicated to communication - it's all they do and they do it well.  AEA has a few other major issues on their plate right now and updating their website, as Matthew noted, was probably pretty far down the line.  While it would be nice to see website updates getting a higher priority on their list, it seems that they properly notified the Area Liaisons and anyone who would be directly affected by the shift.

If AEA had suddenly negotiated a major change that affected the entire LORT contract, or health insurance - something that affected all members as opposed to a simple leadership change - I'm sure that notification on their own website would have been a much higher priority.  AEA is a union - its strength is in numbers and the skill of its collective bargainers, not in the particular characteristics of the head that wears the "crown."

955

Tools of the Trade / Re: Google Wave - SMNetwork Sandbox

« on: Nov 24, 2009, 04:04 pm »

Ok, Mac has sent a bunch of invites and I have sent a bunch of invites.  They take a day or so to go out, so you may not see them in your inbox immediately.  We are working our way down the list.

956

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Student SM Challenge #9: 30 minutes to save the world

« on: Nov 13, 2009, 12:11 am »

A fellow student SM has been stricken with meningitis and rushed to the hospital.  You, were planning on attending the show tonight, but instead you have been chosen with half an hour until curtain to step in and call the show.  For simplicity's sake here, let's say that the SM's roomie has thankfully delivered her prompt book to the theatre and that the show is called from a booth with plain view of the whole stage.

This is a straight play with a cast of 8.  There are 7 quick changes, 300 instruments in the air, 97 light cues on a computerized board, 2 follow spots, no pyro, no wireless mics on the actors, some floor and suspended area mics, and all the sound cues are pre-recorded.  There are prop tables in both wings and a third by the dressing rooms.  You have a crew of 3 volunteer student stagehands plus a student ASM on deck, an LBO and an SBO.  (The ASM is too loaded with deck track to put them in the booth, but he/she has preset the props already.) It is the 3rd show of the run - a Saturday night show with a full house.

Please explain what steps you would take to best prepare yourself and the company for this night of rollicking good times.  What do you check? What do you leave to fate?  What do you take the time to review beforehand?  How can you be sure that you understand the SM's notations?

As a reminder to our pro SMs out there: The Student Challenges are primarily for students.  Let's keep our horror stories out of this, and leave this to the students and novices for at least the first page of this thread! Thanks!

957

Employment / Re: Remy Bumppo Theatre in Chicago

« on: Nov 12, 2009, 11:21 pm »

I have not worked for them but I can tell you a few things.  In a city where another new theatre company springs up daily, and as many close down, Remy Bumppo has survived since 1996 and their seasons have grown each year.  That's saying something about their production quality and their structure.  I have worked with their current PM, although it was many years ago, and she was an absolute sweetheart and extremely organized.  She comes from SM so she definitely "gets it."  They rake in the Jeff nominations (Chicagoland theatre awards circuit) but have only actually won one.  They have a consistent performance space which puts them head and shoulders above the majority of Chicago companies, which are transient from show to show.

Hope this helps!

958

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Reprimanding Actors

« on: Nov 12, 2009, 12:01 pm »

I don't think there's any reprimand necessary.  Find new actors and dismiss the irresponsible ones.  That's what would happen outside of school.  What happens in school is no different, and in fact it should be easy to do.  If you really want to reprimand them effectively, replace them with one of their very good friends.  You won't need to say anything.  The effect on the friendship will be a sufficient punishment.

959

Tools of the Trade / Re: THE Sharpie topic

« on: Nov 09, 2009, 08:48 pm »

Aw, it's a little costume for your sharpie.  For some reason it makes me think of those folks who dress up their handbag chihuahuas.  Although considering how SMs feel about their Sharpies that's probably not an inappropriate comparison.

960

Employment / Re: resume format

« on: Nov 09, 2009, 01:22 am »

TechGal, I would say the organization would depend on what you are interviewing for.  It's been touched on briefly in here on page 2 of this thread, but it deserves repeating again - tailoring your resume when you're seeking a specific position is definitely a big help!  I would say, make it modular.  Put together a series of "clusters" of work - either by venue type or by position.  If you're shopping jobs where diversity of skills is a plus, then use the "position" modules, with the module for the job you're actually shopping on top.

So, if you're shopping an LX position, your LD/ME stuff is on top.  If you're shopping Corporate floor management, then either corporate work goes on top or floor management work goes on top, depending on who will be viewing your res.  If you don't know or you're cattle calling, then sort it by whatever you feel makes the best impression.  In this market research is critical.  Know the company you're shopping for jobs.  Know the preferences of the hiring folks if you can.  Thank them afterwards.  A good stage manager will generally exhibit versatility.  A modular, customizable resume is merely an extension of this strength.

As for your current gig, if it's an AGMA gig then a union mention should cover any confusion.  If not, then Stage Manager (Independent Contractor) is simple and clear.