946
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Rights & Royalties
« on: Nov 17, 2011, 09:47 pm »
This is not normally in stage management's responsibility, and would normally fall under general management.
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947
Tools of the Trade / Re: [FAQ] What goes inside a SM Kit?
« on: Nov 12, 2011, 03:53 pm »
Oddly, was just told by my TD to use masking tape to cover up rough edges on wood . . .
no other tape would meet with her approval.
There is always a use for something.
no other tape would meet with her approval.
There is always a use for something.
948
The Green Room / LINK: How to Have an Uncomfortable Conversation with a Problematic Coworker
« on: Nov 10, 2011, 06:59 pm »
For those of you who don't read LIFEHACKER on a daily basis (I recommend that) - an interesting article . . .
http://tiny.cc/3yw2p
(Off-colored language in the article title).
http://tiny.cc/3yw2p
(Off-colored language in the article title).
949
Stage Management: Other / Re: iPhone Stage Manager
« on: Nov 10, 2011, 06:47 pm »
It's hard . . . who would have thought Stage Managament is so hard.
(It's a lot of fun theatre themed mini-games)
(It's a lot of fun theatre themed mini-games)
950
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Being friends with the SM
« on: Nov 09, 2011, 10:07 pm »
It all depends on your management style . . . but I found early in my career to separate work and social life any way I could - I found it easier to keep an objective eye on the production, and make sure everyone understands you are being as fair as you can possible be.
951
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PRESS RELEASES
« on: Nov 06, 2011, 08:05 am »
Ruth - I do know it's up to the publisher to include the SM or not - regardless of what's in the press release. In DC, we made it the rule to include the SM in the press release. In DC, not paper would publish it - but on Playbill.com and in NYT, they would. And often at the "Blah Blah Blah" casts their new production of "This or That" article.
I think it is going to be something to include in my next contract discussion. Something along the lines that if any press release included the full cast and members of the design team, that my name and title be included.
I do know a SM who is more agressive, that he be included on ANY printed material in which the design team is included - posters, handbills, etc . . .I am not quite that VAIN.
I have spoken to my current production manager - they are a cast team - and we are going to touch base.
I think it is going to be something to include in my next contract discussion. Something along the lines that if any press release included the full cast and members of the design team, that my name and title be included.
I do know a SM who is more agressive, that he be included on ANY printed material in which the design team is included - posters, handbills, etc . . .I am not quite that VAIN.
I have spoken to my current production manager - they are a cast team - and we are going to touch base.
952
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / POLICIES: SM Listings on Press Releases
« on: Nov 05, 2011, 10:53 pm »
So, this is really just my vanity at play here.
As I continue to work on more high profile projects, I always cringe when a press release goes out with the full cast, the entire production staff, but leaves me out. (So basically all the AEA actors are listed, just not me . . . or the entire artistic staff is mentioned, but not me . . . )
Part of me knows that I need to discuss this at contract negotiations, or be resolved it after the contract is issued . . .
Is this something I just need to get over? Does anyone have any good ideas on how to press this point?
Edit to subject line-Rebbe
As I continue to work on more high profile projects, I always cringe when a press release goes out with the full cast, the entire production staff, but leaves me out. (So basically all the AEA actors are listed, just not me . . . or the entire artistic staff is mentioned, but not me . . . )
Part of me knows that I need to discuss this at contract negotiations, or be resolved it after the contract is issued . . .
Is this something I just need to get over? Does anyone have any good ideas on how to press this point?
Edit to subject line-Rebbe
953
The Green Room / Re: Tax Season!
« on: Nov 05, 2011, 08:39 pm »
Think of difficulty of tracking what portion of the gym membership was for general health versus for job improvement.
954
The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report
« on: Nov 04, 2011, 08:38 am »
After six years working in DC, I have quite a few stories about Secret Service . . . .
Always a treat.
(Did they listen in over headset?)
Always a treat.
(Did they listen in over headset?)
955
The Green Room / Re: Tax Season!
« on: Nov 04, 2011, 08:37 am »
I think that's border line.
I tried tod deduct my video game systems and video games as it is entertainment, and I work in the entertainment field, and that playing video games sharpened my timing skills.
It was told that would be pushing it. I didnt want any red flags . . .so i didn't deduct it.
I tried tod deduct my video game systems and video games as it is entertainment, and I work in the entertainment field, and that playing video games sharpened my timing skills.
It was told that would be pushing it. I didnt want any red flags . . .so i didn't deduct it.
956
The Green Room / Re: Nudity and Sensitive (Sexual) Material
« on: Nov 03, 2011, 04:18 pm »
I have done both . . . toss my name in.
957
The Green Room / Re: How to deal with an unruly ASM
« on: Nov 03, 2011, 08:06 am »
I am going to be the jerk here.
You said " I am doing my job of making tech go as smoothly as possible", but you are not - obviously there is still a major issue.
You know, you may not appreciate being walked over, but you know what, as stage managers, that is what happens to us all the time.
The givens of the situation are
1) You are the SM
2) He is the ASM
3) Nothing is going to change that fact - unless you quit, because they are firing him
4) You have to tech the show and open it up.
The fact that an outsider is seeing the problems is just proving the the situation is not being managed well; and that's sad. Management is our job, managing creative, quirky, technical people. I think it's impossible for one of us to offer advice on what you can do because at the end of the day, this job is about a personal style that you manage with - to give specific advice I would need to your style, observe your ASM, have some history, etc, etc.
We have all had bad assistants - assistants that have a different agenda, assistants that bad, assistants that are lazy, assistants that just don't know their job. We all have different techniques to either address the issues face out and solve the problem, or work around the issue.
I think at this point, you have to figure out how to do the show without him - which you already are - having actors help with quick changes, you may need to do the intermission shift, whatever.
Maybe he will go away on his own, if you can't fire him.
I wish you well, it's a bad situation that has just got worse.
You said " I am doing my job of making tech go as smoothly as possible", but you are not - obviously there is still a major issue.
You know, you may not appreciate being walked over, but you know what, as stage managers, that is what happens to us all the time.
The givens of the situation are
1) You are the SM
2) He is the ASM
3) Nothing is going to change that fact - unless you quit, because they are firing him
4) You have to tech the show and open it up.
The fact that an outsider is seeing the problems is just proving the the situation is not being managed well; and that's sad. Management is our job, managing creative, quirky, technical people. I think it's impossible for one of us to offer advice on what you can do because at the end of the day, this job is about a personal style that you manage with - to give specific advice I would need to your style, observe your ASM, have some history, etc, etc.
We have all had bad assistants - assistants that have a different agenda, assistants that bad, assistants that are lazy, assistants that just don't know their job. We all have different techniques to either address the issues face out and solve the problem, or work around the issue.
I think at this point, you have to figure out how to do the show without him - which you already are - having actors help with quick changes, you may need to do the intermission shift, whatever.
Maybe he will go away on his own, if you can't fire him.
I wish you well, it's a bad situation that has just got worse.
958
Self-Promotion / Re: TITUS ANDRONICUS
« on: Nov 02, 2011, 10:11 pm »
Playbill blurb . . . http://www.playbill.com/news/article/156157-Patrick-Carroll-Jennifer-Ikeda-Stephanie-Roth-Haberle-Join-Jay-O-Sanders-for-Publics-Titus-Andronicus
Also mentions The Total Bent, my next show . . .
Also mentions The Total Bent, my next show . . .
959
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: "Senior Showcase"
« on: Nov 02, 2011, 04:47 pm »
I guess it all depends on the specifics of how the senior show case is set up - but ultimately, some sort of speed dating, or on demand interviews might work if the right people are there, that is production managers or directors. The issue is right out of school you are going to be hired for internships or PA's (or possibly ASM position) which maybe hired by different people then who are in attendance. (I mean, often other SM's hire the rest of their team . . . ) I think the typical audience of these things are not the people who make decisions for stage managers.)
960
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: call times
« on: Nov 01, 2011, 10:03 pm »Quote
I'm wondering. If you start with "second call for places" will the company just think they missed the first one? OR is there some sort of scolding inflection in the second call that makes them scamper?
Although in my head I am always afraid I am scolding - not the best way to start a show - I am always do it with a tone and attitude that perhaps my first page didn't go through, or someone turned down their speaker, or they just didn't hear it. I once got upset because actors didn't hear my page for places - that was the night the paging system went out between 5 (which they hard) and the next call . . . places. These things happen.