Messages

1

Tools of the Trade / Re: Help with a sweaty actor

« on: Nov 03, 2012, 09:52 am »

Try putting the mic transmitter pack in a sock and then put the condom over that.  That will give you a moisture barrier between the rubber wall of the condom and the openings in the mic pack.  Hopefully, any moisture/condensation that gets wicked inside the condom will have somewhere to go rather than getting trapped right up against the pack.  If you suspect the issue is moisture getting onto the mic jack/connector or battery terminals (the metal conductive components), you can coat them with clear silicon grease--usually comes in in a small tube--and that will water-proof them and keep the water/salt from corroding them.

2

Uploaded Forms / Scene Shift Charts

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:20 pm »

Attached are two versions of the same shift plot for a production of Hello, Dolly.  The one organized "by scene" was the original worksheet we created during paper tech to make sure everything that needed to be shifted was included. 

Then the data was re-sorted, this time "by crew," and some of the columns were swapped, in order to create a version which could be posted for quick reference backstage.  We also cut this version apart and gave each crew member a single slip of paper listing all of his/her shift responsibilities.

Excel format.

3

Uploaded Forms / Audition Form

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:46 pm »

I use a form similar to this in my high school program, but wth the excision of a few items (viz., the "grade/section" heading and the "class schedule" box) it could be readily used in amateur, educational, and community theatres.  Excel format.

4

Uploaded Forms / Emergency Announcements & Evacuation Procedures

« on: May 07, 2007, 12:09 am »

While these evac procedures are specific to our venue--a stage in a high school gym--we developed it using various SMs' suggestions, SM books, and input from our local fire marshal.  Copies of this are always posted in the wings and distributed to everyone who has evacuation responsibilities.  The SM keeps a copy readily visible in the plastic cover on the prompt script--wherein are kept all the personnel rosters for roll-call purposes outside the building.

5

Uploaded Forms / Wireless Mic Plot

« on: May 06, 2007, 11:33 pm »

This chart was devised to track body mics in a production where mics had to be traded between scenes because we had more speaking characters than we had mics. 

It served several functions:

1. We posted it backstage as a reference chart for the actors and crew so they knew when to swap mics and with whom.
2. In a couple of instances, it helped the crew quickly figure out which actor was SUPPOSED to give up the mic to another actor, but forgot.
3. It gave the sound console operator a quick visual overview of each scene so she knew which mics to bring up in each scene (white boxes up, grey boxes down).

I put notes in bubbles explaining how to read the chart --hope they help.

2 pgs--Excel format.

6

Uploaded Forms / Generic Timesheet

« on: May 06, 2007, 11:07 pm »

Generic Timesheet
We use a form similar to this to log work hours for construction and paint crews.  Each member gets one sheet to fill out and the sheets are all kept in a binder at the worksite(s). 
Nothing fancy, but it might save you the trouble of building one from scratch.

7

Uploaded Forms / Sample Props Schedule

« on: May 06, 2007, 10:46 pm »

The first two columns are check boxes for rehearsal and final props.
"Location" refers to each prop's preset location backstage.
The "categories" of props (courtesy of Thurston James) are defined on the 2nd worksheet--click the tab at the bottom.

8

Uploaded Forms / Re: blocking notation

« on: May 04, 2007, 05:13 pm »

Blocking notation handout attached.  Word format.

9

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Backstage Etiquette

« on: Mar 24, 2007, 08:45 pm »

You're the arbiter of decency and rightousness?  Do you work in a theater facility or for some sort of church?
[/quote]

Aren't we all?   I work in a large public high school.  The original poster asked for opinions--I offered mine.  I don't ask you to agree with it or abide by it--unless you want to work in my theatre program.

10

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Question about musical blocking

« on: Mar 13, 2007, 07:28 pm »

Most music scores have the bars numbered at the beginning of each scetion.  I would suggest a simple 5-column chart.  For each musical phrase or manageable section, make a separate line entry.

column 1: page in script
column 2: number of the first bar of that section of music--allows the conductor or accompanist to pick up the music for a section you want to go over again.
column 3: lyrics (if any) in that bar--helps the singers/actors reference where they are in the song since they won't have the music in front of them
column 4: description of movement of blocking
column 5: cues/tech notes--if you have cues to call during a musical number (light changes, set shifts, etc.) that your crew will need to reference in order to restore things.

When the director wants to go back and run that sequence again, you're ready with:
"Please begin bar 56;  Harry sings 'Roses blooming in the garden';  chorus on the US landing for the grape-vine sequence; lights restore cue 23, stand by for cue 24."
Then hand it over to the conductor.

You'll save a significant amount of time because you won't be waiting for everyone involved to compare notes and figure out if they are all starting from the same place.  Keeps a lid on  the frustrated cast chatter too.   Working with the choreographer on this can be invaluable--He or she can fill out columns 2, 3 & 4 for you which helps ensure that you are using the same names for the movements that the dancers are accustomed to hearing in rehearsal.

11

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Backstage Etiquette

« on: Mar 13, 2007, 06:29 pm »

That kind of behavior always bothers someone.  It's self-centered and rude to say the very least.  The theatre is a work-place, not a place for people to force their lack of self-control on every one else.  Why should it be allowed to continue until it begins to affect the show and the morale of company members?  By then it's too late.

I set the standards of behavior high in my productions, but the expectations are laid out at the very first company meeting.  PDA is forbidden on the premises, period.  I think it's irresponsible for a manager to subject decent people to indecent behavior and expect them to ignore it. 

It's often easier to do nothing than to do what's right, but don't confuse them into the same thing.

12

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Interesting request for performance reports...

« on: Jan 02, 2007, 08:51 pm »

"I don't know how to do this, but I know a stage manager who can get Excel to add times. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to look up..."


When using Excel, to insert the current date and/or time in a cell:

Current date:  Select a cell and press CTRL+;
Current time:  Select a cell and press CTRL+SHIFT+;

13

Tools of the Trade / Re: What goes inside a SM Kit?

« on: Dec 24, 2006, 10:02 pm »

What is the Tennis Ball for?

Sorry for the delay in response, Hermie.  But no matter:  smjes is "on the ball."

14

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Creating a call script

« on: Jul 17, 2006, 11:46 pm »

simple, common liquid which will erase sharpie from plastic sheet protectors

isopropyl alcohol

from the Sharpie website:

"The black ink in the Fine, Twin Tip, Chisel and Super is permanent ink. The principle solvents are alcohols, but they also contain ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. All other SHARPIE ink colors are Permchrome ink. For these the principle solvents are also alcohols, but no glycol ethers are used."

15

Uploaded Forms / Properties Lending Agreement Form

« on: Jul 06, 2006, 11:32 pm »

We had this form printed in triplicate on carbon paper.  Original kept by Props Master.  Copy given to lender when prop is borrowed.  Third copy can bekept by SM or filed in theatre office for back-up.  When prop is returned, lender signs bottom of PM's original.  In Word format.