Messages

1

Employment / Re: Cruise jobs

« on: Jan 22, 2007, 01:28 pm »

Check out this recruitment video for Royal Caribbean

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=696243988

This was filmed on Voyager of the Seas - and the Stage Mananger is Bill, who also posts here sometimes

I actually like putting in new shows.  RCCL send a heap of people on install - show director, choreographers, producuer, set, lighting and costume designers, musical director, at least 6 carps, show control programmer, 4 seamstresses, sound designer, etc., plus the onboard staff.  They'll take two weeks to mount 2 shows, so Day 1 of week one the 2nd show is loaded in and started to be built after regular shows, while the 1st show is rehearsed by the cast and crew in the mornings and afternoons to be performed at the end of that cruise- and normal activities and shows still go on for the passengers on that cruise!  The theater runs 24/7 till both shows are up and running.

I've also done a 'take out' ship - the NCL Sun.  LONGEST days ever - I think we slept an average of 3-5 hours per night for the first month.  Working rehearsals around an unfinshed ship and theater, around shipyard people welding, carpet laying, no a/c or water sometimes.  Great shows, but not the best company/living conditions/morale at the time.

My 'average' work week is about 60-65 hours.  Mornings are for paperwork, meetings, training, cast rehearsals.  Afternoons are entertainer rehearsals and/or getting off in ports, evenings there's normally two shows.  Every night - 7 days a week for the length of the contract. 

2

Employment / Re: Cruise jobs

« on: Jan 21, 2007, 12:03 am »

I LOVE the River City Scenic guys!  RCCL uses them almost exclusively to build and maintain shows -http://www.rivercityscenic.com/current_projects.htm (I was on the Radiance of the Seas for the show install of "City of Dreams" early last year - that was an experience!)

Here's the position description for a cruise line Stage & Production Manager
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with Royal Caribbean
International’s Gold Anchor Standards, SQM standards, USPH guidelines, environmental
and safety policies.

Each shipboard employee may be required to perform all functions in various venues and
throughout the ship.

1.   In accordance with Royal Caribbean International’s philosophy of Anchored in
      Excellence, each employee conducts oneself in a professional and courteous
      manner at all times.  This consists of physical and verbal interactions with guests
      or fellow shipboard employees and/or in the presence of guest contact and crew
      areas.

2.   Coordinates production plans and directs activities of stage crew and performers
   during rehearsals and performance.  Establishes and oversees all showroom sound
   and light pre-sets, cast pre-sets, stage crew pre-sets and all post performance
   “put-away.” 

3.   Coordinates with the Cruise Director, the performances and usage of the main
   showroom and other entertainment lounges to ensure consistent technical
   support of all meetings, activities and entertainment for special group functions
   such as but not limited to charters, affinity, promotional, incentive, presentations,
   and various theme night arrangements.

4.   Confers with Producer and Shoreside Entertainment Manager concerning
   production plans.

5.   Manages the theatrical program in accordance with department standard
   operating procedures.  Assigns duties, responsibilities and workstations to
   employees. Observes and evaluates employees and work procedures to
   ensure quality standards and service is met.  Initiates personnel actions
   such as new hire requests and discharges, to ensure proper staffing.
   Approves overtime needs.

6.   Manages the financial aspects of the theatrical program operation, including
   the successful identification of expense reduction through cost efficiencies
   and revenue growth through promotional and up-selling activities.
   Ensures the continuous and accurate participation of the theatrical operation.

7.   Manages the stage crew staff engaged in placing scenery and properties.
   Provides on-the-job training to staff members to strengthen their current
   performance and preparation for possible advancement.  Notifies Cruise
   Director regarding work schedules and time records.

8.   Arranges conference times for cast, crew, and Stage Director, and
   disseminates general information about production. 

9.   Schedules, attends and oversees all rehearsals in conjunction with the Dance
   Captain, Bandleader and/or onboard technical staff, combined or individually.
   Attends all performances, call show cues, check sign-in, check stage, start show.
   Prepares show reports.

10.   Reads script during each performance and gives cues for curtain, lights, sound
   effects, pyrotechnics and prompting performers.

11.   Interprets stage set diagrams to determine stage layout.  Devises emergency
   substitutes for stage equipment or properties.

12.   Assembles and maintains the Prompt Book.  Keeps accurate records of
   playing text, cue sheet, plots and all stage related correspondence.  Compiles
   cue words and phrases to form prompt book. 

13.   Instructs understudy, replacement, or extra.

14.   Calls performers at specified interval before curtain time.

15.   Operates production equipment to transmit or record performance.

16.   Maintains quality of all show props, sets, pyrotechnics, and sound and
   light equipment.  Maintains equipment inventory.  Establishes weekly
   maintenance schedules.  Notifies Cruise Director of all maintenance
   activities and needs. Prepares associated paperwork and forwards
   malfunctioning equipment ashore for repairs.  Follows-up with shoreside
   staff to ensure repairs are completed and returned to the vessel in a timely
   basis.  Maintains proper repair logs and records.

17.   Attends meetings, training activities, courses and all other work-related
   activities as required.

18.   Performs related duties as required.  This position description in no way
   states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the shipboard
   employee occupying this position.  Shipboard employees will be required to
   perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.


QUALIFICATIONS


Minimum hiring, language and physical requirements to perform the job.

Hiring Requirements:
•   Minimum 5 years show stage management experience in Broadway
   and Vegas style productions in professional theatre or equivalent.
•   Knowledge of sound, light, pyrotechnics, and rigging.
•   Knowledge of music and dance as it pertains to theatrical performances.
•   Knowledge of international theatrical production preferred.
•   Demonstrated aptitude for the financial aspects of a theatrical operation,
   including the successful identification of expense reduction through cost
   efficiencies and revenue growth through promotional and up-selling activities.
   Demonstrated aptitude for the management of headcount within assigned
   area, as it relates to and supports the business needs of the vessel.
•   Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal
   service including needs assessment, problem resolution and achievement
   of quality service standards.
•   Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the human resources
   function. Ability to manage the international staff in a positive and productive
   manner by motivating, developing and managing employees as they work.
   Ability to utilize and administer the disciplinary action process through
   coaching and counseling to improve performance or terminate employment.

3

Employment / Re: Cruise jobs

« on: Jan 16, 2007, 09:44 pm »

I just came home from my cruise job - working for RCCL as a "stage & production manager" - we have a sound, light, lounge tech, plus four full time stage staff.  Some of the larger ships have 2 venues (PM, sound and light positions doubled, 7 stage staff plus a rigger).  We'll use cast members or cruise staff to do spotlights as needed, but don't hire out from other areas of the ship.  It is part SM and PM - running and calling shows, doing admin work, taking care of the venues, dealing with guest entertainers, etc, etc.  I'll post a coroporate job description after I unpack 

As far as a know, Princess and Disney also have full time SM/PM positions. When I was with NCL, we only had a sound, light, lounge and backstage tech.  One of these was given the "head tech" position. We hired 5 or 6 guys from the galley or cleaners at night to help with set changes, and a couple of cleaner or stateroom attendant guys to run spots for productions shows (the dancers ran spots the other nights).  The cast had their own company manager, who called production shows from the booth and dealt with cast issues only.

If you're seriously interested - this is the best way to apply
http://www.techjobcentral.net/
or http://www.c-deck.com/  (same company)
This is the hiring parter from most of the major cruise lines out there.  They basically screen you and send your info to the line, and if/when you get the job, are supposed to help you onto your first ship.

For Canadians
http://www.cruiseshipemployment.ca/

I can't think of any "new hires" I've met in the past couple of years who did'nt come from either of these agencies (exception a couple from the UK and one from India)