Messages

1

The Hardline / Re: Possibly Stupid NYMF Question

« on: Aug 09, 2008, 12:14 pm »

I don't think you need a union ASM or SM - it is just like a regular showcase except that NYMF has a few special rules.  Mostly about publicity if I remember correctly.

2

Employment / Re: Warnings about Interviews

« on: Feb 23, 2007, 11:07 am »

Thanks.  He asked me the same kind of questions at the interview as well as questions about if I had ever shopped for props or fixed scenery, etc.  I was a little scared off, but I needed the health weeks - so what can you do?  I am glad for the experience in a way because there is always the opportunity to learn from it.  Thanks for the support.

3

Employment / Warnings about interviews

« on: Feb 22, 2007, 03:58 pm »

I worked for a small company in NYC.  They produce a show a year (that is the goal anyway - this is show #5 or 6 for them, I think).  They have produced under an NYC-LOA contract.  Our current show closes on Saturday.  By this point in the process the director has made the environment so toxic, no one wants to come to work.  Which is too bad, because this is the best cast and crew I have worked with in a long time.  Everyone backstage gets along and is really very good at their job.  Our universal problem is the way we have been treated by the director and his wife.  We have spoken to the union several times but there is only so much they can do.  They can't really force them to have decency.  We have four shows left and he is still trying to make major changes to the show without any rehearsal.  He repeatedly talks to the actors about reviewers (has even tried to get a message to them at intermission to perk up the show because the drama desk people where there) and reduced an actress to tears because she wasn't living up to his direction when the Times was there.  Paychecks have been late about half of the time with numerous calls in to the union to get them fixed.  He tried to ban the crew from backstage because he felt we were poisoning the cast against him.  He has tried to call numerous note sessions without adequate notice.  Our stage manager has repeatedly been told to shut up when quoting the rulebook.  We had a show cancelled due to weather and didn't find out about it until after half hour - because they tried to call the stage manager an hour and a half earlier but had to leave a message (she was on the subway) and she didn't receive the message until later.  We found out because one of the crew got an email on his cell phone.  There is so much more that I just can't go into.  No one is quitting, my stage manager and I (ASM) are now just trying to ride this out.  But I wanted to put out a warning that this company is a lot of heart ache for not a lot of money.  If you do work for him, prepare to be severely undervalued and humiliated.  None of your hard work will be recognized and often you will be scorned for trying to do your job or he will simply try to prevent you from doing your job completely.  If you can, it would be wise to avoid this company entirely.

(Edited by moderator to remove identifying information. Members can PM this poster to request additional information. 2-28-7, LJH)

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Silent Cueing?

« on: Nov 03, 2005, 11:35 am »

I like the string idea, that's pretty cool.  If the space is small enough I have pointed to index cards before (my board op was right next to me).  Very low tech, but it worked.  I knew another stage manager who used to cue crew backstage via a video monitor and simple sign language.

5

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Assistant Directors vs. Stage Managers

« on: Oct 17, 2005, 01:53 pm »

You will definitely have to talk to your director because every situation is different.  At the last theatre I worked the AD was responsible for preparing and maintaining the understudies as well as assist the director during the rehearsal process.  They would also take notes after the show was open, but the notes would go through the SM.  Not every AD was up to the task however, so it is still the SM's responsibility for maintaining the show and running put-in rehearsals.  But I have also seen the AD function as a second director - taking over rehearsal whenever needed or running seperate rehearsals.  Or, you get the coffee and pencil sharpening variety.  Your director will know how much they are willing to use them.  Usually I have gotten along well with the AD, they can be a value source of information with directors who think they are keeping you in the loop, but aren't.  On the flip side, I have also had an AD try to do my job in the name of helping (resetting props, being on book - which resulted in two people feeding lines, two different versions of blocking, etc.).  As long as some ground rules are set - everything is usually fine.

6

The Hardline / WCLO Contract

« on: Sep 28, 2005, 04:02 pm »

Hmm, my first instinct is no - especially if the PA position requires any stage management duties.  But I would check with your equity business rep.

7

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Tough spot

« on: Sep 25, 2005, 02:37 pm »

Wow, that is a tough situation.  I agree 100% with Art.  You will know if you have to walk away - and if you do, don't feel guilty.  A very wise Equity Rep. once told me "the phrase 'the show must go on' was created by a producer".  Now I don't know if that is true or not, but it certainly fits.  Good luck.

8

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Drop count

« on: Sep 23, 2005, 06:42 pm »

The way that I see this term used most often is related to tickets.  I see it a lot in house management reports.  It is the actual number of ticket stubs collected for the show that night as opposed to the total number of tickets sold.