Messages

1

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

« on: Feb 15, 2006, 08:07 pm »

After having everything disappear into the company's scene shop and/or road box a few years ago, I now just carry a pencil box, which I load with post-its, pencil sharpener, spike tape, and post-its....  I use a lot of arrows. However, a friend of mine who works at the same company drags around a three-tiered kit that is filled with everything including a roll of toilet paper and hair dryer. Most places I work though are either a "we'll make do" or "come prepared" sort of company.

2

SMNetwork Archives / The Holiday Season -- what are you working on?

« on: Dec 09, 2005, 02:29 pm »

I have yet to experience working a Nutcracker or Christmas Carol during the traditional month of December. Instead, I'm working on 2 of 4 chapters of THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG. But next year, I hope I'll finally get hired on a show where I can be un-pc and sing christmas carols.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Difficult Producer

« on: Nov 17, 2005, 01:42 pm »

Is your theater affiliated with a school? Is that why you speak of students?

4

The Green Room / SMs in media?

« on: Nov 09, 2005, 04:40 pm »

I spent a lot of time watching the stage managers work in the movie The Company with Neve Campbell. I hope that the stage manager in Centerstage doesn't really work that way... seemed a bit stressed out.


I was listening to an audio book (can't remember the title) on a recent car trip and the murderer turned out to be the stage manager. Kept the police on dead trails for hours of tape because the SM was terribly clever. Most memorable quote: "he knew the theater inside and out, how to work all the gadgets, light board, use power tools, had the keys to all the dressing rooms, and most importantly, new how to find the work lights in the dark. Most importantly, he knew how to schedule, organize, and could take down detail notes. His failing was that he wrote it all out."

5

SMNetwork Archives / my $.02

« on: Nov 07, 2005, 03:01 pm »

what version are you using? There are drawing tools and you can insert and cut/paste graphics like you would on word. I use it to make contact sheets every so often. Once in awihle, to track attendance and/or props and then export everything on over to excel. It's a handy database tool to have.

6

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Drop Count

« on: Sep 23, 2005, 06:01 pm »

what was the show?

It must've been related to that. Maybe it's the number of dead bodies by curtain call? Or how many people left at intermission? It may be a particular show thing or maybe it's something the company needed to track. The only time I've seen the phrase was when the stage manager was jokingly referring to how many actors were out sick or had fallen ill during the show (it was a bad flu season). Let me know what you find out. I'm curious!

7

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Thank you!

« on: Aug 24, 2005, 02:37 pm »

PS:

I found someone who could take on the PA posiiton, helped the new SM with spreading the news of the change and offering support. We're going to have a private memorial at the theater on Saturday before one of the four shows (we're in rep). Last week, I found a counselor at the local college who was volunteered to be "on call" for a few days to help. And I talked to a local catholic priest who volunteered some time to the couple of cast members who had some really strong moral concerns, so it eased their pain.

There were still a lot of tears and hugs last show, but overall, the emotions have mellowed with time and it's nice to get a full night's sleep rather than having to respond to a 3:30 phone call from a really depressed cast member. And the company has now seen me work with the new SM, so they feel some sort of comfort knowing that it's "back to normal."

As for the Production Manager... I'm not sure where he has been, but it seems like once the shows open, the PM just kind of vanishes. The company is only a 30hr/week SPT contract so I knew that I'd have to pitch in more than when I was working larger companies, so this has been a good learning process.

Thank you for the advice and tips. I felt so... overwhelmed when the admin staff and cast both turned to me and wanted me to do something. And with all that I've experienced with performers having emergencies, I thought I could handle this better than I did. Anyway, hopefully I won't have to face this situation ever again.

And now I'll get a chance to grieve before I go into tech for the new show.

Thanks again!

8

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PEOPLE: what should I do when there is a death?

« on: Aug 17, 2005, 03:27 pm »

I'm currently transitioning out of my contract and handing off to a new stage manager next week. I had a fabulous PA who was to help with the turnover and it seemed like I could just leave.... But over the weekend, he died from a self-inflicted injury and we're all a bit messed up. However, I still am to leave my contract ... but I've been asked to handle the hiring of a new PA and extend my stay to help with the transition. The cast is very unsettled with having the position filled and feel that I should leave it open. There has been a lot of tears and anger expressed this week as it's been mentioned that the "show must go on" and that I need to find someoen to run backstage. And I can't get myself motivated to find someone. I also am in tech at that point so I can't extend my stay beyond a couple of days. I don't know what I'm asking for... maybe just how I should approach this with the cast... should I tell the applicants the situation... should I just let the new stage manager hire and have 2 new people just tossed into the mix? My mind is just frazzled.

9

Tools of the Trade / stopwatches?

« on: Jun 23, 2005, 07:21 pm »

I have a ... "pro Survivor accusplit" which I picked up in a Big 5. www.accuplit.com is what is listed on the back as theirorder site. The one that I have is... 601X... waterproof, light weight, big number, date, alarm, split time... the usual.

but mainly, no beeping!

10

The Hardline / candid rehearsal snapshots?

« on: Jun 23, 2005, 05:57 pm »

in places that I've worked, we either had a no cameras period or had the actors ask permission before shooting a scene onstage. Only in one case did an actor come up to me to say it was disturbing and I had to step in.

11

SMNetwork Archives / Software that needs to exist!

« on: Jun 22, 2005, 11:47 pm »

wow... if you're into formulas, you'll love FM. I also like how I can make labels, index cards, and all of my welcome letters,etc.

If you ever get something really rolling, I'd love it if you would send me a clone!

12

SMNetwork Archives / Software that needs to exist!

« on: Jun 22, 2005, 07:54 pm »

I use filemaker for my day job, but haven't ever thought about it for the theater as I kind of like excel. But if you need help, let me know.

13

Tools of the Trade / stopwatches?

« on: Apr 01, 2005, 03:20 pm »

or try a sporting goods store! I ususally go to Big 5 where there is a selection. Or if you are an online shopper, http://www.stopwatches.com/index.html?s=g&kw=stopwatch

14

Tools of the Trade / stopwatches?

« on: Mar 27, 2005, 06:11 pm »

I stock upon my brand of stop watch because it has big numbers and doesn't make audible beeping noises or loud clicks when I start and stop. But I use the sports clocks like the sportline: giant timer when I'm at the table and only pull out my stop watch when I have to time specific scenes or quickchanges.

15

SMNetwork Archives / just a big ole HUG to all of you

« on: Mar 21, 2005, 03:58 pm »

Hey, just a big thank you to members on this site who helped me with getting my act together: the pep talks after losing motivation from coming in second in so many job hunts to updating my resume, tips on interviews, finding rooms for rent, dealing with the AEA office.... offers of tours, inside scoop on my new job, figuring out a good phone plan, etc. From the public postings to the private emails, the supportive environment here is so refreshing and welcoming. Thank you! You're appreciated and I owe you.  -darlene

linka_loo@yahoo