Messages

1

Tools of the Trade / Re: Things that went wrong with your technical equipment?

« on: Jul 06, 2008, 10:49 pm »

Our light system has been messed up for at least 2 years and it decides to be spontaneous. Whenever you least expect it to (ex. during a show, when another school uses it, dance recitals, etc.) it decides to freeze up and shut off (it has a cheap dell hooked up to it for no stinkin reason). So we always have to stand by the dimmer racks and turn the lights off by hand (flip the switch and hope it works). It is funny because it is only 2 years old and that is when it started having trouble. Oh well, I sure hope lightning strikes it, then insurance will fix it.

2

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Technical Manager definition

« on: Apr 28, 2008, 10:51 am »

A stage manager is
           Patient
           Able to calm any director
           Able to turn a lame show into a hit show
           All-knowing in the art of theatre
           Willing to work longer hours than a director
           Very awesome
In my high school setting stage managers work with the crew through the whole process of the show, including construction, repairs, show, and of course demolition(yeah). We are awesome like that.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Can A Stage Manager Give A Dirty Sound Techie The Boot?

« on: Apr 27, 2008, 05:03 pm »

Yeah it is a high school theatre. The way the chain of power works here is director, stage manager,asm, sound, lights, stagehands, and whoever else. This is because we do not have an actual tech director. Our school district is cheap. So by all means I am in charge of the technical aspect in the theatre. And I really doubt that the sound techies are trying to excel. All they want to do is play in the sound booth where they are "in charge". It is all child's play for them.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Sound Booth Clean?

« on: Apr 24, 2008, 10:26 am »

Thanks for the thoughts. I will share it with the sound techies. And Yeah the equipment is expensive. It costs $20,000 just for our sound board, and at least an easy $40,000 for the wireless mic system.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PEOPLE: Does a stage manager have hire/fire power with sound techs?

« on: Apr 23, 2008, 10:51 am »

During my last performance of Cinderella, I had a huge blowout with my sound techies (they still hate my guts) and it was all because I thought that the sound booth needed to be clean. Our sound booth is a two-level booth. The lower level of the booth is where actors are given mics and checked out, while the upper level of the booth is where all the fun happens. The sound techies believe that the upper booth does not need to be clean during show, only after. Does anyone buy this or do you think that they are just being lazy? Thanks.

EDIT: Removed red glowing text - PSMK
Posted on: April 23, 2008, 08:34:38 AMI have a problem with my two sound techies. They refuse to listen to me, and take a hint or a nice idea for them to use. They claim that I am the STAGE manager and not the sound manager. During our last show of cinderella they had 14 mics to monitor (easy) but they had to change out at least 15 mic cables (i lost count) and they had terrible feedback, tinny voices, sound effects too late or not even used. The director was standing by me the whole show yelling at me about the sound issues. The sound does not use clearcom because it supposedly "BROKE". WHAT DO I DO?

6

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Flying Carpet...

« on: Apr 23, 2008, 10:43 am »

A few years ago my high school did Aladdin and for our flying carpet we made a small platform rigged it up with four heavy-duty wires and put it on a pipe that the carpet could move horizontally on when we pulled a rope. Then since we have a fancy new rigging system called Vortek we just took the pipe it was on up and down to make it look like it was flying in every direction. It was awesome.

7

Tools of the Trade / What Type Of Drill Is Best?

« on: Nov 28, 2007, 05:54 pm »

Lately I have been searching for a drill suitable for the construction on our set? I don't know if a dewalt, craftsman, Black & Decker, or some other brand would work. I have already tested 3 drills out. The first was a Skil 14.4volt (it was too weak), the second was a Kawasaki 18v (it had massive amounts of lead in its paint), and right now I am working with a Craftsman 14.4volt (it is alright I guess). OPINIONS PLEASE?

8

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Student Stage Manager's Challenge #2

« on: Nov 19, 2007, 07:17 pm »

I would look eye to eye with the director and say no more show for you. No power means no show. Its that simple. I GUESS 

9

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Tech or Church?

« on: Oct 23, 2007, 04:11 pm »

In my unwanted opinion I believe that tech should not be more important verses church. Tech should not be allowed to be on Sunday mornings to begin with. I face this same problem with my belief of church. I always come to tech after chuch but never have I missed church just for tech.
JUST MY TWO CENTS!

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Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: First Tech Rehearsal

« on: Oct 23, 2007, 11:09 am »

Be ready to go with plenty of pencils, coffee, and post-its(hide the post-its from the actors)