Messages

1

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

« on: Jan 26, 2008, 05:15 pm »

The SM never leaves the booth, he just takes off the headset and sits back and watches the show.  It's up to us to let him know when cues are coming up.  And no, management is never around when this happens; he's very careful about that.

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

« on: Jan 25, 2008, 12:07 pm »

Hehe, interesting, all the different views on this topic.  The SM claims to be a professional, having done this sort of thing "for over 50 years" despite the fact that he worked in industrial engineering all his life.  We think management has caught on because the director, technical director, production stage manager, and light/sound designer have been making regular visits to the booth during performances. Often times, the SM will take off the headset during the performance and ask us to watch the book while he "takes a break."  He missed a standby once because of that.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

« on: Jan 20, 2008, 10:29 am »

Hmm, we had another very late q last night...actor turning on the light switch and the light coming on 5 seconds later and only after I (the sound board op) saying "go?".  SM didn't even give a standby because he was busy fumbling with his glasses and headset. The light board op didn't react either because the SM keeps changing directions.  First he says he'll call all q's, visual or otherwise, then he says if it looks like he might miss the q (!!!??) the board op should execute it.  When the board op executes a q without SM's go, he catches hell.  So, we are inclined to not say/do anything because there are 2 of us witnessing his incompetence if the director asks.  The SM is making this, what should be a very easy show, an extremely tedious and unpleasant experience.

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

« on: Jan 15, 2008, 05:15 pm »

Thanks for your expert input.  I guess the problem I'm having with the situation is that the SM doesn't take responsibility for any of his missed cues.  It's always someone else's fault, but he's very quick to let you know when you've missed a cue.  That's show business!

5

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: Visual Cues--Who's Responsible?

« on: Jan 15, 2008, 10:21 am »

I just started working the sound board for a small community theater.  My husband is working the light board and has done this in one other, even smaller theater.  At that theater, he executed the visual light cues without the SM giving him the GO.  But in our current location, the SM insists on giving the cue.  The problem is that the SM is always late giving the cue.  Then the SM gets upset because the light didn't go one when it was supposed to.  It's a no-win situation.  My question is:  Is there a standard for who is in charge of visual cues or is it a case-by-case thing?  Thanks!