Messages

1

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

« on: Jan 19, 2008, 03:53 pm »

I've had the opposite side of the problem where my board op and followspot ops were taking the q before I called it. I ended up talking to them about it and affirming my position that, unless I asked them to take the q on their own from the start of the run, to go on my q regardless of if it was a moment later or a moment earlier than they thought it should go. Ultimately the stage manager is the one with the script/score and so are the only ones that know exactly what's going on then and what's coming up.
As difficult and irritating as it may be it needs to be addressed quickly even if it's a "I will go whenever you tell me to and not a moment before or after" so that it's stated and on the record.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Hydraulic Scenery accident, London "Lord of the Rings"

« on: Jun 10, 2007, 06:17 am »

Mac, they do have guards on the tracks. It's a slightly raised bit of stage (it looks like a strip of rubber from the audience) and when an actor steps onto one a loud thunderclap goes off as a warning.

I would also like to state that the above knowledge is simply from having watched the show. I have no contacts on the production at all. Although I have heard that they didn't get past their 1st LXQ on first preview before having to stop the show, but that is just speculation.

3

Employment / Re: London

« on: May 07, 2007, 07:27 am »

Thanks! Yeah, I wasn't really looking at the West End for the reasons already mentioned. The way the program is structured, I can only do my internship between July 13th and August 10th, which probably limits me even more. We'll see what kind of strings Boston University can pull.

EDIT: I've been looking up these suggestions and The Bush seems perfect for me! Thanks cuelight! All of the other suggestions were great, too.

Not at all! The Bush Theatre was looking for an ASM last time I looked and the dates might match. I'd suggest giving it a go.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Traditions in the Theatre

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 03:07 pm »

remind folks not to whistle backstage

Anyone know the story behind this one? I'm just curious.

5

Tools of the Trade / Re: Do you prefer Word or Excel?

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 10:37 am »

I agree with some others before me in that I use the tool most beneficial to me at that point. If for any reason or another I will redo the document into a Word or Excel doc depending on what is easier for the other person but I can count the times I've done that on one hand.

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Stage Management: Other / Re: Tips for "Ariadne auf Naxos"?

« on: Mar 28, 2007, 11:10 am »

Thanks Lisa. Hadn't thought about AV but it certainly makes sense!

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Stage Management: Other / Re: Tips for "Ariadne auf Naxos"?

« on: Mar 27, 2007, 02:31 pm »

Thanks for all the tips guys. They're a lot more helpful than you know!

LisaE, I am a British DSM. I also speak German so I'm hoping that my understanding what's going on will be the least of my worries!

Also, is there anything else that you guys would include in your Opera Stage Management Bible (or Prompt book if you prefer) that you wouldn't normally include in a folder for say, a musical or a play?

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Employment / Re: London

« on: Mar 25, 2007, 04:32 pm »

It depends exactly what you're looking for. If, as SMSam said, you don't mind doing the same thing night after night, learning a plot and just doing the ins-and-outs of a show then any West End show will offer work experience placements. If you're looking for something more "indepth" (for lack of a better word) then you might want to look at the rep houses. Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Arcadia Theatre, Bush Theatre, Gate Theatre and Soho Theatre are some places to look into in that case as they produce their own work as well as collaborate with other producers.

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Stage Management: Other / Tips for "Ariadne auf Naxos"?

« on: Mar 25, 2007, 09:45 am »

Hello all. I've recently gotten the job of DSM for 'Ariadne auf Naxos' by Strauss and was wondering if anyone here had done it or seen it with any potential tips for me. I was told in my interview that it was a technically challenging show - or was that just an interview myth to judge a reaction?

It's my first opera job so anything helpful will be much appreciated. I've gone over the Opera Tips threads with a fine tooth comb already and it's been extraordinarily helpful. Thank you SMNetwork!

I've got one ASM who'll be in rehearsals with me and was wondering if I should put them on book whilst I take blocking or if I'll be expected to take blocking at all. Also, should I ask for a piano/vocal score only? And will there be anything specific to opera that I should know about before going into rehearsals?

Cheers in advance!

10

Employment / Re: summer work/internship in UK

« on: Mar 11, 2007, 06:14 am »

^Very true. The London Fringe circuit is a good one to get in with as well.

I'd suggest uk.stagejobspro.com. You have to sign up but it's free (at least it was when I did it) and there's lots of Stage Manager on Book jobs that get put up there. You might find yourself op-ing LX and Sound as well as being Stage Manager/DSM but it's a good way to meet people.

11

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Vacation! London/Paris

« on: Mar 09, 2007, 07:40 am »

Also, for some great quality theatre and a fantastic resturant (if a bit pricey) head over to the Menier Chocolate Factory.

12

SMNetwork Archives / Re: A different eletronic script thread

« on: Mar 09, 2007, 07:14 am »

Mac, what version of FinalDraft are you using? I'm intrigued.

Generally though I just do the page breaks in Word and do my font at a size 9. It means that I have space under the text on the page for extra notes/cuts/additional lines and when I go back into Word to adjust the script then I don't worry too much about going over to the next page.

13

Employment / Re: summer work/internship in UK

« on: Mar 07, 2007, 08:35 am »

Lots of shows on the West End will do a work placement for a week (or two sometimes). All it involves is filling out a form and giving it a wait. I'd suggest doing it now as lots of people like to do them.

Or there's the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But you might want to contact them soon because they get filled very quickly.

14

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Well, if you can't admit it here, where can you?

« on: Mar 07, 2007, 08:23 am »

When I do a show I fashion something out of paper to fix onto the main exit door to use as a holder of some kind. Then I'll usually just put a note up saying "Borrowed a pencil? You wouldn't want to lose yours. Returns here" or something along those lines. I might not get every pencil that I've lent out but I'll get most of them back.

Although I tend to find that directors still nick pens and pencils from me.

15

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Tallescope ruling in UK

« on: Mar 04, 2007, 01:22 pm »

Tallescope - Aluminium vertical ladder with an adjustable base on wheels, used for erecting and focusing lanterns, reaching the grid etc.
They can also be known as "Genies" or "Winch-Ups".