Topics

1

Stage Management: Other / Help with organizing talent info for film festival

« on: Nov 12, 2018, 07:12 am »

Hey hive   I am currently helping out with a small, international film festival (60+ films) and I'm the main contact for all talent involved with the films. I need a clever and easy way to track who's attending, who's sending their "people", who those people are and their titles, what day they arrive in town (for airport trans), if they need accommodation and for how many people, what their film is and category, what workshops they're hosting/attending etc. Unlike other "attendee registration" boring forms sent out associated with event software, I basically would like to take the info they send me in a personal email and transfer it to their "file" (or spot?) that I've created if that's possible. Or maybe there's another way? A database is the first way I came up with to do this but I'd rather avoid spending days learning software. Also I have no budget. Ideally I'd create a document that was easy to access all info for me and my team of festival organizers. Over our first couple of years, a google doc spreadsheet was created by someone (festival organizer above me.. not an SM lol) which I had access to, however I found it daunting to access the info I needed and it was difficult to keep up to date. There's got to be a way to quickly look up someone's name and see all their deets.. Any thoughts??!! Thanks!

2

Tools of the Trade / Clear-Com Headsets

« on: Mar 27, 2012, 07:44 am »

Looking for feedback on the Clear com cc-25.. I'm considering an over the ear headset rather than a headband. My audio dept. head says he can rewire whatever I bring him to be compatible since this only comes with a mini-jack. Thoughts?

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / ASMs: What is in your intro/rules speech to your new ASM?

« on: Dec 16, 2011, 03:45 pm »

I've done this a million times but I wanted to hear from others about what you like to include in your first day speech to your ASM. Not necessarily job responsibilities (ie what paperwork they'll be doing), but any rules you have about conduct, approach, and how to set that perfect tone Thanks, this'll be fun!

Edit to subject line-Rebbe

4

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PAPERWORK: What to call someone who the script is "Adapted by"

« on: Apr 01, 2011, 11:20 am »

Hi guys... so I'm putting together a contact sheet for a show that the script was "adapted by" someone. On the contact sheet when I'm listing roles ie. director, designer, stage manager etc, who do I list this person as so it's a matching noun - is Dramaturge ok? It's not a real fit but I can't think of any other term to list - adapter - lol.   Any ideas? Thanks!

5

Tools of the Trade / Lightweight Headsets - Telex PH-150?

« on: Dec 07, 2010, 08:05 am »

Hey guys.. I'm interested in getting a single, over the ear headset. Has anyone used the Telex PH-150? I believe it would be compatible with clearcom but can't seem to find the info. Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

6

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: Edible dessert

« on: Nov 06, 2010, 01:22 pm »

Ok, here I go again. I need two, small, individual plates, each with the same dessert. Circa 1930's. Edible - They take two to three bites each. Should be a "nice" dessert or somewhat fancy. Ideally cheap and easy. Any ideas? I couldn't see anything in the frozen dessert section at the supermarket last night. Should I make cupcakes and freeze them and then use as individual cakes and throw on some kind of sauce or whipped cream?? Any ideas would be appreciated.

7

Tools of the Trade / Your own headset

« on: Jul 23, 2010, 08:44 am »

So recently I was thinking about getting my own headset. Apparently a lot of SM's use their own. Working in rep and having to adjust, clean etc. every time I run a show, I began to think about this. I've heard that a 'good' one is upwards of $250 or $300. Does anyone have a clever resource for ordering a headset which is both good and reasonably priced? Thanks!

8

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: Edible prop food

« on: Apr 11, 2010, 08:25 am »

Hey guys - I'm trying to think of ideas for cheap, easy to prepare, tasty items to include on several tiered trays. Circa 1930's socialite group where I have to fill two of these trays with sandwiches and sweets. Ideally, I'd like to get a variety of shapes and colors to so they look fabulous. Actors have only asked that nothing be too sweet or junk-foody. No allergies.
So far I've come up with:
 - well, the inevitable tea sandwiches - cucumber sandwich but is there anyway to improve on this? I mean without mayo that would turn bad? Or maybe a pesto sandwich? What other fillings would be good, out of the jar items that won't go bad??
- white bread crust mini tarts - filled with either cool whip or light lemon pudding or something? (cut crusts off of white bread and cut that piece into four - push each little square into a mini tart pan and bake briefly till crisp)
- Angel food cake and/or angel food cake with red food coloring (red velvet cake), or some other, easy, light cake that I can cut up and have in the freezer.
- Sugar cookies or shortbread where I can control the amount of sugar. Any other cookies? Maybe some recipe where I could squeeze the dough using one of those cake decorating tips and bags so they are fast to pump out onto a cookie sheet.

Any other easy recipe ideas that won't take a lot of time to prepare and are tasty would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

9

The Green Room / Favorite brown bag lunch?

« on: Mar 16, 2010, 10:38 am »

Ok, so I'm headed into rehearsals and have to come up with nutritious, easy to prepare, eat-on-the-go lunches. My favorite for awhile were hummus wraps with roasted red pepper and fresh spinach but I'm kinda getting sick of the stuff I've been having. What are your favorite no-fuss take along lunches/ meals??

10

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PRE-PRODUCTION: Taping multiple floor plans?

« on: Mar 08, 2010, 06:43 pm »

Hey guys..
I'm in prep for a show with many scenes and all have different sets/trucks/floor plans. Any tips on taping these out in the rehearsal hall other than 12 colors so that it won't look like a mess? I'm thinking corners only and then the furniture should naturally fill out the space. If you've had experience with this before and learned a few things, I'd love to hear them. Thanks.

Edit subject line-Rebbe

11

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Automation Advice

« on: Dec 07, 2009, 03:17 pm »

Hey guys..
Something I'm specifically looking for info on is automation. I've been at a very large regional theatre for one season (Equity and IATSE) and heading into my second. I've been given a heads up from the team of electrics designers and TD's, that my upcoming show has the most automation they've done. (It's a straight play, not a musical). Although I've been equity for 20 years, I've never worked with automation before and I'm looking to get as much feedback/expert advice from stage managers, automation programmers, designers, operators etc. as to what they technicians want and need from a stage manager and from SM's as to what your experience is managing a smooth process. For example, I've found out that the SM during rehearsal process, provides the programmer with a list of all set pieces to move independently to begin with. That's programmed roughly and then he builds other "blocks" where the timing of pieces moving overlap.
I guess my big questions are: What is the ideal process and how does it unfold to put it all together (ex. fine tuning to actors timing) and again, what would make the people on my team really happy with me.. Trying to gather as much info as possible to be as prepared and knowledgeable as possible. Any tips, tricks, insight or "a-ha" moments of experience you've gained and carry onto your next show would be much appreciated.
Thanks!!
dee

12

Employment / Questions for Interviewing SM's

« on: Dec 09, 2008, 06:57 pm »

Hi guys.. I've found myself over the last few years as PSM, being in the position of needing to hire SM's and ASM's. I am quite comfortable doing so and usually get a good feel for people, however I judged poorly recently and am reflecting on just how hard it is to judge how an SM will do from an interview. I'm curious to ask:  If you had to interview an SM or ASM, what would be the most important things you would ask and/or look for. Funny.. the one that didn't work out was a phone interview. I've never gone wrong in judgment from a face to face interview
Thanks,
dee

13

The Hardline / Actor Notes - After opening

« on: Nov 10, 2008, 10:13 am »

Hey guys.. just wanted to get some more ideas on this. I've been SMing professionally for 20 years under both AEA and Canadian Equity. I give actors notes right at the half hour (or the "35 min half") and privately, and in person. I feel it's a more effective way to communicate rather than email unless it's a technical thang. What I've heard though over the last few places that I've been at is actors grumbling about stage managers who "never give notes". It is actually rare that I do give acting notes though since if I do notice something, 9 times out of 10, the actor feels it too and self-corrects without me reminding them of the off-night.
I guess I just want to poll people and find out how often you give acting notes. And I'm not talking about the casual, "How'd it go for you" green room banter.  Sensitive topic, I know.
Thanks,
dee