Topics

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / REHEARSAL: Duties during acting exercises, movement, vocal work, etc.

« on: Aug 28, 2010, 02:46 pm »

What do you consider to be your duties during rehearsals mainly focused on movement work or acting exercises where there is no blocking involved?

These are my thoughts:

- Take attendance, call actors who are late
- Call breaks if the person leading rehearsal does not do so themselves

Anything else? Do you feel free to sit in the back of the room and work on paperwork/catch up on emails? Would you try to leave the room and just pop in to check on things every once in a while?

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Tools of the Trade / SOFTWARE: Adobe Story

« on: Aug 28, 2010, 02:43 pm »

Hey! Just wanted to share this, as I think it's pretty fabulous!

Adobe is developing an interactive script writing program called Story. It has both an online and offline component - basically it's just like Google Docs except specifically for film projects and waaaay more powerful/sophisticated.

I'm currently involved in a show in development and have found it to be super useful.

Check it out!

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: Cake

« on: Aug 03, 2010, 01:22 pm »

Hey all!

I'm currently working on a dance show where a whole, unfrosted cake gets brought onstage and frosted; then a slice is cut and plated but not eaten. I need enough cakes for 3 nights of rehearsal and 2 performances, plus an extra in case anything goes wrong.

I was toying with the idea of building something in foam and shellacing it, and then using either real or fake frosting, but I really only have tonight to dedicate to getting this done and I’m just not really that confident in my prop making skills.

I am, however, confident in my baking skills. I was just going to go ahead and bake the 6, double layer, 8” round cakes myself tonight.

Which brings me to my question: any thoughts on ingredients to add or ways to bake the cake to make them a little hardier? They only need to last for 6 days, and they don’t need to be eaten, but they do need to be cut onstage.

4

Stage Management: Other / Blocking Notation for Movement Show in Development

« on: Jun 01, 2010, 01:55 pm »

Hello!

I'm a first time poster and budding SM - but have been lurking around for a while. This forum has been so helpful when I have questions or need advice!

My company does work we call "hypertheatrical" - a blend of traditional theatrical traditions, like mask and puppet work, with modern technology, like projected animation, complex sound design, and special effects. We’re very production-based.

We are currently in the workshop phase of a movement/tech based show. There is no dialogue or script but it’s not really a dance show, because the movements are not count-based, or set specifically to music (though the entire show does have pretty constant underscoring). I guess if I was going to compare it to anything, I would say it’s most like a clown or mime piece. Plus masks and giant puppets.

So, my question is – does anyone have experience with notating blocking or building a “script” for something like this? My assistant and I are basically just writing down really detailed blocking notes, but I think it’s a bit overwhelming to refer to because there is no dialogue to break it up. Right now it looks like a novel. And, this document will eventually become the document from which we call cues.

Anyone have similar experience or tips? I looked around the forum some, but couldn't find any similar posts.

Thanks!