Messages

1

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

« on: Sep 23, 2007, 11:06 pm »

I have worked on shows in the past with scary unsafe automation.  In one case, the other ASM and I went to the PSM and refused to run the show, we were still in tech, until things were done to ensure everyone's safety.  Emergency stops and video cameras and steel barriers were installed before the next tech at great expense.  I wonder how long it would have been before they were installed had we not refused to work.  This was about 15 years ago and health and safety is certainly looked on a lot differently now.  I'm surprised, considering the number of injuries that took place on LOTR in Toronto, that that kind of safety equipment wasn't in place from the start.  I know those things cost money but bad publicity is worse and considering the poor showing the show had in Toronto, there is a lot riding on the London production.

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PreProduction time

« on: Sep 23, 2007, 06:26 pm »

I have to agree with VSM although, if I am attending production meetings before the contract starts, I expect to be paid.  If you are doing more than reading the script for your own edification and doing your own work because it's more convenient then you should be paid.  Creating preliminary props lists is something you should be paid for.  It's not just a selling yourself short, it sets a bad precident for you and for others later.

3

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: I am SM a showcase...and I am in need of some help

« on: Sep 23, 2007, 06:21 pm »

If it's not a computerized board and you can find someone else to run the lights, I say go for it.  It can be fun to run boards and call shows.  It's a bit hairy at first but you figure it out and it becomes old hat after a while but if something goes wrong, all hell can break loose.  You don't want to have to have a conversation about someone sick or missing an entrance or any of the other stuff you may have to worry about and run the cues at the same time if you don't have to. 

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Dressing For The Part?

« on: Sep 23, 2007, 06:06 pm »

I wear skirts and tights and soft soled boots.  I find that if I am careful about how I pick things up, it doesn't hinder my movements and I do a lot less crawling around under stuff that I used to think I do.  I have a stopwatch around my neck that I clip my mechanical pencil to and a notebook.  Everything else either sits in my SM kit under the production table or on it.  I don't need a lot of pockets except for keys or cash.  I used to wear overalls with lots of pockets but it just encouraged me to carry a bunch of stuff I didn't really need. 

5

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Merged Topics - "Left or Right" and "Your book Left or right"

« on: Sep 23, 2007, 05:57 pm »

I'm from the school of make one script that serves for rehearsing and calling.  Script on the left, blocking on the right, cues written in the space between the left margin of the script and the text.  When I make my script in the first place I rejig the margins to give me as much room as possible on the left.  I've never not had enough room to write what I need in a legible and clear way. 

I figure that as long as you aren't using complicated short hand and all the cues are written on the same side, it doesn't matter, a professional SM should be able to figure out what you mean.  Making a separate script to call from after rehearsals would be more work than I am willing to do.  I have enough to do already without making more work for myself.  Maybe I need a personal assistant.