Messages

1

Employment / Re: Websites

« on: Apr 15, 2011, 09:38 pm »

I also recently deleted my "Upcoming Productions" section for much the same reason.  People assumed I was too busy (based on it) to offer me jobs that were more interesting, higher paying, etc.

While I haven't had an experience (that I know of) where someone googling me & finding my site has led to a job, I know that keeping an active blog has.  The theatre industry in Vancouver is fairly small and I was amazed to discover that a number of artistic directors read my blog on a regular basis.  At one point I blogged about my frustration in arranging equity apprentice positions (there are very very few in Vancouver, and the ons that do exist are connected to two specific schools) and I had an AD approach me at another show, mention the blog post, and offer me and apprentice position in their next season.  Made it worthwhile to me to keep up the site.

2

The Green Room / Re: How to Steal Like an Artist

« on: Mar 31, 2011, 08:39 pm »

Goes hand-in-hand with "You're not that talented & Other advise" http://allbetsareoff.com/2009/12/youre-not-that-talented-and-other-advice/

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The Green Room / Re: The Stage Manager's Nightmare

« on: Mar 30, 2011, 01:04 am »

My personal favourite was for a production I was doing with a cast of 24 university students, but a professional director, design team, and myself.  The night before it was to begin, I dreamt that for some reason the first reading had been moved to an attic on the 5th floor of the old church we often rehearse in.  Then, just as we all climbed the ladder into the attic, I dreamt the ladder melted away, abandoning us up there, just in time for an earthquake. 


It's enough to make me want to do earthquake drills.

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The Green Room / Re: Too big for our breeches: Server update and poll

« on: Mar 19, 2011, 08:13 pm »

I am so impressed by the community here! Way to go everyone.

I couldn't afford to contribute this time around, but I will contribute when I get a paycheque again.

5

Employment / Re: Free Lancing Tactics: How Far in Advance

« on: Mar 11, 2011, 03:56 pm »

This current season was the first time I didn't book a bunch of shows in advance and it has certainly had its challenges.  I've gone 3 months without a paycheque and was on the verge of going crazy due to lack of income/inability to pay my rent, but of course, that's when a gig came up that wants me out of town for 7 weeks starting in 10 days.  It's not a great gig, but its a new city for me and its the kind of opportunity I wanted to be available for when I didn't book up my whole year.

So I guess I can see the pros & cons of both booking ahead and not, and ultimately you have to do what you feel comfortable doing.

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The Green Room / Re: Convolution Creep

« on: Mar 11, 2011, 02:25 am »

The theatre that I used to be the resident at has a bit of an odd set up in that the SM is the ONLY staff member on site during shows.  The box office and FOH is staffed by interns, and there are no technicians - the SM runs the show.  Sometimes the dimmer for the lights just stop working.  At which point you have to go blow air into them from a can of condensed air and pray.  Also, sometimes the sound just randomly changes levels for no reason at all.  My personal favourite, however, is the booth door.  If you don't actually PULL it shut, it doesn't latch, but if you pull it too hard, the handle sticks and your key won't turn.  I still get phone calls asking me how to get the door open.

7

The Green Room / Re: Sanity is Evasive

« on: Mar 09, 2011, 11:15 pm »

To reduce stress, I let myself loose in my kitchen.  Usually I come back out with some sort of gourmet cupcakes or cookies and I feel better.  If that doesn't work, its time for a bubble bath with aromatherapy.

8

Tools of the Trade / Re: Favorite Bag

« on: Mar 07, 2011, 12:55 am »

My current bag is a Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games messenger bag.  The body of it is one large pocket, big enough to hold my laptop, necessary cables & a 3 inch binder.  It does also have a small mesh pocket at the top, large enough for an iPhone, but I often use it for change, keys, and business cards.

I used to have a Dickies brand messenger bag that I loved that had a bunch of pockets, but I like having it all in one pockets. 

Also, it was extremely discounted because I worked for the games. I think I paid $15 for it.

9

Employment / Re: Pictures

« on: Mar 01, 2011, 09:10 pm »

rpicket6 - It was the same photo as my avatar on here.  Similar to a headshot, but taken for free by a friend who happens to be good with a camera.  We met for coffee one afternoon and she shot a couple hundred pictures and then a week later gave me a disc with the best fifty or so, which I now have on my computer to use as I see fit. 

10

Employment / Re: Pictures

« on: Mar 01, 2011, 12:59 pm »

There are times that I have, by choice, sent a photo with my resume to help them put a face to my name, especially if I've met them, but not recently.  That said, I've heard the arguments on both sides and when I send out my next batch of resumes I am planning to NOT include a picture to see if that changes things in any way.

11

Tools of the Trade / Re: How long should one keep old prompt books?

« on: Feb 27, 2011, 03:47 am »

The one situation in which I have realized the use of having old prompt scripts is for lecturing.  I am going to lecture at a university next week and wanted to bring along some samples, but I don't own any of my prompt scripts, so I have spent the last week going around to various companies I have worked for asking permission to borrow a script for a couple of days.  If I even had one of my ASM books or one from when i was in university it would be helpful.

12

The Green Room / Re: Do you add a personal touch to your booth?

« on: Feb 26, 2011, 11:30 pm »

I think we've actually bought the store out of duckies! I went online to buy one as a gift for a friend and they didn't have them available anymore. SAD.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SAFETY: Open Flame on Stage

« on: Feb 26, 2011, 12:07 am »

On my current show we have fire and it went through the Production Manager.  Though we don't have a fireman backstage with an extinguisher, we do have an ASM in the wings standing by and there is water strategically hidden on stage in case of emergency.

14

The Green Room / Re: Do you add a personal touch to your booth?

« on: Feb 25, 2011, 11:28 pm »

I have Cue, the headset duckie who tours with me to ever booth.  He's adorable.

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Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Jan 24, 2011, 02:08 pm »

Does anyone have an electronic copy of The Pillowman by Martin McDonnagh?