Messages

196

The Hardline / AEA SM Networking Event

« on: May 28, 2006, 01:54 pm »

Found this on the AEA website.  Most of you have probably seen it but just in case:

Stage Managers' Off Broadway Networking Event With Off Broadway Producers, Theatres

Monday, June 19, 2006
AEA Council Room, 165 West 46th Street, 14th Floor
1 pm to 5 pm

RSVP not required - Open to Paid Up AEA Stage Managers

Looking to make Off Broadway job connections? Don't miss the first annual Stage Managers' Networking Event, sponsored by AEA's Eastern Region Stage Managers Committee, and the Leagueof Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers, on Monday, June 19, 2006, from 1 pm to 5 pm. The event is designed to put you in touch with Off Broadway theatres and producers to find out more about their stage managerial needs.

WHO:     Members of the Off Broadway League of Theatres and Producers, including representatives from Off Broadway institutional theatres, Off Broadway commercial producers and General Managers
WHAT:     Networking - an opportunity to meet, greet and ask theatres/producers:

    * What is your theatres' season?
    * When do you look for Stage Managers?
    * How do you want to be approached about getting hired?

WHEN:    Monday, June 19, 2006

    * 1 PM to 5 PM - come anytime
    * No RSVP - no appointment necessary

BRING:    Business Cards
One copy of your resume only, to be kept on file at Equity, if you want your resume shared with the theatres, producers and GMs.

NOTE:     Representatives will NOT accept resumes - this is not an EPA, but an informal networking event, an opportunity to meet Off Broadway theatres and producers and find out about their stage managerial needs on a one-to-one basis. Equity cannot accept or forward resumes for SMs who do not attend.

INFO:     Call Russell Lehrer, AEA Business Representative, 212.869.8530 x 338 Email: rlehrer@actorsequity.org

197

The Hardline / AEA LORT SM's--What would you do if:

« on: May 28, 2006, 12:56 pm »

I also try to make it known that Monday is the day off.  The Directors/Producers that I've worked with have all been pretty good about not requesting anything of me on this day.  This way it's always been my decision if I decide to do anything on the off day.  I never show up in the building on my day off unless I'm checking my mail (I work out of town a lot and snail mail goes to the theatres).  If I get a phone call that I know is work related, I let my voicemail get it and then determine if it's an emergency situation or something that can wait a day.  I can understand if you have a family and other obligations but for me, I'm single and have no real outside commitments except for friends.  If I really want to make the day off my own I travel out of the state for a day and visit my friends.  

I know there are rules and I do my best not to break them just to accomodate the Producers.  Otherwise the above can happen where they start to expect it and you lose the leverage that then Union gave you in the first place.

198

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / the WHO-WHAT-WHERE

« on: May 17, 2006, 05:19 pm »

I've never done a WWW but I have done Scene Breakdowns before rehearsals begin.  Generally I only do them for large musicals of straight shows that require a small number of actors playing a large number of roles, ie Pride's Crossing.  Providing a WWW before rehearsals even begin doesn't seem to make sense since I've never worked with a director that followed the stage directions in the book.

I see the use of them for costume changes and will sometimes keep track of WWW based on the Scene Breakdown I created earlier.  I've also used this Scene Breakdown for Mic Tracking (I work in a lot of theatres where actors have to share mics).  Maybe I'm missing the point of the WWW though?

199

SMNetwork Archives / Interview question

« on: Aug 05, 2005, 12:45 am »

To clarify, I'm applying for an ASM position in a major market area.  

I like the idea of nice slacks and shirt with a possible tie.  Like Shelly, most of my interviews have been over the phone.  The last in person interviews I did were during SETC coming out of my Senior year of College.  Suits I can do, but it's never part of the job to wear a suit so it doesn't fit me.  That and I don't own a suit, I'd have to go out and buy one.  

Thanks for the input though.  It helps.

200

SMNetwork Archives / dressing/prepping for SM interviews

« on: Aug 04, 2005, 09:02 am »

Wasn't sure where to put this but I've got an interview coming up.  I haven't been on an interview for an SM position in a long time and I've never interviewed for an AEA SM position (promoted from within a company each time).  My question is this: what is appropriate attire for an interview in theatre these days?  Would a suit be beneficial or just look silly?  It hadn't occured to me until someone asked me if I had a suit.  Before then, I had just been planning on a button down, tie, and slacks.  For those of you running interviews, what do you suggest?  For those that have been on interviews, what do you wear?  Thanks.

201

SMNetwork Archives / PC vs MAC

« on: Aug 02, 2005, 02:49 pm »

With all you Mac people, I'll stand by the PC.  I'm a die hard PC user.  I don't care for the interface of OSX as it's too bubbly and doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  The formats are pretty much the same though like people say, it's a matter of preference.  Most theatre's I've worked at are PC based and it was easier to share files and information as well as jump onto their network with the same type.  Anything you can do with a Mac, you can do with a PC.  Laptop battery life's are the same especially with the Centrino's and the new AMD Turion's that are out there.  Speed is negligible as you probably aren't doing anything with the laptop that requires a whole lot of speed at work.

Mac's aren't immune to Viruses.  Don't be fooled into thinking they are less likely to get them then PC's.  People do the same thing with Linux.  When in actuallity, the viruses are just as prevalent but not as advertised.  It's a ratio thing however.  There are a lot less Mac and Linux users out there, so viruses aren't as broadcast.  It is a good idea to still use Virus protection and a Firewall especially if you aren't an experienced computer user.  

Another thing to consider is everything comes with wireless these days.  Wireless is great especially in the areas where free Wi-Fi abounds.  

One of my biggest pet peeves about the Mac though is that single button mouse.  Yes, I know you can purchase a 2 button mouse for it now, but why not just come with it?  I use the Right Mouse button so much on a PC that it's second nature.  Also, the laptops definitely don't have the option as a standard.  It just bugs me to no end.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

202

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / I may sound like a complete ignoramus for asking this...

« on: Jul 25, 2005, 03:03 pm »

My blocking method is very similar with mc's.  However I don't generally use  a Stage Diagram on the back of the page, I just write the blocking.  It's good to come up with a method of shorthand that is easy for you to remember.  I try to use the 1st letter of a character's name and then all shorthand for movement; ie B XUR to J means Billy crosses UR to Julie.  Try to use reference points when actors do the crossing because it can help them to remember.  More often then not, when they ask where they went, as you start to tell them, they'll remember on their own.
Some directors let the show be more organic so the blocking changes often and you just have to stay on top of it.  I used to use colored pencils but found that a regular pencil worked well enough and is easier to erase.  I've never worked a show where blocking hadn't changed at least once during the rehearsal process.
For cueing, you write down what you have to call and that's a determination of the designers.  Generally lighting, sound, set movements, rail cues are the common items.  Some shows go into cueing actors for entrances as well.  Writing it down can be tricky.  Light cues are always numbered as they're numbered in the lightboard to correspond with what you're calling.  Then you determine what to call everything else.  Letters work, colors can be used if there aren't many of that item to call and then whatever else you can think of.  I've even used Disney characters before (the crew liked that one actually).  I put all cues on the right side of the script page as such:

B: First I'm gonna get myself a beer_______________L66

If more than one thing is cued there I just stack it on top of each other.
Anyway, that's what I do.  There are plenty of other options that you can give yourself.  Just find something you're comfortable with.