Messages

16

Tools of the Trade / Re: Flash Pots

« on: Jun 20, 2007, 05:29 pm »

Le Matrie is a good brand, I've used it love it ect.. You may also want to look at Pyropak though.  I have used that more than Le Matrie and have had no problems.  Also rule of thumb for pyro is that the effect MUST be done by a properly trained pyrotechnician, and that you keep the effect at least 15' from any curtains, persons, scenery, ect... Also the fire marshal will tell you as much, but ALWAYS keep at least one fire extinguisher manned and ready at both sides of stage, and that fire personal must be present for each time the effect is used.  Thats what will KILL the budget for your effect.  If I may ask where are you doing this effect? (City/State/Country) That will effect how hard it will be to be approved for the effect. 
If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.  If I don't know the answer I know people who do.

Hope all goes well!

17

SMNetwork Archives / Re: I'm New

« on: Apr 28, 2007, 10:22 pm »

Welcome, I to would like to do the cruise ship "thing".  I currently have a friend who is working aboard the Princess Cruise Lines.  She doesn't like it that much only because she was aboard a ghost ship for 6 months because someone's cigarette lit the ship on fire.  Anyway, Welcome to SMNetwork.

18

Tools of the Trade / Re: What is Gaffer Tape?

« on: Mar 03, 2007, 12:14 pm »

I feel that for gaff tape you don't need a courtesy tab, because, 1.) its a wast of tape, 2.) you then have to rip the tape twice risking twisting and sticking. 3.) Its just annoying.  Anyway, I have yet to go to a space that does this.  Now mailing tape or something that is small and very thin is something that needs a courtesy tab.

19

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: advice on lighting dilema

« on: Mar 03, 2007, 02:23 am »

Ok, that is a small space.  But here are my suggestions for your situation.  A.) the earlier reply about the number of dimmers is a valid question, except I have found that they are in multiples of 6.  But that is just what I personally have seen.  Anyway, I would use mainly down light for this show with a couple fixtures for a little front light.  Depending on the height of the grid/cats. I would use pars or Fresnels, with blue and amber for your colors.  Oh and yes I would have an area with a Ellipsoidal special, (Straight down) Also being a drama, play around with maybe a red top light.  Hope this helps.  Take care and Break-A-Leg.

20

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: advice on lighting dilema

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 09:56 pm »

Ok, let me see if I am understanding this correctly.  You have only 16 dimmers to use, and an LD who knows nothing about lighting.  What is the dimension of your "Stage" and what type of show is this?  (i.e. Drama, Comedy, Musical, ect.  We can work through this.  (I am an LD among other things.)  Take care and good luck.

21

Tools of the Trade / Re: What is Gaffer Tape?

« on: Feb 27, 2007, 09:49 pm »

Right now I am working at a high school doing tech for their musical, and they have 4" white Gaff tape that they use to TAPE SEEMS IN THE SET!!!!!  I walked in to a stock of 14 rolls of the stuff and cried when I heard the use for it.

Do Not Use a $50us Roll of Tape for Scenery!!!!

22

Tools of the Trade / Re: Two-way radios

« on: Jan 28, 2007, 08:26 pm »

I agree with the Motorola statement, but DO NOT get the ones from Walmart, Target, ect...  They have a nasty chirp after you talk.  Very annoying, and not what you want the audience to hear.  I recommend the Motorola Radius SP150

23

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Flying Carpet...

« on: Dec 14, 2006, 01:01 am »

Hay, I have a hopefuly less expensive idea for you.

I am a freelancer for a flying effects company, and we do anything and everything dealing with flying for theatre, dance, arena shows, ect...  They have a flying carpet, and it is all on a track system.  With setting it up, you also get training on how to operate the effect, and if nessicary flight choreography.  The company is:

 "Hall Associates Flying Effects"
Web address: www.flyingfx.com   
Phone: 1-888-FLY-HALL (1-888-359-4255)

Check them out, they will work with you as best they can to accomidate most things.

Hope this helps.

24

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Stop The Show!

« on: Nov 09, 2006, 10:06 pm »

I am Tech Theatre, I live it, Breath it, Sleep it (vary little, but I do), t is my life.  The reason I said all that, is because I will do ANYTHING to keep others safe on stage (and off).  That Tech Director should have gotten off his ^$$ to fix the problem right then and there.  If someone had been seriously injured it would have been his fault, but some other persons lawsuit problem.  If he took his job seriously he should have delt with it.  Now having said this if he was doing some other project at the time, and did not know the saverity of the issue, I can understand.  BUT only if he didn't know the saverity.

smalltimeSM

Why The Hours!?!

25

SMNetwork Archives / Re: Drinking Games

« on: Oct 13, 2006, 02:24 am »

If that happend with a few people I knew, they would owe a keg by the end of the first show!!!

26

Tools of the Trade / Re: Condom reference??

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 05:48 pm »

What can we say.   Not only can they protect from pregnancy and std's they can actor/director proof Mics.

27

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Little help please...

« on: Oct 09, 2006, 12:28 am »

Webster Conservitory in St. Louis MO, has a great SM program.  Many friends of mine have come from there.           Good Luck!

28

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Outdoor Venues

« on: Oct 06, 2006, 05:03 pm »

well, to erase perninant marker from plastic use rubbing alcohol (91% is the best)

29

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PEOPLE: Diva Musical Directors

« on: Oct 06, 2006, 04:59 pm »

Have any of you experienced extreme Diva Musical Directors.  I mean to the point of them quitting just to hurt the show?

Here's why I ask.

About 4 yrs. ago at a summer stock I was volunteering at we had a musical director that was pissed off at the artistic director for personal reasons.  So the day of the season opening, (when we have the opening Galla W/ the people who contribute large amounts of money) he left w/ out saying a word.  He also took the musical tracks off the computer.  He wanted for us to call him and be like "we need you, we can't do a show w/out you.  What do you want for comming back".   Instead our Sound Designer knew the computer save everything 3 times automaticly.  So he rebuted the show and we had the LD run the tracks computer for that night.  The show went really well considering.  When we didn't call him asking him to come back, he called us asking for his job back!  Upper management basicly told him where to put it.

So has anyone else come across this problem?

30

Tools of the Trade / Re: how essential is a kit?

« on: Oct 06, 2006, 04:24 pm »

I work for a pro equity company, and they have most things.  But I have run into many times where we can't find things.  So if you have your kit, you will know where things are.