Messages

31

Employment / Re: Too Old

« on: Jun 09, 2007, 08:16 am »

I agree, I think it's a sign of immaturity, no matter how old you are.  Yelling at the cast?  I don't see what good that ever does.  I don't really think there's ever a reason to, unless it's an immediate safety hazard, like say someone is about to take a step onto an abyss or touch something that'll burn their hair off.  Then I think it's alright to yell at someone, but just enough to make them not do that.  Otherwise, I've been known to yell "we're back" "places" and things like that, and raising my voice to gather the troops, get the attention of the room.  Yelling at someone because of some kind of power trip or because someone did something upsetting just makes the situation worse, I'm talking both cast/crew.  I have a lot of respect for cast members, because they are doing something I admittedly can't do.  Bearing their souls in front of hundreds of people, I can't do that.  So, even if they are not always.... nice or respectful, there's ways of dealing with it that doesn't undermine what they do, or me as a stage manager.  We have "conversations" when we need to, privately.  I believe what goes around comes around, and I don't want anybody yelling at me 

I completly agree with that you just have to be good at what you do. the only problem I have run into was the people I have the most problems with is the people my age. is that just me? 17-24yrs

also what is your stance on yelling at the cast.
I hate to yell and I have a SM that all she does is yell

I see it as a sign of inmaturity

32

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Making a Boulder

« on: Jun 08, 2007, 02:35 pm »

How big does this boulder have to be?

For a small one, my mind went to a stepstool, cardboard, and a bucket of model magic.  Doesn't have wheels, but it would be very light and inexpensive.  Does it have to have wheels?  IMHO wheels/breaks add a whole lot of time in the end as opposed to if someone can just set something if it's compact enough, if that's an option.

33

Employment / Re: Finding Jobs

« on: Jun 08, 2007, 04:42 am »

I agree, ArtSearch is a great thing to have.  I've gotten several jobs throgh finding out about them there, especially if you don't mind moving out of state.  My school used to have it in the production office, the paper version, and my roomates used to have it online.  I find the online version really easy to search through.  The first time I got it I got the one year subscription, but had a job within three weeks, so I would opt for the six month version, that way you don't pay for more than you have to.

Another great thing they have is the American Theatre Magazine.  It's a great conversation starter, they have parts of new plays, articles, etc., so I feel "in the loop."  I can't even count the times I've met people who have had something about them in there, and it's a good way to break the ice.  Plus, I just love hearing about what's going on.  They offer a studet discount, I think it's $20 for ten issues, which is a great deal.

Hmmm... if this stage management thing doesn't work out maybe I should try to get a job marketing for TCG...

34

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Raw chicken on stage?!?!?

« on: Jun 02, 2007, 01:10 pm »

I would look at OSHA and/or FDA guidelines.  If nothing else, I'm pretty sure a safe and sanitary working environment is a federal guideline, and if I remember correctly, hot running water and is a requirement, especially when handling food.  They're pretty strict when it comes to foodborne diseases.

35

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Stage Management Colleges

« on: May 29, 2007, 05:14 pm »

I live in San Diego, UCSD offers an MFA in Stage Management.  I didn't go there, I went to Rutgers, but I've worked with some awesome SMs who graduated from there, at the La Jolla Playhouse and the Old Globe, and they seemed to like it a lot.  Also, the beach is down the street, which must have been great, all I had near my school was a river.

36

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: To enter theatre or not to enter theatre

« on: May 14, 2007, 06:51 am »

The real question to ask yourself, is am I going to spend 120,000 and four years of my life not doing something I love?
And also, look into financial aid options.  I went to an out of state school, and I don't owe a tenth of that because of scholarships and grants.  Throughout school I was one of the "nice" stage managers and I always was told, at every artistic review, that I had to be more assertive.  I found a balance.  A lot of the "bossy" stage managers I knew back then aren't working now.  I've never had an employer tell me I'm too nice.  Getting along with people is more important, because then they respect you and when you do demand something, they hear you, and they'll want to work with you again.

I know people I went to school with who have the same degree I do, the same piece of paper, and aren't working.  I know a lot of people with masters degrees in stage management who aren't working.  I already had a year of shows lined up when I graduated, which I thank my lucky stars for, but other years are rough.  I am not sure what I'm doing after the show I'm working on now.  And I've had to move out of state twice for work.  Nobody can say you'll for sure make this much or for sure you'll work at Cirque, but if it's meant to be it'll all fall into place.

37

Employment / Re: Mileage for Non Union

« on: Apr 30, 2007, 04:34 am »

If you tell them the situation, that you might have to walk away, then they might be able to find some money.  Funny, I've never actually had my milage reimbursed but a theatre, one of the cons of working non-union.  I've gotten things from parking to overtime to health benefits, and housing, but I've never had a theatre, whether it's a non-union stage management job, or non-AEA positions at LORTs, reimburse milage to get there, just for stuff once I got there.  It sounds like they're willing to meet you half-way, which is more than a lot of other theatres do that are under non-union contracts, so I would look at the contract as a whole before I made a decision on a contract based on the milage.  What else are they willing to give you that makes up for it, what your other employment options are, and what the pros of working there would be, etc.

38

The Hardline / Re: Searching for EMC positions...

« on: Apr 19, 2007, 07:34 am »

I was offered EMC weeks at an SPT10.  I was the assistant to the stage manager for a season for a resident Equity SM.  I'd get I think 41 weeks the first season, and the rest the second.  I took the experience but turned the points down, because it wasn't the right time for me.  I really wanted to build up my resume first. But in terms of EMC some SPT's might be another direction to look.  I found that job through Artsearch.

39

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: What's my job again?

« on: Apr 16, 2007, 06:49 am »

Yes.  Things like the line note/feed problem, it’s not the first or last time directors will have a problem with it, and sometimes it’s justifiable, and if it is then it has to be dealt with along with the gazillion other things we have to do.  If it isn't, then I would let it go.  We just have to know when to pick our battles, but I wouldn’t give up on working things out with the director.  We owe at least that much to the people involved in the production (including the audience that's coming to see it).  Claim that tech!  What’s the worst that can happen? She gets upset over her stage manager running a tech?  I doubt anyone will throw her a pity party over that.  If it falls into deaf ears then at least you tried.

40

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: YAle Short Hand

« on: Mar 29, 2007, 04:24 am »

Will,

Did you find out what Yale short hand is?

My SM seminar professor in undergrad was a person who'd taught stage management at Yale for a long time and was semi-retired.  In two years she never mentioned a Yale short hand.

Just curious in case a director springs that up on me.

41

Tools of the Trade / Re: Anyone have to pre-rig milk cartons?

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 11:41 pm »

I'm really not familiar with the play, but does it specify it has to be a carton?

Would it be feasable he'd be packing a thermos?

42

College and Graduate Studies / Re: BA or BFA

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 01:27 pm »

I got a BFA, and I wish I'd gone for my BA and worked with an advisor to include a lot of stage management.  The BFA hasn't hurt my career, but I really miss not having taken all those general ed. classes.  I think the BA would have been a good idea because I would have gotten a broader perspective of theatre in the world.  I'm not saying that all BFA programs are like this, but in my program, you lived and breathed theatre, and well, it was the whole world.  I find myself working now, and taking classes online here and there, more general ed. literature, and different kinds of history so that I have a bigger perspective.  I think a good liberal arts background helps no matter what you do.

43

Employment / Too Old

« on: Mar 09, 2007, 07:04 pm »

I just have to vent because I had an interview with an out of state theatre for an APM position yesterday.  During the interview I mentioned how I had been an intern at the LDI lighting convention in 1998. I was just trying to show my technical skills too, but instead of asking about those, the interviewer asked me my age.  I told him, and he was very adamant about telling me the rest of the company were younger (I'm 28, I guess they're mostly in their early 20's.) This is not an issue for me, but I guess it is for him.  He went on and on about their ages, and how he's only 31, and he just felt that I "should know that" going into the interview process.  The rest of the interview consisted of me asking him questions about the season, change-overs, building, shops, etc, to get an idea of what it would be like to work there.  He was not really into it.  It was obvious we wouldn't click, so I'm withdrawing my application.  The interview really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I have never had age be an issue like this before. I feel old.

44

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: School or work?

« on: Mar 08, 2007, 05:29 am »

I agree, do what feels right for you.  I got an AA, then a BFA, but I've worked alongside people who took all kinds of educational paths.  Just a warning about the BFA... I got an AA, and it was still a mandatory three years for the BFA, regardless of how much experience I had, and a lot of classes I had to retake, because of their policies.  They took into account my work experience in admissions, and it raised my chances of getting in, but didn't give me college credit for it.  I think it varies by programs, but some of them are pretty strict about the three years.  However, it was a great experience, and I'm glad I did it.
The only thing I might do different is consider getting a BA instead of a BFA, but no worries.