Messages

31

The Green Room / Re: SMNetwork's Resident expert in...

« on: Aug 15, 2010, 01:27 am »

Resident Chocolate Connoisseur... deciphering the quality/ expensive chocolate from the cheap stuff.

It's a tough job. Someone's got to do it.

32

The Green Room / Re: "Seasoned" - yikes

« on: Aug 15, 2010, 01:22 am »

I can't wait for the day to be called seasoned! You go boy!**


**I called you "boy"...see what I did there? Implied youth.

But for real, that's a compliment, the seasoned statement, I would say.

33

The Green Room / Re: Any other crafters out there?

« on: Jul 25, 2010, 02:57 pm »

Wowzers! I would LOVE a crocheted sock monkey! Those are ADORABLE!!!

I actually craft quite a bit. I have my undergraduate degree in fine arts in sculpture so I've learned to work with all sorts of media and how to craft and which materials work well and which don't.  I experiment a lot obviously as well.

During the holiday season, I make photo ornaments. I get pretty elaborate with them but unfortunately, don't have any photos of them handy.  I take clear craft bulb ornaments and insert laser printed photos on the interior.  Then decorate in various ways. I will have to start taking photos of them.   My description really sounds lack luster but they really turn out great most of the time.  Tricky craft but worth it with a little patience.

I also make homemade lip balms and am researching how to make chapsticks and experimenting with different recipes.
**Edited to show a photo example of my craft:


Unfortunately, this isn't a great photo to show the detail.  The images are on the inside wall of the bulb.  I usually coat the inside with all glitter, but this time, I only coated the bottom of the interior with a fine shimmery glitter, filing it with fuzzy, fancy craft snowballs: a look and feel inspired by the soft dusty snowfall. The interior of this particular design, unlike many of the ornaments I create, can be seen so I fill it with fun lightweight things.  Other designs include exterior designs with gems or beads or glittery designs and such. On this one:  The outside says "Roman's First Christmas 2009" - which is the name of my nephew. The hook on the top is not shown but I take a thin gauge wire (used for things like beaded jewelry) and twist designs, threading tiny decorative beads and really tiny jingle bells on it.  It's tricky not to break the beads. 

These are much more fun to see in person....trust me.  This is NOT a great image  unfortunately. More photos will be taken during the holidays, when everyone I know has their home made ornament out.  There are many out there but few photos exist.  I don't photograph my work much...though I should.

34

The Green Room / Re: Mind Games

« on: Jan 08, 2010, 09:58 pm »

If someone asks me for the time, I'll reach for my chest...whether or not I'm wearing my stopwatch...

Ah! I have done this as well, wearing a nametag on a lanyard around my neck.  It' just falls in the same place as my stopwatch so I referred to it quite a bit when checking for the time. Ha!

35

Tools of the Trade / Re: Random, household things, you use/keep on stage.

« on: Jan 07, 2010, 12:15 am »

It sounds gross, but superglue is great for bonding small cuts together.  It's not just for arts and crafts anymore!  I only use this on myself however since I imagine other people might be a little weirded out if I offered superglue instead of a bandaid.

Yes, weird. But my father used this method in a pinch when his finger had a small slice in it from moving something. It was bleeding and to be sure it didn't get on his tux, we used the superglue fix.

Crazy.  But it works. I think he had heard of this method from a doctor actually.

36

The Green Room / Mind Games

« on: Jan 06, 2010, 08:15 pm »

Ha! I thought I would post this and wondered if theater has affected anyone else's perceptions in this way:

I bought a word puzzle book for the plane ride back to school from visiting my family for the holidays.  One of the puzzles was a jumble of letters that had to be de-coded, by following instructions.  The instructions were "remove the first letter from the right" or "swap the third letter on the left and the first vowel on the right."  etc etc.

I was halfway through the puzzle when I realized that I was mixing up the right and left as stage right and stage left, mixing up the directions completely. So anytime I was instructed to modify a letter from the right, I did it on the left (stage left!).

I found great humor in that.... and I never did finish that puzzle.

Has something like this happened to anyone else, where certain things become so second nature but they only really apply to the stage?

37

Tools of the Trade / Re: Random, household things, you use/keep on stage.

« on: Jan 05, 2010, 10:39 pm »

I would never have thought of using clear nail polish to stop runs in hoes. Rather ingenious if I may say so.

Ha! Really? That's an old trick.  Never fails!

38

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Transferring?

« on: Dec 05, 2009, 04:42 pm »

Hi -

So a few things popped out at me as I was reading this:

>>I am also looking into schools again, I have a better idea this time but any suggestions would be helpful.<<

What exactly are you looking for in the program?  Play based? Musical based? Dance?

>>Those are just a few I've come up with within the last day or so as I just made the choice to transfer.<<
Do you know what attracts you to the programs you've mentioned?  All great schools and I've both applied and interviewed at U of Illinois.  The program is very competitive but the facilities are excellent.


>>I understand that many programs are small and competitive, however I feel like many would have a much more positive and supportive vibe.<<

You sound like you are coming from a very frustrated place. I encourage, if not stress, to you to call schools and visit locations, as well as what you are doing: reaching out and asking other possible students/faculty on this site what they recommend.  I would imagine that most people here will speak strongly and positively of their academic experiences, including those who may attend the school you've chosen wisely to disclose.  It would be unfortunate for you to transfer to another school out of frustration for your current program only to find yourself in another frustrating situation.  So be clear about what you are looking for in the program, aside from a positive atmosphere. Ask lots of questions, including how often you will get the opportunity to actually stage manage and what kinds of events/productions the program offers, etc.

Best of luck to you.

39

The Hardline / Re: Treating all actors as AEA in a showcase?

« on: Aug 30, 2009, 10:34 pm »

I personally think it would make life easier to treat everyone by the same professional standard. Across the board. For a multitude of reasons, including those you listed.

Period.

Those are my thoughts.

40

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Contact Sheets

« on: Aug 29, 2009, 10:49 pm »

I like the way you work, Matthew. Good idea (re: using cells, hiding info. etc)

41

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: COMMUNICATION: What to include in a report vs when to send a private email

« on: Jul 02, 2009, 07:17 pm »

hbelden, I've been in similar situations.
In those situations, if I haven't gotten the chance to talk to the director, I will always phrase a concern, "so and so have concerns about their lower backs and the couch.  Is it possible to add two inches or do you suggest anything that would help with this when they sit on the couch? Please advise. Thank you." or something to that effect.  I've always learned to phrase those sorts of things so it becomes the designer's decision and the stage manager doesn't come off as "stepping on toes."

However, put in your position, I would have thought the same thing.  To bring it back to the original topic, I still don't think that note would require a personal email.  I think it's about feeling about your designers and being careful to phrase notes in such a way as to be professional and neutral. 

If a designer is getting bent out of shape easily and often, I agree with Matthew, they really should rethink their profession....

42

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Production Stage Manager v Company Stage Manager

« on: Jun 03, 2009, 04:49 pm »

Any person in the industry I've worked with who fall under those job descriptions has been known, to me, as a production stage manager. 

43

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Care and Feeding of your Crew

« on: May 25, 2009, 10:58 am »

This is horrendous.  Crew needs to be treated with very high regard.  And that being said, you pointed out this was a community production and experience. Please know that not all community theatre functions this way. I hail from community theatre, and we do our best to treat all aspects of production professionally and respectfully. 

What a horrible experience for you...

44

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Rutgers - facilities?

« on: May 25, 2009, 12:10 am »

Thanks for all the responses! I have seen the facilities recently.  I am now officially class of 2012   Very excited to attend in fall.

45

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Props List and Production Manager

« on: Apr 26, 2009, 08:57 pm »

To be on the safe side, I usually send the list to everyone.  And any revisions, everyone gets. (By everyone, I mean the whole production staff). Sometimes, props overlap with set or costume needs.  So it's just FYI for all.  If they don't want it, they disregard it.