Messages

31

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Calling Script

« on: Nov 24, 2013, 01:25 pm »

I circle the note that the cue is called on.  Then, similar to Maribeth, I draw a line (mine's to the right margin) w/ cue number, set change, entrance or exit of performer, etc.

32

The Hardline / Re: How to SM Workshop - For AEA Members?

« on: Oct 24, 2013, 11:54 am »

Do you agree or disagree with this statement, "Any AEA member can and should be able to SM just as any SM can walk onstage and be an actor." Why?

No, I do not agree with that statement.  I can certainly "read in" and "walk the blocking" of a missing or late actor, but I wouldn't say that as an SM I can be an actor!  There are many actors I've worked with that I would never consider handing the job of SM to.
Rather than a "how to"  (shouldn't we know how to SM if we're AEA members?) wouldn't a "learn new techniques and new technology of stage management" be beneficial?  Or, as previously stated, a comparison workshop on the actor's role, the SM's role in a production.

33

Tools of the Trade / Re: iRFR App

« on: Sep 16, 2013, 01:37 pm »

A community theatre I design at got an ETC Element light board, ETC dimmers and ETC lighting units a few years ago.  Included with the purchase was an ipod with the ETC app.  I've found it handy for working on stage to bring up channels for focusing/fixing notes and looking at groups.  Haven't had the opportunity to follow cues with it as I'm usually in the booth through dress rehearsals (instructing the board op how to program the board).  The SM's at this theatre don't call shows and wouldn't have a need to follow cues on a device (at the present time).  But the company does own it should the need arise.  Don't know what the cost was as it was bundled in with the lighting package.

34

Employment / Re: Advice or moving cross country to stage manage

« on: Sep 12, 2013, 09:31 am »

Look into SF Opera's Merola program.  This program is especially designed for early career singers (and I believe for production personnel, too).

35

The Green Room / Re: Director in Booth!

« on: Jul 31, 2013, 10:11 am »

The booth is a place for "booth personnel" only.  Just as you wouldn't let an audience member in the booth to watch and friends shouldn't watch from there, that should apply to the director.  The perspective of the show is different.  Booth personnel are used to it.  The director can observe if cues are late, early or on time just as well from the house.

36

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Working with parents of young actors or people you know

« on: Jul 11, 2013, 09:06 am »

his/her mother likes to come up to me all the time and offer points, suggestions and things to change about the way I work. I suck it up and take it, but she offers suggestions every spare minute she has, even while not at work. I don't mind her wanting to be involved, and am enjoying some constructive critiques but there comes a point, especially during tech and the early run process, where it get's downright irritating.
Thanks,
Caroline

Does this theatre have a policy of no parents backstage (except for drop off and pick up)?  Non-essential personnel backstage have no business being there.

37

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SM with a stutter

« on: Jul 10, 2013, 10:49 am »

...my general performance as an SM has not been effected too severely by the impediment. My faculty and directors do not know I have a stutter, and most people don't know I do until I point it out.

What are your opinions on my future in stage management?


Thanks!

If it isn't noticed by others, I wouldn't bring attention to it.

38

Tools of the Trade / Re: Simple Ground Plan Design Program

« on: Jul 06, 2013, 10:18 pm »

CAD Standard is a simple CAD program and you can get it on line (it does cost to download the program but it's a reasonable cost).  I'm not great at CAD but this was easy to learn.

39

The Green Room / Forwarding previous information in emails

« on: Jun 18, 2013, 11:02 am »

Hello all.

I had this happen to me very recently: A theatre administrator sent me an email about a tour date with all the previous emails included.  One of the previous emails (not from the administrator) was not very encouraging about the show.

Here is my question to you all: Is it necessary to forward all the information from previous emails that may or may not pertain to the specific subject of the email (i.e. "tour dates")?  If there are negative comments that don't pertain to the subject, should they be omitted?  Should the sender just start a new email if all the previous emails don't effect the subject in the header?

I personally check previous emails that are being forwarded and I am very careful of how I word things since people do tend to forward email on.

40

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Escripts=Do you HAVE to have them?

« on: Jun 06, 2013, 08:41 am »

I remember that time, RuthNY, before e-scripts.  If I wanted to accommodate cues, I did  "cut and paste" --which back then was: copy the page, cut it up as needed and re-copy with the space needed for cue sequences.

41

The Green Room / Re: "The Busy Trap"

« on: Mar 27, 2013, 08:46 am »

Great article! I was a latchkey kid and also remember many long summers with my friends---summers that seemed to last forever and were unstructured.  This season ('13/'14) begins a change for me and my husband: letting go of one of our jobs.  It's a theatre job and has just become too much. He and I have not had days off on a regular basis. When I was younger and had unlimited energy, I could work all these jobs.  This will be the first summer in many years that we'll have lots of unstructured time off--just like when I was a kid!!

42

The Green Room / Backstage at Jersey Boys in San Francisco

« on: Mar 25, 2013, 07:54 pm »

http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_22850831/backstage-at-jersey-boys-san-francisco

43

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Curious about unions

« on: Mar 05, 2013, 08:38 am »

Try to get a hold of the IATSE Constitution and By-Laws.  These apply to all IATSE members and then, as ericjames stated, each local has it's own contracts.
IATSE is a technical guild. Since AEA contracts limit what technical aspects of a show an SM touches, since SM's spend most of the rehearsal period with the cast, Equity is the better fit.

44

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Is It Even Worth It?? (Conflict resolution)

« on: Feb 22, 2013, 09:32 am »

In the University where I teach, faculty makes the decision on which student will stage manage each show in our season (some students SM more than once a season).

45

The Green Room / Re: "I quit!"

« on: Feb 21, 2013, 09:40 am »

I resigned from an open-ended show (many years ago).  The producer was a nightmare to work with. Our set designer quit a few weeks before opening, the director was also a nightmare.  I stayed on for 5 months and then had just had it.  The producer was lining up understudies for all cast members (more of a threat than out of need) and the experience just wasn't enjoyable any more.  I gave notice, was replaced and the show closed a month later (due to the drop in morale and drop off in audiences---the producer didn't know when to leave 'em wanting more).

I recently worked a show where the SM just never came back after first tech.