Messages

166

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: How do I audition for SM at a college?

« on: Apr 26, 2007, 12:11 pm »

You can teach a monkey to call cues or crank out paperwork.

I understand that an infinite number of monkeys, given an infinite number of headsets and an infinitely long technical rehearsal, will eventually call all the cues for all the works of Shakespeare.

167

SMNetwork Archives / Re: misc prop questions

« on: Apr 10, 2007, 12:08 pm »

3) finally, something i've never dealt with in a show but have plenty of real-world experience - one character is supposed to roll and light up a joint on stage.  the papers and lighters aren't an issue - it's what to put in it that i am having difficulty with, and on top of that the actor has never smoked a cigarette or a joint before, so it looks awkward when he pantomimes.

We used (re-rolled) "Honey Rose" herbal cigarettes for the Off Broadway run of the musical Summer '69 -- smelled right and was apparently relatively not too harsh for the actors.

168

Stage Management: Other / Re: WWW detail question

« on: Apr 01, 2007, 01:18 pm »

I my experience, the exit is listed when the performer leaves the stage, not when they start leaving the stage.

On the other hand, isn't it more likely that the time one is going to need for Qing (electrics, especially if moving lights are involved,  or followspot) is the start of the exit?

169

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Yale.

« on: Apr 01, 2007, 01:15 pm »

The outdated thinking is the assumption that the Yale MFA stage management program is the best one out there, superior to all others and more people graduate from there and "make it" than any other.... 

Sigh.. and I thought the "outdated" thinking was that SUNY Purchase had the best Stage Management program (back when they were among the few schools offering one.)

170

College and Graduate Studies / Re: what ARE the Yalie standards anyway?? A myth???

« on: Mar 31, 2007, 12:02 pm »

the standards of Yalie SMs?

Will someone please explain what they mean by that and why we as a group continue to encourage that outdated thinking?

I'm totally serious.  How many of you are yalies or know yalies or are working with them?  Actual people who have gone there in the last 5-10 years?  And how much is based on you think yale is the best because that's what you are told?

I'm really curious about this...and I'm speaking specifically about people with the SM MFA, not the tech cert or acting/design/direction MFAs (although that's worth discussing too).

I have yet to work with or even run into (I think) anyone with the Yale MFA in Stage Management.

Others (especially designers) from the Yale program consistently get a lot of work, irregardless of their actual talent or quality.  That might not make it the best from an objective standard but it might make it the best in terms of securing employment upon graduation.

171

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Texas Schools

« on: Mar 31, 2007, 11:53 am »

Of course everyone is partial to their school.  I think the person's question would be best answered by folks that are a few years removed from academia and have worked with people from all over.

No doubt that the greatest number of Texan alums I have worked with and found working in the performing arts over the last 20 years are from SMU.

172

Tools of the Trade / Re: What goes inside a SM Kit?

« on: Mar 26, 2007, 05:43 pm »

That doesn't make it the SM's job to actually do all this- esp not from their personal funds.  (It should be noted that it's often the SM's job to stock and maintain the first aid kits for a show, from the show's funds. This is fine with me. I'm arguing against our providing it from our personal funds.)

I agree -- but I also think theaters/producers should install phone lines and not depend on us paying for cell phone use

173

Tools of the Trade / Re: What goes inside a SM Kit?

« on: Mar 26, 2007, 02:00 pm »

I think it's the SMs responsibility to check on the location of the First Aid kit when the initial site survey is done (assuming that your're not in the theater in question for just a quick in/out engagement...)

Good idea to have a few band-aids with you in any case -- not only for first aid use, but for footwear issues (especially if there is dancing involved.)

174

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Backstage Etiquette

« on: Mar 14, 2007, 07:29 am »

PDA is forbidden on the premises, period.  I think it's irresponsible for a manager to subject decent people to indecent behavior and expect them to ignore it. 

It's often easier to do nothing than to do what's right, but don't confuse them into the same thing.

You're the arbiter of decency and rightousness?  Do you work in a theater facility or for some sort of church?

175

Tools of the Trade / Re: Keeping Spike tape down...

« on: Mar 05, 2007, 05:23 pm »

Yes, but will the packing tape come up easily?  Will it leave a residue behind?

Probably not and no...

Sometimes, it's just got be done.

176

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Tallescope ruling in UK

« on: Mar 04, 2007, 04:09 pm »

Oh cool!  Thanks for posting that pic -- I have never seen that before (looks like could be used in strange configurations in truss!)

Not at all what we would call a genie here, as far as I know.

177

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

« on: Mar 04, 2007, 02:05 pm »

Courtesy tabs are fairly commonly used by tech crews.

I find I use them less commonly for the times that I am deploying gaffe as Stage Management, such: as actor-proofing cable runs on deck, scenic patches, silencing interns and apprentices.  More likely to be used in more techy kind of situations, for example dressing cable runs on vertical piping, especially for short term installations.

Judgement call  (like anything else) as to when to use them.  I'd say the cheaper the gaffe tape, the more need for 'em.

If you absolutely refuse to use them on principle, you may just find yourself someday be rebuked using...colorful language.

If on the other hand, you master the judicious use of courtesy tabs, you may someday find yourself lavishly praised...or at least thanked for the, ya know, courtesy.

What is this obsession with "wasting" gaffe tape anyway?  (Makes me want to rip a piece of the roll and curl it up into an impromtu gaffe ball just for the heck of it...back, did it, gosh that felt good..)

178

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Tallescope ruling in UK

« on: Mar 04, 2007, 01:36 pm »

Ok.

Well, we have manual genies in the US but I have only to date ever seen them used for scenic/rigging purposes.

Any genies for people that I've come across are "motorized".  All "motorized" genies that I have seen have control from the top.

And...assuming we are talking about the same device...no one I know has yet committed suicide from one.

179

Tools of the Trade / Re: New Tallescope ruling in UK

« on: Mar 04, 2007, 12:06 pm »

According to a technical manager i have worked with there is a new ruling in the uk that from later on this year all tallescopes will have to be motorised and control from the top of the tallescope, is this the same anywhere else? Surely its suicide?

Since (I dare say) most of us in the United States don't know what a tallescope is (some kind of fancy "torch"?), I suspect we will get over it.

Care to educate us?

180

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Backstage Etiquette

« on: Mar 01, 2007, 09:37 am »

I agree with Matthew.

Clearly not a case of sexual harassment/hostle work enviroment as described.

If the people involved are doing their job, move along.

Find something else to worry about.