Messages

16

Tools of the Trade / Re: paint

« on: May 18, 2009, 09:50 am »

thanks for all the input.
this is actually for a TV commercial. we're shooting in someone's house, so we dont want to repaint. i think we've come to the conclusion that we'll only be putting paint on the mirror and sink.

17

Tools of the Trade / paint

« on: May 11, 2009, 04:44 pm »

Hi there,

Does anyone know which kind of paint you could use on walls and mirrors that is bold but will easily wash off?

Thanks

18

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Mar 31, 2009, 11:10 am »

I just want to reiterate that the campus is closed - officials asked the students to leave for the week. This isn't just a winter storm, this is a record flood and a blizzard on top of it that is going to test our dikes. National officials (who don't know the will of Fargo-Moorhead) suggested that we evacuate the cities.

While I usually say push through and get things done if you can, the cities have asked that businesses stay closed for the second week and that people don't travel on the streets. So in this case, I wouldn't ask anyone to come in for a rehearsal.

Sorry to voice my opinion strongly, but I'm here and I know what the conditions are like. Don't risk anyone's safety while the cities are basically shut down.

19

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Natural Disaster vs. Rehearsal?

« on: Mar 30, 2009, 09:47 pm »

Hi Katie.

I just moved back to Fargo this last summer, so I know what you're going through. Right now, you have to remember that the schools are closed and the students have been asked to leave capus. As such, the school would not be happy if rehearsals were conducted during this time. You should have a discussion regarding this. Right now, both cities are in alert/high alert mode esp with the blizzard.

In saying that, you could make some suggestions on asking people to do "homework" to come back ready to be completely off book. Also, you could recommend making a heavier rehearsal schedule when classes are back in session - figuring out who/which small groups can rehearse during the day and focus the evening rehearsals on bigger groups.

The best thing is to stay strong with the director (although there are lines as you are a student). Let him know that the school is closed and therefore all activities are cancelled, but also offer any help you can give in getting individual schedules and coming up with some solutions.

I'm in town, so if you ever need anything, just let me know.

(The director isn't Craig by chance?)

20

Employment / Re: What comes next

« on: Jul 12, 2008, 12:18 am »

I just transitioned myself. I moved back to my hometown to be closer to family.

All of the areas you listed parallel with stage management really well. Be sure to clearly state in your cover letter that you are looking to transition into a new career, tell them what a stage manager is in simple terms and give them a list of skills that would work for them. That should help alleviate the resistance a bit - it worked for me.

I just started a job at a full-service advertising firm. I sent a cold-contact letter and resume to them and the called me immediately. Even though there wasn't an opening, they brought my on as basically a floater until they have a permenant position for me. I'll be working in client services, media productions, account management and other areas - all of which demand the skill set any good stage manager has.

Best of luck in your transition.

21

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.

« on: May 07, 2008, 04:07 pm »

just from reading your title, Cabaret and The Last 5 Years popped into my head.
Songs for a New World, Assassins, Nunsense, Tick, Tick..BOOM!, and The Thing About Men are all good also.

22

The Hardline / Re: Overtime, Student Matinee, and the BAT

« on: Apr 04, 2008, 03:58 pm »

As always, check with your rep. But, that being said, I just got off the phone with Equity for the same situation. It is OT for each infringment, so for the extra performance + span of day overage + 12-hr infringment.

I'm on an SPT contract, and here's my OT for this week:
-extra performance pay
-OT for exceeding 3.5 hours of performance (including half-hour and intermissions)
-OT for exceeding span of day (for student matinee day = 12hrs) = 10:00am first half-hour to at least 11:00pm second curtain down
-OT for 12-hr rest period infringment = 10:14pm curtain down to a 10:00am half-hour

23

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: sound cue debate - letters or numbers

« on: Mar 24, 2008, 10:00 am »

even better reason to relable with letters - cues go as follows in the computer (in about a 2-min span):
*120
*121-122
*fade 122
*123, 126, 127
*124
*fade 121
*125
*128

24

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: sound cue debate - letters or numbers

« on: Mar 21, 2008, 12:40 am »

thanks for you opinions. the good news is that it is resolved. first, there was never a fight between us, we were/are both strong in how we like to look at things, but no bad blood. in the end, the sound designer never has to think about the letters - they are just in my book and on my paperwork from him (handwritten in by me). i also have the numbers in smaller writing next to the letters for reference. i'm glad they are letters since there are several points in the show that the cues would have lined up with matching light cues. after the second day of tech i get to go into cue lab and assign the cues since he is just using the "Q" lable. so in the end, it worked out but i just have to do a bit more work, which for me is worth it on a big show with limited tech time and a long run.

25

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / CALLING: sound cue debate - letters or numbers

« on: Mar 20, 2008, 02:45 am »

So here's my current situation:
I am going into tech tomorrow and my sound designer is refusing to use letters for his cues. When he gave me his first tentative cue list two weeks ago, I made a request that he use letters to which the response was he didn't want to. Now, never having worked with him before, I approached my Production Manager stating my case. She said she would talk to him and came back with the same response - he didnt want to. He was in today doing some pre-tech and I asked if we could compromise by using both letters and numbers for cues (i.e. A-101) so that it would work for both of us - again, the response was that he didn't want to also giving the excuse that he would have to go rename all of the files.

Here is my case:
1) We're using Q-Lab, so I know that he does not have to rename files, but rather just the list of cues in the program, so it would be a 15-20min project.
2) I have a new sound op who swaps out with a sub, so I want to make everything very clear for them.
3) I run lights, so without even thinking, my hand goes to the light board when I see a number.
4) In the booth, my book is in front of me, the light board and monitor are to my right, and the stage is over my left shoulder - so it's not exactly the ideal calling situation.
5) As the stage manager, I need to be as comfortable as possible in my calling and I have to deal with the cues for 6 weeks vs. his two weeks.

Someone please tell me if I'm being unreasonable in my persistent request to make the cues letters (or letter-number cues). ANy other advice?

26

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / PROPS: Lanterns

« on: Mar 11, 2008, 04:43 pm »

anyone out the found good prop lanterns that give out a nice beam of light?

27

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Taking Notes

« on: Mar 09, 2008, 12:06 am »

for easier shows. i use a pre-formatted report template and fill that in, but when things get crazier, i have a notepad right next to my script for me to jot down notes. since i don't usually have to watch myself write, it's easy for me to decifer them later. also, as long as i do the report fairly soon after the show, just writing down a page or cue number does the trick to jog my memory.

28

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Cast Gifts/Thank Yous?

« on: Mar 02, 2008, 12:50 am »

i used to do cards on opening, but like others said, i just don't always have the time to think about that at that time. i now do a small gift for closing - a photo of curtain call in a frame. i always put the show, theatre, and year on the back. it's quick, simple, and more likely to be kept than a card.

29

Tools of the Trade / Re: i discovered the best SM/backstage shoes ever

« on: Feb 06, 2008, 12:46 am »

never heard of those, but i do love my capezio split-sole dance sneakers for tech.

30

The Hardline / Re: Deputy Weekly Record

« on: Oct 16, 2007, 10:17 pm »

that's what i thought - thanks