76
Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: not needed until tech week?
« on: Feb 16, 2015, 01:04 am »
I've never heard of that for theatre- yeah, that would scare me too.
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77
Introductions / Re: Old dog, new tricks
« on: Feb 09, 2015, 08:48 pm »
That reminds me of when I had ban flushing the toilet in one of the dressing rooms (the show was short, thankfully)! The bathroom was directly behind the stage and during this quiet show, you could hear it.
78
The Green Room / Broadwaycon
« on: Feb 02, 2015, 05:01 pm »
http://www.broadwaycon.com
Just saw this online- apparently, in the vein of ComiCon, there's now a BroadwayCon, to be held in January next year. Interesting! Thoughts? I'm laughing because I noticed none of the convention dates are a Monday, so that keeps a lot of stage managers from attending, but I'm getting the feeling it's not so much a professional conference but a fan event.
Just saw this online- apparently, in the vein of ComiCon, there's now a BroadwayCon, to be held in January next year. Interesting! Thoughts? I'm laughing because I noticed none of the convention dates are a Monday, so that keeps a lot of stage managers from attending, but I'm getting the feeling it's not so much a professional conference but a fan event.
79
The Green Room / Re: Article: how to have a social life with a weird schedule
« on: Feb 01, 2015, 10:19 pm »
haha, I know what you mean. I hate it when there are holidays on a Monday- "oh no, I have to errands with other people!"
80
The Green Room / Article: how to have a social life with a weird schedule
« on: Jan 31, 2015, 09:41 pm »
Just saw this on Lifehacker and thought it might help somebody- kind of basic stuff, but adjusting from college, where I could hang out with friends just by running into them at strange times, to theatrical schedules is something I'm still getting used to.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-have-a-social-life-if-you-don-t-work-a-nine-to-f-1682714632
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-have-a-social-life-if-you-don-t-work-a-nine-to-f-1682714632
81
The Green Room / Re: Broadway SM Symposium
« on: Jan 31, 2015, 09:35 pm »It looks like an amazing opportunity; I just wish it was more afforable.
Ouch. Unfortunately, I agree. More shadowing letters for me...
82
Self-Promotion / Re: Latest Project - starting a company - need your help!
« on: Jan 25, 2015, 01:46 am »
Wish I'd had this service before I rented my first apartment. Taking the survey now- best of luck.
83
December Madness 2 / Re: SOCIAL, Round 4: Hootsuite vs. LinkedIn
« on: Dec 11, 2014, 08:02 pm »
LinkedIn has been a little useful for me as a research tool- as in, I google "theatre name production assistant" and sometimes LinkedIn profiles pop up. I can see what their experience level is like to PA/ASM/etc at this place, can I do it right out of school? after I do a couple off-off-broadway shows? It helps me find a baseline.
84
Employment / Re: Staged Readings On Resume?
« on: Dec 11, 2014, 07:58 pm »
I did a short play festival and have listed that as PSM- "Festival name," hopefully to show that I was in charge of all the shows, and not just one within the festival.
85
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Contracts?
« on: Dec 11, 2014, 07:57 pm »
My opinion is always have actors/crew sign contracts- even for Equity NYC showcase code productions, they sign a sheet saying the agree to the conditions within (however, they are allowed to get out of the show for various reasons- but because of the code it's all laid out as to when they can back out and in what circumstances.
Although, I'll add that as an SM, it's not really your job to handle contracts, unless you're also a producer. But that's up to you.
tl;dr unless you literally do not care what happens, like it's an improv show for fun and you don't need a certain amount of people, always have something you and the other people in the show have agreed on as set rules.
Although, I'll add that as an SM, it's not really your job to handle contracts, unless you're also a producer. But that's up to you.
tl;dr unless you literally do not care what happens, like it's an improv show for fun and you don't need a certain amount of people, always have something you and the other people in the show have agreed on as set rules.
86
December Madness 2 / Re: WEBSITE, Round 4: Offstagejobs vs. AirBnB
« on: Dec 11, 2014, 01:06 am »
I'll admit to never having used Airbnb, but I visit OffStageJobs every single day- not because I always need a job, but because it's always good to see who's always hiring, who's paying what to whom, theatre companies I've never heard of, etc. It's pretty invaluable research for someone just starting their professional career.
87
Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Dress blacks and what is or is not acceptable
« on: Dec 11, 2014, 01:03 am »I know it's not as common any more for SMs and those in the booth - but wearing blacks also gives you a bit of a pass with touring and other places where folks may not know you. I have found that wearing stage blacks is like a ticket in, a universally recognized secret password to maneuvering without being blocked.
A few years ago, a crew guy at Lincoln Center held open a backstage door for me on his way back in while I was walking by- even though I was 19, and not anywhere near associated with LC. However, I was wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans, and black sneakers. Blacks will get you far. I've gotten into dressing very nicely for my shows- but only because 3 out of the last 4 I've been in costume. Period pieces ya'll!
88
The Green Room / Re: The Great SM Gift List
« on: Dec 11, 2014, 12:52 am »
I have a handful of thesehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Card-Sized-Pocket-Wallet-Stainless-Steel-Survival-Multi-Tool-11-Functions-/351250467195?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item51c828c97b in my desk drawer, and I hand them out for little presents (secret santa, etc.) They're cheap enough to have around, handy(ish), and if the person hates it, it doesn't take up a lot of space. There's better versions out there, but these are the cheapies.
I am hoping for a laptop stand to help my posture, and maybe a labelmaker. I have the click-every-individual-letter old Dymo labeler, and it makes my hand cramp after like a minute of use.
I am hoping for a laptop stand to help my posture, and maybe a labelmaker. I have the click-every-individual-letter old Dymo labeler, and it makes my hand cramp after like a minute of use.
89
Employment / Re: First Aid/Fire Guard
« on: Dec 08, 2014, 12:56 am »
Hi Lisa. The reason an actor can't be a fireguard is, as far as I can tell, that they have to have free range of the space- meaning an actor, who is only backstage and on-stage, board op, who is in the booth, etc. cannot do it. This is why house managers are generally the fire guard- they are able to roam around during the performance and can notice any potential hazards. Even is the space is small, the venue owners are probably keeping this in mind.
The study materials are linked below and the test fee is only $25, so if someone in your show needs to have it done, it's not the worst thing. The test is fairly easy too.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/cof_study_material/f_03_st_mat.pdf
The study materials are linked below and the test fee is only $25, so if someone in your show needs to have it done, it's not the worst thing. The test is fairly easy too.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/cof_study_material/f_03_st_mat.pdf
90
Tools of the Trade / Re: Books Books Books
« on: Dec 08, 2014, 12:43 am »
I recently read Ed Catmull's biography; "Creativity Inc., Overcoming the unseen forces that stand in the way of true inspiration" and it gave me a lot of food for thought as a manager of creative people. It's written about his experiences at Pixar, but the problems will resonate with any SM or PM.
That sounds really interesting. Thanks for the recommendation!