Messages

31

Tools of the Trade / Re: Android Cue App

« on: Oct 16, 2017, 09:52 am »

Thanks for the quick reply KMC. In the past my understanding is that this group (a ninprofit children's theatre, so small budget) has used a board member's tablet or phone, plugged it into the sound board, and played music files through the music player. Said member is leaving so they want to purchase a tablet owned by the group. I would like to prod them out to music players and into cues management but the only thing we're really able to control that way is the sound board (no intelligent lights, moveable stages, etc). I'll have to go check what type of board it is.

32

Tools of the Trade / Android Cue App

« on: Oct 15, 2017, 10:20 pm »

Does anyone have any suggestions for an Android app for cues (aka a non-Apple Qlab)? Reddit recommended something called LIVE Cues (http://www.livecues.net/live-cues-android-tablet/) but I have no experience with it. I personally use MultiPlay a lot on my Windows machine to run shows, but the theatre is considering purchase of a tablet to aid in running sound. Anyone have thoughts/suggestions/horror stories to share?

33

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: SAFETY: Hiring a fight director

« on: Jul 19, 2017, 06:32 pm »

Thanks for the great read: it's vitally necessary that everyone in the biz get serious about respecting fight choreography. It is not something to "figure out" on the spot or play around with until something clicks: it is a part of the process that should be respected and integrated. It kills me that people will hire a dance choreographer at the drop of a hat but not a fight choreographer, to the detriment of actor safety and the artistic quality of the show.

34

Introductions / Re: Hello from Western North Carolina

« on: Jun 21, 2017, 09:52 pm »

Hi from central North Carolina: are you looking to stay here in the Tar Heel state of move on? NCTC is a great resource for job information.

35

Self-Promotion / Re: Got my shows for next season!

« on: May 09, 2017, 08:16 pm »

Congratulations! It's always nice to know that you have gigs lined up in this business, especially when it gives you time to prep. Where are you performing the Little Mermaid?

36

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Informing auditioners they have been cast

« on: Apr 20, 2017, 07:58 pm »

In the professional world the SM wouldn't be the person making those calls, since it's a hiring situation. In community theatres, though, there's a huge amount of variety. Back in my community theatre board member days, it was the responsibility of our directors to call their casts. Sometimes these shows didn't even have a stage manager yet (yes, really).

Here's a pro tip from those days: we would make phone calls beginning with the leads and working our way down, waiting to call the "not cast" list last. If for any reason someone bows out of the show at this point (which, especially in the community realm, is prone to happen), you don't have to un-un-cast someone, and can move people up without anyone being aware of a problem. We were especially mindful of this situation when working with children casts.

Speaking from personal experience: don't assume actors will check back the website if they don't hear from you personally. I was once cast in a show and didn't realize it until I checked the website a few weeks later to see if they were selling tickets yet, just a few days before rehearsals were set to start.

37

The Green Room / Re: Production Haikus

« on: Apr 20, 2017, 02:00 pm »

A found space is neat
but when I call, confusion.
You didn't book it?

38

Introductions / Re: My introductory post -- Hello All!

« on: Apr 03, 2017, 01:45 pm »

Hello and welcome. Where in the country are you looking for employment? Many of our members would be glad to offer advice about theatres and applications.

39

Introductions / Re: Aspiring ASM

« on: Apr 03, 2017, 01:44 pm »

Welcome: I'm so glad you've found this resource so early in your career. It will be a wealth of information to you. Are involved in theatre primarily through your school, or also in the community?

40

The Green Room / Re: Oscar Night 2017: How to teach from it

« on: Mar 01, 2017, 03:35 pm »

I think what peeved me most was the amount of time it took to make the correction.

I think that speaks to the issue brought up by KMC: confusion over chain of command/ownership of this job. First the accountant had to notice that the wrong award was announced, then alert someone else, then hunt down the presenter to track down the envelope in his hand and check it, then go back to the stage and get things straightened out. Jimmy Kimmel, the host, was actually in the audience in prep for a closing joke after the Best Picture moment, so he wasn't available backstage to come out and handle it. There obviously wasn't a plan for how to handle this sort of thing (though I'm sure there will be now!)

Also, max, thanks for the clip and information on a previous gaffe. Everything I had read said it was unprecedented: interesting to find out something similar has happened before.

41

The Green Room / Re: Oscar Night 2017: How to teach from it

« on: Feb 28, 2017, 08:34 am »

I was thinking the same thing. It turns out from further reading that the offending party was a member of the accounting firm and not crew per se; still, a major snafu that boils down to "wrong prop handed to performer." I definitely plan to use it as an example to my interns about the importance of checking over props backstage and staying focused throughout the whole show.

As for the public, I'd focus on the fact that this particular snafu hasn't happened before in the entire 87 year history of the Oscars. It's impressive, honestly, especially given the limited rehearsal time. Reminds me of the conversation I had with my family about the Super Bowl halftime show: there's an army of crew there who rush that field, setup an entertainment venue, run a full-fledged multimedia show, then deconstruct and cleanup, all in a very short amount of time. It has to go like clockwork, and amazingly, it does.

Gaffes happen. But not often. The fact that they're noticeable says something about how well most people do their job.

42

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: PROPS: Ink and Quill

« on: Feb 13, 2017, 10:20 am »

Same here: you can even purchase them premade with the pen. If possible, pasting inkwells to the surface is a good idea as well (even if there is no ink in it).

43

Introductions / Re: Seattle Stage Manager

« on: Jan 24, 2017, 09:28 am »

Welcome Kiera, and break legs in Seattle. I recommend this site to every SM I come across. Have to say I've worked in a lot of children's theatre but never had that particular experience. Food for thought.

44

Tools of the Trade / Re: Help shopping for a headset - specifically, help understanding connectors!

« on: Jan 13, 2017, 08:02 pm »

Thanks for the update on the headset, I've been considering a purchase (or a well-placed hint to relatives seeking to get me something) and I like the point you made about the comfort. I've never switched back and forth but often in a show I lift one side off my head to take the pressure off. Do you mind a followup question? How adjustable is the headset? I have a very small head and find I need to adjust headsets I work with as small as possible, and even then I often find them slipping off if I don't set them just right.

45

The Hardline / Re: AEA rulebooks no longer publicly available on website

« on: Dec 29, 2016, 11:23 am »

Ah, glad to hear the Guest Artist books are still available, as that's what I use most regularly. I'll be sure to download fresh copies for the new year: I also use find a great deal to help find appropriate rules for situations.