Messages

91

SMNetwork Archives / First time opera? need some help.

« on: Dec 03, 2005, 01:16 pm »

I would absolutely do your timings!  I actually do them at 15 seconds instead of thirty.

Was the SM who backed out around for rehearsals or does the school just not bring anyone in until tech?

If I were in your situation I would be prepared to page them to the stage ASAP.  That way they are in your score and you can get used to them just like they were light cues you were calling.

Sometimes it’s amazing how an art form so close to theatre can be so different in the stage management department.  Most of all just stay calm be as prepared as you can and ask questions when you need to.

92

The Green Room / SMs in media?

« on: Nov 09, 2005, 11:52 am »

and could not call a show if her hair was on fire, and she did not do what is expected from the average SM.

Was she the PSM or the Deputy SM?  From what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong those who have worked in UK) Brittish PSMs do not call the show.  Thats what the DSM does...  I worked with a Brittish designer this summer who was telling me about it.  Sounds like a great system.  Of course, I'd rather call so I'd want to be the DSM.  

93

The Green Room / SMs in media?

« on: Nov 09, 2005, 11:49 am »

One of my favorites for comedic reasons is in Spiderman 2!!

Mary Jane is doing The Importance of Being Earnest.  There is a shot of here in her dressing room getting ready and a VERY paniced SM rushes to the door, "Five minutes!  FIVE MINUTES!!!"  

I saw the show with the cast and crew of the show I was doing at the time.  We all laughed SOOO hard...  they insisted that I start giving thier five minute calls like the guy in the movie.

I know I have seen more but I cant remember them off hand...

94

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Your book Left or right?

« on: Oct 29, 2005, 07:24 pm »

I ALWAYS cut and paste script and score together for musicals.  I feel it is essential.  It it a lot of work but it pays off because it makes the show run more effeciantly.  I have started keeping the originals of my script/score combos for shows that I know I'm likely to do again.

95

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Your book Left or right?

« on: Oct 29, 2005, 01:27 pm »

I have to say this has been my favorite discussion I have ever read on this site.  Its GREAT when a bunch of stage manager get together and share what they do!!

96

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Your book Left or right?

« on: Oct 27, 2005, 12:41 pm »

I'm with Ruth.

I have always done a seperate call script.  Particularly if its a musical because I do not take blocking notes in the score but I ALWAYS call the show from the score.

I have my text on the right and my minis on the left.  Its just easier for me to follow the lines and the blocking at the same time if its all on the same page.  I've tried it other ways but they just dont work for me.

Thats the main thing... What works for you??

97

Employment / One of the things I hate about the biz...

« on: Oct 22, 2005, 04:09 pm »

is writing cover letters!!  I always feel like an idiot when I'm writing them.  I'm a good stage manager and I would hate for my bad cover letters to be keeping me from interviews much less jobs.

Does anyone have any pointers? examples?  helpful websites?

98

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / It's Half-Hour: Do you know where your SM is?

« on: Oct 22, 2005, 01:52 pm »

Let me guess...  Studio???

99

The Hardline / HAVE I EVER READ THE RULE BOOK?

« on: Oct 08, 2005, 12:59 pm »

Yeah... straight 6 trumps.

what else would you wear to call the show??

100

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Drop Count

« on: Sep 23, 2005, 11:26 pm »

When I do Forever Plaid I always put the name of the person that gets pulled from the audience in Heart and Soul in the performance report.

101

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Actors who direct....

« on: Mar 01, 2005, 07:31 pm »

My first questions is are these guys all "Plaids" meaning they have done the show numerous times??  I have done Plaid several times (and want to do it many more!!) and it is a very special beast.  Most professional productions all do the original blocking and choreography and Plaids jump right from one production into another with a day or two of rehearsal before tech.  

My last Plaid was just such an experience.  My Frankie was the director and it was just understood that the four of them would help each other out with all of the specifics of the Plaidorgraphy that makes the show so special.

102

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Paper Tech

« on: Feb 16, 2005, 02:03 pm »

More often than not I have found paper tech ususally revolves around the lighting designer.  Most of mine have been the director, the LD and myself sitting and writing the show before we start tech the next day.

I also use paper/dry tech to run the scene shifts like crazy so they are nearly spotless by the director sees them.