PROMPT BOOK: Organization?

[Catherine Johnson]

I am, like I am sure many of you are, very proud of the way my prompt book looks. To me the order makes sense, and I thought that was the more important part. However, the other day my SM (I am ASM-ing currently) told me that the order of everything else didn't matter as long as the script was in the back. She said this is how a what a previous SM had told her. While I can see the use of this, I prefer my script to be the second thing in my prompt book, right behind a contact sheet in a page protector.

I guess what I'm really asking is: Is having my script somewhere other than in the last position considered back prompt book etiquette?

[Libby]

I also put my script in the front. I find when it's in the back all of the stuff before it starts to see more wear and tear  since I am constantly flipping past it to get to my script.

[EFMcMullen]

I also like my script in the front behind cast list and contact info.  What would be the advantage for having it last?  Anyone?

[Rebbe]

I don’t think there is a standard protocol for prompt book set.  As long as your book has all the info needed for the show, and is organized in some fashion, do whatever makes the most sense for you. 

I do put my script at the back of my prompt book because I have a pouch of pencils, etc at the front of my binder, and papers lying right on the pouch are too lumpy to write on.  Also the first and last tabs in a binder are the easiest to grab quickly, and since I like the contact sheet & schedule in the front, I’d rather have the script at the back than somewhere in the middle.  Finally, it’s nice to have a quick visual of how many pages are left, and that’s hard to see with other tabs after the script.

[Scott]

I find it more useful in to have one book with nothing but script/score and another book with contact sheets, calendars, schedules, production grid, breakdowns, etc.

[loebtmc]

The bottom line is, do what makes sense to you. There are no rules about where a script is or is not supposed to be. As long as you can do your job efficiently and well, who cares where it lies in the general scheme of things.

[KMC]

The bottom line is, do what makes sense to you. There are no rules about where a script is or is not supposed to be. As long as you can do your job efficiently and well, who cares where it lies in the general scheme of things.

Bingo. 

Six of one versus a half dozen of the other.  Who cares where you have your script?  Do what you prefer.

[ericjames]

With the exception of reports, I like to have everything else at the front the binder with the script in the back.    For me, it just seems to provide easier access to other paperwork.  The script is always the biggest block of the binder, so therefore easy to find.    A few years ago, I started putting reports at the back on a long run show because as I gathered more and more reports the last few pages of the script were getting destroyed by the raised spine of the binder.  So I choose to "destroy" the copies of the reports and preserve the script.

However, echoing others... its whatever works for you.    Anyone that says there is only 1 "right way" of stage managing is full of it.

Edited word for language-Rebbe

[gelo141]

If you have seen those magazine holders like the one in the attachment, you can put the script anywhere you want in the 3 ring binder that you have all of your other materials in, it doesn't have to be religated to a pocket like it very often is.

[loebtmc]

um, not sure how you get scripts, but for me a script is just 3-hole-punched 8-1/2x11 paper, so those magazine holders are pretty useless altho I use these for music when I work as a singer and have folio rather than copies to read from.....

[maximillionx]

I find it more useful in to have one book with nothing but script/score and another book with contact sheets, calendars, schedules, production grid, breakdowns, etc.

I agree. I would hate to have to stop taking blocking or walk away from what I was doing on a script so someone could look at a schedule or contact sheet.

2 bonuses of separate binders:
- Presentation factor...script just looks so much better on its own.
- Privacy...if you ever need to leave your script somewhere, you don't have to worry about your paperwork getting lost too.

[gotracigo]

Depending on the size of the script I'll either put it in a separate binder or in the front of the master binder.  I, too, think it's best to do what works for you, for a particular production... I've never heard that there is a standard way to organize your book.  Do what works for you!

[Cedes]

It's worked multiple ways for me, depending on the show. My most current form is a mainly-electronic book.  I keep on hard copy my script, emergency info, contact info, and run sheets; the rest is completely electronic. I always keep a USB flash drive in my book when it is currently in production, and burn a hard CD for it when it is done (don't worry, I have multiple back-up locations for all my files, just in case). 

For previous shows, I have had two books, a "show bible" for all the relevant information and a "script bible" for my script and on-hand information. I've also just used one book for all information.  It really does depend on the show, size of script, etc.  However, I usually put my script right in front behind contact info, just cause It's easier to turn pages that way

[geoffsm]

I find it more useful in to have one book with nothing but script/score and another book with contact sheets, calendars, schedules, production grid, breakdowns, etc.

Agreed.  Especially if the script/score is a lengthy one.  But when I do condense into only one book, the script is always in the front.

And to reiterate a previous comment-always do what is best for you, the show, and the company. 

[Chance]

When I open my prompt book you will immediately see the tab for my script. It is the first thing I have. Then i put my contacts behind that. From there on it depends on the show.