Tech

[Stephtastic]

Hey everyone, I have been ASMing around NYC for about 3 years now and I am doing my first show as PSM.  Since I have ASMed so much, during tech I am always busy doing my own things and have not actually been next to the stage manager when the lighting designer is explaining where to call from.  How is this process? When we go in for tech, I just sit beside him and as he programs tells me where I write it down? 

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

Every LD will be different - most of the ones I've worked with though seem to like going through the show cue by cue and telling you where it should be called.  Try to pay attention on the headset to the numbers as they're giving them to the programmer so they don't have to repeat themselves.  Some are very quick and just expect the SM to be paying attention.

I would also suggest try to think of places where you think LQs will be so you can get a jump on it.  Since you've been in rehearsals for the show longer than they have, you might have a good feel for where you expect changes to happen.  If you guess wrong - no harm done and you just erase it but it can make things smoother.

[Libby]

Depending on time and how cue heavy your show is, it might be a good idea to schedule a paper tech. Basically you and the LD (sometimes Snd as well ) sitting down over coffee or a drink and talking through cues. That way when you get into tech you will already have rough placements for cues and an idea for how the designers are thinking.

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

It's odd but I've never really found an LD that liked paper tech because most of them don't have the cues determined until they're sitting in front of the board and you're starting tech.

I did have on LD though that would give me a script with where he wants the LQs to be before we would get into tech.  It can be useful sometimes but 9x out of 10 they all got changed anyway.

[Stephtastic]

Thanks so much!  I think I'm just going to wait it out and play it by ear, probably just see where he is going with it. The advice was awesome

[Tigerrr]

Ooooh! I LOVE the Paper Tech!! Yes, LDs tend to not like them so much because, yes, a lot WILL change. But if you end up doing lighting levels and cueing after the paper tech, you just make your notes. If you're lucky enough to arrange a paper tech between cueing and the cue to cue, then you're golden 

I think that if you just reassure your LD that you're writing in pencil for a reason (that it's going to change and you're expecting it) then you can get your questions out without worrying about the expense of wasting time when a technician is called.

Of course, any LD who's THAT worried about making changes should probably reconsider their career choice