Author Topic: SM Computer  (Read 11506 times)

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Stuart Plymesser

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Re: SM Computer
« Reply #15 on: Aug 13, 2007, 08:42 am »
I keep my laptop open during rehearsals.  During the typical rehearsal, I have a blank rehearsal report, blank rehearsal report, prop preset paperwork, and scene/character breakdown open almost all the time.  Most of the production heads and staff at the theatre know that the most unobtrusive way to get a hold of me during rehearsals is to shoot me an email (much less distracting to everyone else in the rehearsal hall than having to answer a phone - even with the ringer off) that I usually can get a response off to in the next couple of minutes. 
As far as programs, I pretty much stick to Microsoft Office programs - mostly Word and Excel.  I have tinkered around with OpenOffice as well and have found it to be a great alternative and well worth it for people who are not willing to drop the money that Microsoft charges. 
Having a laptop open in rehearsals is great for those shows where there is no dramaturg in rehearsals, too.  A director wants to know how much a British pound was worth during the 1950's and you can look awful good getting them the answer in 30 seconds with a computer, internet connection, and Google. 
I don't know if it will ever replace my binder, though.  Having the most up to date paperwork on there is great and I do have most everything that is in my binder also on my laptop.  I bring it to most meetings as well and can edit schedules or other paperwork in meetings as things are discussed.  I actually have never used it for line notes.  Perhaps because that is something that I usually leave for my ASM.  ;)
I've never had a director, actor, or anyone say that my laptop is a distraction in rehearsal.  And once I get into tech, everyone and their assistants seems to have their laptop or tablet PC open to the point where I sometimes have to remind people to shut their lids to get a decent blackout in the theatre.
Stuart Plymesser
Production Stage Manager, Syracuse Stage
Adjunct Faculty, Syracuse University - Stage Management Program

Tempest

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Re: SM Computer
« Reply #16 on: Aug 13, 2007, 01:58 pm »
Oh, color me envious!!  "I have my ASM do this and my ASM do that..."

I can't remember the last time I had an ASM   :-\

Oh, wait, yes I do.  Last time I had a show with an ASM, I WAS the ASM.
« Last Edit: Aug 13, 2007, 02:05 pm by tempest_gypsy »
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smccain

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Re: SM Computer
« Reply #17 on: Aug 23, 2007, 04:32 am »
I use my computer vigorously for rehearsal reports, production meeting notes, audition forms, cast lists, and most of my paperwork for my production book. However, most of my information for those forms and notes comes from my legal pad that sits in my production book. I am a visual and physical thinker and don't think I would ever be able to veer from the standard binder-notebook method.

Most of my computer use comes from the hours upon hours I spend tweaking my forms. It's kind of a guilty pleasure. I love improving my designs for my forms. It's the inner-geek coming out.
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Re: SM Computer
« Reply #18 on: Aug 31, 2007, 09:32 am »

Most of my computer use comes from the hours upon hours I spend tweaking my forms. It's kind of a guilty pleasure. I love improving my designs for my forms. It's the inner-geek coming out.

I agree...it's one of the best things making nice forms that also work well......
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BalletPSM

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Re: SM Computer
« Reply #19 on: Sep 04, 2007, 07:11 am »
I generally do my rehearsal reports on my computer, during rehearsal...saves me SO much time at night after rehearsal -- I can just look over them to make sure everything is correct and then mail them off, rather than having to spend 30 minutes to an hour trying to decipher the notes on my legal pad to email them out.

My compuuter is very useful right now as we are doing this brand new show with tons of projection --- when the director says, "I want an image of this on this screen," I can jump onlinel, look up some proximity of what she's talking about so she can confirm or reject the idea. 

It also helps that i have another SM who's on blocking duty and an ASM who's tracking props and the camera...but the ASM has her computer out as well and does all her forms and work during rehearsal. 

I guess nobody finds it distracting enough to say anything...and its all dead useful!
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