Return-Path: X-Scanned-By: RAE MPP/Clamd http://raeinternet.com/mpp X-Scanned-By: This message was scanned by MPP Lite Edition (www.messagepartners.com)! X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 23493896; Mon, 04 Jul 2005 03:01:22 -0700 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.10 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #447 Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2005 03:01:10 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.4 (2005-06-05) on prxy.net X-Spam-Status: No, score=-5.6 required=5.0 tests=ALL_TRUSTED,AWL,BAYES_00 autolearn=ham version=3.0.4 X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4f2 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #447 1. Re: Stainless Steel by Joseph Champelli 2. Re: Stainless Steel by Scott Parker 3. Re: PDA by Mick Alderson 4. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by "Tyler Smith" 5. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by Stuart Wheaton 6. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by Seth Richardson 7. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 8. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by "Bill Nelson" 9. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by "Bill Nelson" 10. Re: Who is to blame? by June Abernathy 11. Library programs by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 12. Re: Where does the responsibility lie? by Stuart Wheaton 13. Re: Library programs by Seth Richardson 14. Re: Library programs by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 15. Re: In LaCrosse, WI by Bill Sapsis 16. Re: In LaCrosse, WI by Seth Richardson *** Please update the subject line of your reply to use the subject *** line of the message you are replying to! Please only reply to *** one message subject in each reply. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <621d2eb005070304415dacab0e [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 06:41:26 -0500 From: Joseph Champelli Reply-To: Joseph Champelli Subject: Re: Stainless Steel In-Reply-To: References:

http://www.mcmaster.com/ On 7/2/05, Rob Carovillano wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- >=20 > Does anyone know a good online source for stainless steel, I am looking = for > a piece approx 2'x4'. >=20 > Rob Carovillano > Technical Director - Bluett Theatre > Saint Joseph's University > (610) 660-1044 > rcarovillano [at] verizon.net >=20 >=20 --=20 Joseph Champelli University of Tennessee Entertainment Technology 865.974.7069 office=20 702.429.5859 cell=20 775.206.6078 fax champelli [at] knology.net - home =20 jchampel [at] utk.edu - office ------------------------------ Message-ID: <90d9c9980507030504575b5229 [at] mail.gmail.com> Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 08:04:09 -0400 From: Scott Parker Reply-To: Scott Parker Subject: Re: Stainless Steel In-Reply-To: References:

2'x4'x? For steel, you may find the shipping cost expensive. You might wish to try going someplace local. A google search for steel supply with your zip code came up with these places not too far. I get my smaller pieces from a local window guard supplier. hth, Scott Local results for steel supply near 19004 =20 Meteor Supply Inc - 5.2 miles E - 3632 N Lawrence St, Philadelphia, 19140 - (215) 426-9000 Re-Steel Supply Co Inc - 12 miles SW - 2000 Industrial Hwy, Crum Lynne, 19022 - (610) 876-8216 Allsteel Supply Company - 14 miles N - 412 Caredean Dr, Horsham, 19044 - (215) 491-5490 >=20 > Does anyone know a good online source for stainless steel, I am looking = for > a piece approx 2'x4'. >=20 > Rob Carovillano > Technical Director - Bluett Theatre > Saint Joseph's University > (610) 660-1044 > rcarovillano [at] verizon.net >=20 >=20 --=20 Take care, Scott =09Scott C. Parker =09Professor/Technical Director =09Dept. of Performing Arts =09Dyson College of Arts and Sciences [at] Pace University =09Office/shipping: 41 Park Row, 1205F =09Mailing: 1 Pace Plaza=20 =09New York, NY 10038 =09212-346-1423 Fax: 914-989-8425 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42C812BE.1030001 [at] uwosh.edu> Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 11:30:54 -0500 From: Mick Alderson Subject: RE: PDA Paul wrote: > What do you all recommend for a PDA. I am looking for an inexpensive unit > that will interface with my PC and perhaps a MAC later. > > I owuld like to have the basic address book, calndar and be able to do some > word processing. Sketching / drawing would be a plus as well. If you intend to interface with a Mac at some point, then you probably need a PDA running the Palm OS. I don't believe anything running Windows Pocket PC can sync to a Mac (no surprise). I use a Palm T3 myself. It came with Dataviz Docs2Go, and does everything you asked for pretty nicely. I DON'T like the Graffiti 2 handwriting recognition software as much as I did the original Graffiti on my old Palm Vx. In my hands, it is more error-prone. But I'll have to agree that word processing, other than minor editing, can be frustrating on a PDA. -- Mick Alderson TD, Fredric March Theatre University of Wis. Oshkosh ------------------------------ Message-Id: Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 13:05:26 -0400 From: "Tyler Smith" Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? Ultimately, a concerned individual will find that the personal responsibili= ty lies with everyone involved. I won't argue the point of legal responsibi= lity, the answer there lies with a Judge and 12 others. =20 The thing to realize is that the Equity "rules" are entirely vague when = referring to the acceptable angle / slope for any given rake or ramp. All = of these items are addressed on a case by case basis. Yes, this means you = are supposed to have your design approved by Equity. This makes it = virtually impossible to know what maximum angle is acceptable, without = having prior experience with the Equity deputy in your cast / venue. Tyler =20 Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? From: "Bill Nelson" > It is the PM's job - under every circumstance - to double-check details = of > design for conformity to union codes, particularly Equity. Missing > something as obvious as a too-steep rake is a gross oversight. Whether = or > not he built it too is irrelevant - the blame for the rake fiasco is the > PM's fault. I have to partially disagree. Any set designer who designs for Equity needs to know the union rules. Set rake is only one of the many restrictions that exist. To blindly design an expensive set without making sure that the rules are being met is, to me, irresponsible. Yes, the PM should also share responsibility. Bill ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #446 ***************************** ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42C8274E.8060406 [at] fuse.net> Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 13:58:38 -0400 From: Stuart Wheaton Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? References: In-Reply-To: Tyler Smith wrote: > I have to partially disagree. Any set designer who designs for Equity > needs to know the union rules. Set rake is only one of the many > restrictions that exist. To blindly design an expensive set without making > sure that the rules are being met is, to me, irresponsible. > > Yes, the PM should also share responsibility. > > Bill I was TD at an Equity SPT theatre for four years, and as far as I could find, this is a big myth. I made many requests and read the equity rule books, and as best i could determine, the Equity "rules" are a vague bunch of guidelines, largely saying things like rakes must not be too steep, and sets should be safe for the actors. This may have become more codified in the past few years, I am not currently involved with an equity theatre. As tough as it is, this is probably best, since a rake of 10-12 degrees, for one or two actors properly shod, with a rough stone or carpet surface would be fine for some shows and casts, but a 5 degree rake made of mirror, for a large chorus dancing in heels might not be. Sounds like there was a collossal failure of communications, helped by the crisis caused by the unexpected loss of the TD. There were lots of places where this could have been caught, and probably many ways to remedy it, including getting a vaiver from the cast and Equity. Stuart ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 13:56:28 -0400 Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? From: Seth Richardson In-Reply-To: Message-Id: On Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 01:05 PM, Tyler Smith wrote: > The thing to realize is that the Equity "rules" are entirely vague > when referring to the acceptable angle / slope for any given rake or > ramp. All of these items are addressed on a case by case basis. Yes, > this means you are supposed to have your design approved by Equity. > This makes it virtually impossible to know what maximum angle is > acceptable, without having prior experience with the Equity deputy in > your cast / venue. > "Raked Stages. Prior to the construction of any raked stage where the incline will be greater than 3/4 inch per foot, the Theatre shall promptly notify Equity, in writing, of such plans and provide such information as Equity may reasonably request. It is understood that when a Theatre is utilizing a set from a prior production, said notice may not be possible, and the Theatre agrees to notify Equity as soon as a determination is made that such set will be utilized." It's a simple rule that anything more the 3/4 a lot of people are going to have to be consulted to get approved. "When a raked stage of greater than 3/4 inch per foot is used, an instructor, such as a physical therapist, sports therapist, or other qualified instructor, will give instructions to the cast, prior to opening, as to how to perform on the raked stage in order to minimize the risk of injury." Any one here a qualified instructor? What should someone know to minimize the risk of actors to injury them self's? Seth Richardson ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <81.2add4794.2ff9d57f [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:57:51 EDT Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? In a message dated 03/07/05 18:55:45 GMT Daylight Time, sdwheaton [at] fuse.net writes: > As tough as it is, this is probably best, since a rake of > 10-12 degrees, for one or two actors properly shod, with a > rough stone or carpet surface would be fine for some shows > and casts, but a 5 degree rake made of mirror, for a large > chorus dancing in heels might not be. Search out the Wexford story about a rake. It's out there somewhere, but I have lost the site. I have it on paper, in an anthology of Bernard Levin. The rake was quite steep, and the floor surface was Formica! Everybody slid down it, and so it was watered each evening with lemon juice or Coke. One evening this was not done. I leave the rest to your imagination. Siffice it to say that after the first scene, none of the audience could stand up. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2392.64.28.61.182.1120440811.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 18:33:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? From: "Bill Nelson" > I was TD at an Equity SPT theatre for four years, and as far > as I could find, this is a big myth. > I made many requests and read the equity rule books, and as > best i could determine, the Equity "rules" are a vague bunch > of guidelines, largely saying things like rakes must not be > too steep, and sets should be safe for the actors. For any design with a rake greater than 3/4" per foot, equity must be notified in writing prior to construction. I am sure that is not an exact quote, but I see nothing vague about it? Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2440.64.28.61.182.1120443464.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References: Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:17:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? From: "Bill Nelson" > Search out the Wexford story about a rake. It's out there somewhere, but I > have lost the site. I have it on paper, in an anthology of Bernard Levin. > > The rake was quite steep, and the floor surface was Formica! Everybody > slid down it, and so it was watered each evening with lemon juice or Coke. > One evening this was not done. I leave the rest to your imagination. Siffice > it to say that after the first scene, none of the audience could stand up. > Frank Wood Was this an opera that had the problem? I have always like musical comedy. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20050704025254.88538.qmail [at] web33114.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:52:54 -0700 (PDT) From: June Abernathy Subject: Re: Who is to blame? June Abernathy wrote: >> Who should be responsible? All of them - Producer, >> Designer, Production Manager, and Technical >>Director. Chris Dopher replied: >I disagree. >Your statement exemplifies the sort of attitudes that >result in litigation and the ends of four people's >careers. Spreading the blame to everyone in >the chain of command is irresponsible and lazy. I'm >not saying you specifically, June, are being >irresponsible, just that the amount of >verbiage you used to arrive at your conclusion smacks >of ambulance-chasing lawyers' rhetorical gymnastics. >In other words, Machiavelli himself >could not have made your conclusion sound more >correct. But it's still wrong. Wow, hostile much? The amount of verbiage you used to condemn mine would fill a phone book. What would you say if you thought I WAS being irresponsible? I shudder to think. Chill, huh? I wasn't testifying in court here, I was bringing up possibilities. Believe it or not, I wasn't attacking these people. I don't even know them. And in my experience, spreading blame doesn't get people fired. Singling one individual scapegoat out for blame does. The point I was trying to make was that I thought that considering other possibilites for blame sharing might be worth considering. Because it seemed to me that Jason had already chosen a villian, and it wasn't the PM. I'm assuming he was annoyed that the Designer got off easy, when he felt he deserved more responsibility. My post was meant to illustrate that depending on how you look at things, any number of people could be construed to have at least a share of the responsibility, the PM and the Designer included. >Whatever the personal histories of the people >involved or the unusual circumstances of the >production, the blame for the incorrectly built >rake lies squarely on the PM's shoulders. I my experience, personal histories and specific circumstances almost ALWAYS come into play in the Blame Game. But I'm cynical. And anyway, the fact is, the rake wasn't built incorrectly. It was built exactly as designed, and presumably in a correct and safe manner. The problem lay with the design, not the build. You feel it is the PM's job to point out a flaw in the design to the designer. I agree. But I don't think that lets the designer completely off the hook. >The designer's job is to design - and revise once >asked to do so by someone who checks the set drawings >against Equity restrictions. The designer >is not to blame, though perhaps is a little ignorant >of realities. I disagree. I think if you are designing a set for an Equity house, then it is part of your responsibility to know or find out what restrictions this might entail. It's one of the parameters of the design for the building, every bit as much as dimensions or weight restrictions or sight lines, or budget or what kind of shop or crew the building has available. All designers run into this. Lighting designers need to take union and building and municipal fog rules into consideration, for instance. Sound designers need to take building or municipal sound level restrictions into consideration. Costume designers have a multitude of union and other restrictions to take into consideration. Although others down the line may catch such things and come back to you for revisions, I don't think it absolves you of responsibility to consider them. >The TD might share blame for this kind of situation, >but was not a part of the process in this case; he's >not to blame. The original post was a little unclear. I was under the impression that the TD was still in the mix somewhere, although not necessarily in charge of this particular build. And I wasn't saying he was responsible. I was saying that he might share some blame (at least in some people's minds) if he was in the mix somewhere. >It is the PM's job - under every circumstance - to >double-check details of design for conformity to >union codes, particularly Equity. Missing >something as obvious as a too-steep rake is a gross >oversight. You seem to be under the impression that the PM's job description is set in stone somewhere. It may be exactly what you describe in your theater or in your experience. It's probably exactly what you think it is in the theater in question. But I've worked in a lot of theaters where there isn't a PM. Or where what they called the "Production Manager" was actually the head of building maintenance. Or what I would call the Stage Manager, or the Technical Director. Or in charge of facility rentals. But yeah, in this case, it sounds like they had a PM, and part of his job surely should have included catching something like this. And in all fairness, if he wasn't wearing the TD's hat as well as his, he might have. My point was that he isn't the ONLY guy who could've or even should have caught the error. Sorry for the length . . . June Abernathy IATSE #321 (Tampa, FL) FOH Electrician The Lion King National Tour (Gazelle) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 02:51:49 GMT Subject: Library programs Message-Id: <20050703.195203.2340.324823 [at] webmail05.lax.untd.com> My private library is getting out of control again with 1,000+ scripts and every theatre tech and design book that I could afford. The result is my research time has been increasing. Does anybody have a Library program that can help me with the indexing? It could be a program that works with 'Microsoft Access', or it could be something that works like 'Google', 'Picasa', or 'Desktop Search', or it could be some other program that creates a relational database. Any ideas, anyone? /s/ Richard ------------------------------ Message-ID: <42C8AC46.7010000 [at] fuse.net> Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 23:25:58 -0400 From: Stuart Wheaton Subject: Re: Where does the responsibility lie? References:

In-Reply-To: Bill Nelson wrote: >>I was TD at an Equity SPT theatre for four years, and as far >>as I could find, this is a big myth. > > >>I made many requests and read the equity rule books, and as >>best i could determine, the Equity "rules" are a vague bunch >>of guidelines, largely saying things like rakes must not be >>too steep, and sets should be safe for the actors. > > > For any design with a rake greater than 3/4" per foot, equity must be > notified in writing prior to construction. > > I am sure that is not an exact quote, but I see nothing vague about it? > > Bill IF that was in the Equity SPT book 6-10 years ago, I missed it, otherwise it is either part of the LORT rules or new. It is nice to have the guideline, but also nice that you can work with equity on this as well. In many areas, as long as one has played fair and developed a good relationship with your deputies and your equity contact, they are quite reasonable. Stuart ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 23:23:27 -0400 Subject: Re: Library programs From: Seth Richardson In-Reply-To: Message-Id: On Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 10:51 PM, ladesigners [at] juno.com wrote: > My private library is getting out of control again with 1,000+ scripts > and every theatre tech and design book that I could afford. The result > is my research time has been increasing. Does anybody have a Library > program that can help me with the indexing? It could be a program that > works with 'Microsoft Access', or it could be something that works > like 'Google', 'Picasa', or 'Desktop Search', or it could be some > other program that creates a relational database. Any ideas, anyone? Well if your where using a mac I would use "Delicious Library". For a PC I found "collectorz" when I googled "Library ISBN program" If you use programs like this it's just a bar scan (A Mac will do it with a I Sight) For scripts you may have to make a Filemaker database. Seth Richardson ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 03:36:06 GMT Subject: Re: Library programs Message-Id: <20050703.203644.2340.325100 [at] webmail05.lax.untd.com> Dear Seth, I am a PC user, most of the scripts do not have barcodes, and the older scripts do not have ISBN numbers. (Alas, very few first additions and no First Folios ) I do not have a copy of the 'Filemaker' program. All I really need to do is index scripts, including plays appearing in script anthologies, by title, author, publisher, date, and a page number if the play appears in an anthology. /s/ Richard Well if your where using a mac I would use "Delicious Library". For a PC I found "collectorz" when I googled "Library ISBN program" If you use programs like this it's just a bar scan (A Mac will do it with a I Sight) For scripts you may have to make a Filemaker database. Seth Richardson ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 23:57:54 -0400 Subject: Re: In LaCrosse, WI From: Bill Sapsis Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Greetings one and all. My brother and I are (were, actually) on our way back to Philly after the LRLR ride when the front tire blew out on Mike's bike. So we're here (LaCrosse, WI) until Tuesday, at least. Anyone from LaCrosse, on the list? If you feel like getting together for a beer or three and showing us the town, give a shout. 267.278.4561. Hope you all have a safe and happy 4th. And, once again, thanks for your support of the Long Reach Long Riders. Be well Bill S. www.sapsis-rigging.com 800.727.7471 800.292.3851 fax 267.2778.4561 mobile Please support the Long Reach Long Riders benefit ride for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 00:18:52 -0400 Subject: Re: In LaCrosse, WI From: Seth Richardson In-Reply-To: Message-Id: On Sunday, July 3, 2005, at 11:57 PM, Bill Sapsis wrote: > My brother and I are (were, actually) on our way > back to Philly after the LRLR ride when the front tire blew out on > Mike's > bike. A new Tire and a new radiator for Mike's new bike. I hope you make it home after this one. Happy 4th... Everyone Seth Richardson ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #447 *****************************