Return-Path: X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 29921803; Thu, 04 May 2006 03:01:57 -0700 X-Spam-Status: No, score=0.4 required=5.0 tests=ADVANCE_FEE_1,ADVANCE_FEE_2, ADVANCE_FEE_3,AWL,BAYES_00,DEAR_SOMETHING,INFO_TLD,NO_RECEIVED,NO_RELAYS autolearn=no version=3.1.1 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.1 (2006-03-10) on localhost X-Spam-Level: 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 #794 Date: Thu, 04 May 2006 03:00:29 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #794 1. Re: Mindless Banter by "Nigel Worsley" 2. Re: Projection screen up (motorized) from box.. by "Nigel Worsley" 3. Fundraising for Community Theatres by "Chris Rovers" 4. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by "Paul Schreiner" 5. Re: Simple Drafting / Design software by "C. Dopher" 6. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by "ladesigners [at] juno.com" 7. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Pat Kight 8. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Noemi Ybarra 9. Re: Drape Cleaning by Noemi Ybarra 10. Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain by "Paul Guncheon" 11. Re: Drape Cleaning by Bruce Purdy 12. Re: Bluetooth by Paul Marsland 13. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Jacqueline Haney Kidwell 14. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by "Chris Rovers" 15. Re: Bluetooth by Noemi Ybarra 16. Re: Bluetooth - and some general rf info by "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" 17. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Kate Daly 18. by Jo Vandver 19. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by "Jon Ares" 20. Re: Re: by "Jon Ares" 21. Re: Sketch Up by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 22. Re: Sketch Up by "Delbert Hall" 23. Re: Simple Drafting / Design software by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 24. Re: Simple Drafting / Design software by Mick Alderson 25. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Jim Hyslop 26. COSTUME SALE INVITATION by 27. Re: Sketch Up by CB 28. Re: Simple Drafting / Design software by "Steven Haworth" 29. Re: Rosco Shrink Mirror 2 by CB 30. Re: Class for civilians by CB 31. Re: Class for civilians by Bruce Purdy 32. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by "Chris Rovers" 33. Re: Class for civilians by "RD" 34. Re: Sketch Up by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 35. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Jacqueline Haney Kidwell 36. Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain by "Tom Heemskerk" 37. Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain by John McKernon 38. Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain by "Daniel Kelly" 39. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Jacqueline Haney Kidwell 40. Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres by Bruce Purdy 41. Safety Frames/Lighting Accessories by "John Gibilisco" 42. Re: Safety Frames/Lighting Accessories by Andrew Vance *** 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: <153601c66ea5$b31ed7c0$0c00a8c0 [at] Nigellaptop> From: "Nigel Worsley" References: Subject: Re: Mindless Banter Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 12:35:36 +0100 FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote: > How is it that some people can push HTML through the attachment filter? By using software that doesn't make it look like an attachment. The message had a header saying "this is in HTML" and the body of the message was indeed HTML. The list doesn't care about this. The alternative way of sending HTML is to declare it as a multipart message, the first of which is plain text and the other is the HTML version. The list treats the second part as an attachment ( which strictly speaking it isn't ) and rejects it. Nigel Worsley ------------------------------ Message-ID: <158701c66ea9$2c4510d0$0c00a8c0 [at] Nigellaptop> From: "Nigel Worsley" References:

Subject: Re: Projection screen up (motorized) from box.. Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:00:28 +0100 "Scott Parker" wrote: > And my discount off the $6310 list price would be....? > > I think I'll continue to figure out a home made version... > Thanks though. Go back to that site and look at all the PDFs, it shows how it is built and may give you a few ideas. They use gas springs to raise the screen and a motorized roller to bring it back down. Maybe pneumatic cylinders could be substituted for the gas springs and rely on gravity to retract it? Nigel Worsley ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 10:11:53 -0400 From: "Chris Rovers" Subject: Fundraising for Community Theatres Hey, all. You may (or may not) remember me - I'm the guy trying to rebuild the small community theatre that burned down a few years ago. We're having /so/ close now, shy about 60 grand from finishing the project. Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. We're at http://www.kwlt.org/ Any ideas appreciated! Chris ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Fundraising for Community Theatres Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 10:15:33 -0400 Message-ID: <6E497ADB607656479C24E6D7BF6B505A042A9C4F [at] exchange.rmwc.edu> From: "Paul Schreiner" > Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a=20 > community theatre? =20 Hey, I've got it! How 'bout a long-distance motorcycle caravan where you raise pledges? Huh? Wha...? Oh, crap. ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: From: "C. Dopher" Subject: Re: Simple Drafting / Design software Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 10:24:57 -0400 Robert wrote: > > The current talk of Sketch Up has me thinking about this again. > > I hope I am looking for a simpler design program other than AutoCAD > or VW. DRAFTING program, not design. (I'm going to start insisting on this. All design work is in the brain, the rest is merely using tools to visualize that design and communicate it in meaningful ways.) And you can use any program you want. Heck, you can draft in Photoshop if you so desire. > I hesitate spending many hundreds of dollars for a program I use > two to ten days out of the year, Two times a year? Draft by hand, it's faster. > plus learning it and then relearning it because I have forgotten how > since the last time I used it. > Granted I might use it more if it is simple to use. > > What I do / have done in the past; > with standard drafting tools and MS Word drawing. Word Drawing? Even bolder than using Photoshop! I salute you. > > What I would like to do is the above and more: > > Assemble standard materials e.g. 1x4 2x4 wood, plywood > 1x1 1x2 steel > I beam > nuts & bolts > into standard components e.g. flats > platforms > grids > trusses > into scale "drawings" > > and save the components for future use. Ah. Now you're talking about symbols... > > 3 D - plan, front, and side(section)- would probably be fine versus > 360 > degrees, but then... and isometric views of 3-dimensional objects... > > Scalable: print it out on my ink jets or jump down to Kinko's to > have full size sheets > if I blow it up it doesn't become pixilated on my screen. and vector graphics.... > have the angles shown. > set up, print out, a cut list. and integrated information management.... > > I don't do lighting, but some type of ability to transfer those > files, > to those that do, would be nice. and the ability to import other CAD files..... Sounds like Vectorworks or AutoCAD to me. (I don't know if sketch up can import other CAD drawings or if it does lighting at all. Does it even handle symbols and do information tracking?) Cris Dopher, LD ------------------------------ From: "ladesigners [at] juno.com" Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 14:33:23 GMT Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres Message-Id: <20060503.073349.24078.290886 [at] webmail34.lax.untd.com> Dear Chris, The most bullet-proof fundraising project that works again and again see= ms to be a ambiguous-dress production Twelfth Night or MND in a local pa= rk with lots of local merchants as sponsors paying for the privilege of = hanging their banners on the fences during the run. = /s/ Richard _____________________ Hey, all. Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. Any ideas appreciated! Chris ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4458C132.8030901 [at] peak.org> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 07:41:54 -0700 From: Pat Kight Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres References: In-Reply-To: Chris Rovers wrote: > Hey, all. > > You may (or may not) remember me - I'm the guy trying to rebuild the > small community theatre that burned down a few years ago. We're > having /so/ close now, shy about 60 grand from finishing the project. > > Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community > theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in > southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. Nothing beats direct-mail solicitation of your patrons, volunteers and supporters. When our community theater needs money for special projects, we get more that way than by any other method. Other methods are more time- and labor-intensive, and the payoff may not be what you hope. We've done reasonably well (as in "can expect to raise $1,000 per event") with: * Rummage sales. Get your regulars to donate their good cast-offs, season the mix with old costumes and props that you no longer need, and sell, sell sell. * Musical revues. Round up 4-6 of your best singers and a good accompanist, put together a program of music surrounding a theme, *pay the royalties* and charge a premium ticket price. If local regulations permit, serve champagne and hors d'ouevres and make it a "must-attend" elegant evening. * Murder mystery parties. These were big sellers for us a decade or so ago; basically, get some actors together, come up with a mystery scenario and invite people to come play. Make it as interactive as possible. If you can do it in your theater - incorporating your renovation into the scenario - all the better. Again, provide food and beverages. * Auctions, including silent auctions. Solicit donations from your volunteers and from the community and sell them to the highest bidder. Works best if you can arrange for one or two big-ticket items (a vacation package, a new car) mixed in with smaller goods and services. Themed baskets (gardening, wine, kitchen, bath, theater) sell well. -- Pat Kight kightp [at] peak.org ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4458C3AB.8230C7F7 [at] jonesphillips.com> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 10:52:27 -0400 From: Noemi Ybarra Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres References: I'm assuming you've already done the usual "purchase a seat and get your name on it" thing...? Noemi Ybarra -- Jones & Phillips Associates, Inc. http://www.jonesphillips.com 301 North 5th Street Lafayette, Indiana 47901 765-423-1123 (Voice) 765-742-4013 (Fax) Chris Rovers wrote: > Hey, all. > > You may (or may not) remember me - I'm the guy trying to rebuild the > small community theatre that burned down a few years ago. We're > having /so/ close now, shy about 60 grand from finishing the project. > > Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community > theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in > southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4458C4EB.1D9F1B4A [at] jonesphillips.com> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 10:57:47 -0400 From: Noemi Ybarra Subject: Re: Drape Cleaning References:

Stuart Wheaton wrote: > Rob Carovillano wrote: > > > Our stage is also our shop... > > I wouldn't hang curtains in my shop. > > If I needed curtains, I'd hang them last and strike them first. Get a > few hampers and unless you need them on stage, put your soft goods where > they stay clean in the first place. Or make big ol' bags of muslin to pull up over the curtains when you're doing shop work. Noemi ------------------------------ Message-ID: <007f01c66ec5$45049a20$0202a8c0 [at] HUNKACRAP> From: "Paul Guncheon" References: Subject: RE: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 05:21:35 -1000 <> There's something disturbing about vague threats like this one. It makes me not believe the source. Laters, Paul "Wanna buy a halibut?" Tom asked selfishly. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 11:23:19 -0400 Subject: Re: Drape Cleaning From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: >> If I needed curtains, I'd hang them last and strike them first. Get a >> few hampers and unless you need them on stage, put your soft goods where >> they stay clean in the first place. > > Or make big ol' bags of muslin to pull up over the curtains when you're > doing shop work. Or how about a muslin drop "Ceiling" tied to upstage and downstage battens (and perhaps one or two in between)? Fly everything out, and put up the fabric ceiling under them whilst in "Shop" mode below. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060503152616.37109.qmail [at] web52206.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 08:26:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Marsland Subject: Re: Bluetooth In-Reply-To: Along these lines -- we have a client who regularly uses their own 2.4g wireless router during shows, and who regularly complains about the spotty internet service we are providing them (seems their internet connections drop in and out a few times per night). Monitoring service from our facility to the client router shows uninterrupted service. Thinking that interference might be an issue, we have looked at; client router at 2.4g backstage phones at 2.4g FOH ticket scanning system at 2.4g client HME DX-200 headset system at 2.4g (we didn't consider bluetooth parts - at 2.4g - which I have seen on the A2) During daytime testing, we could not re-create the sporadic service from the wireless router. We see other touring shows using the same house service and their own touring wireless routers without complaint. Trying to solve this from the facility side, we're about to replace out backstage cordless phone with 5.8g phones, and we want to blame the HME headsets (since it is the only variation we can spot in our typically functioning setup). I have suggested to the client that the HME's may well be the problem, which they will address with their supplier (who reportedly said it would not be a problem). I will talk to them about bluetooth items this evening, though the discussion in the list here leads me to believe that the bluetooth power is too low and distant to be the problem. Paul __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060503152632.50856.qmail [at] web36207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 08:26:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Jacqueline Haney Kidwell Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres In-Reply-To: > Chris Rovers wrote: > > > > Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising > money as a community theatre? Backstage telegrams are a steady add-on income at all the shows in this area. Match them to the theme of the show, make them half a sheet of paper, send the kids too young to be ushers to deliver them. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 11:48:06 -0400 From: "Chris Rovers" Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres In-Reply-To: References:

> Backstage telegrams are a steady add-on income at all > the shows in this area. Match them to the theme of > the show, make them half a sheet of paper, send the > kids too young to be ushers to deliver them. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! Jacqueline, can you expand on this one? This may be something we can piggyback onto our next mainstage (happening in rented space), but I don't understand it. We're currently starting the 'star on the chair' one, plus a heavy solicitation of members. I'd love to be able to do a show in the park, I'll have to get the creative/production people thinking about it. We're also planning a bbq/silent auction/yardsale, too. And a charity poker thingy (24 hours of poker!). I wish we could do stuff in our space, but it was destroyed and is being rebuilt. It is close to being done, but not close enough for an occupancy permit - big ticket item remaining is sprinklers, which they require before we can bring people in for any sort of show, which means everything has to happen in rented spaces, which takes a serious bite out of fundraising. Thanks Chris ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4458CF21.656BFE66 [at] jonesphillips.com> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 11:41:21 -0400 From: Noemi Ybarra Subject: Re: Bluetooth References: Interesting. I did a teensy show at the University of Michigan last week. We had one guy on a wireless headset, which was new to that (every year, dance) show. I had my cell phone in the booth back behind my chair - sometimes on, sometimes off. I don't know if the choreographer had his on his person or in the dressing room. Several times during rehearsal & shows, we'd hear interference in the headsets. It sounded like an obnoxious ring, since it lasted about as long as a typical phone ring. We also had really nasty interference from the wireless headsets of the video guys, who were on their own frequency. I'll ask the House Tech about sytem specifics & report back. Noemi "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > > BTW, the offending RF affected the clearcom system. > > I remain very curious! Hoping you might quickly tell us: > > What kind of interference? Clicking? Noise that resembled the sound of a > modem? Wideband noise, like white noise, hissing? Or was the Bluetooth > device somehow jamming the Intercom, causing loss of signal? > > What Clearcom model? Analog or digital? What frequency does it operate in? > > Details are great appreciated! > > Thanks, > Jim > www.theatrewireless.com ------------------------------ From: "Jim at TheatreWireless.com" Subject: RE: Bluetooth - and some general rf info Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 11:56:36 -0400 Message-ID: <019001c66eca$28801690$7f9bfea9 [at] p3m866> In-Reply-To: > client router at 2.4g > backstage phones at 2.4g > FOH ticket scanning system at 2.4g > client HME DX-200 headset system at 2.4g (we didn't consider > bluetooth parts - at 2.4g - which I have seen on the A2) Digital spread-spectrum radio, as used for WiFi and other digital applications, is quite good at rejecting interference and allowing multiple users in the same band to co-exist. (And WiFi uses direct-sequence spread-spectrum, which IMO is better than frequency hopping in this regard.) There is 100Mhz of bandwidth between 2.400 000 000 GHz and 2.499 999 999 GHz -- that's a fair bit of space. Not all of it is legal for ISM (Industrial/Scientific/Medical) use in North America, but there are still 6 different channels you can choose from for WiFi routers. You may find your other equipment also allows for channel selection, allowing you to manage your bandwidth more precisely. If you decide to move some of your devices out of the 2.4GHz band, higher is not always better. The 900MHz band travels further and "fills a space" more effectively than higher-frequency radios outputing the same power. A range of frequencies and channels are available in this band also. Jim www.theatrewireless.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.2.20060503115707.045a48e8 [at] mail.comcast.net> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 11:59:50 -0400 From: Kate Daly Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres In-Reply-To: References: At 10:11 AM 5/3/2006, Chris Rovers wrote: >Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community >theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in >southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. If you belong to AACT (American Assoc of Community Theaters) you can download off their website a booklet with fundraising ideas -- all of which have been road-tested already, and have the users' comments on what went right / wrong and things to know about for the future. Very interesting. http://www.aact.org/index.htm -KD ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060503161428.13050.qmail [at] web38503.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 09:14:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Jo Vandver I need to compose a letter to the community requesting contributions. Does anyone have a sample letter they can share? Jo Vandver Liberty County Playhouse __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <001101c66ecd$d092f200$0600000a [at] BRUTUS> From: "Jon Ares" References:

Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 09:22:47 -0700 > * Auctions, including silent auctions. Solicit donations from your > volunteers and from the community and sell them to the highest bidder. > Works best if you can arrange for one or two big-ticket items (a vacation > package, a new car) mixed in with smaller goods and services. Themed > baskets (gardening, wine, kitchen, bath, theater) sell well. This has been a huge moneymaker for us for a couple of years. The volunteer organization that does the concessions and the raffles/auctions for us have made so much money from the auctions/raffles, they've seriously considered getting rid of the concessions practice altogether. (Yes, the concessions make a good profit over the cost of the goods, but it doesn't cover all the time of running around, getting the stuff, rounding up more volunteers to sell them, plus the sanitation and storage of goods, etc.) Raffle baskets in the lobby and a silent auction of a 'goody basket' tied in with a 2-night weekend stay at a Central Oregon golf resort, or ski package at Timberline or Mt. Bachelor, or the like has been extremely popular. There are several nationally-respected artists in our area, and many have contributed signed oil or acrylic originals (or sculptures) - we even once auctioned off a Feng Shui consultation! Baskets of Oregon wines and cheeses is also a simple thing for us. - Jon Ares www.hevanet.com/acreative ------------------------------ Message-ID: <002f01c66ece$87a28050$0600000a [at] BRUTUS> From: "Jon Ares" References: Subject: Re: Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 09:27:54 -0700 > I need to compose a letter to the community requesting > contributions. Does anyone have a sample letter they > can share? > "Dear Sir/Madam: It sure would be a pity if your garbage didn't get picked up for a few weeks.... Signed, Local Theatre Company." - Jon Ares www.hevanet.com/acreative ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <2fe.4040680.318a3bb2 [at] aol.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:00:34 EDT Subject: Re: Sketch Up In a message dated 03/05/06 02:05:10 GMT Daylight Time, slitterst [at] ithaca.edu writes: > It takes you four minutes from the time you get to the lantern to be ready > to focus it? Dayum! That also allows time for moving it to a slightly different location, and possibly re-patching, or getting a new cable from the store. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:05:20 -0400 From: "Delbert Hall" Subject: Re: Sketch Up In-Reply-To: References: I revieved an email today about SketchUp training in Memphis. I have pasted the text below. To findout date for other cities, go to http://www.sketchup.com/?sid=3D34 -Delbert Register | Training Schedule | FAQ's | Questions? WHEN: (choose one day) Basic Class Intermediate Class Wednesday, May 24th 8:30-11:30 AM 1:00-4:00 PM Thursday, May 25th 8:30-11:30 AM 1:00-4:00 PM WHERE: Memphis, TN Courtyard by Marriott: Memphis-Germantown 7750 Wolf River Pkwy Memphis, TN 38103 HOW MUCH: $275.00 per person/per class $670.00 includes a copy of SketchUp (Save $100! Email us to purchase) Earn 3 AIA/CES Learning Units for each course TRAINING CLASS OPTIONS(choose one or both!): Basics Class 8:30am to 11:30am - For new SketchUp users or those wanting to learn about SketchUp. Click here for course syllabus. Intermediate Class 1:00pm to 4:00pm - For SketchUp users that want the next level of instruction. This course is a great follow-up to the Basics Class. Click here for course syllabus. What to Bring: Please bring your own laptop running SketchUp 5 and a 3-button scroll mouse. If you need to borrow one, please contact training [at] sketchup.com to reserve one of our PCs. There is a nominal fee of $35. There are a limited number available so reserve them as soon as possible. If you don't have SketchUp 5, click here to download a free trial version. Still have questions? Click here to check out our Training FAQ's and you might find your answers! Happy Sketching! Shara Greenlee Training Administrator 303.385.4996 ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <24a.ae5f1e3.318a4273 [at] aol.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:29:23 EDT Subject: Re: Simple Drafting / Design software In a message dated 03/05/06 15:25:39 GMT Daylight Time, brooklyn [at] dopher.com writes: > DRAFTING program, not design. (I'm going to start insisting on > this. All design work is in the brain, the rest is merely using > tools to visualize that design and communicate it in meaningful > ways.) And you can use any program you want. Heck, you can draft in > Photoshop if you so desire. > > > I hesitate spending many hundreds of dollars for a program I use > > two to ten days out of the year, You could try AutoSketch. This is AutoCAD's baby brother, and a great deal cheaper. It's only 2-D, but has many of the facilities of its big brother, and will accept and read AutoCAD files, via a .DXF file. This is a plain DOS text file, and easy to read. Many years ago, I wrote a Pascal program to pull out from this lists of lanterns, where they were located (approximately), what circuits they we on, and to calculate and print out the load, and the phase balance. By good fortune, these lists were in a format which Excel can read, so I could index them any way I wanted to. At the intermediate phase you could include comments, such as the lantern's purpose. I haven't used it much since some clown caused the main plan to be re-drawn in metric units. Since many of the numbers it needs are embedded in the program, and there is an extra level of information now that we have patch panels, it needs major revision. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 13:15:29 -0500 From: Mick Alderson Subject: Re: Simple Drafting / Design software Message-id: <08C1696B-10D5-41EB-9A29-787EDE3E2836 [at] uwosh.edu> > On 5/2/06, Idaho Scenic & Rigging wrote: > >> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > stagecraft.theprices.net/> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> >> Any help all of you? >> >> The current talk of Sketch Up has me thinking about this again. >> >> I hope I am looking for a simpler design program other than AutoCAD >> or VW. >> > > I did a session at the Louisville USITT this year and Mick Alderson, > TD at UW-Oshkosh, showed how he uses the CAD/Drawing app inside of > Open Office. It looks like he really got the software to "dance" for > him! Best of all, it is free! Hopefully he will chime in with > some more details! > > HTH, > Pat Sure! While it can't do everything on your wish list, I'd suggest looking at "Open Office.org". It is available for Windows, Linux, Mac, BeOS, etc. Besides having pretty capable word processor and speadsheet programs (among other things), the suite includes a drawing module called "Draw". (Catchy names aren't their strong point.) Unlike MS Draw, it is separate from the word processor. You don't have to work inside a word processor doc to use it. I haven't used MS Draw for awhile, but that was ONE thing I really disliked about it. While Open Office Draw isn't a "true" CAD program, it can be set up to act like one. It is only 2D, but is vector based and can work in a user determined scale (including feet, inches, or metric) on a user defined worksheet. It does dimensions and can be easily edited to "correct" entities and text. It doesn't do symbols/ blocks, but does do Groups, so you can save your "symbols" in one file, then copy and paste them into another to "import" them. That's how I did a light plot with it. The whole of Open Office can export files directly as PDF files, which remain in scale if printed with zoom at "100%" . That would take care of the Kinkos printing issue and you avoid the pixelation problem. Printing a large drawing on a desktop printer is a little more problematic, but I figured out an easy work-around using a PDF file and Adobe Reader that deals with that as well. Rather than detail it here, let me send you to my website, where I have a sort of tutorial posted. It's the last in the collection of links under the headers. http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/alderson/ Open office isn't perfect, but it is pretty capable, easy to use, and IS free! Mick Alderson TD, Fredric March Theatre University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alderson [at] uwosh.edu ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4458F8CC.9090305 [at] dreampossible.ca> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 14:39:08 -0400 From: Jim Hyslop Organization: Dreampossible Inc. Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres References: In-Reply-To: Chris Rovers wrote: > Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community > theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in > southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. Have you tried the Trillium Foundation? -- Jim Hyslop ------------------------------ From: Subject: COSTUME SALE INVITATION Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 19:43:58 +0100 In-Reply-To: <1D0A8FA6-76E2-4F52-A8C6-8846B5D46E3E [at] theprices.net> Message-ID: Boardman Bookings is holding an excess stock sale of all their costumes and fancy dress pieces. Over 1000 items. Dates - Friday 12th May from 12.00-8.00pm and Saturday 13th May 2006 10.00am - 6.00pm Cash or company cheques only Sale Address -Studio 2, 2 Gliddon rd, West kensington W14 9BH - close to Barons Court Tube Call 020 79379923 for more details and registration email info [at] boardmanbookings.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- Boardman Bookings Ltd. five hornton place high st kensington london united kingdom w8 4lz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- t: ++44(0) 207 9379923 m: ++44(0) 7976 294604 (out of office hours) e: info [at] boardmanbookings.co.uk w: www.boardmanbookings.co.uk to download our brochure click below: www.boardmanbookings.co.uk/brochure.pdf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- -----Original Message----- From: Noah Price [mailto:stagecraft-web [at] theprices.net] Sent: 03 May 2006 19:22 To: Emma Boardman Subject: Re: I would like to post this notice Hi Emma, If you send that as plain text, it should go through without any problem. The message you sent me was formatted (HTML). Here are instructions for Microsoft Outlook: You can find many other email programs in this list: Thanks, Noah On May 3, 2006, at 7:25 AM, wrote: > Hi There > > Is this something that you can put online for me? I have signed up > but cannot seem to post this > > Your help will be most appreciated > > Many thanks > > > > Emma > > > > Boardman Bookings is holding an excess stock sale of all their > costumes and > > fancy dress pieces. > > > > Over 1000 items. > > > > Dates - Friday 12th May from 12.00-8.00pm > > > > and Saturday 13th May 2006 10.00am - 6.00pm > > > > Cash or company cheques only > > Sale Address -Studio 2, 2 Gliddon rd, West kensington W14 9BH - > close to > > Barons Court Tube > > > > Call 020 79379923 for more details and registration email > > info [at] boardmanbookings.co.uk > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > > ---------------- > > Boardman Bookings Ltd. > > > > five hornton place > > high st kensington > > london > > united kingdom > > w8 4lz > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > > ---------------- > > t: ++44(0) 207 9379923 > > m: ++44(0) 7976 294604 (out of office hours) > > > > e: info [at] boardmanbookings.co.uk > > > > w: > > > > > > www.boardmanbookings.co.uk > > > > > > to download our brochure click below: > > > > www.boardmanbookings.co.uk/brochure.pdf > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > > ---------------- > > ----------------------------------- > > ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060503115202.00d34b80 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 11:52:02 From: CB Subject: Re: Sketch Up >This is more or less the way of it. The director and I chat in the bar well >beforehand, so that I know what is wanted. Then I hang and rough focus, and as >soon as the cast is on the stage, I am showing the director states, I think that the point that he is making, Frank, is that you go hang and rough focus, while he and his laptop stay in the bar with the director looking at states while ordering pints. Horses for courses. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Simple Drafting / Design software Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:49:32 -0500 Message-ID: <5D5187063B6B8B46A99E8C0D36E0EB0901AAA245 [at] danube.river.idm.com> From: "Steven Haworth" Another app (windows-only) is AllyCAD; for smaller drawings there's a free version. I needed something quick to use at work (I don't have Windows at home), so I downloaded this to play with. Haven't done much w/it yet, but it looks pretty good. It's here: http://www.allycad.com/freeware/AllyCAD_DownloadLinks.asp - Steven (sjh [at] idm.com) --------------------------- http://www.stagelights.info ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060503115703.00d34b80 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 11:57:03 From: CB Subject: Re: Rosco Shrink Mirror 2 >The only "DP" I thought of was also abbreviated DOP - Director of >Photography. 'DP' is the term you will hear bandied about on the set. Unless, of course, its the set of an adult film. Then they'll use the guy's first name. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060503120441.00d34b80 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 12:04:41 From: CB Subject: Re: Class for civilians >Would that I had the power to say "You may not rent our >theatre unless you get your act together and know what the heck you're >doing, and then all participants must take my workshop first." Two phrases that have been born of this kind of behaviour: "I can only get you what I think you said you thought you wanted", and, "We *will* do a rehearsal. If you wish to invite an audience, that's your perogative." Sometimes, in pre-pro discussions, I'll suggest soem rehearsal and/or orientation time. If the idea is 86'd, I'll suggest that theatre is a profession; dangerous and difficult. Anyone that does it off the cuff ends up looking foolish, at very best. I'll then suggest that if the person cares enough to put on a show, they ought to do enough to make it worthwhile. It sure is a lot of effort and money to waste on somtehing that'll just suck. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 15:32:24 -0400 Subject: Re: Class for civilians From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > I'll then suggest that if the person > cares enough to put on a show, they ought to do enough to make it > worthwhile. It sure is a lot of effort and money to waste on somtehing > that'll just suck. The difference is that as professionals, you and I care. The group I was referring to wouldn't even qualify as amateur performers - they were just kids doing it for fun, and didn't really care if it sucked. In fact I suspect that they expected it to! The good news is that there were only about 75 people in the audience - all with some connection to the youth court program. This doesn't make it any safer, and it still hurts my artistic senses, but it's what I have to deal with. I might mention that a lawyer - and member of the youth court board of directors, also is on the Theatre's board of directors. Like most of our board members, he has no knowledge - or actually any real interest - in theatre or what goes on on stage. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 15:38:38 -0400 From: "Chris Rovers" Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres In-Reply-To: References:

> Chris Rovers wrote: > > Anyone got any never fail solutions for raising money as a community > > theatre? We're a non-profit (and can issue tax receipts) and are in > > southern Ontario, Canada, if that helps. > > Have you tried the Trillium Foundation? Yup, they very generously donated enough money to cover replacing all our damaged light and sound equipment. Which is great!=20 Unfortunately, we need to have a building to put it in first and we're still working on that. Their grants are for specific purposes, so we can't redirect the money to get open. (Absolutely not complaining, they were very generous and we're very appreciative!) -cdr ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "RD" Subject: RE: Class for civilians Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:52:02 -0600 Message-ID: <001f01c66eeb$115152b0$c083c447 [at] doom1> In-Reply-To: In a very honest reply: one Superintendent who has a copy of my new book, said after perusing it thoroughly," All those who wish to rent or use the Performing Arts Center for the District, will have to read several chapters of this book." Hey, can't be all bad. Doom -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of CB Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 12:05 PM To: Stagecraft Subject: Re: Class for civilians For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- >Would that I had the power to say "You may not rent our >theatre unless you get your act together and know what the heck you're >doing, and then all participants must take my workshop first." Two phrases that have been born of this kind of behaviour: "I can only get you what I think you said you thought you wanted", and, "We *will* do a rehearsal. If you wish to invite an audience, that's your perogative." Sometimes, in pre-pro discussions, I'll suggest soem rehearsal and/or orientation time. If the idea is 86'd, I'll suggest that theatre is a profession; dangerous and difficult. Anyone that does it off the cuff ends up looking foolish, at very best. I'll then suggest that if the person cares enough to put on a show, they ought to do enough to make it worthwhile. It sure is a lot of effort and money to waste on somtehing that'll just suck. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <3be.2430ae9.318a8ca0 [at] aol.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 18:45:52 EDT Subject: Re: Sketch Up In a message dated 03/05/06 19:46:37 GMT Daylight Time, psyd [at] cox.net writes: > I think that the point that he is making, Frank, is that you go hang and > rough focus, while he and his laptop stay in the bar with the director > looking at states while ordering pints. Horses for courses. Who is this 'he'? I am both the LD and the Master Electrician. And few directors have time to spend in the bar, with or without laptops. I wish more did, because I think we could achieve better shows. They are in one of the rehearsal rooms, at this stage of the procedings. Yes, I am the LD, but a very 'hands on' one. I decide what luminaires are to be rigged where, and focussed how. Then, when I have access, I bloody well go and do it! After that, I watch on-stage rehearsals, and set tentative states. Then we set the definitive states, and the transitions, U sually on the Saturday morning. That done, I spend the next few rehearsals meandering round the house, looking for things that don't work as well as I should wish. while my operator runs it, from the script I have written for him on Saturday and Sunday morning. The detailed states and timings may need to be changed. The director may see problems, which need addressed. It can be a week of absolute boredom, and it can be very hairy."Plaza Suite" and "The Constant Wife" were boring, "Travels with my Aunt" was hairy.All interesting to an LD, in their ways, if not to the operator. Thie first two were set in more or less the same space, and at the same time of day. To the LD, that means that you have to get it absolutely right, all the time, from every seat The last one was the reverse. I had to create so many different locations in quick time. I think we ran to 150 cues in an hour and a half, with no interval. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060503224627.94286.qmail [at] web36201.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 15:46:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Jacqueline Haney Kidwell Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres In-Reply-To: --- Chris Rovers wrote: > > Backstage telegrams .... > Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! Jacqueline, > can you expand on this one? Most of the local groups do something along these lines: Design a "Backstage Telegram". Photocopy lots of them. Supply pens and a few clipboards for audience members to use to write messages to cast or crew members. Charge .50 or $1 for the privilege. Get junior-usher types to deliver them (children of cast members are ideal, as they are likely to know some of the people already). It's like coining money. We design them 2 to a page, then cut, which halves the cost, and the rest is slave labor! It's not a big income, but it's something extra, especially on shows with lots of kids in the cast and in the audience. For 'Ruddigore' we called it Ruddi-Mail, for 'The Merry Widow' they were Postcards from Pontevedro, they'll be Royal Baratarian Mail for 'The Gondoliers' this fall. Some groups make them look like old telegram forms. A delivery service also lets people send flowers back without allowing strangers backstage before the performance. Hope this helps! Jacki __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: In-Reply-To: From: "Tom Heemskerk" Subject: Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 18:34:33 -0700 > ><would >be prudent to avoid using it if there is a reasonable alternative.>> > >There's something disturbing about vague threats like this one. It makes me >not believe the source. > Um, jeez... I really wasn't trying to be threatening and disturbing! Please allow me another shot at this. I've heard lots of concern about lead and its potential ill effects on health, ever since my primary school scolded me for chewing on pencils (which contained no lead or lead-paint by then, but her concern was real). I don't know if lead would be a direct health threat in a stage drapery, but in general lead has a bad reputation (as far as I've seen, anyway). On top of that, it's a costly process to dispose of lead "by the book" (in one jurisdiction I'm familiar with, anyway). So....... I feel it makes sense - esp. business sense in this case - to simply avoid using lead if you can, which would skirt the whole issue. Anyway, here's the NIH's page on lead poisoning: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/leadpoisoning.html Sorry for leading anyone astray, I say heavily. tom ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 May 2006 22:38:49 -0400 Subject: Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain From: John McKernon Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > I don't know if lead would be a direct health threat in a stage drapery, but > in general lead has a bad reputation (as far as I've seen, anyway). Yeah, and the next time I get the urge to nibble on some lead stage weights, remind me that it's probably not going to be good for me...;) - John ------------------------------ Message-ID: Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 22:53:32 -0400 From: "Daniel Kelly" Subject: Re: Weight in Stage Drapes = Lead Tape vs. Chain In-Reply-To: References:

They're excellent with a little Worcestershire sauce and a hearty Imperial stout to wash it all down. On 5/3/06, John McKernon wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > > I don't know if lead would be a direct health threat in a stage drapery= , but > > in general lead has a bad reputation (as far as I've seen, anyway). > > Yeah, and the next time I get the urge to nibble on some lead stage weigh= ts, > remind me that it's probably not going to be good for me...;) > > - John ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20060504030736.22854.qmail [at] web36205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 20:07:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Jacqueline Haney Kidwell Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres In-Reply-To: A couple of other ideas for fundraising that I had forgotten: Gilbert & Sullivan has name recognition, allows for large enough casts to draw big audiences, and is public domain (no royalties). 'HMS Pinafore', 'Pirates of Penzance' and 'The Mikado' are the most popular. Of those, 'Pirates' is the easiest to costume, and allows for the inclusion of some younger performers. 'Mikado' is my favorite, but you need all those kimonos and wigs. Before air conditioning was installed in one local theatre, one of the resident groups used to sell fans imprinted "I'm a fan of The Country Players" at shows. They were the kind of fan that used to be handed out at funeral homes, that look like a paint stirrer with a piece of cardboard attached. 50/50 raffles are big around here, though some towns require a license to run them. Tshirts, mugs, umbrellas. Is anyone doing anything really unusual? I'd love to hear. Jacki __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 04 May 2006 00:00:37 -0400 Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Our biggest fund raising "Event" of the year is "Medley of Tastes". A lot of local wineries and restaurants set up tables to distribute sample sized portions. The college donates the use of a beautiful historic building and grounds, and a tent company provides a large banquet type tent. A limited number of premium priced tickets are sold (Always sells out a month or two in advance). Additionally, there is a table laid out with dozens of (Donated) bottles of wine. People can buy a bottle (Their choice) for $20, and on the bottom of the bottle there is a number painted. They win a prize determined by the number. Everyone that buys a bottle wins a prize, but they don't know what it'll be until they select the bottle. Guests are asked to fill out a ballot sheet, to vote for the best wine, best food and best presentation, and an awards ceremony caps off the event. The winners receive a plaque made by a local artist, and bragging rights for the next year. The whole event has the feel of an exclusive cocktail party, and is extremely popular. Since all the labour comes from our large volunteer staff, and most everything is donated, it's a great money maker. We do spend a bit for souvenir wine glasses and snack trays with our logo and the year imprinted. Each guest gets one each, and they become collector items. (Extras get sold in our gift shop) Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: <003401c66f37$825300c0$6400a8c0 [at] om.cox.net> From: "John Gibilisco" References: Subject: Safety Frames/Lighting Accessories Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 23:59:21 -0500 Anyone have a source to supply flame resistant, fiberboard color frames? Best, John G Omaha Playhouse ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Purdy" To: "Stagecraft" Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 11:00 PM Subject: Re: Fundraising for Community Theatres > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Our biggest fund raising "Event" of the year is "Medley of Tastes". > A lot of local wineries and restaurants set up tables to distribute sample > sized portions. The college donates the use of a beautiful historic building > and grounds, and a tent company provides a large banquet type tent. > > A limited number of premium priced tickets are sold (Always sells out a > month or two in advance). > > Additionally, there is a table laid out with dozens of (Donated) bottles > of wine. People can buy a bottle (Their choice) for $20, and on the bottom > of the bottle there is a number painted. They win a prize determined by the > number. Everyone that buys a bottle wins a prize, but they don't know what > it'll be until they select the bottle. > > Guests are asked to fill out a ballot sheet, to vote for the best wine, > best food and best presentation, and an awards ceremony caps off the event. > The winners receive a plaque made by a local artist, and bragging rights for > the next year. > > The whole event has the feel of an exclusive cocktail party, and is > extremely popular. > > Since all the labour comes from our large volunteer staff, and most > everything is donated, it's a great money maker. We do spend a bit for > souvenir wine glasses and snack trays with our logo and the year imprinted. > Each guest gets one each, and they become collector items. (Extras get sold > in our gift shop) > > Bruce > -- > Bruce Purdy > Technical Director > Smith Opera House > > > ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References:

Message-Id: From: Andrew Vance Subject: Re: Safety Frames/Lighting Accessories Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 00:28:25 -0500 On 03 May, 2006, at 23:59 , John Gibilisco wrote: > Anyone have a source to supply flame resistant, fiberboard color > frames? BMI sells them, as does Production Advantage. Probably more places, but those were the two that came to mind quickly. Locally, Heartland sells them and TMS/Midwest can probably get them for you as well. -- Sincerely, Andrew Vance Lighting Designer atvanceld [at] gmail.com ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #794 *****************************