Return-Path: X-Processed-By: Virex 7 on prxy.net X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2) with PIPE id 4204370; Sat, 21 Aug 2004 03:02:06 -0700 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #108 Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 03:01:53 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.0-pre4 (2004-08-04) on prxy.net X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.9 required=5.0 tests=ALL_TRUSTED,AWL,BAYES_00, MAILTO_TO_SPAM_ADDR autolearn=ham version=3.0.0-pre4 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4a3 For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #108 1. Re: Olympics opening by "Delbert Hall" 2. Re: Printed Drops by PAUL_RICHARDSON [at] qvc.com 3. After Closing by mconn [at] cumberlandcollege.edu 4. Re: After Closing by "Immel,Patrick" 5. Re: After Closing by "Paul Schreiner" 6. Re: After Closing by Shawn Palmer 7. Re: After Closing by Greg Bierly 8. Re: After Closing by "Paul Schreiner" 9. Re: After Closing by Stephen Litterst 10. Re: After Closing by Shawn Palmer 11. Re: After Closing by Greg Bierly 12. Re: After Closing by MissWisc [at] aol.com 13. Re: After Closing by Tony Miller 14. Re: After Closing by "Immel,Patrick" 15. Re: Olympics opening by Tony Miller 16. Re: After Closing by "Mike Rock" 17. Re: After Closing by "Paul Schreiner" 18. Andy Champ-Doran by "Stephen E. Rees" 19. Re: After Closing by John McKernon 20. Re: After Closing by "Mike Rock" 21. Re: After Closing by Shawn Palmer 22. Re: Olympics opening by Greg Bierly 23. Re: Olympics opening by Stephen Litterst 24. Re: Andy Champ-Doran by doran [at] bard.edu 25. Production Fundamentals by David Boevers 26. Re: Production Fundamentals by usctd [at] columbia.sc 27. Re: Production Fundamentals by Dale Farmer 28. production by FREDERICK W FISHER 29. Nocturn UV by "John Gibilisco" 30. Re: Best Boy Was: Israeli rental house info by Jerry Durand 31. IATSE rep? by "Kevin Patrick" 32. Computer-assisted blocking notation by Brad Spachman 33. Lion King SF -- wow (maybe spoilers) by mat goebel *** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Delbert Hall" Subject: RE: Olympics opening Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 07:25:23 -0400 Organization: ETSU Message-ID: <000b01c486a8$6323e120$6400a8c0 [at] delbert> In-Reply-To: I head to Palm Springs, CA today, but when return next week I will make copies of the opening ceremonies. I did get to finally watch them and I was most impressed with the "head" that broke apart. I may edit it down so only the dramatic parts are on the tape (no commercials or entering of the athletes). -Delbert ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Printed Drops Message-ID: From: PAUL_RICHARDSON [at] qvc.com Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 07:54:17 -0400 I have had really good experiences with Big Image Systems. Olle Lindqvist Big Image Systems 888-626-9816 olle [at] bigimagesystems.com www.bigimagesystems.com They can print on almost anything any size and the scrim they did for me last year was fabulous. HTH- Paul Richardson Scene Shop Supervisor Broadcast Design Group QVC Studio Park 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 166 West Chester, PA 19380 484-701-8591 Voice 484-701-1114 Fax Paul_Richardson [at] qvc.com ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1093003694.4125e9ae90e36 [at] mail.cumberlandcollege.edu> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 08:08:14 -0400 From: mconn [at] cumberlandcollege.edu Subject: After Closing Hello all, Stepping out of Lurk Mode to ask for help from the Educational Theatre folk. First welcome back to the Fall Semester. Ok Here is my Dilemma, We run our show for 2 weekends, we start Tech the Sat. before we open, which means (as we all know) working three weekends back to back. I know this is a reality of what we do. So I am not looking for "this is what we do live with it." I have made the weekend after we close dark, I have sent appropriate memos to the administration and they have signed off on this and sent this out to the the Faculty at large. I have ONE Band Director that aways wants the space/theatre for a marching band concert the Friday after we close. Been this way for 3 years. It is always a fight, and I always seem to lose. With the statement being just have a student do it, as if they are less important or disposable. Personally I feel like my staff deserve the weekend after we close off to go home relax be slugs whatever it is they do to debrief. My Questions are: Am I wrong to have a dark weekend following a show? Does anyone else have to deal with problems like this? How have you handled it? Oh the Music Dept. Has a recital Hall. Thanks for you input. Moe Conn MFA Designer/TD Cumberland College Thank You Everyone for Supporting the Long Beach Long Riders efforts to Raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Check Out: www.sapsis-rigging.com/LBLR.html ------------------------------ Message-ID: <147CF8DFB9C5D41187300001FA7EE39011EDC602 [at] mail.nwmissouri.edu> From: "Immel,Patrick" Subject: RE: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 08:10:53 -0500 Moe, I completely sympathize with your situation. I was, for six years in this same situation until this past year. >My Questions are: >Am I wrong to have a dark weekend following a show? I think it makes complete sense >Does anyone else have to deal with problems like this? We are in your same situation. When we have our theater for 2-4 weeks, all of the other groups that use the theater cannot. I think of this in a way that they are all in there big cars, just sitting at the gate of the theater revving their engines waiting to get in. As soon as you are done and open the gate they all just pile through. In our situation, it is not unusual at all to have a bus and truck tour come through the DAY after we close. I actually think that this year it is happening to us in September for the RENT tour. Soo this means that the person who replaced me and all of the facility assistants (who, in most cases, held important jobs for the dept. production) will have to stay most of the night to preset for the tour. If these kids were professional stagehands, I would feel less irratated by this, but these kids are students who really should go to class. So...they stay up all night to preset for the tour, work all day on the show, getting done about 2am. I am just guessing, but I think probably less than 50% of the 60 person call will attend class the next day. The problem is, is that the people that use the space, ie, the music dept, campus activities, other campus depts, et al, only use the space for one, maybe two days at the most. They really could care less that your students are tired. As long as there events go fine its ok. >How have you handled it? Our music dept has a hall as well, albeit not as nice as our theater. I got to a point where I was kind of still forced to accept the bus and truck shows in whenever they could get them in, but I did black out the first two or three days after one of our shows closed. I was never able to get the next weekend off. I guess it is just about educating the other depts on campus and the administration to what you do. Suprisingly...or not...when I came, alot of people on campus thought we did our dept shows just like a tour show. That is a truck backs up, we setup the scenery, did the show, loaded the truck and were done. After explaining that we teach the ENTIRE process, they became a little more understanding. I went as far as inviting some administrators to come over to the theatre to watch load in...that definately helped!!! Good Luck Moe! Patrick Immel Northwest Missouri State University ------------------------------ Subject: RE: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:17:06 -0400 Message-ID: <6E497ADB607656479C24E6D7BF6B505A74AC3E [at] exchange.rmwc.edu> From: "Paul Schreiner" > Am I wrong to have a dark weekend following a show? Only if it's wrong to allow for some R&R time in the schedule... > Does anyone else have to deal with problems like this? >=20 > How have you handled it? In the past (back at my previous job incarnation), the schedule I had to = deal with included 2 department shows a semester that ran for one = weekend each; but because of the amount of extraneous programming = scheduled into the space, our effective build time was only 2-3.5 weeks. This particular venue was also the only space on campus that could seat = more than 190, so we got tapped. A lot. The first thing we did was establish a "blackout" period during the = build where there would be no scheduling of any outside event (sole = exception being open house programs for Admissions). Usually this would = include the full five days prior to dry tech (Friday) plus two weeks = before that. This would front-end my days off (ok, weekends and = evenings, anyway...except for the rehearsal crew, but they weren't = involved in the operation of the space outside our shows). Part of the problem was the fact that I was working in the only suitable = space for things of this nature, and that there was a very active = campus--during the eight months of the academic year, there were 2 jazz = concerts, 2 band concerts, one combo between the two, 2 weeks (one = spring, one winter) for dance, 4-6 other student programming events, a = couple of lectures and presentations for the Greeks, 5-6 admissions = programs, and so forth. And that's not counting the outside events. = This was what was required to keep these other programs and departments = viable--so it was very very difficult to say "no" when they wanted to = pick dates. Especially when that's the way they'd been doing it long before I = arrived. It took me the better part of three years to train all the = regulars in the new approach to scheduling. But by the time I left, I = even had the admissions department calling me for permission and advice = on which dates to use! (That's one of the reasons I left...it was a schedule I could handle a = lot better when I didn't have a little boy at home.) My suggestion? Can you hit the band director where it hurts and charge = him $XX/hour for whomever comes in on that dark weekend? Make it a = standing policy...set short periods of time during the year where the = space is designated dark, and if someone wants to schedule something = then anyway, they pay hourly for the help. If that's not enough of a = deterrent, then you may have to start working your way up the ladder... > Oh the Music Dept. Has a recital Hall.=20 Is the seating capacity large enough to handle this event?=20 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4125FACC.6040204 [at] northnet.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 08:21:16 -0500 From: Shawn Palmer Subject: Re: After Closing References: In-Reply-To: > I have ONE Band Director that aways wants the space/theatre for a marching band > concert the Friday after we close. Been this way for 3 years. It is always a > fight, and I always seem to lose. > My Questions are: > Am I wrong to have a dark weekend following a show? > Does anyone else have to deal with problems like this? > How have you handled it? > Oh the Music Dept. Has a recital Hall. > > Thanks for you input. > > Moe Conn MFA Moe, I feel your pain. We had about seventy shows here last year. The battle I am fighting is having 24 hours off between different events- no back to backs. It is certainly not wrong to have a dark weekend following a show, and your students need it, too. Unfortunately it sounds like you are being taught the same lesson I am- the one where our opinions are second rate and the results of others' decisions impact us more than anyone else. I've been handling it by getting more and more vocal. I said something recently to one of my bosses that he didn't appreciate and was out of character for me, but it got my point across :-) I am supposed to have final authority over the calendar. But I learned recently that menas nothing, as I vetoed a date and it was scheduled anyway after two of my 'superiors' talked about it. Until this happened last week I thought my situation was getting better. I don't know what magical advice to give, except that you can't possibly give up the fight. No one cares about your welfare and the welfare of your students as much as you do. No one will look out for your well-being if you don't. I remind everyone that will listen that they have screwed me again, when they do so. If I ever leave this position it will be because of this situation first, and the 60-127 hour work weeks second. Keep up the fight... Shawn Palmer Neenah, WI USA ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <82907951-F2B4-11D8-90D1-000D936BFA94 [at] dejazzd.com> From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:23:30 -0500 > Am I wrong to have a dark weekend following a show? > > Does anyone else have to deal with problems like this? > > How have you handled it? It is a great goal to strive for but it cannot always be practical There are only so many weekends in the year (and of course that is when everyone is looking to be entertained.) I go through this every year. Our first show of the year runs a Fri and Sat evening. We just got a call for an outside rental to use the Arts Center for a meeting from 8-5 on Sunday (which happens to be my anniversary that was on Fri last year and Final Dress the year before). From mid Jan- mid June I am lucky to get 4 or 5 weekends off. It is one of the hazards of having a facility that people want to use. Obviously if you have to work a 40 hour week then do all the performances on top of that, start working on the powers that be for an assistant would pay for itself in your overtime hours. Randy Whitcomb had a post I save back on July 21 with the subject "Re: HS theatre facilities manager queries" that I will quote because I WILL use it to support my application for an assistant in a year or two. (Pardon the Bandwidth) Shawn, Most of my staff are students, but I have 3 or 4 graduates who are qualified to stand in for me if I can't work a show. Since the staff and I are hourly it doesn't cost the district anything to add staff. The person working in my place gets $20/ hr. and is billed at $35. You might propose adding an hourly A.T.D. I've already told my boss that next year is my son's SR. year and I'm not missing a football game, band or choir concert etc. so my A.T.D.s will be working more. No job is worth your family or health. Good Luck Randy Whitcomb, TD Price Civic Aud Loveland, CO. Your situation is a little different since it is not a billed outside event but there are costs associated so keep track and show the business office in black and white what it is costing them. Thanks Randy for the unauthorized use of the quote ; ) Good luck, but in a nutshell in this line of work getting a weekend off is a luxury, enjoy the ones you get. Greg Bierly Technical Director Hempfield HS ------------------------------ Subject: RE: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:28:03 -0400 Message-ID: <6E497ADB607656479C24E6D7BF6B505A74AC3F [at] exchange.rmwc.edu> From: "Paul Schreiner" > In our situation, it is=20 > not unusual at > all to have a bus and truck tour come through the DAY after=20 > we close. =20 Who scheduled that??? OK...here's a game plan for all of you out there who need to get a hold = of situations like this. Get to know your campus's scheduling/events = coordinator. Buy him/her dinner or lunch or a Maserati. Whatever it = takes to get on their good side. Explain the situation to him/her. Then explain that in the interest of safety (and therefore liability) = and the integrity/operation of the theatre department, a policy needs to = go into effect that no event can be scheduled by outside parties in the = building without your express permission. Get your chair to back you up on this. Have him/her take it to the Dean = simultaneously. Whatever software the campus uses to schedule buildings and = events...have them get you a license. Best thing I did while I was at [insert former employer's name here] was = to insist on getting a seat for our building on the new scheduling = system; and even though each seat cost well into four figures, and the = campus was supposedly going to completely centralized scheduling, I won = and kept control of my building. Once people see what happens (show them the calendar), most of the time = the people who deal with event scheduling on a daily basis will help you = out. They have the best understanding of anyone across campus what it = takes in manpower to put up even the smallest event, because they hear = it all the time from housekeeping and maintenance and so forth. And = once you have them on your side, it makes it a lot easier to implement a = dark policy... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:41:31 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: After Closing Message-id: <4125FF8B.BEF8C714 [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References:

Greg Bierly wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > We just got a call for an outside rental to use the > Arts Center for a meeting from 8-5 on Sunday (which happens to be my > anniversary that was on Fri last year and Final Dress the year before). Well, that'll teach you to get married on a weekend. ;-) Steve L. -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ Message-ID: <412602EB.4050905 [at] northnet.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 08:55:55 -0500 From: Shawn Palmer Subject: Re: After Closing References:

In-Reply-To: > Randy Whitcomb had a post I save back on July 21 with the subject "Re: HS theatre > facilities manager queries" that I will quote because I WILL use it to > support my application for an assistant in a year or two. > > (Pardon the Bandwidth) > > You might propose adding an hourly A.T.D. I've already told my boss that > next year is my son's SR. year and I'm not missing a football game, band or > choir concert etc. so my A.T.D.s will be working more. > > No job is worth your family or health. > > Good Luck > > Randy Whitcomb, TD > Price Civic Aud > Loveland, CO. > > > Good luck, but in a nutshell in this line of work getting a weekend off > is a luxury, enjoy the ones you get. > > Greg Bierly I am working on the ATD thing... Randy's post was saved and forwarded to the appropriate people. It isn't a new argument. My overtime would more than pay for an assistant, so the delay is most perplexing. I hope you can get an assistant too, Greg. Someday it'll happen. The other thing NOT in my favor is that I got a new boss fairly recently, and in doing so lost the only real advocate I had. It's a crazy line of work, but then we are all crazy, I suppose... Shawn ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References:

Message-Id: From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 10:36:38 -0500 > Well, that'll teach you to get married on a weekend. I don't plan life event too well. I had to take off my previous job 12 years ago to get married. My three kids birthdays are in my busiest season (along with mine and my wife's) between April 21 and May29th. We were dumb enough to buy and new house this year and set up settlements on the two houses May 4th and May 21st. Now twice the yard to mow. Someday I might think about planning ahead! I just have to remind myself I am having fun. Someday I'll look back and remember these as the good 'ol days. ------------------------------ From: MissWisc [at] aol.com Message-ID: <53.13b40de9.2e576940 [at] aol.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 10:48:32 EDT Subject: Re: After Closing Cc: mconn [at] cumberlandcollege.edu In a message dated 8/20/4 7:13:00 AM, mconn [at] cumberlandcollege.edu writes: << With the statement being just have a student do it, as if they are less important or disposable. >> I'd say "OK you can have your hall, BUT you're going to pay to bring in an IA crew as my students need time to sleep/study/get ready for midterms and you will pay the supervisor I select $__ a day as I've already worked ___ hours in the past 3 weeks." Your space = you need to be there + he needs to pay for that service. In future years, schedule that weekend on the calendar as "safety maintenance." You're going to inspect the inner linings of your eyelids and some well deserved mental rest for the safety of everyone involved with the theatre lest you "go postal". Seems someone has forgotten that a student's job is to study, not run a theatre. Kristi ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:53:41 +0100 Subject: Re: After Closing From: Tony Miller Message-ID: > Soo this means that the person who replaced me and all of the > facility assistants (who, in most cases, held important jobs for the dept. > production) will have to stay most of the night to preset for the tour. If > these kids were professional stagehands, I would feel less irratated by > this, but these kids are students who really should go to class. So...they > stay up all night to preset for the tour, work all day on the show, getting > done about 2am. I am just guessing, but I think probably less than 50% of > the 60 person call will attend class the next day. So who provides insurance cover at your facility? Are the students covered for all health care costs and public liability in the event of an accident after working so many hours and do your insurance company know the hours that non-professional staff are working? I'm not sure how that aspect of things works in the USA but I would imagine the liability issues would scare the management and college authorities to death. Tony Miller. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <147CF8DFB9C5D41187300001FA7EE39011EDC603 [at] mail.nwmissouri.edu> From: "Immel,Patrick" Subject: RE: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 10:59:42 -0500 The university is self-insured Pat -----Original Message----- From: Tony Miller To: Stagecraft Sent: 8/20/2004 10:53 AM Subject: Re: After Closing For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- > Soo this means that the person who replaced me and all of the > facility assistants (who, in most cases, held important jobs for the dept. > production) will have to stay most of the night to preset for the tour. If > these kids were professional stagehands, I would feel less irratated by > this, but these kids are students who really should go to class. So...they > stay up all night to preset for the tour, work all day on the show, getting > done about 2am. I am just guessing, but I think probably less than 50% of > the 60 person call will attend class the next day. So who provides insurance cover at your facility? Are the students covered for all health care costs and public liability in the event of an accident after working so many hours and do your insurance company know the hours that non-professional staff are working? I'm not sure how that aspect of things works in the USA but I would imagine the liability issues would scare the management and college authorities to death. Tony Miller. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 17:01:39 +0100 Subject: Re: Olympics opening From: Tony Miller Message-ID: > I head to Palm Springs, CA today, but when return next week I will make > copies of the opening ceremonies. I did get to finally watch them and I > was most impressed with the "head" that broke apart. I may edit it down > so only the dramatic parts are on the tape (no commercials or entering > of the athletes). > > -Delbert Just out of interest where were the commercials inserted? The show really flowed with no obvious gaps where adverts could be put. It must have made things really clunky if the normal 15 minutes or so of breaks were put into the hour long show. We were really lucky in having the opening broadcast on the BBC without any breaks. I do have it on tape, but of course, it is on PAL not NTSC. Still if anyone wants a copy they are welcome. Tony Miller. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <002701c486d0$a84091e0$80fea8c0 [at] Fred> From: "Mike Rock" References: Subject: Re: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 11:13:36 -0500 We have just the opposite problem, we have groups wanting to use the space 2 weeks before open meaning we can not have anything on satage or in the wings untill afterwards. ------------------------------ Subject: RE: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:18:48 -0400 Message-ID: <6E497ADB607656479C24E6D7BF6B505A74AC42 [at] exchange.rmwc.edu> From: "Paul Schreiner" > We have just the opposite problem, we have groups wanting to=20 > use the space 2 > weeks before open meaning we can not have anything on satage=20 > or in the wings > untill afterwards. Not meaning really to keep hammering away at this, but who is in charge = of scheduling the theatre space in cases like these? Is there any way = you can regain control of your own space? It'll go a long way towards = easing all the congestion... ------------------------------ Message-ID: <41262945.3090407 [at] fredonia.edu> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:39:33 -0400 From: "Stephen E. Rees" Subject: Andy Champ-Doran Andy, Please get in touch with me about the Little Shop mug. I got one arranged for you but I need mailing info. The provider leaves for TX on Monday. Write back fast. Will check later today. (Friday) Sorry for the bandwidth folks. I have no other contact for Andy. Steve Rees, TD SUNY-Fredonia 716.673.3326 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:47:56 -0400 Subject: Re: After Closing From: John McKernon Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > Does anyone else have to deal with problems like this? I know it's cold comfort, but it happens in the "real" world, too. We loaded "Chicago" into the National Theater in DC at 8am one year, and found that almost the entire crew had been there until 3am loading out the previous show. Because there were so many shows in town, there just weren't enough stagehands to allow time off. Fortunately the stagehands in DC are terrific, and everything went beautifully! - John ------------------------------ === john2004 [at] mckernon.com ==== ------------------------------ Message-ID: <000d01c486d6$1e9d38c0$80fea8c0 [at] Fred> From: "Mike Rock" References: Subject: Re: After Closing Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 11:52:41 -0500 >Not meaning really to keep hammering away at this, but who is in charge of >scheduling the theatre space in cases like these? Is there any way you can regain >control of your own space? It'll go a long way towards easing all the congestion... My school has an activitys director new last year. Ever sience he took over all the coaches seemed mad because there would be 3 or 4 activities on one night, soccer track and softball. Or away basketball game, play, and girls home basketball game. I think the TD has tried to get back control but has been unable to. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <41263010.50201 [at] northnet.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:08:32 -0500 From: Shawn Palmer Subject: Re: After Closing References: In-Reply-To: > So who provides insurance cover at your facility? Are the students covered > for all health care costs and public liability in the event of an accident > after working so many hours and do your insurance company know the hours > that non-professional staff are working? > > I'm not sure how that aspect of things works in the USA but I would imagine > the liability issues would scare the management and college authorities to > death. > > Tony Miller. In a similar vein, here's a good one... we have some student employees occasionally ride their bikes to work. One night everyone's brake cables were cut. We went "downtown" to figure out how to get insurance to pay for all the repairs. The reply from our higher up- "They don't work for us." I said "What? They are my student assistants!" "No, they don't work for us. We won't pay for that." Paid for it personally. Can you believe that? So I'd guess insurance here in my facility doesn't really cover them :-) Shawn ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <8C263030-F2D4-11D8-90D1-000D936BFA94 [at] dejazzd.com> From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: Olympics opening Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 13:12:50 -0500 > Just out of interest where were the commercials inserted? The show > really > flowed with no obvious gaps where adverts could be put. It must have > made > things really clunky if the normal 15 minutes or so of breaks were put > into > the hour long show. It looked to me the nbc broadcast just cut away and returned in real time. It felt as if there were gaps in the production. If I had time to watch it again I would say send me a tape (I have a PAL conversion deck) Thanks for the offer anyway. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 13:22:51 -0400 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Olympics opening Message-id: <4126336B.BBD3DFFF [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References: Tony Miller wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- > > > I head to Palm Springs, CA today, but when return next week I will make > > copies of the opening ceremonies. I did get to finally watch them and I > > was most impressed with the "head" that broke apart. I may edit it down > > so only the dramatic parts are on the tape (no commercials or entering > > of the athletes). > Just out of interest where were the commercials inserted? The show really > flowed with no obvious gaps where adverts could be put. It must have made > things really clunky if the normal 15 minutes or so of breaks were put into > the hour long show. It felt a little jerky, IMO. My feeling was that the advert breaks covered up the scene shifts -- getting the boat out of the pool, draining the pool for the parade, de-rigging the exploding head, striking Bjork's dress. Actually, that last wasn't a commercial break now that I recall, just an edit. I remember being surprised it disappeared in a matter of seconds with no sign of effort. If it really did just disappear effortlessly, I'd love to know how. And there were many breaks during the parade of nations. Steve Litterst -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1093024633.41263b7990417 [at] webmail.bard.edu> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 13:57:13 -0400 From: doran [at] bard.edu Subject: Re: Andy Champ-Doran References: In-Reply-To: Steve, I've e-mailed to the below address, off list. Again, sorry to all y'all about the band width, too. Andy Champ-Doran Quoting "Stephen E. Rees" : > Andy, > Please get in touch with me about the Little Shop mug. I got one > arranged for you but I need mailing info. The provider leaves for TX on > Monday. Write back fast. Will check later today. (Friday) > Sorry for the bandwidth folks. I have no other contact for Andy. > Steve Rees, TD ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 14:30:51 -0400 From: David Boevers Subject: Production Fundamentals Message-ID: <1569303849.1093012251 [at] pca205c1.andrew.ad.cmu.edu> In-Reply-To: References: Hi all, I have an opportunity to teach a new class this fall and I was hoping you all might be able to help me flesh it out some. Here's the concept: We have for quite some time had this class "Basic Design" which covers design fundamentals like line & shade, color, composition, symmetry, texture and the like pretty much as an art class without really framing it in terms of theatre at all. This year I have managed to carve out a space in the same year of the program for a parallel course "Basic Production" which would ostensibly cover the same level of material with regard to engineering and management. I am trying to compile a list of what those things might be. Things like tension, compression, section, stress, strain, & deflection on the engineering side, and maybe leadership, teamwork, priorities, resources, costs, and such on the management side. If anyone has ideas for concepts that they think ought to be included in such a thing, thoughts on exercises or projects regarding this material, or a text that deals with any of this stuff on such an elemental level I would LOVE to hear from you. Email direct to db4r [at] andrew.cmu.edu is best. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. db David Boevers - Assistant Professor of Drama - Technical Director Production Technology & Management Option Coordinator Carnegie Mellon University - Purnell Center for the Arts dboevers [at] cmu.edu 412-268-2146 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2576.129.252.241.105.1093031512.squirrel [at] webmail.columbia.sc> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 15:51:52 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Production Fundamentals From: usctd [at] columbia.sc Who is the class geared to? I may focus less on the tech stuff and concentrate more on the colaborative part of what we do. This seems to be where people lack the most. -- Eric Rouse TD-University of SC, Columbia Freelance Foyboy > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Hi all, > > I have an opportunity to teach a new class this fall and I was hoping you > all might be able to help me flesh it out some. Here's the concept: > > We have for quite some time had this class "Basic Design" which covers > design fundamentals like line & shade, color, composition, symmetry, > texture and the like pretty much as an art class without really framing it > in terms of theatre at all. This year I have managed to carve out a space > in the same year of the program for a parallel course "Basic Production" > which would ostensibly cover the same level of material with regard to > engineering and management. > > I am trying to compile a list of what those things might be. Things like > tension, compression, section, stress, strain, & deflection on the > engineering side, and maybe leadership, teamwork, priorities, resources, > costs, and such on the management side. > > If anyone has ideas for concepts that they think ought to be included in > such a thing, thoughts on exercises or projects regarding this material, > or > a text that deals with any of this stuff on such an elemental level I > would > LOVE to hear from you. > > Email direct to db4r [at] andrew.cmu.edu is best. Thanks in advance for your > thoughts. > > db > > David Boevers - Assistant Professor of Drama - Technical Director > Production Technology & Management Option Coordinator > Carnegie Mellon University - Purnell Center for the Arts > > dboevers [at] cmu.edu 412-268-2146 > > > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4126536D.63216E42 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 15:39:25 -0400 From: Dale Farmer Cc: db4r [at] andrew.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Production Fundamentals References:

David Boevers wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Hi all, > > I have an opportunity to teach a new class this fall and I was hoping you > all might be able to help me flesh it out some. Here's the concept: > > We have for quite some time had this class "Basic Design" which covers > design fundamentals like line & shade, color, composition, symmetry, > texture and the like pretty much as an art class without really framing it > in terms of theatre at all. This year I have managed to carve out a space > in the same year of the program for a parallel course "Basic Production" > which would ostensibly cover the same level of material with regard to > engineering and management. > > I am trying to compile a list of what those things might be. Things like > tension, compression, section, stress, strain, & deflection on the > engineering side, and maybe leadership, teamwork, priorities, resources, > costs, and such on the management side. Safety, OSHA, and insurance. Management responsibilities. The costs of working when you are sleep deprived. ( 6:2:1 rule ) Budgeting Basic project management, focus on the critical path concept. Communication and documentation. --Dale ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 19:02:57 -0500 From: FREDERICK W FISHER Subject: production Cc: db4r [at] andrew.cmu.edu Message-id: <5eacb658.b6585eac [at] wiscmail.wisc.edu> David, You are, of course, talking about two more courses and not one, but I suppose that isn't going to happen. From a management standpoint, you will also want to cover hiring, dealing with unions, firing, advancing shows, specifying for purchase or rental, hiring outside contractors (say an audio company to equip and engineer a concert, or someone to install wiring), scheduling workers and resources, purchasing, customer service, safety, emergency preparedness, policies relating to work and facility usage, dealing with local authorities, scheduling labor and maintenance, maintenance, training, organizational relationships, being ready to deal with whatever comes up. After doing all that, it's time for your morning coffee break. Learning to trust who you hire to do the job without your having to micro-manage. Those are a few to start with. Have fun in the coming semester. Fred Fisher Production Manager Wisconsin Union Theater ------------------------------ Message-ID: <008401c48723$b6a52d60$0200a8c0 [at] om.cox.net> From: "John Gibilisco" References:

Subject: Nocturn UV Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 21:08:12 -0500 Has anyone experienced problems while running the Nocturne UV lights with DMX? The problem I'm having is after it is turned on by the console the lamp strikes on and off intermittently. Console's output is fine. The cables are fine. And the problem occurs with or without branch termination. I am sure it is a problem with the fixture. I just wondering if anyone has had the same problem and can tell me how they fixed it. Best, John G ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20040820203847.043a22f8 [at] localhost> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 20:40:10 -0700 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: Best Boy Was: Israeli rental house info In-Reply-To: References:

At 04:27 PM 8/4/2004, you wrote: >Now, who wants to tackle MOS on the film clappers that indicates no sound? At a SMPTE meeting on the Sony lot they said "Mit out sound". :) ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com pgp: 45A2 0A52 1D56 70C2 B865 9D5C 83F2 2112 04CE 2B54 ------------------------------ From: "Kevin Patrick" Subject: IATSE rep? Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 00:09:27 -0400 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Can someone send me the name or email of an IATSE rep in Atlanta that would speak to a university about the union, responsibilities and benefits of membership, etc? I poked around IATSE-intl.org, and sent an email, but I haven't heard back and I'm not sure I contacted the right person. BTW, the university is in Columbus (1.5 hours from Atlanta), but many students come from a fairly tight Atlanta-based radius. Thanks, \< Kevin Patrick Asst Professor, Designer, TD Columbus State University Theatre.colstate.edu Patrick_kevin [at] colstate.edu --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/2004 ------------------------------ Message-Id: Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 01:57:52 -0400 From: Brad Spachman Subject: Computer-assisted blocking notation De-lurking for a little while... A question for you other stage managers out there (Frank need not reply -- :-) Is anyone using their computers to take blocking while in rehearsal? Our stage management team is looking to move in this direction for various reasons -- I won't go into them now -- and we're wondering if anyone else has attempted this. I've looked at doing things in MS Word, but have come to the conclusion that Word is just too limited in various ways to accomplish what we're trying to do. The comments function limits your placement of notes, and using callouts or text boxes gets very messy very quickly. If anyone has other ideas about using MS Word (or other commercially available programs), I'd love to hear about them... Maybe someone knows of specialized software to facilitate blocking notation, perhaps similar to OSU's LabanWriter for writing Labanotation? Google has not been my friend in this search :-( Best, Brad -- Brad Spachman bspachman [at] att.net Stage Manager Goodspeed Musicals ------------------------------ Message-ID: <412704E2.3060002 [at] comcast.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 01:16:34 -0700 From: mat goebel Cc: THEATRE-SOUND [at] LISTSERV.AOL.COM (theatre sound) Subject: Lion King SF -- wow (maybe spoilers) Just got home from seeing the Lion King is SF. Just one word: wow. Outstanding production. My favourites were the stampede and mufasa's death, mufasa talking to simba from beyond, the lighting for the elephant graveyard, and the final climactic battle. Everything was done in typical disney style - completely outstanding. The sound was great, though Timone's mic cut out once (rf?). The FOH engineer ran away before I could congratulate him on an excellent sounding mix for the evening - so if hes on the list or someone knows him, kudos. I didn't see that many speakers. Just two line arrays and a centre cluster, and 2 "stereo clusters" for lack of knowledge of the correct term. Never ceases to amaze me when every members of a choir has a lav and wireless transmitter. Lavs were all hidden on the leads very well. Very few instances of noticeable comb filtering, only occurring when performers were a couple inches from each other or near another surface - and even then it would not have been noticeable to the casual listener. Anyone have any idea how the lion masks (mufasa and scar) were controlled? By that, I mean as to whether they were above a performer's head or in front of their face. Was it controlled by the performer (seems like it had to be)? How so? -- Mat G. Entertainment Technical Services Paramount's Great America "Remember kids, an *actor* shot Abe Lincoln." ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #108 *****************************