'Da Rules

My boss sent me this sheet. It's pretty much the rules for the venue I work at. I found it very insightful...and lets face it, pretty funny. I hope you enjoy it

-Me.

Things Every HPAC Stagehand and Shop Crew Should Know

Some portions borrowed from Local 16, San Francisco, CA

General Information
1. Dan’s office number: Omitted For Privacy

2. Karen’s office number: Omitted For Privacy

3. John’s office number: Omitted For Privacy

4. Arrive early to put personal belongings away. Arriving at the call time is already five minutes late.

5. Professionals carry the tools needed to do the job, they know how to use them, and they keep them in good working order. The tools you need to do a job are of little use if they’re in your car or locker. Keep them close.

6. Always bring your name tag to show calls.

7. Don’t wear open-toed shoes to work. Period.

8. We wear a lot of black here. If you are on a show call and not in black, then dress professionally.

9. Always sign in and out. Know the classifications. If you don’t, then ask.

10. Let your supervisor know you’re here and if you leave the area. Don’t make them go look for you.

11. You are a part of a larger picture. The success of the whole depends on the performance and behavior of each individual. The failure of one individual reflects on the dependability and character of this venue. It only works if everybody does their best, together.

General Stage Etiquette
12. You don’t know everything!.......yet! Don’t expect to know everything you need to know the first day.

13. Facing the audience: Stage Right is to your right. Stage Left is to your left. Upstage is behind you, and Downstage is in front of you.

14. If you can see the audience, they can see you.

15. If you don’t know what it is, you can’t sit on it.

16. Don’t assume that the way you do things is THE way. There are many ways to do most of what we do. The person “responsible” for the project gets to pick THE WAY, as they typically have more information and not always enough time to share it.

17. If in doubt, ask.

18. Listen and learn. You can’t listen while you’re talking.

19. NEVER sit on or play with the props.

20. Do not answer your cell phone if you’re working. If time allows, and you’re not specifically on a task, limit it to less than 2 minutes, or else wait for the break. Nothing is that important! If it is, clear it with the person in charge.

21. Never talk negatively about the talent or other crew when on a call, no matter how “close” you are to them. If you can do something better than what you see, audition or apply for it.

22. Bad attitudes are like alcohol. They blur your judgment and neither is allowed at the Haugh.

Safety:
23. NOBODY DIES!!

24. It can kill you!

25. Your body has many parts; none of them are spares.

26. Assume it’s hot.

27. Don’t do dumb things.

28. If it can cut wood, metal, or rope, it can cut you. Keep your hands out of the way.


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29. Always unplug a power tool before changing blades, disks, etc…

30. Make sure the switch is OFF before plugging in or unplugging any tool or device.

31. Check equipment and cords before each use. Report any damage you make or find. You won’t get in trouble; it only speeds up the repairs.

32. Just because it’s not a power tool, doesn’t mean it won’t injure you.

33. You only have two eyes. Protect them. Wear safety goggles, even for a short cut.

34. You only have one back. Bend at the knees, lift with your legs.

35. Grip flats from the same side as your partner.

36. Ladders are one of the most dangerous tools we use. The top of it is there to hold the legs together, not to act as a work platform or storage shelf.

37. If it hurts, it’s bad. Stop doing it.

38. Look up! Look Down! The entertainment environment is a constant changing one – just because the stairs were there a minute ago, doesn’t mean they’re still there now. Battens show up at the strangest times. Watch where you’re going.

39. The mic is always on, the batten is always out of weight, the light is always hot, there are always screws on the stage, and the pit is down. Even if they appear otherwise, treat them as if they are!


Audio


40. Line ON, Amps ON. Amps OFF, line OFF.

41. Mark it!

42. Never wrap cable around your elbow.

43. Coil it neatly. The next person hates knots!

44. Remove any show specific markings before it gets put away.

45. Mic clips stay with the mics.


Lighting and Electrical


46. Green is ground. White is neutral. Black, Red and Blue are hot…

47. Amps = Watts / Volts. Conversely, Watts = Volts x Amps.

48. Never touch the lamp!

49. When in doubt: First on, last off. Last on, first off.

50. If still in doubt, just ask.

51. In fact, whenever in doubt, ask!

52. In almost all cabling applications (electric and audio), the male end (pin) goes to the power (or control). Intercom is the main exception.


Rigging


53. The bowline, the half hitch, the clove hitch, the square knot, the snub/rolling knot, and a trucker’s hitch.

54. An uncle buddy is not a pry bar.

55. Always coil twisted rope clock-wise.

56. Front line is in. Back line is out.

57. If you don’t know whether or not you should be wearing a harness, you shouldn’t be off the ground.

58. Never saddle a dead horse. Know when and how to use clips. Torque them.

59. The vertical face of a box truss forms M’s and W’s.

60. Is the rail really clear?

61. Empty your pockets before going above.


Stuff in General


62. It’s not about you.

63. If you don’t do it, who will?

64. Measure twice. Cut, hang, or move once.

65. If it’s broken, report it, tag it, and put it the repair box.

66. There is no substitute for a job well done.

67. Would you rehire someone like yourself next time?

68. If you use it, got it out, ate it, or seeing it lying around – clean it up or put it away!

69. These rules are numbered for reference – not priority. Whichever one you screw up first automatically becomes #1.

70. Be nice, be great and have fun.


By far, number 69 is my favorite.