Stagecraft Journal

Long times

2009-01-26T21:30:00.001-08:00

So, this whole school and working and trying to find time to post here this isn't working out too well, as you can tell.

But I will forge on.

Uhhh....ok, so, recently I have been doing a lot of shadowing and I would offically like to dubb it the king of all teaching techniques. Seriously, I learn so much so fast just watching people do things and just asking when I don't understand things. I'm sure there is a logical reason I have to do all this inefficent book learning too...I just can't figure out what that reason is....

I think I'm going to get my first call as an A1 at the haugh soon. The two engineers that I've been shadowing says it's time for it to happen, but it's not up to them, so we'll see.

I hope people who read this realise that I still have my origional goal in mind...I just didn't realise the time constraints I would have.

That's all for now.

Hope you have all been doing very well.

And stuff.

-Me.

2008-12-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Photos from the HAUGH

Christmas

2008-12-01T00:22:00.000-08:00

The show is going swimmingly.

Uhhh, I don't know if I mentioned this before, but due to budget cut-backs, I can't work more than 8 hours on the clock at a time...so I've been doing a lot of free work lately.

So that sucks.

One bit of information before I tell a funny story.

Our pit works like an elevator.

Funny story.

A friend of mine dropped my other friends keys into our pit.

We had to go underneath them to get them.

I got a cool photo, which I promise to post tomorrow.

Have a good day!

-Me.

Yum

2008-11-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

-Me.

Finished.

2008-11-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

Finally, I'm done with the lab show, "When You Comin' Back Red Ryder?". So much time consumed and I learned so little. We struck the set today and I was planning to take pictures and post them, but I realized (thankfully before the strike started) how stupid that would be of me. Take pictures while I'm working? Nahhh.

It was a fun strike where none of our stupid class mates showed up (thankfully). A strike where everyone is competent is always the best strike. Nice, fast, and painless...except when I hit my head on the grid...ow.

Also!

A few days ago I loaded lighting and sound in and out and mixed part of a show at the Citrus Student Center. During sound check, at which point I was working with the audio folks, I leant my Leatherman to someone on the lighting crew. I don't know what the fuck they did with it, but It came back to be charred and slightly melted.

I think they cut some live wire with it. Next time, I'll post some pictures so you can see for yourself.

Excited for thanks giving? I am! Time to welcome home the friends and family!...soon...ish.

Hope life is well for everyone.

-Me.

Advice...take it.

2008-11-21T23:04:00.000-08:00

When someone offers you advice, please listen to it.

Hear out what they have to say, then, if they're wrong, explain to them why.

Don't be a total ass hat and say "No, I don't need your advice" then proceed to mix three songs into a feedback cluster-fuck.

Happened today.

To me.

I was pissed off.

-Me.

How hard is it to get Hired as a(n) (Electrician, Carpeneter, FOH Engineer, Seamstress, Designer, ME, Deck Hand...etc.)?

2008-11-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

Well, that's a hard question. I'm going to answer it, but I would like people reading this to keep in mind that I am 18 and haven't actually "broken in" yet.

I have two things to say on this topic so far, and this is the first.

In most other fields, you just get hired at a job and work your way up the ladder. In this industry however, if you're a freelance anything, you have to start over with a new group of people sometimes every day. How do you overcome this? My scenic design professor put it best:

"There are 8 people in the entertainment industry, and we all know each other."

If you work with one guy, and you do a good job, eventually other people in the area you did the work in will find out, and when you apply within that area again, even if the person interviewing you has never seen you before in their lives, they will have an opinion of you to base their decision about hiring you off of.

On the other side of the coin, if you show up late and are lazy...well...good luck finding work in that hemisphere again.

So, that pretty much boils down to: "If you get any job in the entertainment industry, no matter the size or length, do it to the best of your ability, because every boss you could ever possibly have is watching."

This is the second, and I have a personal experience to support it.

So, someone who was teaching me about audio for a show that was way over my head offered me a job at the end of the show. I was really excited so I agreed to take it. He gave me someones email address and told me to contact them about filling an open A2 position. I did, and I waited for a really long time...a really. Long. Time.

The person didn't get back to me.

I just assumed that he didn't need anyone and that not responding was his way of telling me "No."

I talked to the person who offered me the job again, and this is approximately what the conversation went like:

"Did you email him?"

"Yeah, but he didn't email me back..."

"When was the last time you emailed him?"

"Uhh, the day after you gave me the address?"

"...Dude you should have been emailing him twice a week. Technicians of his caliber are constantly busy, and if you only contact them once, chances are they won't have time to respond!"

"Isn't that annoying?"

"Granted, some people find it annoying, but 90% of technicians see it as a sign of presistance and appreciate the thought. Next time, don't be so email shy."

This sentiment was then reiterated by every single one of my professors. It's a hard one to believe, I know, but I think if us younger technicians start realizing that older technicians know what it's like to be young and trying to "break in", we would see that that they probably do want to be contacted a ton and given the chance to help some struggling kid out

This was a long post with no pictures. My bad. Sorry.

-Me.

Dude...

2008-11-18T02:00:00.001-08:00

My

Can cut:

With its:

That makes me:

-Me.

Ghost!

2008-11-18T02:00:00.000-08:00

I think it's funny when older technicians play tricks on younger ones. For instance, telling someone to "Go pull the shutters on all the par cans!" in a very urgent tone. Oh...uhh...for those of you who don't know:

No shutters to speak of...

Or when you ask a young electrician to get you R666 or some other color that doesn't exist. Or when you:

Ask someone to test a generator by "licking it"
Tell a noobie audio tech to go put fresh batteries in the SM-58s
Ask someone to put that "up downstage"
This one is sort of unintentional, but apparently when people say "drop the gel" to an electrician focusing on an AP, and the electrician hasn't heard the phrase "drop the gel" before, some electricians will just...drop the gel off the AP.
Tell the very timid and brand new student running crew that there is a ghost who listens to rock music in the building and then going to the basement with a wired com and playing rock music over said com...but then again, I'm probably the only one unfortunate enough to experience that...

The ever popular "Watching the programmer in training on a Express console try to figure out why his lights aren't on, when his Grandmaster is at 0.

Funny things, just don't let them take you as their next victim!

-Me.

This is why I love technicians.

2008-11-16T02:00:00.001-08:00

We have a multi-thousand dollar light? Lets curl it!

This is a link, so click it!

Thanks!

-Me.

Time off.

2008-11-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

Finally, some time to just sit here at home and relax...

The show I've been working is in the Little Theater, the venue used for labs (sorry if I keep repeating this information...). To me this translates into "You're not learning much because you're a go monkey and you have no life because this show still manages to take all your time".

Thank god for Christmas...not because I get time off (because I don't), but because in the Haugh, the venue on campus that I learn from and get paid to work at (there I go again), we put on a spectacular Christmas show (not that I've seen it before), but everyone is telling me to look forward to it, so I'm pretty excited.

I just have to make it through this Lab show first...

Also, I would like to take a moment of silence for my gerber, which will killed in action a few weeks ago.

Apparently my Gerber, which I thought could handle some abuse, was really a piece of shit. Both of the blades broke off, the saw while trying to cut through luan (sad...), and the straight edge while splitting pins.

Now I have a Leatherman Surge.

It's a beast, which is why bought it. I don't anticipate any breaking problems with this one.

-Me.

Oops.

2008-11-13T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hey, did you know in the cuing software "SFX", that if you press the space bar, it takes the next cue?

Because it does.

So my hand was hovering above the keyboard, for no reason apparent to myself, at the quietest part of the show.

I think you can see where this is going.

I pressed space and took the next cue...which happened to be a motherfucking gunshot.

When rehearsal stopped, everyone had a good laugh at my expense.

Never again will I relax my body near a button that does anything.

-Me.

A Good Opertunity

2008-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

For those in NYC, check it out!

Click Me!

-Me.

Technical Theater is Fun

2008-11-03T02:00:00.000-08:00

Title Unrelated.

There is an ad on my site supporting prop 8.

I do not support prop 8.

I just want to make that clear.

Pic also unrelated.

Thanks for your time.

-Me.

Putting Yourself Out

2008-11-01T02:00:00.001-07:00

You know. Getting your name in the hands of people who can get you work.

Make one of these on backstagejobs.com.

Not that Ive gotten any work from it, but you never know!

By the way, have you been checking backstage jobs lately? You never what you might find on there!

Go look!

-Me.

Relief

2008-11-01T02:00:00.000-07:00

So, remember that call that I was so worried about going to? I ended up at school for three days strait. From 10AM on Thursday until 1AM on Saturday. Seriously, that was the most fun ever. I got to school at 10, did my classes, went to the call at 8PM, learned a lot about our rail system and did some other stuff, got out at 8AM on Friday, slept until my class, went to class and took a midterm (owned it, by the way), went to a lab for that class, then I went back to work and stayed till 1AM, Saturday.

Holy crap that was really fun, but I'm really tired too.

My advice: If you're ever on a call like this, be sure to bring deodorant to the site...I had to go out and buy some when I realized that I wouldn't be home. I smelled like ass.

I hope you enjoyed your Halloween!

-Me.

Panic

2008-10-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to panic...but telling you that is getting ahead of myself. Lets start from the top, shall we?

I got my work schedule today. I usually have mixed feelings about getting this schedule. I'm part excited to see what shows are coming in and which I'm working, and part tired of seeing the same job (load in, load out, electrician, deck crew) listed on each one.

This time was different. I was looking at the call for a FOX television shoot that is taking place on our stage that I was assigned to work. Then I looked at the column describing the crew types needed, expecting to see "load in". Instead I saw "ME" and "Rigger"...

Ok. I've been a ME at a high school...and I rigged one point on a truss once.

-_-

I'm going to talk to my boss...If she thinks I can handle it or if she says I can learn as I go, Ill totally be down for trying...as long as the FOX people know I'm 18 and a student. If she wasn't aware of my inexperience as a rigger, then Ill drop the call. I don't want to be that guy trying to do a crucial job and failing miserably at it.

Also, and I think this is pretty flippin' awesome, that call goes from 9PM to 8AM. Coolest hours ever.

Enjoy life.

-Me.

LDI

2008-10-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

I went. It was a waste of my time...

I'm a student...so obviously every single vendor ignored me.

I was pissed. Even when I directly asked someone a question, they would tell me to talk to someone else and walk away.

I hope I never need to work with asses like that.

-Me.

EDIT: Props to ETC, who held a student forum. That was a really cool idea and was put together very well. Thanks ETC!

I'll use your products more...If that's possible...

-Me, again.

For Googles Spiders

2008-10-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

This is a a blog about technical theater.

Just because I titled it with "Stagecraft" doesn't mean I don't want it to show up when people search for "technical theater".

Damn you riged stubborn spiders...

-Me.

P.S.- Technical Theater.

-Me, again.

Random Pictures

2008-10-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Pink road case! Sweet!

Our console.

Mics we used for an orchestra show.

For all the Carpenters

2008-10-19T02:00:00.001-07:00

How well do you think you can eyeball it?

The Eyeballing Game

Test yourself!

Co-Workers

2008-10-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

I would call them "colleuges", but they are all folks with 10-30 years expirence, where as I have...lots less.

Any who, my point is, they are your friends. They will do you favors and, in return, expect you to do the same. If you go out of your way to help them, they will go out of their way to help you. For instance, on of my co-workers needed help getting to work, so I gave him a ride.

Yesterday, on my way to work, I locked myself out of my car and, lets suffice it to say I wouldn't have been able to make my call. I dialed up one of my fellow technicians and they gladly covered for me. It's like a cliche family.

P.S.-If you have an embarrassing story about locking yourself out of your car, don't tell your boss unless you want everyone at work to know about it.

-Me.

Class Sizes In Relation To Lab Sizes.

2008-10-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

So, the technical aspect of the entertainment industry is a pretty hands on thing. Not only that, but most of your skill set comes from expirence, seeing as how most shows don't have the same set up when it comes to any technical aspect...and when I say " most shows don't have the same set up" I mean "no two shows are ever set up the same".

Due to this necessity for "hands-on learning", most of my classes have Labs. For those of you who don't know, a "lab" is time, usually after class, that all are some members of the class use applying what they learned in class to a real life situation. All of my classes have a Lab portion set up so that, for example, 90 "lab hours" are offered, but only 70 must be complete for an "A"

60 for a "B"

50 for a "C"

So on...

Just to get strait to the point, if your labs are set up this way, if you don't just do all 90 hours (You should really do all 90 hours...don't be lazy), try to have your 70 lab hours be the labs with the least amount of people.

I went to an audio lab today...it was total

14 people to run 1 NL4. Wow. There was a lot of awkward hovering as one person did a job, then he would step to the side, and someone else did the next job and so on.

I'm pretty sure that's definitely not what real shows are like...they're lots more frantic

This post really only applys to people with a certen Lab structure...so sorry if this was a waste of some peoples time.

Small Labs people!

-Me.

Asking Questions

2008-10-12T02:00:00.001-07:00

Another quickie post.

If you have a question, feel free to ask. If you e-mail me, I'll definately see it, because I check me e-mail all the time. If you ask and I don't know the answer, I can ask someone else for you (because if I don't know, then it's likely I want to).

Also, if you have information to contribute, please do! I would love more input since I can imagine that no 2 experiences in this situation are the same.

Just putting that out there!

P.S.- Stumble my site!

^Cheap Advertising^

-Me.

A good place to ask questions

2008-10-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

community.livejournal.com/theatre_techies/

I also added it to my links.

Enjoy!

-Me.

Express 24/48

2008-10-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

Common console, right? My old high school has one and they called me and asked me to come in and look at it, as it was having problems turning on.

The problem turned out to be power. First, I thought it was a problem inside the power supply, but then it just turns out that the connector that delivers power to the console, which has eight pins, was missing two.

It was pretty lame...anywho, they have a show this week and are going to end up running the show using their dimmer rack.

I thought it was funny!

-Me.

Watching a Show

2008-10-10T02:00:00.000-07:00

I dont know if I have mentioned this already, but my school has two theateres, a small one used for class shows and a large one used for tours and rentals.

I saw a really good version of Cabaret last night in the 'lil one. That show is so...emotionally skitzophrenic. One minute your laughing, then, at the end of the scene, something sad will happen. Then the scene ends. Blackout...and when the lights return the mood on stage is light and happy again. It threw me off a little.

Any who, good show. If you get a chance to see it, you should.

-Me.

Being A Technician With Actors Around

2008-10-09T02:00:00.002-07:00

Actors are not technicians.

But actors and techies still work in the same industry.

Yet there is still this weird divide between the two. Technicians seem to think that every actor is a stupid, arrogant, baby that requires constant supervision. Actors seem to think that theater technicians are untrained, useless, low-life scum with the same skill-set as a janitor.

Some actors are.

Some techs are.

I don't think it's the norm.

If it was the norm, the entertainment industry would not work at all.

If you are one of the people that lumps all techs/actors in a bad category and will not stop talking about it...

...uhhh...

don't bring it here.

Yeah!

>.>

Talking crap about a large group of people at once, especially if you don't know most of the people, pretty much makes you as silly as the stereotype you're bashing.

Now if you know of a large company of stupid arrogant actors or a team of useless dumb technicians that fit the above stereotypes, by all means, bash away.

Just try to avoid doing it when you should be working.

That's the end of that half energetic rant...

I'm slightly tired tonight.

: )

-Me.

Links

2008-10-09T02:00:00.001-07:00

I added a few links I thought you would find useful. The can be found to your left. So far there are only three, a site where people post job offers, a forum where you can ask people questions, and another blog of a woman who already works in the industry.

Enjoy!

-Me.

What I Carry

2008-10-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

No matter what day it is, Monday through Sunday, I'm working in the Haugh (the name of my venue) or the "Little Theater" (the name of the venue that is also on campus that is used for Labs) for at least a few hours. Now, seeing as how I really don't want to carry my gig bag around every day (it's pretty heavy) I've decided to keep a few small portable things on me at all times.

First, my wrench:

Which looks something like that. It's always clipped to my belt-loop using this:

As you may know, it's important to keep your tools attached to you in some way when you are on a ladder/truss/cove/catwalk/lift...etc.

Next, I have my Gerber. I love this little tool so much!

Ok...focus...this isn't an add for Gerber...

That's pretty much the same model, except mine is black. I carry that in a little pouch that came with the tool.

I also have a flashlight. It's a shitty LED that doesn't seem to be able to handle anything. I ordered this:

...and I expect it to arrive soon. That will also go in a little pouch.

I also have a small folding knife:

Again, not my same knife but you get the picture.

I use all of these tools at lest once a day if not more. The flashlight is pretty much always in my hands (our work lights suck and our basement lights suck) and the wrench is pretty much always is use too (focusing, dur).

You don't need to carry all of this stuff with you necessarily, but I do find it useful. Just get into your groove first, and then decide if you need any of this stuff.

Don't just go out and blow your (or your parents') money.

Gerber rocks.

-Me.

'Da Rules

2008-10-08T02:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Page 2

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.

Mike Birbiglia

2008-10-07T02:00:00.001-07:00

Or however you spell his name...

Anywho...his two albums are almost identical. It's very annoying.

Don't buy both of them.

-Me

More comparison.

2008-10-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

My high school was pretty poor. I mean, our sound technology didn't get more advanced than a half broken Yamaha 0v1 and a bunch of wireless lavs that we didn't have enough distro to run effectively, and our lighting was pretty much 16 36 degree Source 4s, 8 MF Par Cans, and a bunch of fresnels and parnels. We had no variety when it came to equipment and all of our lighting was wired by students, causing our poor breaker to flip a bitch at least four times per rehearsal until my two friends, the tech instructor and I could fix all the problems, which was pretty much always wiring the ground to the hot and hot to the ground on a stage pin.

Don't worry though, once you get out of high school, these problems are non-existent. You rarely have to worry about the way something is wired (I have yet to) and your equipment has everything it needs to function at 100%.

For instance, our stage has outlets all over that are reserved for audio. The outlets all share a common earth ground, preventing ground loops. Apparently that's common in the real world, but again, something I didn't expect coming out of high school.

Good things.

-Me.

Its Been A While

2008-10-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I could have possibly forgotten to update this site...anyway.

I've been working at the Haugh (the name of the venue at my college) for a couple of weeks now, and I really like it. The people there are generally amazingly nice and down to earth folks. Anyone would be lucky to learn and work with these people. One thing about working in professional theater...the hours are looong. I was working on a show called "Nunsense" that was touring through the Haugh that loaded in, preformed its show, and loaded out, all in the same night.

Now, apparently this is completely normal. Common. "Un-faintastic". I was blushing as the crew was laughing at me for thinking this show would be on a high school timeline (which, for me, was a load in that took weeks, a run of a couple of days, and a strike of a zillion years).

Be prepared to work till 1am.

If your lucky.

-Me.

Working In College

2008-09-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

So I went for my first show last week. It was AMAZING

I loved the...competence of all of my colleagues...not to say I've ever been perfect...It's just, these people are on a whole new level of experience and dedication.

Not only are the people more confident, but much more is expected of you. Today, for example, we were asked to fix an angle iron on the flys that had been bent into oblivion during the last production. Definitely not something my high school director would have done.

Not only were we assigned this task, but we were left completely unsupervised. It was amazing.

Needless to say, we kicked that projects ass.

So yeah...just be prepared to have a lot more asked of you when you go to college/start work.

I hope tomorrow is as fun.

-Me.

P.S.-Sorry I haven't posted the pictures yet. Ill do it soon!

Dumb College Students

2008-09-06T02:00:00.000-07:00

I'm sure if you have been doing any research online about the industry, you have ran into things like this.

http://www.9timezones.com/ia/ztheater.htm

There is a student technician office at my school with jokes like this posted on the walls. I admit, some of them are good for some laughs and are, to some small...small degree, true, but they aren't a reflection of everyone who works in the industry.

I hate it when people think they are. To them, I say this.

"Hey, hows it going? I'm an aspiring sound engineer who helps load in/out, likes lighting guys and respects their jobs, is a skilled carpenter, doesn't mind actors, and does not drink."

-Me

If you think some stereotype is going to effect anything anyone does or thinks, you need to stop working in this field. Now.

Rant over.

-Me.

Good first days!

2008-09-03T02:00:00.000-07:00

So, I walk into the technical director/dean of theater arts' office and ask if they have any positions open in the road-house that can be filled by a student.

They did.

I asked if I could interview.

I could.

I interviewed.

I got the job.

I filled out some forms.

My first gig is Friday for an ITT tech graduation or something like that. I'm an A2.

I'm paid minimum wage, but who cares?

So, that was the highlight of my first two days of school. Look for oppertunities like this. School theaters more often than not hire students. Just be sure you can make all of your informative and amazing stagecraft classes!

Um...this is awkward...I've been forgetting my camera. Ill post the pictures tomorrow...ok?

I'm excited for Friday!

-Me.

Im Back!

2008-09-01T02:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I decided to go to San Francisco pretty last minute with a couple of friends. Some good times were had, and once I edit my video of it down, from its current 8gig to a more respectable 10 min, and post it on youtube, I'll put up the link.

Seriously though, San Fran has some great food...

Anywho, I start school in like 6 hours! How crazy is that? College...wow. Ill be posting up a video of the venue (or at least what I get to see of it) and a kind of list documenting what I decided to do on the first day concerning my professors and such. Should be fun!

Wish me luck!

All the best!

-Me.

Resumé, and maybe some other things.

2008-08-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

So, I said in the last post that I would talk about resumes.

First of all, resumes are living entities. They grow and change with the years as you get experience and also adapt depending on the job you are applying for. I, for example, wouldn't submit the same resume to someone looking for an LD as I would to someone looking for a Costume Designer.

Not that I would ever want to be a costume designer.

You need to know what the employer wants in an employee and then highlight the aspects that you have that he finds necessary. That does not mean that you should lie. If an employer asks for someone with two years professional experience, don't lie. He'll probably be able to catch it when you walk in. Not a good start...

Most people have problems with the format of a resume, but that's pretty silly in my opinion. That's why god invented "Google". Just google "resume format" or "resume" and you'll get pleanty of hits...trust me.

As long as you take the time to read the job discription and expectations before you try to write a resume, you'll be fine.

Good luck in your resume-ing.

All the best

-Me.

Before College

2008-08-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

As much as I would like to say "I do everything myself!" I do have people trying to help me out with my journey. My ex high school puts on a summer production to acclimate the new students to how the program is run and I was lucky enough to be hired to come back and do sound design and teach a little bit of basic lighting to the new lighting techs. Taking that summer job, even though it was ten hours a day four days a week for five weeks (talk about a third of my summer gone...and did I mention that I wasn't paid?), was a wonderful decision. It taught me, in a nutshell, to be aggressive about work early on.

What do you mean?

Well, I mean, get your resume (and your name) out there! Don't worry about rejection, it's unavoidable. (corny, but bear with me)

As a matter of fact, chances are that you wont get hired before you finish at least two years of school. Most people hiring aren't going to say "Oh look, someone who will probably be a liability and who I will need to take time to train! Yay!" I recommend going for volunteer positions as you start out. Things like "Laborer" or "Box pusher". Lots of places (churches, playhouses, theaters, convention centers, amusement parks...) need volunteers to help with the work.

Its a good way to get your name in the heads of people who can get you more interesting work later on. I'm going to a gig next weekend as a volunteer carpenter (not the knotts one).

I think that's all for now...to reiterate, I recommend you try as hard as you possibly can to get any work at all. Paid or un-paid. Skilled or un-skilled. Just go and work.

Oh. I almost forgot!

I'll do this quickly, beacuse I want to sleep.

You need a resume, which I guess I'll get into next time. Once you have it, start firing it off to people. Apply for anything you think you can do. Electrician. A2. I don't know your skill level.

Good place to start : Backstage Jobs

If you don't get accepted at all, don't fret just yet. If you do, good for you! Have a blast

That's all for now.

All the best

-Me.

Last High School Show

2008-08-23T02:00:00.000-07:00

Man, that was a while ago, but I guess I can still write about it.

The show? Beauty and the Beast.

Lovely choice in my opinion. Our town is kind of a sanctuary for the very old and very young, so we had a great turnout. The audience was surprisingly energetic, despite their extreme ages. The show was held, not in our high school theater, but in the local playhouse. Wow.

The house.

4th electric

SR

It was like I was a pro already!

I had the honor of being appointed sound design and A1. It was my my first time SDing, and it was a blast! I had the help of 3 professionals, all of whom were very useful. They taught me everything from basic board-op techniques (it was my first time with an analogue console!) to speaker and mic choice and placement.

Hectic 3 day load in and set up followed by probably the worst rehearsals ever. Everything came together at the dress, however, and the show was a blast!

There isn't much I learned from the show about the real world that I can speak of here...I had an enormous safety net, and boy did I use it. I guess if I can say one thing about your last high school show, I would say aim high. Apply for a "crew head" position (that's what we called people like A1s and LDs at my high school) and if you get a design position, go all out. Do everything they will let you get away with.

I'll leave you with this. Its the teaser for the show that the choreographer put together. It makes the show look almost as good as it was.

Beauty and the Beast Preview

More later.

All the best

-Me.

Welcome

2008-08-22T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hey, how's it goin'? This is my stagecraft blog! I decided to start this puppy up because I'm 18 and about to start school to become a theater technician. Good times.

Anywho, I've seen plenty of people posting around blogs and forums asking for advice on how to break into the technical side of the entertainment industry...mainly because I've been posting around forums and blogs with the same questions. Seems that no one my age really knows what to do (including myself...). I'm hoping that, by the time I make my way to a steady job (god willing), there will be enough experience here to help others going though what I am right now.

And some funny stories won't hurt either.

My school starts on the 2nd of this month, so Ill hopefully have some pictures of the theater ill be in by then. Thanks for reading!

All the best

-Me.