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POB14
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bullet Posted: 1/26/07 at 10:03am
As I always remind myself:
 
Techies can do worse things to actors than actors can do to them. Evil%20Smile
 
I think some actors get caught up in the "we've been working on this for six weeks, where have THEY been?" syndrome.  The solution, of course, is to take these actors by the scruff of the neck, lead them to the shop, and show them where they've been.  LOL
 
Some directors even screw it up when they TRY to help.  Such as the director who gave recognition to all the tech people opening night.  Except he forgot one.  The costumer.  My wife.  Angry  I still think he did it just to honk me off.  Dead
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TimW
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bullet Posted: 1/27/07 at 5:18pm
One rehersal I heard from the stage something about the tech crew not doing much. I then casually reached over and pressed the glorious blackout button! "We're sorry" were the next words I heard. It was short lived, but it was my 15 min. of fame.
 
I have found that no matter what you do, there are some that will never understand or appreciate what a techie does. Others will walk a short distance in your shoes and have a whole new outlook.
 
I also remind myself that the audience sees the set the entire show. So I do it for them besides my own gratification.
 
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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 1/27/07 at 10:14pm
G’donya Tim It works every time!
Besides techies being supa special bods anyway.
They have the ability to get right the first & every time, without any or little rehearsal’ In fact invariably are able to cover & fix the warm props stuff ups on the run, without the punters being aware of a hiccup!
I remember reading quite a few eons ago, that the University of Queensland I think did a survey of  the average intelligence required to work in theatre.
I can’t remember the number surveyed, how it was conducted, it’s format or questions asked?
But I do remember that the actors beat out for the lowest being performers marginally after administrators, FOH & directors with techies having the highest average followed by cleaners.
You don’t have to take my word for it, remembering it was conducted by the banana benders Uni, but the outcome is consistent with & follows the natural order of things in theatre!

      Joe
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Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
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to a full house}

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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 1/31/07 at 4:58am
This may throw some light on the Perils of Community theatre lighting, which may be in keeping with Techie Respect?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A701047
From the amdram.co. uk forum site;-

 http://www.amdram.co.uk/forums/index.php

      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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whitebat
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bullet Posted: 8/13/07 at 1:11am
It's been different from show to show.  "Something's Afoot"... I'm running all the effects backstage.  Our CT is doing the show, HS techs in light booth.  "Colonel Gilweather" has the nerve to say "Techs should memorize the entire script".  They only worked with us the last 2 weeks or less of rehearsal.  Plus, our HS techs light community concerts, band, etc.  We've had actors paraphrase like fiends, miss cues, and blame the techs.  "Christmas Carol"... I'm sort of lighting designer with input from the director.  I end up pretty well chained to a followspot while someone else runs the light board.  But very much thanked.  And "Scrooge" was there to work on sets!  I haven't run across many actors deliberately being jerks toward the techs, more like they're oblivious. 
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bullet Posted: 8/15/07 at 4:49am
We are very small membership wise (trying to grow and doing it slowly but surely) so all of our actors end up at least helping to build the set if not finding props helping create costumes etc...
So that helps with the respect thing.
My first show, my best friend was my SM and so I got to hear about all the little hijinks when I was stuck out front taking notes of the show.  It was her first time as an SM and so we were both learning.  It turned out the cast was not listening to her, or doing what she asked them to do.  Now being a person who is very blunt, I gathered them all together the next rehersal and told them on no uncertian terms, that my SM is GOD as far as backstage is concerned.  PERIOD.  They started listening to her after that.
 
So this time around I just made that perfectly clear from the very beginning (differen SM this time my friend was out of town for the first two weeks of production).  Hello this is my SM (insert name here) she is GOD as far as I'm concerned backstage.  She is the glue of this production and will make it run smoothly.  So listen to what she has to say and do anything she asks you to do promptly without any argument.
I said something like that.
 
Havn't had any problems with cast or crew this show. Tongue
Kendra
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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 8/15/07 at 10:58pm
 I finaly found this on another site - which might help?
In explaining the "Theatre Structure'
Producer:
Leaps Tall Buildings In A Single Bound
Is More Powerful Than A Locomotive
Is Faster Than A Speeding Bullet
Walks On Water
Gives Policy To God
Director:
Leaps Short Buildings In A Single Bound
Is More Powerful Than a Tank Engine
Is Just As Fast As A Speeding Bullet
Walks On Water If The Sea Is Calm
Talks With God
Playwright:
Leaps Short Buildings With A Running Start
Is Almost As Powerful As a Tank Engine
Is Faster Than A Speeding BB
Swims Well
Is Occasionally Addressed By God
Actor:
Makes High Marks On The Wall When Trying To Leap Buildings
Is Run Over By Thomas The tank Engine
Can Sometimes Handle A Gun Without Inflicting Self-Injury
Dog Paddles
Talks To Animals
Technicians:
Runs Into Buildings
Recognizes Locomotives Two Out Of Three Times
Is Not Issued Ammunition
Can Stay Afloat With A Life Preserver
Talks To Walls
Chorus:
Falls Over Doorsteps When Trying To Enter Buildings
Are Thomas The Tank Engine & saying "Look At The Choo-Choo!"
Wets Self With A Water Pistol
Plays In Mud Puddles
Mumbles To Self
Stage Manager:
Lifts Buildings And Walks Under Them
Kicks Locomotives Off The Track
Catches Speeding Bullets In Teeth And Eats Them
Freezes Water With A Single Glance
Is GOD!


      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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cujimmy
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bullet Posted: 9/11/07 at 4:40pm

When I was trained as a Director I worked in the scene shop. I also had to run lights, build props, make costumes and every other job involved in putting on a show. When I Direct, I make sure to give them a pat on the back and say "Nice Work". I aslo make sure that my cast knows that it takes everyone, not just them, to create a great show. I make sure to tell them that backstage, the Tech's are in charge.

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jdlewallen
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bullet Posted: 9/13/07 at 12:22am

Having done time on both sides, both as an ac-TOR and a TECH-ie, I firmly believe that EVERY ac-TOR should have to put in some time on the other side so they can truly appreciate everything that goes into pulling off a great show and making THEM look good.  I haven't figured out HOW to pull that off yet, but maybe require anyone who does at least 3 shows or so with your theatre to spend at least one on the other side.  I have yet to meet anyone who "fits" into every show, so spend that one on the flip side and learn something!

That said, I think it is invaluable for anyone who really wants to excel at acting should also spend some time stage managing or assistant directing.  I did a stint as a stage manager on one show and really learned a great deal!  One's perceptions of blocking and stage presence and a number of other factors really changes when you spend the entire show on the other side of the aisle!!


"Every theatre is an insane asylum..." ---Franz Schalk (1863-1931)
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Gaafa
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bullet Posted: 9/13/07 at 8:45pm
Woops guys your techies are showing!Shocked
I belive it is great advice for all luvvies & others to a stint backstage in the techies world.
'We' have instituted this with my mob & gain the attitude of a true blue reperatry group. Whereby before they tred the boards, have them being prepared to do it in the dark. even introduce them to sweeping &/or painting them first - it is working!

      Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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