Active TopicsActive Topics  Display List of Forum MembersMemberlist  CalendarCalendar  Search The ForumSearch  HelpHelp
  RegisterRegister  LoginLogin
Directing
 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing
Message Icon Topic: Line Shooter Post Reply Post New Topic
Page  of 2 Next >>
Author Message
GoldCanyonLady
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 172
Quote GoldCanyonLady Replybullet Topic: Line Shooter
    Posted: 1/21/13 at 9:56am
My cast has been off book for 2 weeks (we only rehearse 3 days a week) and I do not want my line shooter giving lines until the actor says "line" but my shooter insists on butting in and telling them what they forgot or giving them a line when they are either thinking or pausing for effect.

I want the actors to get used to getting out of a situation like if a line is dropped. I told him that if an actor forgets a line or doesn't get it just right, to write it down and we can give the actor the info when we break.

Does anyone have a solution to this or am I not being fair to the actors?


Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
IP IP Logged
Thudster
Star
Star
Avatar

Joined: 10/16/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68
Quote Thudster Replybullet Posted: 1/21/13 at 10:53am
I'm with you - let them think of the lines.

We did "Leaving Iowa" last October, and due to cast changes, community conflicts, and everything else it was going rough. On show night the director was so annoyed that people didn't have their lines down that she sat offstage and if there was an INSTANT of silence (like you said, pausing for effect) she was feeding lines. It really messed me up -- there were at least two instances where I almost blanked out BECAUSE of the lines coming in.
"Hey look! That's my dad up there whacking himself with silverware!"
IP IP Logged
edh915
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 11/19/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 325
Quote edh915 Replybullet Posted: 1/21/13 at 3:20pm
You've got to explain the rules to your shooter (first time I've actually heard that terminology).

He/She doesn't give the line until asked by the actor. End of sentence.

Any time the shooter gives a line without the prompt, stop and correct your overzealous assistant. Try to explain to him/her that you appreciate their zeal, but that they're not doing the actors any favors, nor are they helping the show, by jumping in unasked.

If the shooter can't meet your requirements, it's time to find a replacement.

Edited by edh915 - 1/21/13 at 3:22pm
IP IP Logged
DWolfman
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 7/07/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 134
Quote DWolfman Replybullet Posted: 1/21/13 at 4:36pm
Ditto with the others and especially your concern expressed in your original post about "getting out of a situation."  If this particular shooter doesn't understand the actor needs that work as much as (or more than) line clarification, it's time for a new shooter.
Even a man who is pure of heart...
IP IP Logged
GoldCanyonLady
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 172
Quote GoldCanyonLady Replybullet Posted: 1/22/13 at 8:36pm
Thank you all for replying to my question. Before we rehearse tomorrow, I will talk with him and give him a strong order---only when the actors ask for a line.

By the way. What do you call the person who gives lines in rehearsal?


Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
IP IP Logged
Thudster
Star
Star
Avatar

Joined: 10/16/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68
Quote Thudster Replybullet Posted: 1/23/13 at 12:00am
I've always heard "prompter", but I like "line shooter" better.
"Hey look! That's my dad up there whacking himself with silverware!"
IP IP Logged
edh915
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 11/19/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 325
Quote edh915 Replybullet Posted: 1/23/13 at 7:11pm
Ditto Thudster. It's always been "prompter", but "line shooter" does sound like more fun.
IP IP Logged
GoldCanyonLady
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 2/05/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 172
Quote GoldCanyonLady Replybullet Posted: 1/24/13 at 9:49am
I think of a prompter as one who is back stage during a performance helping with lines. We never use a prompter and in fact, do not even use a line shooter for the tech and dress rehearsal. It is too late then. They have to learn to sink or swim in my opinion.

Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.
IP IP Logged
Thudster
Star
Star
Avatar

Joined: 10/16/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68
Quote Thudster Replybullet Posted: 1/24/13 at 9:56am
So it's only someone to help during rehearsals? We usually just let the actors work it out. If they're really stuck, someone helps them out (usually another cast member) but we don't have anyone dedicated to it.
"Hey look! That's my dad up there whacking himself with silverware!"
IP IP Logged
hobbyactor
Lead
Lead


Joined: 12/22/11
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 47
Quote hobbyactor Replybullet Posted: 1/24/13 at 1:36pm
I've always just heard it referred to as someone who is 'on book', but I like the term line shooter!
 
For most of the shows that I've been involved in around this area, once the actors are supposed to be off book, we have someone in the staff 'on book' to feed lines--only when the actor calls 'line'.  When we get to that last week, then no one is 'on book' and it is sink or swim time.
IP IP Logged
Page  of 2 Next >>
Post Reply Post New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums version 8.05
Copyright ©2001-2006 Web Wiz Guide
buy generic cialis are in line cialis canada outcome for yourself viagra sales cost saving benefit viagra uk convert your buy phentermine online pay phentermine cod payment Lenders Everything xanax online your existing xanax overnight absolute must free incest stories online The value gay incest advance The key free dog sex pics cash flow dog sex the reduced noise free gay college guys of the period gay guys