Tues 21: Tidy Up

Today, Elishia and I were given the task of collecting a trolley and filling it with any rubbish found around the theatre.

Fri 17: Get In

Today we had the get in for Starlight (- take 2 after the bad weather caused the show to be postponed). As I helped after school, a lot of the work had been completed and there were only a few of us available.

My jobs included:

- taking down a leg and border in the hall (I acted as a weight supporter whilst Alanna spotted for Elishia)

- rigging two legs at the 'tunnel's entrance' (I rigged as Alanna and Elishia took the weight for each leg)
- running the lighting power and multicore cables (Corben and I ran these from the Box, around the wall of the tent, to backstage where the power was)
- attaching cables between Robe LEDs (I did this in the tower with Elishia)
- running HDMI cables from the TVs to the visuals desk (I worked in the tower with Corben, plugging the cables in and taping them along the truss. With Ryan's help we then cable-tied them across the roof supports to the visual desk.)

Thurs 16: Truck Makeup Model

As there were no tasks available for costume today, I was a model for the makeup group. I was made up as one of the trucks, and from doing this they were able to decide what works and what doesn't.

Wed 15: Sorting Costumes

Today we had the task of further embellishing the carriages tops, but as we only had two glue guns and there were three of us in the team, Asha and Abby did this.

Whilst they were decorating the tops, I busied myself by making sure all of carriages' costumes were complete. This turned out to be a very long task which I believe will be beneficial.

I then repeated the process with the electrics' costumes.

From doing this I made a list of items which were missing, and gathered the spare clothes.

 I shall now have to chase up the missing items and possibly replace them with the spares if they cannot be found.

Tues 14: Brief Starlight Meeting

Today we briefly went over the plans for Starlight.

• The new tent is up
• There is more seating so more people can watch
• The Get In is on Friday 17
• Anna will not be here for show week, so Asha, Abby and I are in charge of costume

Vision Mixer (notes)

• Works with director
• Cuts the shots onto the screen
• Vision mixing desk - buttons respond to different cameras
• Left hand - cutting
• Right hand - general set up, adjustments
• Live shows - easy to miss shots - instantly onto TVs
• Always watches monitors - there are preview screens for each camera
• Rehearsals, check shots, ins/outs
• Have to be able to work under pressure - quick reactions
• Abbreviations
  - pvw: preview
  - pgm: program

Video Team:

• Vision mixer
• Camera operators (live shows)
• Robotics camera (pre-recorded shows)
• Director
• Pre-production team

Cables-transmission

Composite video

- analogue

- one cable

- 480i 576i resolutions

- RCA, BNC, SCART

ASM - Assistant Stage Manager (notes)

Stage Management Hierarchy: SM > DSM > ASM

What does an ASM do?

•          Works with SM & DSM
•          Organises crew
•          Moves set
•          Props -something handled or used by an actor but not worn or part of set
•      Make/hire/buy props

Different Scenarios:

ASM on Tour: goes with the show that travels from venue to venue

Not tied to theatre, tied to show
Employed by theatre companies to work for them (West End)

Repertory Theatre: eg. National Theatre can put multiple shows at once, ASM works for all shows, several plays over a short period of time
Producing House: (Salisbury Playhouse) – produce own work

Receiving house: (Mayflower/Pavilion) shows come to theatre – ASM with touring company + ASM at theatre – theatre ASM shows touring ASM around, shows problems, work closely

Skills and Qualities:

•          Organised – noting down
•          Communication skills
•          Confidence
•          Focussed
•          Efficient
•          Hard-working
•          Calm/patient
•         Adaptable to various scenarios
•          Quick-thinking/problem-solving
•          Physically fit – especially touring ASM
•          Independent but also team-worker
•          Comfortable in close proximities
•          Able to be quiet
•          Listen and follow instructions
•          Knowledge of show

Phases of performance: Planning > Rehearsal > Performance > Post-performance