Saturday, April 26, 2008
Backstage passion
Today’s Local News: "“Technology is wonderful when it works, and sometimes it decides not to work,” Flor said with a laugh. “You can do the best prep in the world, and you can still have a microphone failing. But we are proud of the fact that 95 percent of the time, the audience doesn’t know.”"
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6 comments:
i love it when people say that 'if we're doing our job right then you wont know we exist'. i always forget that when watching a show, probably cause I'm just too close to it. but its really true, when cues are called on time or lights blend slowly people can forget they're happening at all and its really beautiful.
I think one thing this article really brings back to my mind are all the different levels and experiences one can have working in theatre. She says that she loves getting down and dirty by just taping down a cable though she went to a school to be a lighting deisigner. Even thought one is called a lighting, set, sound, or costume designer no matter what your position is we all have these chances to differnt things every time we are in a theatre.
It's really interesting how their hierarchical system is different from ours. She seems to be the TD who has 2 managers and the run crews to manage. I'm not sure if the 2 managers who referenced were PM and SM or ATDs who are called as managers. But it's interesting how she was in charge to get the contingency plan when the light board decided not to work. I just assumed it would be the SM's job to carry on the show.
..Why didn't the ME troubleshoot the problem? You'd think s/he would automatically bring up works/what have you without the TD saying anything.
..Must be a small place?
I think a lot of us have the conception that after these first two years we'll be done with the dirty, manual labor that is, stagehand work. However, as exemplified from this woman's occupation, you will always be involved in those situations. Some people really enjoy it and others can't wait to get done with it and do either management or design jobs.
it's one of the things we will always deal with in theatre. it's live and mistakes happen, and technology fails. What makes us unique is how we respond to it. In our profession we have to always stay on our toes if something should happen. as soon as one relaxes on the job, s/he will not be able to react quickly to fix the issue.
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