Saturday, July 23, 2016
What "Bunk Beds" have to do with the future of Broadway
The Producer's Perspective: A Bunk Bed show is a show that comes into a space for less than eight times a week, and does those shows on top of another show that’s in the same space. They share the space, with the show doing the most number of shows, or whoever was in the theater first, gets priority.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Speaking from a tech point of view, I would hate being part of a bunk bed show. Just the fact that there would be two different sets in the same space would drive me insane. Techies want space, and “bunk bedding” two shows on top of eachother takes away from the space each show gets. So do actors share dressing rooms or what? Are there enough for double the amount? It just seems silly for the behind the scenes people. I guess it really only benefits the audience and theatre...? Of course doubling up promotes more shows and gives more shows the opportunity to run. Not to mention the theatre gets more money so I guess ticket sales go down? I don’t know how money works. Bunk bedding also limits time for load in and load out every day, also tech-ing. How do they have time to program a show in between each? Do they bring in a whole new set of lights? Do these lights have to be focused and gelled every day? It just seems like it would be straight anarchy.
This just seems unrealistic. Yes I'm sure this has worked but it doesn't seem practical. This limits what a show can do because they have to share the space. Theres many questions i have as to how tech works. As a techie thats got to be really frustrating how do you do lighting. Do you use the same preset because that means you are limited and can't get specific focus. Do they hang to sets of lights, that seems impartial because what if they can't fit all the lights one show needs plus all the lights the other show needs. How to they switch show if they have two sets hanging in order to get on down they have to interrupt the other one. How do they store sets especially in NYC are they forced to have smaller sets, forced to have all moving sets. Scenic designer must hate it they want to be created and i feel as though that would drive them crazy how much it limits them. Is the money really worth it and it might be i don't know I'm not in this situation. But you have to think of everyone is it practical for techies are they pulling there hair out because of this. Is it practical for the actors having there stuff moved overnight have things be different every night and thats not a good thing actors are very particular, does this affect there performance. I think there needs to be a better insight into these theater before i will ever consider it being a good idea.
Depending on who what role you have in the production, you either love the idea of "Bunk Beds" or completely despise it. Like the article said, it is great for the company and theater that's showing these productions because money is coming in twice as fast. But, I'm sure this is awful for any actor or techie in the production. "Bunk Bedding" requires to share, which isn't the easiest thing for actors and techies to do. Not only because of their egos, but because I can't imagine how many problems that might arise from this. Actors and actresses sharing dressing room and limiting space and organization. Also if you a designer, it doesn't get any better. You're on the same console and have the lights as the other lighting designer, for two completely different shows. And if you're on on the Production team, you're job just got a lot harder. Schedules are already hard to form and follow for just one show, let alone two. So although it's a good idea if you want to make quick cash, it's an awful thing to do to your tech team, actors, directors, etc..
Post a Comment