It's cold outside and I know why. Xman is taking the kids overnight. Hell must officially be freezing over. I jest. It'll be good to have a night off. Now, I'm searching for someone to share a pint or two with. I'm working until 7:30pm ish. If I'm unsuccessful, I may just go home and do my taxes.
I have had two visits in the office this morning from staff I don't see much anymore. Both have said that I look better and more relaxed than ever. I embrace the compliments but wonder how crappy I have allowed myself to appear in the past.
A stranger is standing beside the stage. I wonder if he is considering leaping upon it to do a bit of on the spot performing -- thinking that he is completely alone and unobserved. That would be cool. Nope. He left. Stage fright I guess. I enjoy my voyeuristic vantage point a bit too much sometimes.
I have a meeting at 1pm with people from a group doing a 'fund raiser, variety, film, speaker, play, musical performance type thingie' on Easter Sunday. Here's hoping I can narrow them down a bit.
This morning I met with a fellow about the booth window. We have the funding for a new one. One that can open up completely. That will be good. Question now is how to do it. I have a feeling that the funding provided might not cover the actual costs. The way the fellow was talking I may as well have been asking for a dissolvable force field used in many an old Star Trek episode to detain prisoners. It'll be interesting to see what he can come up with.
I went down to the carp shop to see how the set build was going. The lumber is still there in neat piles wrapped in tape. The load in is on Sunday.
Tonight's concert is East Indian music. Should go seamlessly. We'll see. I'll help get the staff set up and the sound check running. Then I'll rush off to pick up the kids and bring them over to xman's and turn around and get back to the theatre.
My car is beginning to sound a wee bit like a single engine bush plane. Should I be concerned?
Showing posts with label Theare/Art/Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theare/Art/Work. Show all posts
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Silence of the Heart
I dunno. He was told. He was told that if he approached me with a cocky swagger. If he approached me with a cocky swagger and a know it all attitude. A cocky swagger, a know it all attitude and a penchant for pouting. He was told. He was told that I'd be less than helpful. Less than understanding. I'd probably slay him alive. Too true. Art be damned.
But, on the other hand. If he approached me with some humility. A willingness to learn. An understanding that he wasn't all that and then some. If he approached me and asked for guidance. Well, I'd bend over backwards to help. I'd make sure that his work looked good. That's my passion at play.
What happened? He chose the former. 'I'm the TD of this production,' said he. Ok. Good. I was hopeful. Having a TD for a show is a good thing. But wait. There was more. 'I'm also doing the set design.' Not out of the ordinary. Could be done. 'I'm also doing the lighting design.' My spirits began to flag. 'Here's the production schedule.' Great. He's also the PM.
Hmmm.... I read the schedule over. The times didn't correlate with bookings. This could be a problem. 'Well that's fine, we'll work around your schedule and that of your staff.' Really? Hmmmm... I asked him about the designs, the instrument lists, the wireless mic requirements, special effects, firearms and the like. After being met with a look closer to blank than one reflecting deep thought I then suggested that perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew. 'I know what I'm doing.' Ok.
After a week of not getting answers to questions I was asking he came to me and said: 'You know, I work 30 hours per week and I've been working on this show and these designs and I'm doing the best that I can. Unlike you I'm not getting paid to do this.' Ya. He went there. My response? 'Well, I work full time dealing with schedules, designs and inexperienced wannabes who want to play theatre with no real understanding of the work/time involved so that I can provide hot meals for my kids at night and I won't get paid any less if your show doesn't open. That being said, I'll need the designs by Sunday or you can use rehearsal blocks and our house plot.' Sheesh.
Hopefully things turn around. I'm optimistic really. He's young and green and has too much heart...but that's all about being young and green.
When I was doing my ethnomusicology stint, I read a wonderful article by a man who was studying drumming in Western Africa. He watched as a group of drummers played. He noticed that some of the drummers were doing incredibly complicated rhythms at fantastic speeds. He then noticed that the drum master was only occasionally hitting the drum. Every now and then a 'thuk' could be heard. The student went to the master and asked why it was that the other drummers were doing things that seemed so much more complicated but that he, the leader, was in control while only hitting the drum with an occasional 'thuk.' The response? The master gestured to the others. 'They over there are young. They have too much heart. They fill the world with sound. They play the sound. It's only when you get older that you have the ability to play the silence.'
This musical probably won't be filled with a whole lot of silence but there is potential for a great deal of heart.
That's ok too.
But, on the other hand. If he approached me with some humility. A willingness to learn. An understanding that he wasn't all that and then some. If he approached me and asked for guidance. Well, I'd bend over backwards to help. I'd make sure that his work looked good. That's my passion at play.
What happened? He chose the former. 'I'm the TD of this production,' said he. Ok. Good. I was hopeful. Having a TD for a show is a good thing. But wait. There was more. 'I'm also doing the set design.' Not out of the ordinary. Could be done. 'I'm also doing the lighting design.' My spirits began to flag. 'Here's the production schedule.' Great. He's also the PM.
Hmmm.... I read the schedule over. The times didn't correlate with bookings. This could be a problem. 'Well that's fine, we'll work around your schedule and that of your staff.' Really? Hmmmm... I asked him about the designs, the instrument lists, the wireless mic requirements, special effects, firearms and the like. After being met with a look closer to blank than one reflecting deep thought I then suggested that perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew. 'I know what I'm doing.' Ok.
After a week of not getting answers to questions I was asking he came to me and said: 'You know, I work 30 hours per week and I've been working on this show and these designs and I'm doing the best that I can. Unlike you I'm not getting paid to do this.' Ya. He went there. My response? 'Well, I work full time dealing with schedules, designs and inexperienced wannabes who want to play theatre with no real understanding of the work/time involved so that I can provide hot meals for my kids at night and I won't get paid any less if your show doesn't open. That being said, I'll need the designs by Sunday or you can use rehearsal blocks and our house plot.' Sheesh.
Hopefully things turn around. I'm optimistic really. He's young and green and has too much heart...but that's all about being young and green.
When I was doing my ethnomusicology stint, I read a wonderful article by a man who was studying drumming in Western Africa. He watched as a group of drummers played. He noticed that some of the drummers were doing incredibly complicated rhythms at fantastic speeds. He then noticed that the drum master was only occasionally hitting the drum. Every now and then a 'thuk' could be heard. The student went to the master and asked why it was that the other drummers were doing things that seemed so much more complicated but that he, the leader, was in control while only hitting the drum with an occasional 'thuk.' The response? The master gestured to the others. 'They over there are young. They have too much heart. They fill the world with sound. They play the sound. It's only when you get older that you have the ability to play the silence.'
This musical probably won't be filled with a whole lot of silence but there is potential for a great deal of heart.
That's ok too.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Not a Review
I really love Hamlet. I have had the recent privilege of working on a production of Hamlet in my theatre. This production has made me think about the play in new ways while forcing me to examine what it is about the play that I love. Simply put, I love the characters in Hamlet. While some performances have depicted the people of Elsinore as caricatures and archetypes (is Freud to blame?) I have always felt that the characters in the play had more depth. More frailty. More reality.
The tragedy is set within the parameters of various narrative dichotomies -- love vs. lust, ambition vs. greed, murder vs. suicide, madness vs. sanity, youth vs. age, natural vs. supernatural, and the list goes on. It is easy to play upon these obvious dualisms yet, what I found more satisfying with this production is that the characters are never reduced to them. The characters are never more or less than human. Plural. Like you or I.
The set for this particular production is simple -- my favourite type -- and evocative. Moving doors open and close scenes. That scenes are cut isn't an issue because we, the audience, are provided with glimpses into, not just the action, but into the characters themselves as the doors are moved, spun opened and closed across the stage. Bridging space and time. While we are directed to look through one door we intuitively know that action is occuring behind another yet are never in any way left behind.
The reflection and refraction of the mirrors break up the stage and act to unify it. At one point the light reflected off two mirrors appeared to show the reflection spilling out onto Hamlet himself as if Hamlet's own reflection was now made real. His essence exposed. We in the audience were also reflected in the mirrors. What was going on on the stage could have been happening to any one of us. Indeed, it was.
I have more thoughts on this. More thoughts yet to be thought I'm sure. I love the feeling I get after witnessing/being party to something larger than it's parts. This is why I love what I do. This is why I love art. This is why I love Hamlet.
The tragedy is set within the parameters of various narrative dichotomies -- love vs. lust, ambition vs. greed, murder vs. suicide, madness vs. sanity, youth vs. age, natural vs. supernatural, and the list goes on. It is easy to play upon these obvious dualisms yet, what I found more satisfying with this production is that the characters are never reduced to them. The characters are never more or less than human. Plural. Like you or I.
The set for this particular production is simple -- my favourite type -- and evocative. Moving doors open and close scenes. That scenes are cut isn't an issue because we, the audience, are provided with glimpses into, not just the action, but into the characters themselves as the doors are moved, spun opened and closed across the stage. Bridging space and time. While we are directed to look through one door we intuitively know that action is occuring behind another yet are never in any way left behind.
The reflection and refraction of the mirrors break up the stage and act to unify it. At one point the light reflected off two mirrors appeared to show the reflection spilling out onto Hamlet himself as if Hamlet's own reflection was now made real. His essence exposed. We in the audience were also reflected in the mirrors. What was going on on the stage could have been happening to any one of us. Indeed, it was.
I have more thoughts on this. More thoughts yet to be thought I'm sure. I love the feeling I get after witnessing/being party to something larger than it's parts. This is why I love what I do. This is why I love art. This is why I love Hamlet.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Dialogue
Client: I would like to see c 27
Me: see c 27?
Client: That is correct.
Me: What is 'c'?
Client: 'C' stands for 'Cue'
Me: Could you say 'Q' instead?
Client: Fine. I would like to see c cue 27.
Me: ok. Here you go.
Client: What is this?
Me: Cue 27
Client: There are no lights.
Me: Cue 27 is a black out
Client: No it isn't.
Me: Yes it is.
Client: Where are the lights?
Me: Which lights do you want?
Client: Cue 27
Me: There are no lights in Cue 27.
Client: No lights?
Me: No lights. Do you want lights?
Client: I want c cue 27.
Me: This is what has been recorded for cue 27. We can change it if you want.
Client: No. Show me c cue 26.
Me: Here you go.
Client: This is what I want.
Me: ok
Client: In c cue 27.
Me: So I'll record cue 26 as cue 27.
Client: No. I want c cue 27 to be different.
Me: In what way?
Client: Darker
Me: How dark?
Client: Black
Me: So you want a black out?
Client: No. I don't want any lights.
Me: (going back to original cue 27) Like this?
Client: Perfect.
Me: see c 27?
Client: That is correct.
Me: What is 'c'?
Client: 'C' stands for 'Cue'
Me: Could you say 'Q' instead?
Client: Fine. I would like to see c cue 27.
Me: ok. Here you go.
Client: What is this?
Me: Cue 27
Client: There are no lights.
Me: Cue 27 is a black out
Client: No it isn't.
Me: Yes it is.
Client: Where are the lights?
Me: Which lights do you want?
Client: Cue 27
Me: There are no lights in Cue 27.
Client: No lights?
Me: No lights. Do you want lights?
Client: I want c cue 27.
Me: This is what has been recorded for cue 27. We can change it if you want.
Client: No. Show me c cue 26.
Me: Here you go.
Client: This is what I want.
Me: ok
Client: In c cue 27.
Me: So I'll record cue 26 as cue 27.
Client: No. I want c cue 27 to be different.
Me: In what way?
Client: Darker
Me: How dark?
Client: Black
Me: So you want a black out?
Client: No. I don't want any lights.
Me: (going back to original cue 27) Like this?
Client: Perfect.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Home and Work
This morning, my son made breakfast for himself and his sister and also fed the cats before I made it downstairs. His self sufficiency amazes me. I love my kids. They are cool people. The other day, my son asked if I would like to sit with him, drink cappucino and just chat. Watching them each day as they navigate new social and physical challenges is awe inspiring. So much to learn. So much to do. And all of this is taken in stride albeit with the occasional, and very understandable, meltdown.
I had a rather grumpy weekend workwise. I feel myself becoming more crotchety and not able to suffer fools as easily in the past. I've found myself saying things like 'really that's not my problem that you lost a piece of your set' and 'no, I really don't care if your design included hanging lumber over cardboard supports, it's not going up on this stage' and 'dude (yup...I've taken to saying 'dude' way too much) I'm sorry that you didn't have enough time to program your cues but you had 8 hours and we're letting the audience in now so you're done.' (number of cues -- 53. number or cue repeats? -- 20)
Sometimes I feel my life being leached out from me and I'm left with a bitter, shrivelled lump of my former self.
All is better, however, when I get home! The kids keep me sane. J is awesome. He has quit smoking again -- heeding our daughter's advice to pretend that he never smoked in the first place. So far it's working.
The garden is growing well. Beans, cucumbers, carrots, beets, tomatoes, spinach and peppers. As well, we have a wack of herbs on the go. We have a gas barbecue and a freezer full of meat and we're set and ready for summer.
I had a rather grumpy weekend workwise. I feel myself becoming more crotchety and not able to suffer fools as easily in the past. I've found myself saying things like 'really that's not my problem that you lost a piece of your set' and 'no, I really don't care if your design included hanging lumber over cardboard supports, it's not going up on this stage' and 'dude (yup...I've taken to saying 'dude' way too much) I'm sorry that you didn't have enough time to program your cues but you had 8 hours and we're letting the audience in now so you're done.' (number of cues -- 53. number or cue repeats? -- 20)
Sometimes I feel my life being leached out from me and I'm left with a bitter, shrivelled lump of my former self.
All is better, however, when I get home! The kids keep me sane. J is awesome. He has quit smoking again -- heeding our daughter's advice to pretend that he never smoked in the first place. So far it's working.
The garden is growing well. Beans, cucumbers, carrots, beets, tomatoes, spinach and peppers. As well, we have a wack of herbs on the go. We have a gas barbecue and a freezer full of meat and we're set and ready for summer.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Treat the Patrons Well
The kidlings had their first stage performance for Ukrainian dance yesterday. Pictures will be forthcoming. It was strange being a parent in the audience and not having to be overly concerned with backstage shenanigans. I say overly concerned because since the recital was at my theatre I did have a vested interested in what was going on. That and it provided me with the vantage point of the theatre patron -- a perspective all too easily lost when one is focused primarily on the technical trappings of an event. All in all, it was a good show. I enjoyed the performances although it was a bit too long--17 dance numbers in ACT I! The kidlings did well. Really, how could they not? As soon as they got on the stage the audience exuded a collective 'awwwwwww' and the kids didn't fail in their abilities to be uber cute. As a patron, it was nice to not have to deal with the 'kid urinating in the lobby' incident (although I did secretly rejoice that it wasn't one of mine while simultaneously thinking about the poor parents whose child it was). Nor did I need to attempt to pull people back into the theatre after a lengthy intermission. Although I squirmed inwardly when the main drapes opened partially, then closed, then opened a bit more, then closed, curtain warmers came up again, curtain warmers came down....big pause....curtains finally opened all the way all at the top of the show but, the audience was forgiving and applauded the resolution of this mishap. It's a good thing when the audience is on side. It's sometimes easy to forget how important the audience is. When the music gets going the dancers not only respond to the beat, they respond to the energy coming from those watching. During a couple numbers, the synthesis between performer and patron was not there and it left me feeling a bit cool to what was going on. I became a witness, not a participant. During other numbers, however, I could sense my entire body tingling as I was drawn into the performance. It's not about getting bums into seats when one is putting on a show. One has to get bums willing to participate. One has to ensure that the performance has the necessary elements to draw people in. Easier said then done to be sure but, I sense that the idea that the audience must be included doesn't come into play often enough when one is planning for a production. The audience tends to be an afterthought and when it is thought about, it tends to be resented. Yes, the audience does hold a lot of power. In order for a show to succeed, it has to be seen. This power, however, is harnessed during the best performances by those on stage and behind the scenes to create something larger and more undefinable then any rehearsal can produce. Treat the patrons well.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Too Dreadful to Imagine
One of my stafflings lost his keys to the office.
Another of my stafflings is as green as the spring grass. Sweet but driving me up the wall.
Another of my stafflings almost died today as he stepped on a piece of the ceiling -- stepped? tripped? doesn't matter -- and a 4' x 8' section fell 20' down to the seats below approx. 8' from where I was standing. I saw his feet dangling and shouted 'get out of there.' He's ok. Thank God. Looks like we'll be getting a life line after all. The days of unrestricted beamwalking are over.
I'm not complaining.
I'm thankful.
So very very very thankful.
Another of my stafflings is as green as the spring grass. Sweet but driving me up the wall.
Another of my stafflings almost died today as he stepped on a piece of the ceiling -- stepped? tripped? doesn't matter -- and a 4' x 8' section fell 20' down to the seats below approx. 8' from where I was standing. I saw his feet dangling and shouted 'get out of there.' He's ok. Thank God. Looks like we'll be getting a life line after all. The days of unrestricted beamwalking are over.
I'm not complaining.
I'm thankful.
So very very very thankful.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
There's No Business ...
8:23 am. Thursday. My call time at the theatre is 1pm today. It's very nice to have a morning off. I'm taking Friday and Saturday off as well. Precious time to start digging in my garden. The past week has flown by. I endured the worst show I've every been a part of late last week. Seriously bad. And that's saying something cuz I've had to work some real stinkers over the years. It's bad enough when people come in to the theatre with uppity diva like attitudes replete with a personal entourage. It's worse when the so called 'talent' sucks. Big time. Worse even still when the talent and management decide to blame the theatre for not having anti suck buttons linked to the consoles. It was a rough ride. Because it's busy in the city in terms of productions these days, I couldn't get enough crew so I was left running the lx. Lighting was the only thing that this particular group liked. I can wank with the best of them. I think this client group was just trying to suck up to me not realizing that if they criticized the rest of the space I would take it personally. Add to the mix an unhealthy relationship between the young singer and considerably older manager and you end up with a night of overall ick. Although I'll never get those 14+ hours back, at least I'm left with a recording that I can snicker at time and time again if ever I feel like I'm becoming undone. Throughout the show I couldn't figure out if the performer was more consistently flat or sharp. Yikes. At least it's over.
Another jazz recital and an ethnic dance performance (both quite good) and now we have young'uns on the stage in a production of Into the Woods. It's been a lazy set up with the designers taking their time but everything got done. The stage looks good. Next week something wicked will come as a production of Macbeth will grace our stage. I really love theatre. I also love the non theatre shows. Even the bad ones.
Another jazz recital and an ethnic dance performance (both quite good) and now we have young'uns on the stage in a production of Into the Woods. It's been a lazy set up with the designers taking their time but everything got done. The stage looks good. Next week something wicked will come as a production of Macbeth will grace our stage. I really love theatre. I also love the non theatre shows. Even the bad ones.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Dinner Conversation
Am, at present, waiting for dinner to arrive. It was a long work day and Lebanese delivery should hit the spot. Speakers work and sound great. Found myself in the position of holding up a 6 000 lb genie lift for a bit. Yikes. Audio patch is working (never wasn't...turns out to be a staffing problem rather than gear). I got the order ready for the local theatre company. Many pipes. A few lights. No biggie. I put a cross and stained glass gobo on the back cyc and have two church like windows crossed as back light. This is all in honour of tomorrow's gospel variety show. My arms and legs arms are feeling stiff. A good stiff.
Dinner's here!
Dinner's done. Done like dinner. Yum. I love falafel. I feel like I've just bathed in garlic. J ordered enough to feed us for the entire weekend. Our family will be stinky but happily full.
J will be climbing tonight. Kinda funny/sad but he was stood up today. He had planned on going ice climbing today. His climbing partner was to rent the gear last night and pick him up at 7am this morning. That fact that a huge winter storm was set to hit us today did not factor into his plans. His buddy 'has a big truck,' said J. Neither did it register for J that his buddy hadn't called to confirm anything. 'He'll be there,' said J. I tried to prepare him but I love his faith. Well, turns out that his buddy had an after dinner nap last night and didn't rent the gear. Ended up emailing J and cancelling (J read the email at 5am this morning...having been up since 3 out of excitement and getting packed). I woke to a grumpy J (not completely unheard of in our household). He'll go bouldering tonight. Not even close to being as satisfying but will have to do.
The blizzard ended up hitting us big time. Lot's of snow. Rough going for awhile but it's beautiful now. Fresh.
Now it's time to have a cappaccino and sit back and read. Yes, I'm spoiled.
Dinner's here!
Dinner's done. Done like dinner. Yum. I love falafel. I feel like I've just bathed in garlic. J ordered enough to feed us for the entire weekend. Our family will be stinky but happily full.
J will be climbing tonight. Kinda funny/sad but he was stood up today. He had planned on going ice climbing today. His climbing partner was to rent the gear last night and pick him up at 7am this morning. That fact that a huge winter storm was set to hit us today did not factor into his plans. His buddy 'has a big truck,' said J. Neither did it register for J that his buddy hadn't called to confirm anything. 'He'll be there,' said J. I tried to prepare him but I love his faith. Well, turns out that his buddy had an after dinner nap last night and didn't rent the gear. Ended up emailing J and cancelling (J read the email at 5am this morning...having been up since 3 out of excitement and getting packed). I woke to a grumpy J (not completely unheard of in our household). He'll go bouldering tonight. Not even close to being as satisfying but will have to do.
The blizzard ended up hitting us big time. Lot's of snow. Rough going for awhile but it's beautiful now. Fresh.
Now it's time to have a cappaccino and sit back and read. Yes, I'm spoiled.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Incandescent Lightbulb Moon
So the committee in charge of voting on whether or not a 4% budgetary increase should be alloted to daycares voted yes. Hurrah. It's not a lot but, it is damned necessary. But lo. The actual city council finally drafted it's final budget. Nowhere in the document is this 4% increase to be found. It was agreed upon. But has now disappeared. Poof. Nice to know that our elected officials are on the ball.
I chaired my first meeting as president of the daycare the other day. I did well enough I suppose. Kept order. Kept to a schedule. Ended 1/2 earlier than planned. Less babbling. More deciding. More home time for all. I count that as a success.
Have finally signed the necessary papers to transfer the kidlings to a new school (one actually in our neighbourhood) for September. It's actually one of the top public schools in the city and up in the high percentile for the province. I'm a bit squeamish about the 'uppityness' of the neighbourhood. For those that know me, one of the gentry I isn't. It was a hard choice for me but, I decided to not let my anti snobbishness make me a reverse snob. The school is closer. Chances are the kidlings will now have friends close enough for visits. And hey. It has a chess club and choir. It does mean that J and I will need to juggle our work schedules around some in order to work around the school hours (no more daycare for us!) I think it will work out for the best though. Here's hoping. Weird that I'm thinking about September already...
'Romeo & Juliet' was a success. Now on to a few and sundry variety shows until the next show 'What the Butler Saw' by Orten roles in on Sunday. Tomorrow will be busy. The crossover in our stage left speakers needs replacing, gels need sorting, patch point at the audio console need checking and, if need be, fixin'. I have some new toys that I need to check out to make sure they work as well as some focus notes to work on. On top of that, I have a line check with the camera dudes who are recording Saturday's gospel variety night. I'm looking forward to it. I really don't work well at a desk for any length of time. I need ladders.
I also need books. I am currently relishing a book called 'Snow' by Orhan Pamuk (Nobel winning book). I picked it on a whim cuz it was a Turkish author and the title was Snow. No other reason really. It's wonderful. Thick. Multi-layered and satisfying. I'm also reading 'Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures' by Vincent Lam (this years Giller Prize winner). The difference between the 2 styles is telling. While Pamuk is thick and meaty, Lam's work is relatively lightweight. Lam's characters are somewhat 2 dimensional. Yes they are driven but the incidents in their lives that drive them are obvious. Kind of 'oh ya...that's why she's like that' as if any person can be defined by a single 'oh ya.' I'm enjoying Lam's book. It's just lighter. Quicker. With Pamuk I find myself rereading passages. Learning more about the characters and the world they inhabit with each pass. I guess that's why Pamuk is beside my bed while Lam is relegated to the toilet (not to be confused with shampoo bottle instructions).
I mentioned my love for the novel 'Snow' and its evident 'European-ness' to my boss. He's an English Lit grad and a good person with whom to prattle away the dull hours. He believes that the biggest problem with American lit is its inability to move beyond the notion of the failed 'American Dream.' All characters are situated within the parameters of and in relation to this dream and therefore are never really complete. Hmmm. I guess some Canadian works suffer from this intellectual solipsism...viewing characters in relation to an American counterpart (imagined or real). Canadian drama tends to suffer from unnecessary second acts. Playwrites don't seem to know when enough is enough. They state a case. Then they second guess it. Insecurity? But what they are trying to say is then hammered over and over again so that the viewers end up holding their heads and saying 'I get it! Make it stop. I get it!' Reminds me of an essay I once wrote about the treatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. It began with various statements regarding the sun.
Australia has banned incandescent lightbulbs. California wants to follow suit. I've been humming Bob's Your Uncle this past week.
I chaired my first meeting as president of the daycare the other day. I did well enough I suppose. Kept order. Kept to a schedule. Ended 1/2 earlier than planned. Less babbling. More deciding. More home time for all. I count that as a success.
Have finally signed the necessary papers to transfer the kidlings to a new school (one actually in our neighbourhood) for September. It's actually one of the top public schools in the city and up in the high percentile for the province. I'm a bit squeamish about the 'uppityness' of the neighbourhood. For those that know me, one of the gentry I isn't. It was a hard choice for me but, I decided to not let my anti snobbishness make me a reverse snob. The school is closer. Chances are the kidlings will now have friends close enough for visits. And hey. It has a chess club and choir. It does mean that J and I will need to juggle our work schedules around some in order to work around the school hours (no more daycare for us!) I think it will work out for the best though. Here's hoping. Weird that I'm thinking about September already...
'Romeo & Juliet' was a success. Now on to a few and sundry variety shows until the next show 'What the Butler Saw' by Orten roles in on Sunday. Tomorrow will be busy. The crossover in our stage left speakers needs replacing, gels need sorting, patch point at the audio console need checking and, if need be, fixin'. I have some new toys that I need to check out to make sure they work as well as some focus notes to work on. On top of that, I have a line check with the camera dudes who are recording Saturday's gospel variety night. I'm looking forward to it. I really don't work well at a desk for any length of time. I need ladders.
I also need books. I am currently relishing a book called 'Snow' by Orhan Pamuk (Nobel winning book). I picked it on a whim cuz it was a Turkish author and the title was Snow. No other reason really. It's wonderful. Thick. Multi-layered and satisfying. I'm also reading 'Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures' by Vincent Lam (this years Giller Prize winner). The difference between the 2 styles is telling. While Pamuk is thick and meaty, Lam's work is relatively lightweight. Lam's characters are somewhat 2 dimensional. Yes they are driven but the incidents in their lives that drive them are obvious. Kind of 'oh ya...that's why she's like that' as if any person can be defined by a single 'oh ya.' I'm enjoying Lam's book. It's just lighter. Quicker. With Pamuk I find myself rereading passages. Learning more about the characters and the world they inhabit with each pass. I guess that's why Pamuk is beside my bed while Lam is relegated to the toilet (not to be confused with shampoo bottle instructions).
I mentioned my love for the novel 'Snow' and its evident 'European-ness' to my boss. He's an English Lit grad and a good person with whom to prattle away the dull hours. He believes that the biggest problem with American lit is its inability to move beyond the notion of the failed 'American Dream.' All characters are situated within the parameters of and in relation to this dream and therefore are never really complete. Hmmm. I guess some Canadian works suffer from this intellectual solipsism...viewing characters in relation to an American counterpart (imagined or real). Canadian drama tends to suffer from unnecessary second acts. Playwrites don't seem to know when enough is enough. They state a case. Then they second guess it. Insecurity? But what they are trying to say is then hammered over and over again so that the viewers end up holding their heads and saying 'I get it! Make it stop. I get it!' Reminds me of an essay I once wrote about the treatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. It began with various statements regarding the sun.
Australia has banned incandescent lightbulbs. California wants to follow suit. I've been humming Bob's Your Uncle this past week.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Where the Log Roller Learned to Step Lightly
Recently finished Richard's 'The Friends of Meager Fortune.' At times, cheeky and self referential. Also, a poignant description of a lost way of life. The Shanty Boys. The original Teamsters. Lumber barons. Log Rollers. Men who literally danced upon the water. The mythology surrounding these men fascinates me. Songs first heard on ships and then passed on to the forests with a few phrase changes speak of heroic deeds against impossible odds. The work was hard but much less romantic.
I see a similar mentality in the technical theatre world. Groups of guys and gals working in the trenches in order to help create something larger then themselves for which they will be given little if any credit. So they create a mythology for themselves. Riggers pit against audiophiles and electricians all looking down at the lowly box pusher. These folks are the last? of the independents. Working when called to complete the impossible in record time then off to the next gig. Freelancers. Bosses are short term. Loyalty is important...for as long as the run. Many a beer is drunk while stories over 20years old are told as if they happened yesterday to/about people well-known. The oral tradition continues.
Although new technologies are moving in on theatres world wide, there are those who hold on to the old ways-craft- much like the characters Richard's describes. Unions too are becoming more common. The Teamsters are cited as being partially to blame for the end of the lumber industry as it was once known. Are technical unions doing the same to theatre? Is it inevitable? Where will this type of industry be found once more?
My thoughts are scattered. I'm going to have to think about this some more. And sing me some shanty boy songs!
I see a similar mentality in the technical theatre world. Groups of guys and gals working in the trenches in order to help create something larger then themselves for which they will be given little if any credit. So they create a mythology for themselves. Riggers pit against audiophiles and electricians all looking down at the lowly box pusher. These folks are the last? of the independents. Working when called to complete the impossible in record time then off to the next gig. Freelancers. Bosses are short term. Loyalty is important...for as long as the run. Many a beer is drunk while stories over 20years old are told as if they happened yesterday to/about people well-known. The oral tradition continues.
Although new technologies are moving in on theatres world wide, there are those who hold on to the old ways-craft- much like the characters Richard's describes. Unions too are becoming more common. The Teamsters are cited as being partially to blame for the end of the lumber industry as it was once known. Are technical unions doing the same to theatre? Is it inevitable? Where will this type of industry be found once more?
My thoughts are scattered. I'm going to have to think about this some more. And sing me some shanty boy songs!
Friday, May 19, 2006
The Show is Over, Long Live the Show
Strange feeling this. Closed a show this afternoon. Struck it out. It's gone. Replaced it with another show that ran tonight. I left at curtain. Tomorrow is another show. Sunday will have two. Monday is a rehearsal for shows on Thursday and Saturday. Wednesday and Friday are rehearsals for next Sunday's show. Get 'em in, Get 'em on, Get 'em out. That's our motto. Today was a blur. Everything got done. I'll miss the folks that left this afternoon. It was a really good group to work with. That's how it goes tho'...you meet people for a brief time and work like dogs together to create something special...then let it all go. The set comes down, the costumes are packed away, the lights get focused back to plot. The loading door gets closed and the stage is readied for the next group. I'm looking forward to Tuesday. It's a day off. This weekend I only have a couple small shifts so it's not so bad. I'm craving some serious family time. I'm also craving going to a bar/pub, dancing madly to 'the smiths,' 'the violent femmes,' etc. and drinking scotch and coke and playing some passable pool. I don't remember the last time I got drunk...with friends...just because. I'm also craving a good read. 'The Da Vinci Code', while diverting, was no mental exercise. A week of watching 'Hamlet' has made me realize how wonderful good language and acting can be...and how much I miss it. I start dreaming about 'writing that book' I've been putting off...or working on some other artistic venture. Actually, while watching the play today, I thought how it would work if the characters of Hamlet were portrayed as cards from a common playing deck...with Hamlet as the joker. It would work. I think it would work quite well. I like playing in my brain.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Where I Work
I look up and see out of the corner of my eye (to the left) a grand piano, covered, sitting on a stage. My stage. My piano. For all intensive purposes. A 9' Steinway Concert D Grand Piano. Freshly tuned. Jealous? I have a colour monitor which is constantly on showing me what is going on on the stage. Behind me, I have wired up speakers. I can choose to have them on or off. They are off now. There is no one on stage. No one to listen to. I'm a part time voyeur. To the left of my computer monitor (I have, at present, a 19" flat screen) there is a page scotch taped to the wall which has my daughter's first full attempt at writing out the alphabet. It's very good. She ran out of room at the bottom so switched colours from orange to blue and wrote out 'w x y and z' at the top. My daughter is very smart. She doesn't suffer fools gently either. Above the alphabet is a poem from a friend...I thought she wrote it...that she didn't doesn't really matter since whenever I look at it, I think of her -- A Woman Should Have... and Every Woman Should Know... Directly in front of me I have a large cork board filled with thank you cards and clippings. Interesting clippings. To me, anyway. One is a news item talking about a 'lost' Amazon tribe that re-emerges from the jungle just in time to be ordered off the land. I also have a fire safety notice. I accidently set off a fire alarm in the theatre a couple months back and got my wrist slapped by the powers that be. They gave me a notice. I put the notice on my wall. Soon, it will be covered by other cards/papers/notices. Like vines covering cottage walls. I also have requisite pictures of kids and J. To my right is an ancient speaker. Ok, not ancient but, was new probably in the 1960's. I used to have my computer wired to it through the ancient amp that sits on top of it. Both sound like crap. I keep them because they are cool, the right height to act as additional file storage space and, I really couldn't be bothered with disposing of them. On top of the amp is an old heat shield from a follow spot. At the moment, it is storage for old show reports. One day, it, and it's partner that resides on another desk, will be transformed into herb boxes. I have a book shelf filled with old log books and industry mags as well as holding a magnetic tape eraser. It's cool so I keep it. I have a cabinet filled with old audio reels and albums. Ancient artifacts. Behind me to the right is a drafting table. It has shelves underneath that house rolls of old and current plots. More pieces of equipment replaced by my computer drafting program. Behind me is another desk. Also mine. On it sits a stuffed gorilla. I worked a show wherein the set designer asked if I would rig a monkey up out of sight lines. I did. In gratitude, I got the gorilla. On the walls, I have taped some show posters and cool industry articles. My actual work surface desk tends to fill quickly with industry mags, current and future show notes, gear gak and coffee cups. I try to keep a number of pens scattered around because I always find it difficult to find them when needed. Although I have a number of note pads on the go, more often then not, I end up writing important information on the back of scrap paper. I like my office. It's a hole. It's a dive. It's mine. For now. It's the type of office that, when I go, will be used by a person who will add to the decor but, will essentially leave it as it is. This office belongs to the theatre. I'm here cuz I fit.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
There's No Business Like It!
Heard something the other day...'it's only theatre. Don't take it personally.' I like this a lot. More people should use this as a mantra. Tonight is yet another openning night. Weird how a student production can have so little student involvement. But wait. There has been some student action. Students acting as scapegoats. Now, there are very few things that I detest more than bullies. As one who has been both bullied and a bully in the past, I see that bullies create for themselves a false sense of power/control that, in the end, makes them even more miserable than before they begin bullying in the first place. Putting it bluntly...bullies suck. In particular, I really really detest those bullies who pick on another person's ignorance. Nope. We don't know it all. Sometimes, we need to be taught. When I see so-called seasoned professionals (ok...I'm really using the term professional loosely now...how 'bout amateurs never good enough to become professionals who have subsequently glorified and built up their status as under appreciated volunteers. Know the type?) pick on those just starting out in this thing we call 'the biz' it pisses me off to no end. Hell. Not everyone knows what grommiters are and what the working load of 1/8" tie line is. Nor does everyone know all the pre-planning that must be done before a show can go up. If we continue to sneer at those who don't know, we're not helping the arts cause. People will walk away feeling bad about themselves and begin looking for:
a) others to bully; and
b) ways to slash arts funding.
Before the arts community looks out and starts blaming conservative agendas or liberal corruption, perhaps it should take a close look at itself. Is it inclusive? Does it treat ignorance as a learning opportunity? If not, maybe it needs a massive overhaul itself. The ground hog says spring will be early this year. How 'bout some spring cleaning? Let's throw out the elitist attitudes, false feelings of self-importance, and back stabbing tendencies. Let's be upfront and aware and accepting of our and others limitations and strengths. It's not life or death people. It's show business. It's only theatre. Don't take it personally.
a) others to bully; and
b) ways to slash arts funding.
Before the arts community looks out and starts blaming conservative agendas or liberal corruption, perhaps it should take a close look at itself. Is it inclusive? Does it treat ignorance as a learning opportunity? If not, maybe it needs a massive overhaul itself. The ground hog says spring will be early this year. How 'bout some spring cleaning? Let's throw out the elitist attitudes, false feelings of self-importance, and back stabbing tendencies. Let's be upfront and aware and accepting of our and others limitations and strengths. It's not life or death people. It's show business. It's only theatre. Don't take it personally.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Calm After/Before the Storm?
The flood waters have abated and I feel strangely at peace. The holiday was a good one. Funny how leaving town for even a short period of time makes the actual time off seem longer. Well, it did for me at any rate. It is also very nice to be back home. Even sitting at my desk feels better. I needed the break. Now I have to work on keeping this sense of serenity...of calm. My work area was left relatively unscathed by the flooding. My boss needs to get his office redone. And the hallway tiles all need to be replaced. Things will look and feel cleaner and more fresh however. I feel that my faux pas has only expedited the necessary. J is now a union man. Life is carrying on as it should. Until the next bomb drops.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
How Dry I Am
Our tree is up. Real, of course. Prettiest one ever. Our house is decorated. The cookies have been baked. 7 varieties. The turkey is in the fridge. The presents have pretty much all been obtained and are waiting to be wrapped. The house is clean. Top to bottom. Kids are excited. I am ready. Bring it on.
Last week was my last one at work. I took this week off. I needed it. A lot to do. And, at the same time, I needed a rest away from 'the office.' Yes. Working in a theatre is fun. I love it. It's great. It is also, at times, a soul stealing, mind numbing bureaucratic nightmare that only those in charge of academics could possibly dream up. My staff is made up of lovely people. People who are all certifiable. I was getting through shows by the skin of my teeth. My game hasn't been sharp. I've almost dropped the ball on a number of occasions. I hope the time away can clear up some of the cobwebs that seem to have become entrenched inside my skull. Last Friday I filled the humidifier for the Steinway. I turned off the water and went home. At least I thought I turned off the water. I went in on Sunday. The stairwell seemed to be a bit water stained. I went into the office. Chaos. The place had flooded. Big time. The main damage? On my boss's desk. You see, the Steinway is housed in a room directly over his desk. Seems that there was so much water that his office and the workshop were under about 6" of water. Soggy. I called him on Monday. Although officially on vacation, I thought I should go in to help clean up. No need. He was practically giggling. The main computer was unscathed. Business could continue. Albeit on a stool set up in the middle of the workshop as his office was being dried out. As I mentioned before, hope my holiday will give me time to clear out some cobwebs or next year will be a bumpy one indeed.
Last week was my last one at work. I took this week off. I needed it. A lot to do. And, at the same time, I needed a rest away from 'the office.' Yes. Working in a theatre is fun. I love it. It's great. It is also, at times, a soul stealing, mind numbing bureaucratic nightmare that only those in charge of academics could possibly dream up. My staff is made up of lovely people. People who are all certifiable. I was getting through shows by the skin of my teeth. My game hasn't been sharp. I've almost dropped the ball on a number of occasions. I hope the time away can clear up some of the cobwebs that seem to have become entrenched inside my skull. Last Friday I filled the humidifier for the Steinway. I turned off the water and went home. At least I thought I turned off the water. I went in on Sunday. The stairwell seemed to be a bit water stained. I went into the office. Chaos. The place had flooded. Big time. The main damage? On my boss's desk. You see, the Steinway is housed in a room directly over his desk. Seems that there was so much water that his office and the workshop were under about 6" of water. Soggy. I called him on Monday. Although officially on vacation, I thought I should go in to help clean up. No need. He was practically giggling. The main computer was unscathed. Business could continue. Albeit on a stool set up in the middle of the workshop as his office was being dried out. As I mentioned before, hope my holiday will give me time to clear out some cobwebs or next year will be a bumpy one indeed.
Friday, October 14, 2005
It's a job and a living
Interesting coupla days in terms of interpersonal relationships and the art of compromise. At work, I'm a couple techs down. Like any good td I have a plan b and c ready to go but, it's always a bit stressful getting things organized. Especially when faced with possible last minute cancelations. My crew is not full time. They are a fantastic group of folks to work with but, it's impossible to tie them down. They work free lance for a reason. They like the 'free' part of it. For the most part, I have had no problems. A few times a tech might blow me off for the bigger money offered by a sweet union post but, overall, the people who are working with me accept the 'first call gets the service' mentality. Loyalty is important in this industry. It's not a big enough job pool to start blowing off gigs. It'll get around. That said, however, there are times when I'll get that phone call the night before a gig that goes something like this:
'ummm nk? I just got offered a really cool gig'
'oh yeah? That's really great.'
'Thing is...it's tomorrow night. The night I booked with you.'
'I see. Well, I guess you have a decision to make eh?'
'Well, I don't want to put you out but...well, can you find anyone else?'
Now depending on my mood/level of desparation I will answer in any number of ways.
1) 'Well, you were the last possible choice I had left when I booked you. I'm outta options.'
2) 'I really would rather not put someone else on this. I trust you and know you'll do a great job.'
3) 'I'll call around and see but, the situation doesn't look hopeful.
4) 'Fine' and then hang up the phone muttering profanities and swearing never to call them again.
There are other options but, I guess you can get the idea.
Thing is, as I mentioned above, I always have a plan b. One of my claims to fame is that if any of my crew for some reason or another cannot make it to a gig, I can step in. Lights, sound, front of house, carps you name it and I'll manage. I don't really want my crew to think that as an option though. I kinda like going home when the show starts. And, since I've been here in this position, I've only had to fill in 3 times. Not a bad record and, it shows I have some pretty good crew loyalty. (and it's not entirely the money either...I can't afford to compete with union wages...I do offer more responsibility and...here's that word again 'freedom.')
It's hard to do the dance though. I need people to work but, I can't say 'you have to or else.' Worse thing I can do to them is not hire them. But, if I'm short a tech, I'll need to hire them. So, I have to tread carefully with the end goal always in mind. Get the show on!
'ummm nk? I just got offered a really cool gig'
'oh yeah? That's really great.'
'Thing is...it's tomorrow night. The night I booked with you.'
'I see. Well, I guess you have a decision to make eh?'
'Well, I don't want to put you out but...well, can you find anyone else?'
Now depending on my mood/level of desparation I will answer in any number of ways.
1) 'Well, you were the last possible choice I had left when I booked you. I'm outta options.'
2) 'I really would rather not put someone else on this. I trust you and know you'll do a great job.'
3) 'I'll call around and see but, the situation doesn't look hopeful.
4) 'Fine' and then hang up the phone muttering profanities and swearing never to call them again.
There are other options but, I guess you can get the idea.
Thing is, as I mentioned above, I always have a plan b. One of my claims to fame is that if any of my crew for some reason or another cannot make it to a gig, I can step in. Lights, sound, front of house, carps you name it and I'll manage. I don't really want my crew to think that as an option though. I kinda like going home when the show starts. And, since I've been here in this position, I've only had to fill in 3 times. Not a bad record and, it shows I have some pretty good crew loyalty. (and it's not entirely the money either...I can't afford to compete with union wages...I do offer more responsibility and...here's that word again 'freedom.')
It's hard to do the dance though. I need people to work but, I can't say 'you have to or else.' Worse thing I can do to them is not hire them. But, if I'm short a tech, I'll need to hire them. So, I have to tread carefully with the end goal always in mind. Get the show on!
In a nutshell, the tech decided to do the gig. All is well in theatre for another short while.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Work and Play
So many threads, so little time. Hmmm... I'm beginning to sense a theme here. I haven't posted to this blog very regularly as of late. I have a couple options. I could back date a number of posts and sneak them in with no one being the wiser. This, I fear, would be a bit too duplicitous for my tastes. I could, when I get a moment each day, start draft posts to be worked on and posted later. This, I fear, would lead me to being in a state of constant catch up. I would always be behind. And, if perchance, I were able to get back on track and completely caught up would I really want "I've caught up on all my blog posts...hurrah" to be something that I celebrate? I think not. So, I think I will carry on as I have been. At times prolific. At times dry as desert sand. It's worked so far.
What's been going on with me? Well, two things come immediately to mind. (this isn't true...many many things are coming to mind but, there are two things that I will write about here and now).
A very close friend came to visit. Love her. As a sister and more. (not just cuz she reads this am I writing nice things about her...she really does rock). So, she, another friend and I went to the mall to shop around for clothes. Ok. So she and S are thin. Not gross ewww too thin but instead 'we use our bodies for sporting type purposes and are generally fit' thin. I, on the otherhand, am not thin. This became more evident to me when, in the entire store, the only things that would have a hope in hell of fitting me were wraps and large sized mens' clothing. I have a love hate relationship with my body and its weight. At the moment, it is definitely hate. I don't like the way I feel physically and I certainly am not a fan of my larger sized thighs and waist. This said, I wasn't feeling particularly joyous in the store. Then, as my friend was trying on a lovely pair of black trousers, another woman (larger...like myself) commented 'I'd kill for a body like that.' Hmmm. I looked at this woman. She was shorter than me and a bit plump. Nothing wrong with her. She was wearing clothes that were a bit too small...that never helps. Nothing seems to make me more body conscious than wearing something that doesn't fit comfortably. I also wondered at her statement. Would she really 'kill' for a new body? My friend works out on a daily basis. Hard. She runs, rows, climbs, jumps, swings...she uses her body. I don't do these things. Does this woman? I mean, it's all well and good to want the perfect body/hair/vocabulary/job but, it isn't all luck and genetics. Choices need to be made too. I have been a slug for a bit ... my body is showing the results of this. Perhaps I wouldn't kill to be thinner, but, I think it's perhaps time I started moving a bit more. If it's a bit about choice, I think I'll take some time to choose to focus on body health for a bit.
The second topic is a bit of a rant. J and I work in the same industry and have links with people within the industry. Problems arise when people see us as a unit instead of as separate entities. J will get questions from people about shifts in my space (what their call times are, what the show is, and the like). He responds by saying 'I don't care. I'm not her secretary.' Fair enough. A client wanting my space but used to working with J actually left a message on our home machine about looking into booking my work space. J informed client, again, that they needed to contact the theatre directly. Now, this morning, J tells me that a company that he does free lance work for and that I, on behalf of one of my clients, purchased a service from, wanted the signed copy of a receipt that they had given J to pass on to me. Hell....this particular receipt spent about a month in the car (it never actually made it to my work desk) and, ended up getting tossed. So, J tells me to call them. Sigh. I did but, it would have been easier had they sent the receipt to me directly here at work. I told them that. If it weren't for J, I would have ignored their requests completely. I mean. Business is business. My accounts here at work are properly reconciled. I deal with company receipts at the office...not at home. I don't think they would appreciate it if I called them at home to book equipment. They will fax me a duplicate receipt for me to sign (which I will) and then wanted me to drop it off in person. No, I responded. I'll be putting it in the mail. What is it about snippy people that brings out the uber bitch in me? Ah well. It's only work.
What's been going on with me? Well, two things come immediately to mind. (this isn't true...many many things are coming to mind but, there are two things that I will write about here and now).
A very close friend came to visit. Love her. As a sister and more. (not just cuz she reads this am I writing nice things about her...she really does rock). So, she, another friend and I went to the mall to shop around for clothes. Ok. So she and S are thin. Not gross ewww too thin but instead 'we use our bodies for sporting type purposes and are generally fit' thin. I, on the otherhand, am not thin. This became more evident to me when, in the entire store, the only things that would have a hope in hell of fitting me were wraps and large sized mens' clothing. I have a love hate relationship with my body and its weight. At the moment, it is definitely hate. I don't like the way I feel physically and I certainly am not a fan of my larger sized thighs and waist. This said, I wasn't feeling particularly joyous in the store. Then, as my friend was trying on a lovely pair of black trousers, another woman (larger...like myself) commented 'I'd kill for a body like that.' Hmmm. I looked at this woman. She was shorter than me and a bit plump. Nothing wrong with her. She was wearing clothes that were a bit too small...that never helps. Nothing seems to make me more body conscious than wearing something that doesn't fit comfortably. I also wondered at her statement. Would she really 'kill' for a new body? My friend works out on a daily basis. Hard. She runs, rows, climbs, jumps, swings...she uses her body. I don't do these things. Does this woman? I mean, it's all well and good to want the perfect body/hair/vocabulary/job but, it isn't all luck and genetics. Choices need to be made too. I have been a slug for a bit ... my body is showing the results of this. Perhaps I wouldn't kill to be thinner, but, I think it's perhaps time I started moving a bit more. If it's a bit about choice, I think I'll take some time to choose to focus on body health for a bit.
The second topic is a bit of a rant. J and I work in the same industry and have links with people within the industry. Problems arise when people see us as a unit instead of as separate entities. J will get questions from people about shifts in my space (what their call times are, what the show is, and the like). He responds by saying 'I don't care. I'm not her secretary.' Fair enough. A client wanting my space but used to working with J actually left a message on our home machine about looking into booking my work space. J informed client, again, that they needed to contact the theatre directly. Now, this morning, J tells me that a company that he does free lance work for and that I, on behalf of one of my clients, purchased a service from, wanted the signed copy of a receipt that they had given J to pass on to me. Hell....this particular receipt spent about a month in the car (it never actually made it to my work desk) and, ended up getting tossed. So, J tells me to call them. Sigh. I did but, it would have been easier had they sent the receipt to me directly here at work. I told them that. If it weren't for J, I would have ignored their requests completely. I mean. Business is business. My accounts here at work are properly reconciled. I deal with company receipts at the office...not at home. I don't think they would appreciate it if I called them at home to book equipment. They will fax me a duplicate receipt for me to sign (which I will) and then wanted me to drop it off in person. No, I responded. I'll be putting it in the mail. What is it about snippy people that brings out the uber bitch in me? Ah well. It's only work.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Can I have a copy of the memo please?
Yes...2 posts...one day. I really couldn't resist however. As the world becomes increasingly insane I have to wonder if it's because I didn't get the memo. You know the one? The memo that states clearly why people are hell bent on turning simple situations into complicated ones and how complicated situations are becoming over simplified. I really don't have time right now to go into any details. I'm sure, however, that you will be able to pick from a myriad of examples yourself. Oh well...back to the desk.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Sometimes I'm Glad I Didn't Go to School for This
A pre morning coffee conversation with a client:
Client: We will need walls set up. How many wall pieces do we need?
Me: What dimensions will you need to work within?
Client: What size is the stage? (This is his 50th or so time doing a show here)
Me: Approximately 30' x 30'
Client: Yes, we will need the stage. How many walls to fill half the stage? Oh...and we will also need 3 doors and a window.
Me: Well, each wall piece is 4' wide.
Client: Will 3 wall pieces be enough?
Me: Is 12' long enough?
Client: No it is not. How many pieces do I need? (note: this is a university professor)
Me: Can you draw me a diagram of what you want? (I hand him a scale diagram of our blank stage) Oh, and by the way. Will you want any special lighting or sound?
Client: Ok (turns over the scale drawing and draws 3 walls, space for 3 doors and 1 window on the other side of the page). I want to do this. No special lighting. We won't need any sound.
Me: It might give me a better idea if you drew what you wanted on the scale diagram.
Client: Ok. (He turns over the page and proceeds to draw his three walls once again...right through where the curtains are drawn and into the wings)
Me: Hmmm...It looks like your set won't fit on our stage eh? It might have to be smaller than you designed eh?
Client: (blank stare -- Draws it again...this time within the actual stage space)
Me: (after quickly measuring with a scale ruler) 8 x's 4' pieces will work for you. However, I have only one door frame, but no doors. I have a window you can use.
Client: Yes, I definitely need the door frame. We can use curtains for the other doors.
Me: The door frame doesn't come with a door.
Client: I understand. We'll use curtains for this too. We will need to paint the wall pieces white.
Me: Ok.
Client: Some have a lot of colour on them now
Me: Yes they do.
Client: I don't think I will be able to get them white.
Me: Might take more than 2 coats of paint.
Client: But, I need them white. (looks at me for a miracle solution)
Me: You could always get more wood and build some new walls.
Client: No no. That's ok. Painting them will work right? Oh. I also want the sun to rise at the back at one point in the play. Can you have a sun behind the wall?
Me: Behind the wall? But the walls are solid.
Client: No...over the wall. The walls are only 8' high. Show the sun above this.
Me: So your house has no roof?
Client: Maybe we can have the sun seen through the window. Oh. And stars for the night scene.
Me: As you can see, it's a very small window. What you are wanting may not work on stage.
Client: But you will try yes?
Me: I'll do my best. It will be easier to do after the walls are in place. So, just to double check, you won't need any audio?
Client: No sound at all. Only music.
Me: Music?
Client: Yes, on cd.
Me: Music is sound.
Client: Yes.
Me: (looking around for the hidden camera... sees the theatre manager smirking in his corner of the room)
Client: I will have to go park my car now. Where can I park?
Me: In parking lot #1.
Client : But, it is full. The sign states that one must park in lot #2.
Me: (blank stare)
Client: I will be back after I park and then I will paint. Thank you so much for all of your assistance.
Me: You are very welcome.
He goes. I go for coffee. My weekend should be fun.
Client: We will need walls set up. How many wall pieces do we need?
Me: What dimensions will you need to work within?
Client: What size is the stage? (This is his 50th or so time doing a show here)
Me: Approximately 30' x 30'
Client: Yes, we will need the stage. How many walls to fill half the stage? Oh...and we will also need 3 doors and a window.
Me: Well, each wall piece is 4' wide.
Client: Will 3 wall pieces be enough?
Me: Is 12' long enough?
Client: No it is not. How many pieces do I need? (note: this is a university professor)
Me: Can you draw me a diagram of what you want? (I hand him a scale diagram of our blank stage) Oh, and by the way. Will you want any special lighting or sound?
Client: Ok (turns over the scale drawing and draws 3 walls, space for 3 doors and 1 window on the other side of the page). I want to do this. No special lighting. We won't need any sound.
Me: It might give me a better idea if you drew what you wanted on the scale diagram.
Client: Ok. (He turns over the page and proceeds to draw his three walls once again...right through where the curtains are drawn and into the wings)
Me: Hmmm...It looks like your set won't fit on our stage eh? It might have to be smaller than you designed eh?
Client: (blank stare -- Draws it again...this time within the actual stage space)
Me: (after quickly measuring with a scale ruler) 8 x's 4' pieces will work for you. However, I have only one door frame, but no doors. I have a window you can use.
Client: Yes, I definitely need the door frame. We can use curtains for the other doors.
Me: The door frame doesn't come with a door.
Client: I understand. We'll use curtains for this too. We will need to paint the wall pieces white.
Me: Ok.
Client: Some have a lot of colour on them now
Me: Yes they do.
Client: I don't think I will be able to get them white.
Me: Might take more than 2 coats of paint.
Client: But, I need them white. (looks at me for a miracle solution)
Me: You could always get more wood and build some new walls.
Client: No no. That's ok. Painting them will work right? Oh. I also want the sun to rise at the back at one point in the play. Can you have a sun behind the wall?
Me: Behind the wall? But the walls are solid.
Client: No...over the wall. The walls are only 8' high. Show the sun above this.
Me: So your house has no roof?
Client: Maybe we can have the sun seen through the window. Oh. And stars for the night scene.
Me: As you can see, it's a very small window. What you are wanting may not work on stage.
Client: But you will try yes?
Me: I'll do my best. It will be easier to do after the walls are in place. So, just to double check, you won't need any audio?
Client: No sound at all. Only music.
Me: Music?
Client: Yes, on cd.
Me: Music is sound.
Client: Yes.
Me: (looking around for the hidden camera... sees the theatre manager smirking in his corner of the room)
Client: I will have to go park my car now. Where can I park?
Me: In parking lot #1.
Client : But, it is full. The sign states that one must park in lot #2.
Me: (blank stare)
Client: I will be back after I park and then I will paint. Thank you so much for all of your assistance.
Me: You are very welcome.
He goes. I go for coffee. My weekend should be fun.
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