1st November 2015 - annotating my script preparation

Annotating my script preparation 

Upon being given the shared role of deputy stage manager for the show in February, I have been preparing myself and my job role as much as possible. I have been working fairly independently in my job role and have begun to adapt my script and write notes to benefit me in the planning process. Last year in this job role, I found that annotating my script with different codes was a big help in the lead up to the show and then colour coding it at a later date to make certain details definitive. I began by drawing up a list of topics that I wanted to highlight within my script which I decided was:

·         Costume notes

·         Hair and makeup notes

·         Lighting notes and potential cues

·         Sound notes and potential cues

·         Stage directions and blocking

·         Entrances

·         Exits

·         Special effects

·         Key events

·         Visuals

·         Notes and questions 

health and safety

Health and safety

There are many health and safety considerations that need to be considered for a deputy stage manager both during the show and during the rehearsal period.
During the rehearsal period, a responsibility of the deputy stage manager is to prepare the rehearsal space/room ready for the cast and other technicians which means there is a lot of room of hazards to occur and potentially harm the deputy stage manager if they are not highlighted correctly.

sdweeping the floor
setting up coms
eletricution

Which other roles will the deputy stage manager work with

Which other roles will the deputy stage manager work with:

The deputy stage manager will work along side most job roles within a theatre and liaises information accordingly. The roles that they will specifically work with are:

• the stage manager 
• the lighting designer
• the lighting and sound operators
• the sound designer
• the assistant stage manager
• the director
• the choreographer

Further education

Further education and training - 

Places to apply for further education

•         LAMDA
•          RADA
•          Rose Burford
•          Chichester
•          Bath spa

LAMDA is a leading performing arts and technical theatre university situated in the heart of London. During the first year of the two year technical theatre course, students focus on four core disciplines which are stage management, set construction, lighting and sound. Classes are given in stage management, production management, staging, prop making, lighting (design), rigging, sound, set design, scenic construction, health and safety, first aid, fire safety, WYSIWYG and Auto CAD. Along with these aspects of the course, students will be given training in core theatre disciplines and receive an introduction to areas within television and radio. The areas within television and radio include first assistant, director of photography, location manager, also sound recording both on location and post-production. During the second and third terms of the first year, students will then work on LAMDA’s public productions- spending around six weeks in junior roles within stage management, construction, lighting and sound departments.

During the second year of the course, students will undertake ‘head of department’ roles for one of the LAMDA shows which will give them experience to strengthen and gain experience for leadership skills. Along with this training, during their second year, students will also complete two six-week work placements within the entertainment industry.

In order to apply for LAMDA you must pay an audition fee of £31-£42 which makes your application valid. There is not an entry requirement of grades or UCAS points needed for this course.

RADA is a university also situated in London that is mainly a vocational course with the firm focus point of equipping students for a carer within the industry.

The ‘production and design – technical theatre and stage management’ course combines in-depth instruction of technical aspects and a clear insight of the necessary organisational, managerial and ensemble skills which form the core skills needed to build a career within the industry. The course includes a work placement which students will have for six weeks within a theatre company, organisation, practitioner, and full health and safety in the work place training including a First Aid certificate, as well as an exploration of technical and creative film roles, e.g. script supervisor, first assistant director, location manager and other areas which include:

•          Company management
•          Scenic art
•          Set design
•          Stage electrics and lighting design
•          Technical drawings
•         Stage management
•         Scenic constructions
•          Sound production and design
•         Music score reading

Within the first year, students will be given a broad and practical amount of training within areas that contribute to technical theatre productions. Students will work on a RADA production along with various other crew members, also professional directors and designers.

In the second year at RADA, students will choose an area in which they wish to specialise in with a choice of:

•          Construction
•          Costume
•          Lighting
•          Production and technical management
•          Property making
•          Sound
•          Scenic art
•          Stage management

After choosing upon this area, students will then meet with teaching staff to choose upon a senior role in which to work in for a professional production, choosing between:

•        Stage manager
•         Production electrician
•          Head of construction
•          Wardrobe supervisor
•        Property maker

There is not entry grades as such for RADA and all students are welcomed greatly, however if the student is able to achieve a standard of education prior to applying it may help with the successfulness of the application. 

Job role and responsibilities

Job role and responsibilities-

The deputy stage manager will assist with the auditions and the preparation of the rehearsal rooms and the backstage area. The deputy stage manager will also gather provisional props lists and co-ordinate these with the stage manager and the assistant stage manager(s). They will also set up the rehearsal space and anything that is needed for the rehearsal time so that continuity and productivity is maintained. Blocking is another part of the process that the deputy stage manager is partially responsible for as they will use this to help co-ordinate the cues, prompting and distributing the rehearsal notes and call sheets for every rehearsal. Another responsibility that the deputy stage manager has is to write up a show report after each performance to maintain discipline and the quality of the performance and technical standards during the run. The DSM attends every rehearsal with the company, director, producer, choreographer and musical director. To operate effectively, the DSM needs to gain the trust and respect of the company and director. The DSM needs a head set to communicate with other people in the crew to give cues, prompts and to communicate if there are any difficulties or concerns during the running of the show.

Blocking-

Blocking is recording the performer’s entrances, exits, stage directions, gestures, pace, use of props etc. all of this information is noted on the script. There are 2 types of blocking, graphic and shorthand.

Graphic blocking-

“The moves are recorded on a reduced, simplified ground plan.”

Shorthand plotting-

Most crew members use a common language when referring to different areas of the stage. This is divided into 9 sections…..

Other shorthand symbols…

An example of how these are used in blocking is….

Show report - 

The DSM will make a note of any operational problems, unprofessional behaviour from the cast, timings of each act and the audience’s responses.