May 2008
See For Yourself
May 12, 2008
Okay, so I haven't blogged all week. Let me explain myself.
So my "day job" as you may already know, is being a theater technician. This used to mean load ins (putting up the set for a show) or load outs (taking down a set) and the occasional show to run. In the last two years I have been lucky enough to work for a venue rather than as a freelancer. This means that they keep me around as their "Deck Carpenter" to run shows backstage. I am ever so grateful because one of the hardest parts to being a theater tech are those weeks or months of no work at all. Now I'm fairly confident that every few months I'll be on a new show.
There is a lot to getting a show viewable for an audience, and this is by far the hardest part of any technicians job. Of course, the very first step doesn't involve me (unless I'm a stage manager which I do as well at times) which is the rehearsal process. This usually means the cast, director and stage managers are in a rehearsal hall somewhere, learning the script, blocking and choreographing while the set is being loaded into the theater. The next step to any show's life is the hardest, whether it lasts a day or a week. It's called "tech". Often referred to as hell week.
When running a regular, equity show, we can have up to 5 "10 out of 12s). Well, the 10 really only applies to the actors because they are under a certain contract where their time is limited. However, the techies often come in hours in advance to take care of notes and cleaning before the tech rehearsal begins.
What is technical rehearsal? It's when all the actors, designers, directors, stage managers and technicians join together for the first time and start to add all the technical elements to the show. What are the technical elements? Lights, sound, props, set pieces, costumes and sometimes pyrotechnics, sfx and a band. We pick up from the top of the show and usually hold every new pose the actors make for what seems like ages while the designers get all the lights right, sounds right, etc.
As an example, this current show I'm working on, Act I took 4 days and Act II took 2. We had 5 days of 10 out of 12s which meant we left at 1130. Then after that, we worked mostly the same hours but had to be released at 10pm
So as you can see....long days. From May 1st to today, we worked every day (except Monday) all day. I left my apartment around 10 every morning and got home around 1230am. It is truly exhausting and all we can do is hope and pray that audiences actually appreciate and enjoy the show we put so much time, love and drama into. Yeah, drama, I won't even bother getting into that now.
Just don't forget that all of us are in pretty tight quarters and forced to be around each other all day, every day except when we're home sleeping. Naturally there will always be someone who doesn't get along with someone else, then add the exhaustion/stress factor.
So anyhow, this is why every now and then, for about a week or maybe more, I completely fall of the radar. I do bring my computer with me to work which does allow me to do things like flickr, blog, etc, however, we all often find ourselves either waiting for a cue all day which means you can't get distracted, or so tired that doing something like typing up a blog entry sounds like climbing Mt. Everest.
So please forgive me every few months when I have to disappear like this. Granted, not every show is as difficult as this one, but most techs are just a pain in the ass, no matter how simple the show.
We're done with tech rehearsals now and had our first audiences this weekend for previews. BUT... until we open the show in June, we still have rehearsal every single day. So I'll still be at work every day, however it should be far less hectic.
Whew.
Oh, and check out the photo above to learn more!
Barenaked Ladies Snack Time Review
May 11, 2008
Okay, so every now and then, my brother and I get together and review something togther over IMs. We have decided to make this a more regular thing and this is our first official review together! Just so you know, I'm "Docta" and he's "Gypsy".
The jist of it? Snack Time by the Barenake Ladies is fantastic! We give it 4 elbows up out of 4 (it's a family thing)! The review is actually a pretty fun and informative read so check it out! And definitely get the album! Even if you don't have kids! Oh, and be sure to check out the website here!
All Caught Up
May 4, 2008
FINALLY! I have caught myself up on all my doodle scans. This relieves me more than you know. It proves to me that after the last weeks insanity, I am finally getting my brain back. I absolutely hate leaving days between blogs and being behind on my doodle scanning and for the love of everything....not posting any photographs! It's time to get my poo together, if ya read me.
I lucked out with a morning off from tech today so it allowed me to get all this stuff in order. I am forever grateful for these few hours off. However, when I think about how far along with tech we are, I'm thinking we could have probably used these few hours.
The show is looking absolutely amazing so far, but it's a slow process getting there. Every tech is slow but this one feels particularly sluggish. The automation (that's what I do) was being extremely finicky the first day so I fell behind in that area for a day or two, however, it's up and running now so no worries. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Okay, time to get my act in gear for whatever else the day has in store for me.
Oh, and that's my coworker over there. He's a doodler too and sometimes we have doodle offs. How ridiculous can we make each other look. However, mine is not too far off from the truth.
Longest Week Ever
May 2, 2008
I know I haven't been very active lately but it's been a very long week. Seriously, one of the longest weeks ever.
First of all, that job I was worrying about? I got it! So for once I can rest a little easier when it comes to my income for the summer. The pay isn't amazing but it's more about the freedom of the job. I can basically do it while I blog, draw, flickr...whatever! I'll tell you more about that some other time.
Other big news this week, my fella (seen above) left for 4 months today. Loooong time. It sucks but at the same time, it's really just part of our lives. We both work in theater and know that sometimes that means we have to go wherever the job takes us. In this case, it's down south to the Lost Colony where he's worked 22 seasons. He grew up down there so he's been in the show off and on since he was 11 years old.
Good news is, he finally got a cell phone. In past years where he's gone down there, I had to wait for him to call me from his office, which meant scheduled phone calls basically. I hate the phone and the only thing I hate more than the phone is scheduling a conversation on one. Just ew.
AND in other news, the tech rehearsal portion of my next show has begun. I am currently working on Saved the Musical. It's based off the film Saved and so far, from what I've seen of it, it's going to be a blast. I think it's a definite hit!
Back to work! More later when my brain has rolled back into normal land.
