It’s an in-depth look at the whole production process! From conception presentation though to paperwork required for a show to hit the road. With tips on managing crew and scheduling, managing the different requirements of all departments during bump ins and rehearsals, to the detailed documents required With a passion for sustainability we hear about how she is helping make theatres a more sustainable environment.

The French Brace where the arts and environmental sustainability come together in a very practical way, sharing materials and resources.

https://www.facebook.com/thefrenchbrace/

Podcast Episode Summary

00:00 Intro

1:14 Why do you think live theatre is important for people?

2:08 What personal qualities are required to be a good production manager?

3:13 What are the roles and responsibilities of a production manager?

5:42 How do you handle disputes or disagreements between people?

7:02 The importance of networking.

8:02 Giving less experienced people a go to gain experience.

8:47 Being a mentor for the less experienced  people on your team?

Pre Production;

9:41   What is the different paperwork you need to produce and keep up to date when managing a show?

15:18 You don’t make them but you see Rehearsal and show reports?

17:04 What do you do during the rehearsal process?

18:29 Any thing else in pre production or rehearsals that we have missed?

Bump In;

20:45 What does your first day of bump in look like?

26:18 How do you ensure quality in all areas of production?

27:43 In your experience, how do you develop a good team?

Tech Run;

30:40 What are you doing in tech run?

34:42 Do you allow time in your schedule for tech time for fix ups and adjustments?

Dress Run;

35:38 How do you respond to working under pressure?

38:39 Do any of your responsibilities change during dress run?

41:44 Any other words on dress runs

Show Day;

43:14 Give an example of a typical show day.

47:25 What are the day to day task to keep a show running?

Bump Out;

49:59 Are you around for bump-out?

Post Production

53:31 What are your responsibilities?

55:34 I know you have a passion for sustainability and up-cycling in theatre, can you give a few tips on how people can make the theatre more sustainable?

59:02 Can you provide some examples of this in the rehearsal room or in the theatre?

60.00 Any tips or tricks you would like to pass on?

63:00 Outro

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We talk about the parts and equipment that make a follow spot function. This included shutters, gels and sights. Who calls follow spot cue’s, information included in show notes and how they remember who to “pick up” with the light. With some do’s and dont’s when wilding a follow spot, including body positioning to ensure comfort through long shows.

Podcast Episode Summary

00:00 Intro

1:01 What is are the roles and responsibilities of a follow spot operator?

1:43 What are some basic do’s and dont’s when operating a follow spot?

4:06 Tell to me about the features on a follow spot?

6:35 Is there a way to know you have the shutters in the right spot if you use them in the middle of the show?

7:07 What do you use for a sights on your follow spot?

8:56 Do you have markers for the iris as a guide for a full or half body shot?

9:56 What do you look for when spotting a performer on stage to keep them in the light when you don’t know their physical movements?

Pre Production;

11:50Once finding out you’ve working on a show, is there any other pre production work you do?

Bump In;

12:37 What dose your first day off bump in look like?

14:02 Do you get any training before the first tech run of the show? When working with major musicals.

Tech Run;

16:33 Do you add your own notes to the follow spot cue sheet as well?

18:36 When the Touring Head Dome leaves do one of the locals take the role?

20:18 Is the Touring Head Follow spot caller calling the cues to you in this time?

21:18 Dose the follow spot caller give you feedback about what you’re doing?

22:09 Have you ever needed more rehearsals?

22:48 How is follow spot set up in the booth?

24:46 When do you make cheat sheets and what info do you put on them?

26:07 Can they change the cue sheet to they way you like it?

27:11 How do you like you cue sheet set out?

27:57 If your following a character and they stop during tech rehearsal do you stay on them?

29:06 How long dose it take you to memorise you cues?

30:25 What makes some show harder?

Dress Run;

31:34 Whats happens in this time?

32:43 Are the small details constant with the performers?

Show Day;

34:00 Talk me though a show day for a long running musical?

35:35 How early do you arrive to do the house light check?

36:19 How do you deal with an issue with a follow spot in the middle of a show?

38:04 Do you have your own comms loop?

39:11 How much detail dose the Stage Manager give you in standby and cue?

40:22 What are your post show duties?

41:03 Using a heavy follow spot is it physically demanding?

Bump Out;

42:40 What do you do for bump out?

Post Production;

43:39 Any post production responsibilities?

44:02 Hours worked though out a show from bump in, rehearsals, show days, bump out?

45:34 Why do you think live theatre is important in people lives?

47:37 Any tips or tricks you would like to pass on?

49:13 Outro

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Facilitating quick changes, cleaning, managing and setting costumes. With a threaded needle, safety pins and gaffe at the stand by for quick fixes in the dark. Following very detailed plots from pre show until after the final curtain, it is fast paced for a dresser in the theatre. Listen as we learn tips on how to lay out costumes to streamline quick changes, and costume hacks.

Podcast Episode Summary

00:00 Intro

1:04 What is a dresser, and your responsibilities?

2:35 What do you enjoy about being a Dresser?

3:44 What personal qualities make a good dresser?

7:54 What tools or equipment do you carry with you?

Pre Production;

10:00 Do you get any information about the show other than you're working on it?

Bump In;

12:39 What dose bump in in look like?

14:24 After unpacking the costumes from cases is there anything you do with them before the performer gets to wear them?

15:13 Dresser plots what are they and what information is on them?

Tech Run;

19:22 Are you working your way though the plots for the first time?

21:55 Is tech run the first time you meet the performers that you’re dressing?

23:30 Quickest quick change in time that have you been involved in?

26:00 Do you do any repairs to the costumes?

26:50 What’s your interaction with other departments in the theatre?

Dress Run;

29:12 Are you still learning you plot in this time?

Show Day;

31:28 How early do you get to the venue on a show day?

32:05 What’s involved in the pre show checks?

32:50 Do you steam costumes every show?

33:22 Just following your plot and hope it all goes smoothly during a show?

35:58 How do you deal with a problem in the middle of a quick change?

37:47 What ways have you found effective when arranging costumes in order to facilitate a quick-change?

40:48Do multiple dresses dress the same person and what are there roles?

41:36 What are your post show duties?

42:27 How long are you at the theatre after the show

Bump Out;

43:51 How much do you help with bump out and packing costumes away?

Post Production;

45:28 Any thing in post production?

45:36 What has being a dresser taught you?

46:37 Any tips or tricks you would like to pass on?

48:46 Outro

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