The End Begins…
It’s been difficult finding time or energy to reflect again recently, Dying for it is now over, it went very well as i recall and it was a very rewarding experience throughout the whole technical process the TSM team received very few notes… a sign of a job well done.
The set has gone and it’s all in the past now, and i was straight away tossed into the world of Stage Management (SM), If you have been following me on Twitter or paying attention to my facebook updates i have been very negative about the SM allocation from the word Go, But i admit i was wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience so far, my only regret is that i have been absent from the process from the very beginning and coming in almost half way through has been very difficult to grasp.
The toughest aspect so far is becoming familiar with the Opera, Cast and Props at such a late stage when most of the production team have already made an investment and familiarity with the Opera. I could have been more attendant and observant with the rehearsal process and notes during my TSM allocation, but that is easier said in reflection as i was very busy during Dying for it and It’s also a bit unfair to be expected to not give 100% during each allocation due to thinking about the next. Its a good experience though as during professional employment- considering im lucky enough!- i should be always thinking forward to the next show, but in a reflective learning environment it isnt very useful…
The best way to have managed this would be to be more present during the showcall downtime- which i ended up attending rehearsals for anyway so I’ve done all i can given the circumstance and hopefully schedules will be alot more forgiving in future.
However after seeing a full run of the show and a week’s worth of propping and dipping in and out of rehearsals i have become more familiar and feel more useful to Calum and Gillian, Still i am not confident to fully commit myself 100% to this process as im still afraid I might step on someone’s toes over something an ASM at this stage should know better.
This is fairly uncharacteristic for me as i usually run into something with guns blazing but i have enormous respect for the production team in this show and i really do not want to make a fool of myself as it will most certainly make the process alot more difficult.
A few words on my negativity towards Stage Management as it seems to have been misconstrued by my peers and lecturers especially. Ive been very selfish with my feelings towards starting this allocation. I do know that Stage Management isnt for me, but i do know it’s something that suits me quite well…
I have worked in various SM roles at the Byre and toured as an ASM with Mull Theatre and I have enjoyed them all immensely but i have never worked on something as large and complex as an opera before so the prospect seemed very daunting, especially since i do not appreciate opera to a level i am happy to with it as of yet. Also at the Academy there seems to be a lot of negativity when people are in the brunt of SM. long hours, tough directors, not enough workspace or time all contribute and because SM is the last of my first year allocations i have had this build up and collection of negative emotions all attributing to a general fear of the hard work to come. In all honestly though, It’s just as fun as any other SM role i have done in the past, and it is all about how you approach and handle yourself and keeping positive to remain focused and enjoy yourself- as being negative really affects attitude and work which is fairly apparent when it comes to one of the other ASM’s i am working with.
Stage management is good though i you have the correct frame of mind… It really takes you to different places and situations everyday, It’s consistent and challenging all the time I really could do Stage Management for the remainder of the course, but unfortunately It’s not why I’m here, and i want to make the most of this allocation while i can.
Sadly, time is running out and ive only had/ getting one tutorial and i would like as much feedback as possible, but i understand how and why that is, especially due to my apparent lack of interest before i began, and i humbly apologize as i feel i have now shot myself in the foot. and i hope i can make amends, as i have been addressed as an ‘’LX guy’’ for a while now and it is affecting peoples perceptions now. I would really appreciate being referred to as an ASM for the duration of this allocation as otherwise i will just feel like i am going through the motions…
Hi Jonny… another really good blog. It’s would seem that you have a natural talent for reflection (and dare I say… Stage Management). You haven’t shot yourself in the foot as you state, I don’t judge people’s feelings prior to an allocation starting, it’s what you do when you get here that counts.
Keeping positive can be very difficult, especially in SM where you seem to be at the center of a fluctuating process. If your not used to it or not positive then it can become disheartening. Finding coping mechanisms within all of this is as important as doing the job itslef. Perhaps you could consider what your coping mechanism(s) are/is? Have you identified what it is yet?
Training to be a STage Manager can give you much more than a qualification in doint ‘it’, there is much potential here to change as a person in order to manage more effectively. There are also a number of life skills that can be polished within the remit, such as people, time and space management.
It was also great to see the team gel this morning during the run. You all seem to have an understanding of each other (whether that be good or bad)….
Keep up the good work…