Have you ever been to a theatre show, and wondered "how do they do that?!" Well this podcast aims to educate you in the different jobs that help made a live production sparkle!
This is Unseen Theatrics, and is all about Sharing Education of live theatre.
A behind the scenes look into the different roles of a variety of jobs in theatre, chatting with industry professionals, who share their tips and tricks, fun stories, experiences, and what they have learnt along the way.
This is Unseen Theatrics, Sharing education of live theatre.
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/
8 Sept 2020
S1 E13 Follow Spot Operator
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
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
1 Sept 2020
S1 E12 Dresser
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.
25 Aug 2020
S1 E11 Monitor Engineer
Keeping artists on stage happy can be very rewarding and some times challenging, find out what it take to be a Monitor Engineer. From one time shows to a multiple show run. Why line of sight is so important, and the different ways artist communicate changes while on stage. We talk about exercises to identify different frequencies and the best ways to protect your hearing.
18 Aug 2020
S1 E10 Re Lighter
Adapting the lighting design to fit into many different venues. Creating the same effect and look as if it was opening night. The re lighter has a big responsibility from pre production with questions and paper work, to making it work in the venue. With maybe not all the desired fixtures they were after. Hear how communication is a key in this role.
11 Aug 2020
S1 E9 Set Designer
From concept to reality, from notebook sketches to vector works drawing. A set designer creates the look for the set after consultation with the director and script. Making scaled set models using corflute and balsa wood to see how the design will work in the performance space. The set designer looks after the design seen on stage.
4 Aug 2020
S1 E8 Production Coordinator
Being the go to person for an incoming show, providing details about the venue to the client, liaising their production needs and gathering information for the different departments in the venue, and doing all the odd jobs. The Production Coordinator has their hands full from the time the show lands on their desk, to the curtain raising. Check out the facebook page for more show notes and links. https://www.facebook.com/UnseenTheatrics/
28 Jul 2020
S1 E7 Composer
Recording, creating and compiling the sounds for different types of theatre work. Providing the audio file for easy playback in the venue. In this episode I chat to a composer, about the early communications to the final adjustments in the theatre. We talk about the software used and his “Swish arm knife” of plug ins. To hear examples of his work, please visit www.svb-audio.com
21 Jul 2020
S1 E6 Vision Switcher
Managing various input sources, video content from multiple cameras and keeping clear communication with operators. In this episode we chat with an experienced Vision Switcher who shares stories, gives real examples of technical issues during shows, software and the best tools to get the job done.
14 Jul 2020
S1 E5 Front of House Audio Engineer
Responsible for the paper work, crew and all audio for the performance. In this episode we talk to a Front of House Audio Engineer. Advice about implementing backup plans in case of equipment failures, we chat about radio mics and what to check before each performance, and there’s chat about different desks.
7 Jul 2020
S1 E4 Deputy Stage Manager Part 2
It’s show time!! Ever wondered how a major opera starts and what happens behind the ‘Red Curtain’. We continue the chat with Jess as she discusses calling an Opera with examples, how she deals with the pressure of calling a show, and communicating on comms.
30 Jun 2020
S1 E3 Deputy Stage Manager Part 1
From rehearsal room to Bump in, what is a DSM (Deputy Stage Manager), and how to they make a production come to life? Hear about all the work that goes into a prompt script before you even get to the theatre and the associated paper work. Hear how clear communication is key and all the different people they work closely with.
23 Jun 2020
S1 E2 Camera Operator
Standing for long periods of time, concentrating on the performers and capture the best shots for live replay. In This episode we talk to a Camera operator, find out his set up and the setting that change per show. We chat about different camera positions, such as dodging performers on stage and front of house operators. How to accomodate drastic lighting changes and why dress runs are crucial to the success of live productions.
16 Jun 2020
S1 E1 Usher
Where Multi tasking and inter personal skills are essential. One of the first faces people see when entering a venue to watch a production, In this episode we talk to an experienced Usher from a local venue in Adelaide. She shares stories of some of the odd things people have said to her, how to deal with different situations, and what keeps her focused during long shows.
9 Jun 2020
S1 Trailer
This is Unseen Theatrics, Sharing education of live theatre. Discussing the different roles and responsibilities of a variety of jobs in theatre with industry professionals. They share their tips and tricks, stories and experiences.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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