Unseen Theatrics Podcast Unseen Theatrics

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.