What to do with old scripts???

[tfactech]

After several years, I have collected 80 - 85 copied scripts. Nice and neat in three ring binders with flags and cue numbers, highlight pen marks and notes. I'm the lighting designer/op, sound op and TD/ASM so these are a complete record of the shows as they ran. However, storage is a bit of a problem and I've come to realize that I really don't need them.

I need to know, am I the only one saving piles of old scripts? I don't think I've looked back in one in over two years. I have had the great fortune to do "Guys and Dolls" in two different spaces, but they were so different that old notes had no value. Should I just toss them? Any suggestions for condensing them? (microfilm is not an option)

[egorleski]

You're not alone. I have tons of scrips. I keep them all and have never really gone back to them. I think part of it is sentimental, but also i feel like you never know when somthing is going to come up that would be easier or more convienient if you had a copy of the script already, especialy one thats already cued and everything to give you at least an idea of where cues will probably be. My solution is that i have a bookcase just filled with them. If you have an attic or a crawlspace and you dont regularly need your scripts then stick em in there. I dont know of any real way to condense them other then a bon fire, but you can at least get them out of the way.

[kingfisher1]

If you haven't got a life you could employ a scanner.....

[audioslavematt]

We have 30 years worth of SM scripts on a pair of bookshelves in our orchestra pit.

[kingfisher1]

also wood pulp paper, especially unbound will degrade really fast. oi assume those thiry year old scripts are alreay yellow and brittle.

[audioslavematt]

Only a little around the edges on some of them. They're in pretty good shape.

[CHScrew]

I THINK that if you take stuff like that to a place like "STAPLES" the can scan them all onto a disc for you, for a fee. But I'm not sure if they do that.

[jonhirsh]

ok here is where i stand on this topic. scripts are great but its not like you need them in binders so take the sripts out of the binders put in brass tabs. and stack them in milk crates.


but really there is no reason to keep them they just take up space i would toss em

JH

[GRCHSCAW]

At our school we keep our scripts in a file cabnet. Our schools audtorium is only 4 years old so we have never gotten rid of any scripts. In my opinion I think we should toss then right after the play is over but that is just me. I think that we will start tossing our scrips out next year.

[AVGuyAndy]

I always toss mine right after the show, it is much more rewarding for me that way. :-)