GHSStageManager
Member
Hello all!
For my first question, I'd like to propose my solution to a problem that I have as Stage Manager and get your opinions on my idea.
First off: monitoring. For as long as anyone involved can remember, the SM has never called the show past the scene / set cues. Lx and sound always had their own scripts and ran their business by themselves. For this upcoming production, I've gotten approval to call the entire show. This is both a) very exciting and b) rather troublesome. Normally, when I need to call a prop / scene cue during BO - I walk out a bit on stage (still hidden by curtain) and make sure all is set. But if I'm calling a lx cue to end the BO, I can't do that.
I have an idea to mount a CCTV camera on top of our dead-hung electric and then push the feed into a monitor in the L or R wing (wherever I am). I know CCTV cameras have the ability to see in the dark (IR), but what about getting washed out from followspots?
Also, in an effort to cut down on the # of actors wandering aimlessly backstage an act before their cue - I'd like to push that feed into the actor's dressing room (which is right next to the stage). Also, I'd like to hang a mic from that same electric and pipe that into a speaker system in said dressing room. Has this idea been implemented in a HS that you know of? How did it go?
Problem 2: Intercoms. We are using 2-way radios for our comms, which does work a lot of the time. However, we have been having problems with dropped signals recently, going from the wings to lx op. I'd like to attempt to convince the director (she controls the budget) to purchase a clear com system. One for L + R wing, lx op, sd op, and followspot 2 (opposite side of auditorium). The problem that this presents is that I would most likely be on the side of the stage opposite the base station. ONE of my questions: How hard would it be to run cable that would allow me to control the comms (w/ the base station) on the side opposite where all the other power-needy (PA, RF recievers, etc.) is?
Also: How hard would it be to run wires through the walls and create XLR drops at the L + R wings, lx, sd, and followspot two?
I know I am asking a lot, but I sorely need advice.
Thank you
For my first question, I'd like to propose my solution to a problem that I have as Stage Manager and get your opinions on my idea.
First off: monitoring. For as long as anyone involved can remember, the SM has never called the show past the scene / set cues. Lx and sound always had their own scripts and ran their business by themselves. For this upcoming production, I've gotten approval to call the entire show. This is both a) very exciting and b) rather troublesome. Normally, when I need to call a prop / scene cue during BO - I walk out a bit on stage (still hidden by curtain) and make sure all is set. But if I'm calling a lx cue to end the BO, I can't do that.
I have an idea to mount a CCTV camera on top of our dead-hung electric and then push the feed into a monitor in the L or R wing (wherever I am). I know CCTV cameras have the ability to see in the dark (IR), but what about getting washed out from followspots?
Also, in an effort to cut down on the # of actors wandering aimlessly backstage an act before their cue - I'd like to push that feed into the actor's dressing room (which is right next to the stage). Also, I'd like to hang a mic from that same electric and pipe that into a speaker system in said dressing room. Has this idea been implemented in a HS that you know of? How did it go?
Problem 2: Intercoms. We are using 2-way radios for our comms, which does work a lot of the time. However, we have been having problems with dropped signals recently, going from the wings to lx op. I'd like to attempt to convince the director (she controls the budget) to purchase a clear com system. One for L + R wing, lx op, sd op, and followspot 2 (opposite side of auditorium). The problem that this presents is that I would most likely be on the side of the stage opposite the base station. ONE of my questions: How hard would it be to run cable that would allow me to control the comms (w/ the base station) on the side opposite where all the other power-needy (PA, RF recievers, etc.) is?
Also: How hard would it be to run wires through the walls and create XLR drops at the L + R wings, lx, sd, and followspot two?
I know I am asking a lot, but I sorely need advice.
Thank you