"Several complaints later, we werent allowed to tell them what to do, at all. Administration's order." - The_Terg
I’m sorry I stopped reading this sound thing. Sound is not my field so I did not read further posts. Sounds like it got very political very fast. What a shame when the parents are involved like they should be but their little starlet is not given the due respect they should. After all, they are the most
Prima Donna in the world are they not? Terg man, you know how to hold a conversation well, this forum needs more like you. My parents had the opposite to being involved going for them. They used to
ground me from doing shows, or in other words I would simply not come home or
sneak out. Jumping from a second story window was not beyond me if the show had to go on. Yea, they saw me at times but that’s a long story. In any case, sounds like your wisdom of stepping back and just letting them do it was wise. Let the bustards ruin the sound for their shows. Sometimes it’s just not worth it. SunSu is well worth reading especially in something like choose your battles an pick them well. Those posting replies have it all right, pick the shows you work on and even if it’s crap for the rest, you are a source, if they choose not to use you, than there is not much you can do or get upset about until they are ready to learn. They might eventually, than again they might not. Not for you to worry, you at least have an ear.
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"The problem is, I HAVE been letting the Teacher decide when 'the little monsters are ready to learn,' and he has not decided. They have been rolling out with poor shows, and the Teacher thinks it's the equipment!
Let me try and put it into perspective - I had an arguement with him on the last performance about
feedback. I told him that if we raised the
gain of the
system any more, we would
feedback because the sound produced by the speakers would be bouncing off the back wall, right into the floormics. His arguement was that
feedback was a result of 'putting too much strain on an
amplifier!' - The_Terg
As I said at least hopefully, you can try as you can to connect to his artistic sense and even “investigate” the problems together and apart from the crew but short of that, your main goal is that he gets it before you leave. Think of it in the long term. Yea, xxx show sucked but in the long run, what art can he learn technically to create with your help? That’s the goal. Sure he thinks it’s the equipment, and perhaps part of it is, what were you taught by some major sound expert? Perhaps it’s both or some of either. In any case the goal is still for both of you to read off the same
page.
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"Did your teacher-advisor volunteer for the job, or was it assigned? Sounds to me like the latter....." - DMXtools
1. Yep, know them assigned teachers well. What a shame that some teacher that once took an acting class is now qualified by way of teacher’s certificate to teach you sound. Pays them extra bucks and frequently they are not theater people with an itch to make art instead of just supervise some AV people. They post some stupid posters and artsy type things up on their classroom postiit boards but don’t invest the time in caring to learn reality beyond simple tech. We can’t all be Scott at Edward R. Murrow HS now can we? Than the schools can’t afford the sports team coaches. Terg, the trick for you is somehow diplomatically getting this instructor that is responsible for the program on your side in making art, and getting him involved beyond what is required but what is paid for. No matter the administration and support, it’s him that runs the program now and especially when you leave. If theater is art, than it’s your responsibility to pass it on to that which will be most be likely to be able to continue the art you are after. That’s most likely the person in charged of the program. If you think he is not worth it, than let it go but if not, you have to work it out still. No
cell phone, 3:15
etc, there needs to come to a workable relationship. You posting crew hours might be an idea that might or might not work but with or without the admin that you have the respect of, don’t undermine him but pass on your skill if you care about those that follow.
“As for new techs, my advice (for what ir's worth) is to appear as competent as possible, not scorn them or belittle them, and just let them make their own mistakes then gently give advice on why it didn't work. This way, they will see for themselves that you know what you are doing and might start coming to you when problems arise for them. Act like you are all an equal group and maybe they won't feel threatened and challenged to show that they can do things by themselves.
Hope it all works out for you!” sparkfairy - you are wise beyond your posts - it’s worth a lot.
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It's alright for the most part, i'll live. Actually, several other parents are rallying for my support. Many of the '
theatre friendly' parents have already suggested people as replacements, but these suggestions haven't reached the administration yet.” - The_Terg “Do not put yourself in a position where you will get in trouble.” - wemeck I agree, don’t let this school theater become a battle, it’s art you try to do here not who runs what.
if you dont get bad saying your principles first name to them then you know you have done your job. ... but what you needs to happen with the lower
level techs figure out who's there to learn and whos there not to. keep the ones that do and the ones that dont well keep em for your dirty work.” - fishyswishy Man, I remember the days of letting the idiots fall to the side and was at one
point on the
level of being able to
call the principal as per a first name basis, a goal as it were but perhaps not the prime goal in the long term for this theater.
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“I just cringe at the thought of letting them sit there.” - The_Terg And you should. Unfortunately you are still too much into this battle it would seem. You have proficiency and your hart into making professional art, but in a place that’s not ready for you yet. Welcome to the club many of us have been in. Again, going back to the rogue warrior thing, and as advised by others, teach what you can, attempt to coordinate where you can, but in the end become what you are while there and let the rest of the program go where it is when you are gone if they are not ready to learn from you until you are gone. Hopefully eventually they will stumble around and find your tech
level but in the end it’s a no-win situation with or without you unless you and that director somehow magically get on the same
page. Your name is already legend, ride it out and help where you can but after that, sorry but that’s possibly beyond frustration all you can do. College and respect and learning more for you. For them back to the stone ages. Imagine what happens when the TD complains and gets his way in someone coming out to tweek the
system and that person tells him he is cracked and un-educated. Just keep that in mind every time he tells you what is wrong. Some day he will either be gone or realize his shortcomings. Not yet or now so short of your help, nothing that you can do about it but smile, yea, it’s
feedback. He he. Yea, buy better equipment. You know there is that magical
shield on better quality equipment that will allow you to leave the mic up all day, Darn you are right, this stuff is crap. My shows sound great but I’m just some kind of kook! If you want to fix the problems, I’m available but, after that, suffer bitch.
Anyway, some ideas. Sounds like in visiting this posting now others have also helped with their thoughts quite a
bit. Plus you know what is the end result. Not much you can do in the end beyond say publically that you
wash your hands until asked and do your thing. Welcome to Rogue I.