But really, I mean tech week survival tips. I am one of the assistant directors for the professional production that is in Abu Dhabi this fall, and we move into tech this next week.
Before that craziness starts, here are some of the tips and tricks I have accumulated.
#1. Figure out a system that works for you, notes/script/notebook wise. For me:
Notebook - a marble composition book for ideas/personal notes/to-do-list/etc
Script - a ring binder, with sleeves for images on the front and back, divided into scenes with sticky notes. Because I am a lefty, for this production I decided to experiment with a 'left-handed script'. It is working really well. Basically, I flip the binder upside down, so that the pages turn from left to right, as in Arabic (Arabic writing from right-to-left was one of the few things from that class that really clicked with me). This makes it so I can take notes quickly without the rings getting in the way, as they would if the script were the 'right' way.
(see what I did there?)
#2. Food and Caffeine
Tech week means late nights. There is a perilous balance between not enough caffeine and too much. Find it, and keep it.
I am trying something I like to call 'Tech Week Gorp'
Sidenote: Gorp stands for 'good old raisins and peanuts
'Tech Week Gorp' will include things like crasins, mixed nuts, dried pineapple, cracker bits, and whatever else I have to throw in. This gorp was made possible by a well-placed care package from my mom.
#3. Sleep. This will be compromised. Try to plan ahead to minimize the long/all nighters, work wise.
#4. Enjoy the chaos. Tech is where the magic of a piece starts to shine through - all the pieces fall into place, and the moments of beauty and creation shine through.
#5. Appreciate your stage manager, director, collaborators, actors, everyone involved. Enough said.
<3
Before that craziness starts, here are some of the tips and tricks I have accumulated.
#1. Figure out a system that works for you, notes/script/notebook wise. For me:
Notebook - a marble composition book for ideas/personal notes/to-do-list/etc
Script - a ring binder, with sleeves for images on the front and back, divided into scenes with sticky notes. Because I am a lefty, for this production I decided to experiment with a 'left-handed script'. It is working really well. Basically, I flip the binder upside down, so that the pages turn from left to right, as in Arabic (Arabic writing from right-to-left was one of the few things from that class that really clicked with me). This makes it so I can take notes quickly without the rings getting in the way, as they would if the script were the 'right' way.
(see what I did there?)
#2. Food and Caffeine
Tech week means late nights. There is a perilous balance between not enough caffeine and too much. Find it, and keep it.
I am trying something I like to call 'Tech Week Gorp'
Sidenote: Gorp stands for 'good old raisins and peanuts
'Tech Week Gorp' will include things like crasins, mixed nuts, dried pineapple, cracker bits, and whatever else I have to throw in. This gorp was made possible by a well-placed care package from my mom.
#3. Sleep. This will be compromised. Try to plan ahead to minimize the long/all nighters, work wise.
#4. Enjoy the chaos. Tech is where the magic of a piece starts to shine through - all the pieces fall into place, and the moments of beauty and creation shine through.
#5. Appreciate your stage manager, director, collaborators, actors, everyone involved. Enough said.
<3
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