Hi All - This is Mr. Harding's Sweet & Sour Post Dry Tech Message:
The Sweet:
We learned a lot of things from Thursday's Dry Tech but one thing that I learned (or was reminded of) was that you guys are an incredibly creative, witty, and talented group - bringing many unique perspectives to this creative process. I think that all three of your plays display and reveal social commentary, humor and terror that we haven't seen from previous Senior productions - so Bravo(a) for that.
And now...The Sour:
Where to begin? MEDIA! As you were all told by me in person, you had to have "back up" of all of your projections and audio files - just in case the ones you brought to dry tech didn't work. It would have helped quite a bit to ACTUALLY HAVE YOUR PROJECTIONS, AUDIO AND IMAGES FINISHED LIKE I TOLD YOU TO. Yes, that is me, yelling at you.
For example, every single show does not have their projections, audio files or images complete or on the right format and that just is plain idiotic at this point. I don't know how any of you expect the Tech Crew to run your shows without actually...you know...running your show first - this is when we get to rehearse your show but you did not give us a "script" so...
Next: Stubbornness. This is a collaboration and as such requires that people "let go" of pre-conceived notions of how to run the shows...Houston and I have run a few Spring Plays in the past as well as Mr. DiGiacomo and Mr. Moore - so WHY NOT LISTEN TO OUR EXPERIENCED ADVICE? Yelling again - true dat.
This is what all of you need to make sure happens by Monday's Tech Rehearsal:
Do not trust that Justin can run everything off of his computer. Why do I say that? Because we couldn't run most of the media yesterday. That is not his fault, it is your fault for not making sure that your media was backed up on disk and in multiple formats like I told you guys to do.
So...put all of your audio/music on a iPod with a playlist in the correct order in which it is cued for your show. Back this playlist up with an actual burned CD. Make two copies of that CD. On the CD, put the show's name on it.
Projections: Edit consecutive projections to be consecutive (Kenny), make sure that all of your projections are backed up on DVD and in a format that can actually be played by multiple operating systems (Mac or PC). Make multiple copies of your projections and make sure that they are in the right order for your show and labeled correctly. I am merely repeating myself here.
All of your media needs to be labeled in such a way that Maggie Taylor can recognize it on the iPod or Anita can recognize it on the computer...such as opening the playlist and seeing "Track 1" or "sound effect 1" or "Train Whistle" or "Projections 1-2". How are Anita and Maggie supposed to know what to play if the files are labeled incorrectly and out of order? That happened yesterday quite a few times.
Lastly - I would like to thank each director that stayed for the entire run of their show's dry tech...that showed the right kind of commitment because you recognized that the Tech Crew was there from 3PM until 9PM...six hours. Justin's Tech Crew is a serious group of talented individuals and I think that all of you need to thank him and his crew for their dedication and attention yesterday (especially Tim and Kayla in my opinion - not to take anything away from anyone else). I would also like to thank Mr. DiGiacomo for staying the entire time as well - missing dinner and family time.
That is all. I know that most of you will take this message to heart and that a few of your will not even bother to read this entire message. That is too bad.
Love,
Harding
hi so i agree with everything you ( Mr.Harding) said and thanks for appreciating the creative process and putting up with all of the crap.
ReplyDeleteJustin's crew is sooooo awsome and Tim is doing such a great job so far as an SM
i am going to reorder the sound the way it is supposed to be and put it on cd's and my ipod as instructed. i have told Claire to re send / burn the video by Monday so that should be taken care of.
Tech Crew , Mr . Harding, Mr. D
thanks for hanging in there with me and i'm so sorry that it took so long
I would like to give a huge thank you to the entire tech crew, Mr. Harding, and Mr. D. You guys did an amazing job, and I really appreciate all of your hard work. I will make sure that all videos are available in multiple formats and that sound clips are fully edited for Monday's rehearsal. I am sorry for any inconveniences the unpreparedness caused you.
ReplyDeleteI would also like thank the tech crew for their 6 hour stint yesterday as well as the directors who toughed out. I saw something last night that I hadn't seen yet, and that is your works of art coming alive. Even without the actors there, the mood of each play was apparent. This is going to be good. And I mean that.
ReplyDeleteWith that said I also need to reiterate that one of the biggest disappointments in working with other people, whether its in the performing arts, a career, or any work situation, is when those whom you depend on to complete tasks efficiently and correctly drop the ball and leave those in charge to empty handed. Plain and simple, its just unacceptable. Here's your Guns n' Roses story for the Spring Play: A good friend of mine got hired to run the teleprompter system for one of the world tours a few years back. Great gig. See the world and get paid for it. Simple responsibility - load all the song lyrics into database, arrange the songs in order of the nightly setlist. Push play and relax. First week of the tour, 3rd night - song were out of order, some were even missing. Fired ON STAGE in front of 50,000 people after the first few songs. On a plane back to the states on his own dime within 12 hours. Lesson of the story - when you give your word that you're going to do something, make sure its done on time and done correctly. NO EXCUSES!
Some of you may know this, but some of you may not - Mr Harding is one of the few people you will work with that will go to all kinds of lengths to make things happen for you, all you need to do is hold up your end of the deal. That's really not much to ask. He worked in the classroom for 7 hours yesterday and then another 6 in the Black Box while his family was at home without him. It should go without saying that either a handshake, hug, or a simple "thank you" is in order the next time you see him. People like him are few and far between and you will learn that when you leave this place this year.
Last, but not least - some compromises (interesting word) had to be made in several places last night. We don't need Monday morning quarterbacks this week. To quote Mr Moore, "it is what it is, deal with it." Please do not waste what little time we have trying to change, adjust, etc. what has been done. Stay focused on the bigger picture - we open in 6 days and have 3 full rehearsals left. No more time for fun and games, let's get serious and make this the best it can be. I'm excited to part of your senior play experience!
A lot of people worked very hard yesterday! Also, I will have all the props Mr. Harding and I talked about Thursday afternoon! We have the props tables done and need about 5-6 more props then were completely done! Ms. Houston & Mr. Harding, Could you possibly bring in a swiffer wet jet and russian nesting dolls from home? I will see if I can steal my swiffer wet jet from home but i am not 100% sure yet. Also Kenny, All you need is the headset and the checks you said?? If you need checks staples has huge pieces of paper (any ideas???). If any props are needed that havent been put on the list please call me at 609-658-5190. Thank You!
ReplyDeleteGuys, for killing time there are a lot of sound effects needed for most of the action scenes, have we collected the sound bits yet? Glad to see everyone is working hard!
ReplyDeleteI do not want to ask in class on Monday if these things Mr. Harding is requesting are done. They should be done before school on Monday. No exceptions. Do not come to school without these things being done.
ReplyDeleteYes, Gardineer. I will bring those two things.
Also, there will be no adjustments to the cues at all, unless someone is totally in the dark (which can happen with dry teching). In terms of sound and video - the crew will do what they can, but you can't hold your actors until all hours for your oversights on Thursday. You will just have to run your shows as is on Monday.
As Mr. Moore probably learned from me and said, "It is what it is."
Remember, this show is about the "process" not the product. It's not the end result, it's how you got there. There would be no graduation without four years of high school. There is no marriage without an engagement. You catch my drift? PROCESS should be your mantra until Thursday.
Don't worry. The Theatre Gods should arrive soon to take care of you. If you have been good to them... they will be good to you :)
I'm excited to see how everything looks now that all the aspects of the play are ready. Also, Gardineer, we need to talk about finalizing that prop placement on stage for Jarred. Also, you said you did NOT have a (utility) belt for him? Should one of the directors look for one, or can you get one?
ReplyDelete~Eriks Svarcbergs
Read it all, talked to Testa and Eriks on Friday night about the video complications. Gardineer, please PLEASE remember to bring in the other hikers backpack. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with everything. Also, the program is starting to look pretty good. Thanks for sending all of your things. Though I still need a lot of thank yous.
ReplyDeleteRead it all. Gardineer bring the headset please.
ReplyDeleteI have a utility belt props are officially done!
ReplyDeleteAlong with all the other props that were left on the list. Eriks can you call me sometime tomorrow after 6 or tonight at 609-658-5190. I just want to double check we have everything. I am almost posative we do since i just finished getting the ones on the list. ALSO, the only things i need to get everyday are bagels because they actually eat them! Eriks or any director give me a call! Kenny I have your headset it has a wire on it (should i cut the wire????Dont matter to me) Also we we using the lamp i brought in as a set piece?? Thank you all!
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds good. I think that our play is moving along. I would like to thank Kate for taking over for me on Friday, I am so sorry I had to leave early, but I had other commitments to attend to. I know Kate did an awesome job and I can’t thank her enough! I would also like to thank Clarie for writing all of our ideas down and working so hard with videos and images, not only for our play but for Fishbowls and Kenny’s as well. I also would like to thank Mr. Harding and the tech crew. You guys are awesome! I am sorry for some of the problems that occurred on Friday, thanks for putting up with us!
ReplyDeleteI would like to just share my experience with the show process so far. I feel so honored to work with all of you; it has been a great experience for me. I not only participated in an excellent creative process, but I learned so much. I learned how to really work as a team and experienced ways to incorporate all of our ideas to create a product that we all feel apart of and can be proud of. I really love and enjoy a creative process because it is an on going climb. It’s never finished. Even after the show comes and goes, we all will have things we wish we would have changed, done, added, taken out, switched around, etc. But it will be to late and therefore we learn for next time. I hope we are all proud of the production we put on this week and all focus on the great things we DID do and contribute to our shows, rather than the things we wish we had done. Be positive and enjoy our efforts and the great things we have done. It has been awesome working with good friends during the process and everyone has worked so hard and has had a great time. I am looking forward to spending my last week of high school with the cast and crew and giving our shows our best shot! Again, I would like to thank everyone for this great experience. Lets enjoy this week!
I was an idiot and commented on the e-mail.... I glad I wasn't there though... I would have made the process go slow and you guys make it sound like it went at a better pace than originally anticipated. Pride is oozing from every pore right now :) Honestly... it's crazy to think back to when we didn't have have a script. I am enthralled by the busy bee atmosphere. It's awesome seeing everyone moving around.
ReplyDeletep.s. enthralled means excited and enslaved..... fact of the day
It's ridiculous that someone who works his ass off everyday during class and fits every minute of productivity he can into that time, while most of the class does nothing, could deserve an F in this coarse just because he doesn't religiously post on this blog...THAT is my comment
ReplyDeleteThats actually hilarious
ReplyDelete