Here are some posts from the Greenpage this week that might be worth your time:
Five Questions For Marty Taylor of Northland Church
Live Design: "1. How did you get involved in media production for Northland Church?
I began serving at Northland as a congregant in 1998 when I owned a production company in Orlando. At the end of a very long and diverse path, I ended up joining Northland as creative media director in 2006."New Pa. budget cuts film tax credit by 45 percent
Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/13/2009: "Pennsylvanians in the movie business are seeing a half-full glass this week. State legislators last week closed a $3 billion budget gap in part by reducing - but not eliminating - the Film Tax Credit program, trimmed from $75 million to $42 million for fiscal year 2009-2010."Tuesday at 3pm Is the Most Agreeable Meeting Time
Lifehacker: "Meeting scheduling service When is Good looked at 100,000 responses to 34,000 events logged to their service over 2 years and found that 3pm—specifically Tuesday at 3pm—seems to be the most agreeable time for a meeting."Broadway's 50 Most Powerful People
BroadwaySpace: "Who are Broadway’s most powerful people? We put the question to a handful of industry insiders who, on condition of anonymity, ranked Broadway’s movers and shakers for a final and decidedly unscientific list of 50. Is power the ability to get a show up with the scratch of a pen? Is it the person at the very top of the game, or the person you wouldn’t dare put on hold? We let everyone define 'power' for themselves and let the chips fall as they may."The 4 Ways Sound Affects Us
GeeksAreSexy: "Playing sound effects both pleasant and awful, Julian Treasure shows how sound affects us in four significant ways. Listen carefully for a shocking fact about noisy open-plan offices."
Are the Disabled the Last Thought in the Diversity Business?
Backstage: "Despite the presence of disabled characters on such TV shows as Fox's 'Glee' and 'Brothers' and AMC's 'Breaking Bad,' wheelchair-bound and other physically or mentally challenged actors on television—as well as film and stage—continue to be anomalous. Advocates for the disabled in the entertainment industry assert that the disabled are the last thought in the diversity business, though there are 56 million people (an estimated 20 percent of the population) with disabilities in this country. In addition to the relative invisibility and misrepresentation of the disabled in the media, advocates say the practice of hiring able-bodied actors to portray the disabled is by no means a thing of the past."
So there is a major problem with this. Diversifying a cast just for the sake of diversifying a cast and bringing in wider audiences, or as protection against being called racist is ridiculous. If there is true need to actually have a character with some sort of disability then you move on to the next step.
There is a sort of metaphor between casting able-bodied actors in the roles of wheelchair bound characters, and the black-facing of actors back in the day to portray black characters. The visual element was the one that was deemed the most important and as long as the person looked the part all was golden.
With disabled characters though there are all kinds of skills and little things that are incredibly difficult to act if you do not have that disability yourself. For example I can tell from someone's sign language whether they are deaf or not. It's subtle but it exists. In the reverse my interpreters can tell from my voice that I'm deaf. It may not be obvious but there are those who can tell. So if the role is intended to be as realistic as possible then perhaps the best course of action is to actually hire said person.
Then of course there is the problem of abominations. Legally I am allowed by law to have an interpreter at all crew calls at the expense of my employer. The reality is, that would be dangerous and expensive. Then if you actually hired a deaf and blind actress for the "Miracle Worker" exactly how viable do you think that production will be? It would be a communication disaster and much of the artistic value would have to be sacrificed in the interest of making cues clear to the deaf/blind actress.
So it really should be determined on a case to case basis. The kid in glee, really should be wheelchair bound, but the deaf character on broadway needs to speak, so there you have it.
And to the disabled people of the country. Get over it.
Some posts from the Greenpage this week that might be worth a look:
The Gravesend Inn, A Haunted Hotel
Control Geek: "The Gravesend Inn is a high-tech haunted hotel which we do at City Tech as our annual, major Fall production. The audience, while unaware, actually runs the entire attraction."Hearing Actor as Deaf Man in McCullers Play Draws Protests
NYTimes.com: "When the playwright Rebecca Gilman began adapting the Carson McCullers novel “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” for the stage several years ago, she made a bold and controversial artistic leap: opening and ending the play with speeches by a central character, John Singer, who is deaf and mute throughout the book."An Interview with Scott Buckwald, Prop Master for the Hit TV Show Mad Men
Collectors Weekly: "Scott Buckwald has been the prop master on a variety of popular movies and television programs, including Race to Witch Mountain and The Prestige. Recently, Buckwald spoke with us about his experiences as a prop master for AMC’s hit show Mad Men. He discussed what life was like in the early 1960s, when Mad Men takes place, and the lengths he had to go to to source and create authentic period props for the show. He also talked about TV and movie props generally, and his personal experience as a collector."Hollywood Comes Home
Carnegie Mellon University: "Paula Wagner and Steven Bochco, two of Carnegie Mellon University's most notable alums in Hollywood, came home this fall to share insights, wisdom and advice with students in the School of Drama.
Wagner became the first female agent at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), producing numerous blockbusters including Mission Impossible I, II, III; The Others; and The Last Samurai.
A writer and producer, Bochco is best known for his groundbreaking television work including Hill Street Blues, LA Law and NYPD Blue."
Landesman outspoken as NEA chairman
Variety: "Say what you will about Rocco Landesman -- and right now, people are saying -- the guy sure knows how to make an entrance.
Even before his swearing-in as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the blunt-talking Broadway producer and until recently head of Jujamcyn Theaters set tongues wagging with comments about his new job’s priorities. He derided current levels of federal arts support as 'pathetic,' and said he would base future grants on artistic merit rather than disbursing money to arts orgs within every congressional district."All Saturdays
Roadies in the Midst: "I remember one show back when I was mixing Rage Against the Machine in a field and the venue told me I had a 98db A weighted limit at mix position. Bummer, especially with Rage. 'Who measures, it? How is it measured?' I asked. They introduced me and and I saw the sound meter and met the human. That's the rule? No variation? 98 at mix, period? 'yes, no leeway, do not go over or the band will be fined $10,000 per minute over, it is in the contract.'. I pondered and looked out at the FOH setup and then asked for 6 stage hands. I had them break down mix position which was at 80 feet and moved it to 175 feet away. They had a full meltdown, but hey, it was in the contract. I was happy. The rules make it fun. I love finding the lines and seeing how far they bend."
I am an explorer, pushing back the boundaries of procrastination - as with many things, compared to me my students are amateurs... I think I have just about had it with the legislature. If you are wondering, it wasn't health care or the bank bail out that did it; it was that ANYONE voted to support rapists over rape victims... That guy with the balloon needs to watch Mythbusters. Well, really, everyone needs to watch Mythbusters... Do you think anyone would notice if the Titans just didn't come out for the fourth quarter? Probably... I paid off one of the many installment loans in my life. That's pretty cool, like giving myself a raise... There's this tool box I might want on clearance at Sears: $350 but usually like $690, and then there's another one $1000 from regularly $2000, and a compromise of $700 from a regular $1400. But I can't help think even $350 is too much for a toolbox, even a really huge, cool toolbox. Isn't it? That's what I thought... Have I mentioned before that the trouble with giving homework is that you have to grade the homework? I wonder if anyone would mind just not getting any homework? Probably would... I guess I should start on the Crit schedule. It's amazing how much administration I have on my plate... The cats still aren't 100% using the robots, but I can't tell which ones are and which ones aren't. One of those stupid problems you can only have with more than a couple of animals... Watching the snow on the TV, it really seems too early to have snow like this. I'm sure historically it probably isn't, but it sure seems like it... They busted a Broadway SM for hiding a camera in an actress' dressing room. Some stories really aren't appropriate for the Greenpage... I think it's too bad that TV execs air shows against other popular shows and then wonder why nobody is watching them. Moving Fringe to Thursday and Dollhouse to Friday just seems like you're trying to put them down...
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Queer and Loathing in D.C. | ||||
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| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| CNN Leaves It There | ||||
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Some post from the Greenpage this past week that might be worth your time:
Meet The Barry Twins, New York City's Newly Famous Job Seekers
Jezebel: "There should be a required course for everyone during senior year of college called 'Nobody Owes You Anything,' wherein your professor informs you that the economy is terrible, the job market sucks, and your degree is no longer an instant ticket to a dream job. The course should also force students to come up with a backup plan (or several) should they find themselves in a position where they have to make ends meet while waiting for their big break to arrive."Welcome to the CMU Drama Logo Shop!
Carnegie Mellon Drama: "All of these great products are embroidered with our CMU Drama logo! All proceeds go toward Carnegie Mellon University Drama Showcase, wherein the Class of 2010 ventures to New York and LA to audition for top agents and industry professionals. For ordering questions contact us at info@spiritlogoshop.com Be sure to tell them it is CMU Drama you are asking about."Is actor absenteeism at Broadway shows affecting our audience's attitudes? A study tells all.
PRODUCER’S PERSPECTIVE: "I've been concerned about absenteeism for some time, mostly because of its macro effects on our audience. As theater tickets get more pricey, and the economy gets more dicey, audiences are bound to be disappointed if they aren't getting what they pay for, right?"The Rep's new import throwing open the doors
JSOnline: "When it comes to theater in Milwaukee, Mark Clements, in his own words, is 'not just preaching to the converted.'
'I do believe in theater for all,' said the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's next artistic director."America's Favorite Theatre Cities
Travel + Leisure: Poll results
Teaching some new CAD tomorrow, hope it goes well... Some of these stories about the impending collapse of the dollar are really starting to get to me... Need to find a Pittsburgh sign vendor that wants to work with us regularly, otherwise it's too hard... I know life can be stressful, but college students really ought not to look haggard, they don't know how good they have it... I've said it before and I'll say it again, the biggest problem with giving homework is that you then have to grade it... Nobel prizes this week. I didn't get one... Looks like I won't get to see my sister at Thanksgiving... I think Roman Polanski ought to go to prison for a little while. You don't thumb your nose at the justice system and get off. Prison, not jail... Really, really disappointed to hear "they were never going to get anything that could hurt insurance companies." Why not? Just possibly hurting the insurance companies is in just about everyone's best interest... I wish I knew if what I had a few weeks ago when I was sick was H1N1, than I would know if I should get the shot, or not... Can't decide about FIOS. Thinking maybe just phone and internet... There are things about my new rank at work I am not all that pleased with... Each day this week got earlier, and on Wednesday an appointment for Saturday morning appeared, that's not my favorite mode... I told the Dean I am nervous about her reading my Facebook status, she says I can't be as afraid as she is about my reading hers... Everyone should go see "The Invention of Lying." Then you'll understand when I say I'm a one armed German space explorer... Earlier this week one of my students was apparently writing in tongues. He's better now... We're having a poopsperiment in the house this week. I finally retired the last standard litterbox - now it's just robots. So far the kittens aren't all that thrilled... How could 30 Senators vote FOR funding companies that bury rape in arbitration. We ought to remember those names next time they come up... I barely watched any baseball at all this year, but that one game playoff looked pretty cool on Sportscenter... I'd like a federal law making it illegal to have a "reply to all" button on a standard toolbar... I found my old screwdriver, which rocks because I never liked the one I bought to replace it. Really its the little things... I've given up full sugar soda. Looks like it's sticking... I never thought I would see the day, but I don't think it will be too far off in the future when this blog and the Greenpage trip over 100,000 hits. Unbelievable...
Here are some posts from the Greenpage that might be worth your time:
‘Hair’ Closes for One Day So Cast Can Attend National Equality March
NYTimes.com: "Playwrights and producers have used scathing commentary, heartbreaking drama and sharp satire to score political points about war, torture, presidents, AIDS, race relations and women’s rights with New York theater audiences. Now the Broadway musical “Hair” is expanding the concept of stage activism by taking to the streets and urging audiences to follow. The producers canceled a Sunday matinee so that the cast and crew could attend and perform at a march for gay rights in Washington on Oct. 11."1970s Theatre… Now Online
ATW: "Beginning today, thanks to a collaboration between the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, audiences across the country will have the opportunity to hear “This is Broadway,” more than 70 vintage interviews with Broadway luminaries circa 1977. These short radio features have not been available publicly since their original broadcasts 32 years ago. Even the program’s hosts, Isobel Robins and Richard Seff hadn’t heard them in years."And the Top Jobs for 2009 Grads Are...
CollegeSurfing Insider: "There’s no doubt, job offers are few and far between in these dreary days of layoffs, cutbacks, and hiring freezes. That’s why we can learn a lot from the list of the 10 jobs most offered to the class of 2009 as reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in its Fall 2009 Salary Survey."The Marvels Inside the Wyly
Art & Seek – A service from KERA for North Texas: "In planning for its new home in the Wyly Theatre, the Dallas Theater Center was determined to continue its 25-year tradition of 'flexible' theater. The Theater Center's Arts District Theater was flexible in the way it could be completely altered, its seating and staging configuration changed for each production. The basic thinking behind the Arts District Theater was that of a movie studio. It was a tin shed with a concrete floor, and everything inside it could be dismantled and scraped away and re-built differently for the next show."The Next Hot Youth-Magnet Cities
WSJ.com: "If you were a recent college graduate in a recovering economy launching a career, looking for a mate or both, where would you choose to live?
Predicting cities that will emerge as post-recession meccas for the young is easy to argue about, but impossible to forecast empirically. Whether you prefer hip, casual Austin, Texas, over the cosmopolitan allure of New York City is partly a matter of personal taste. Still, we asked six experts which 10 cities will emerge as the hottest, hippest destinations for highly mobile, educated workers in their 20s when the U.S. economy gets moving again."The ups and downs of the Los Angeles theater season
Variety: "To call Los Angeles a nontheater town is wrong. Rather, it’s an audience-unfriendly town.
At the height of the Gotham theater season in late April, I took in 10 shows in one week, and my biggest hassle had to do with keeping straight my dinner reservations
L.A. is different. Seeing 10 shows in one month involves well over 200 miles of car travel (often in rush hour traffic) from my Hollywood home base, and the major decision isn’t where to eat but whom to invite."
The Technical Direction III class (finally) finished their "Smooth Criminal" project today. The assignment was to design and fabricate a rig allowing them to demonstrate the leaning maneuver the dancers do in the video.
Tech Design Project #1 – Smooth Criminal
Everyone was marginally successful. I'm not sure anyone had the process they wanted, and I doubt if they had to do the thing professionally if any of them would transfer their solution completely; but overall the results were positive.
We discovered that this move really strains your back (we were expecting more abs). Jimmy demonstrates it's much easier to go side to side:
Also we found that really the most difficult part of the project is more about modifying shoes not intended for the task than anything having to do with the anchor, interface, or control.
It'd take quite a bit of practice to get the whole lean to the left, travel to the right and then stand straight at the end kind of sweeping motion. A couple of them tried it, but nobody really had it down and Naomi looked like she had it, and then:
That's the kind of thing that coulda ended at the hospital, but didn't, so it's hysterical. What happens that you can't see is the boot upper tearing free of the sole. Better that than your leg snapping mid-calf. Really this project is all about the shoes.
Anyway, big fun. Not sure if I'll assign it again.
