Entertainment
Home > Entertainment > Entertainment Industry (240 hours) > Compulsory Units > Work with others > Work with others
Case study 1 answers
Question 1
Describe how the production schedule assists staff in the planning and running of an event such as the Piccadilly Writers’ Festival.
Answer question 1
A production schedule is designed to assist the production staff assign priorities to enable the smooth running of the show. It enables all staff to assess ahead of the event the equipment, artists and staff needed to run the event at a schedule time in an allocated venue. The production schedule allows the artist and the production crew to plan exactly what is needed and decide upon what can be supplied to assist the session. The production schedule allows the coming together of the director’s vision and planning, the needs of the artists and production requirements in relation to the venue and the audience.
Question 2
As a stage manager for the Piccadilly Writers’ Festival responsible for the venue ABC Studio 1, outline your priorities for each session and describe how you would ensure that the physical elements are in place for the beginning of each session.
Answer question 2
Your main priority as stage manager is to ensure the safe and smooth running of the performance/presentation. In the period immediately after a session there needs to be a bump out of equipment including microphones, seating arrangement and water/glasses followed by a re-set or bump in of the new elements as set out in the production schedule. As the turn around is only short, it is important that any concerns regarding equipment etc are communicated to production management ahead of the session. Likewise, if you find yourself with excess equipment it is important to relay that information to the appropriate personal. For example you may have a spare microphone. Informing the person responsible for sound equipment may assist them to manage the equipment across several venues.
You also need to make contact with artists presenting the session. Their names should appear on the production schedule. In some cases, for an event such as the Writers’ Festival, there is often a master of ceremonies (MC) whose job it is to introduce the artists. You will need to identify this person also as they may have particular needs.
Your job as a stage manager is to run the venue. You need to direct all the presenters, seat them and make them comfortable and then ensure that production elements such as lighting and microphones are switched on and appropriate to the needs of the artists as well as the audience.
Once the performance is in progress, as the stage manager you are responsible for monitoring its process and planning ahead for the needs of the next session. If a difficulty arises and you are unable to resolve the difficulty you may need to either delegate or contact your supervisor or production manager.
There is one more area that the Stage Manager should monitor - the needs of the audience. In most cases front of house will supervise the entry and exit of the audience however you need to be in contact with them to start the show and communicate with them should any difficulties arise during the course of the show.
Question 3
Why include the published date on the production schedule?
Answer question 3
During pre-production there are often a number of draft production schedules in circulation. Changes invariably occur and this means that the production schedule will also change. If the event takes place over several days, such as the Piccadilly Writers’ Festival, it is likely that changes may occur after the event has started. It is important to check with production management at the start of each day to enquire if there have been any last minute changes to the production schedule. Once again it is important to communicate these changes with all staff and if in doubt check with your immediate supervisor.
Question 4
As the stage manager how might you establish a professional and appropriate working relationship with each of the artists presenting in your venue at the Piccadilly Writers’ Festival? What information do you need to communicate?
Answer question 4
Once you have introduced yourself as the stage manager you need to instruct artists on any technical or logistical matters that affect their performance or the experience and safety of the audience. The information you communicate may be as simple as where they should sit and what microphone to use. You should try to make the artist comfortable so that they can concentrate on their performance.
Question 5
What would you do if you found that the audience size exceeded the number of chairs set up in the venue?
- Ask patrons to stand in the aisles and look for more chairs.
- Check with your supervisor before you allow more patrons into the venue.
- Inform patrons that the venue is full and close the doors.
- Set up speakers and TV monitors in spill rooms for those people who cannot fit into the venue
Answer question 5
B.
Most venues have a legal limit to the number of people you can safely allow in. If you allow more people you are breaking the law and jeopardising the safety of all patrons. If the audience size exceeds the limit of the venue, you may then be directed to set up external speakers and monitors in a spill room.
Question 6
A member of the public is recording the presentation in your venue where you working as an usher. What would you do in this situation?
- Confiscate the recording device and remove the recording medium.
- Ask for security to escort the patron out of the theatre. Collect any tapes or recording media.
- Check with management if recording permission has been given. Follow the directions of management.
- Turn a blind eye.
Answer Question 6
C.
It may be possible, although unlikely, that permission has been given for recording to take place. Most organisations have policies and procedures related to illegal recording. If you are in doubt of what to do, your supervisor should be able to inform you of the correct procedure.
Question 7
As part of the bump-in, you have been directed by your supervisor to put up signage for one of the key sponsors of the festival. How can you ensure this is done efficiently and safely?
- Find the right equipment needed and do the job.
- Consider the safety issues, and find the right equipment needed and do the job.
- Consider safety issues. Inform all parties involved of any concerns over safety. Use the right equipment needed and do the job.
- Check the exact location for the signage. Consider safety issues. Inform all parties involved of any concerns over safety. Use the right equipment needed and do the job.
Answer Question 7
D.
Maintaining a safe working environment is fundamental. Signage often involves working at heights. There are legal limits and safety regulations which apply when working at height. Some people are also afraid of heights and should not be sent up ladders/scaffolding etc.
In this example there are two parties involved and it may be timely to check that you have the correct positions before you erect the signage. It may be that, due to safety issues or lack of proper equipment, the original location for the signage needs to be renegotiated.
Question 8
What details would an employer need to ensure that you are paid for your services?
- Approximate hours worked and a pay slip
- BSB details and time sheet
- Superannuation details, BSB account, time sheet, tax file number and signed tax form
- Your preference of cash or cheque
Answer for Question 8
C.
Superannuation details, BSB account, time sheet, tax file number and signed tax form.
You are now free to choose your own superannuation. For details go to the
following website:
http://www.asic.gov.au/superchoice 
Back to Front page
|