TechGuy96 Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 I am taking my Gold Arts Award and I need peoples opinion on 'Do Stage Crew Get Enough Credit?' I'm looking for all opinions so please post, this includes: lighting, sound, stage managers, set/costume designers etc... Thank You,Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJones Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 I get paid, that's enough credit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GR1 Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Yes. The only credit they need is from their peers when the show goes well and the audience has no idea that they exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Not at all, I get very upset when I'm not credited in big bold letters as 'mark_s - Electrician, absolutely essential to the production happening at all' on all promotional material... :unsure: Maybe you should tell us your thoughts and start a meaningful discussion before we start completing your assignment for you? Although I'm fairly sure I know exactly what everyone is going to say already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 You may be asking the wrong people. You'll get a less biased response by asking people other than the people whose crediting you're talking about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanhill Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 In a similar vein, if crew are craving adulation and the love of the audience, I would suggest that they are on the wrong side of masking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainwave-generator Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 When I started my first job in this industry, I was told - "If you want credit you're in the wrong business. In this business, we work for money". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 I saw Jersey Boys last week and in the bows a woman came out wearing cans to take a bow. I commented to my friend that it was refreshing to see the stage manager taking a bow on behalf of the crew. It was only on the way out that we realised she was the musical director! Seriously though. I mainly live out Front Of House. Do I mind that everyone files out past me without so much as a nod? Not at all. Is it nice when someone leans over and says it sounded great? Of course (though I do wonder what I did wrong! I don't like being noticed as a noiseboy!). Ultimately though the praise I'm looking for might come from a pleased director or MD occasionally, if they don't have anything to say though, then it means they've no notes for me and I'll submit the bill and get my reward that way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 I get plenty of credit - the lady who runs the staff canteen at work is quite happy to chalk up several days' worth of nose-bag at a time on the 'slate'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 I think that sums it up rather well. I have never collected programmes, or been interested in credit of any kind. However - for three years running, I did get two programme credits, one of which I have kept to use. Choreographer: Paul Johnson Paul HARRISON was so miffed, but when I used to go to schools and colleges and got some angry woman complaining they'd been sent a man who didn't know anything about dance, I have been known to take a programme or two out of my case and find a reason to refer to it, leaving it open on the page with the mistake. They usually shut up then! I hate those productions were a load of scruffy people get dragged on - the worst one ever must be We Will Rock You, where the musicians look like the scruffiest people ever - dirty trainers, greasy hair and shaving defects, and can't even manage a bow in time. As everyone says, if we wanted credit, we'd be out there in the light, not doing what we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 "Sean? Sean? Who's that? Is he the guy that fetches my coffee otherwise I don't know who you mean. Oh, we have TECHNICIANS do we?" "What are they, dahling?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 I do mainly sound and, years ago, I was told "if you're doing the sound right nobody will notice it". That probably applies to most aspects of the technical crew. We're not there to be noticed. As others have said, the pay cheque at the end of the run is recognition enough--and, if other technicians happen to say they liked something, that's a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitlane Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 In some parts of the world it is not uncommon for the cast to acknowledge the crew during the curtain call by gesturing to the box, much in the same way they often acknowledge the band in the pit. It's a nice touch in the right circumstances but on the whole I agree that technicians get sufficient credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GridGirl Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 In some parts of the world it is not uncommon for the cast to acknowledge the crew during the curtain call by gesturing to the box, much in the same way they often acknowledge the band in the pit. It's a nice touch in the right circumstances but on the whole I agree that technicians get sufficient credit. See, I hate hate hate the cast gesturing to the box, don't know why but I do! For our Opera on Sydney Harbour the orchestra and crew got brought onto the stage (crew in hi-vis vests and orchestra with a few "stunt" instruments) and I didn't have an issue with that. Very unusual circumstances though, and 99% of the time I don't think an acknowledgment is necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjadingle Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Public acknowledgement - no thanks. As already said, if I wanted praise I'd be treading the boards, not painting them. However I do appreciate it in the middle of the out when the cast pop in for a "Thanks very much" before disappearing. Yes I get paid to make them look / sound good, but a little bit of common courtesy goes a long way! I appreciate it even more when the "Thanks" is followed by "Beers in the fridge".... :** laughs out loud **: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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