At the end but can start new

So a few weeks again I had the last showing of the play I was working on for mentorship. So now I'm currently in the market for a new play to work on. I'm thinking I might get in touch with the chino community theater and hopefully I can talk to the director of the next play. Other then that my mentorship was awesome it was the perfect setup for me. The position I had was a "swinger" which means that I can go from the light designers job to the audio sound board, or even to the stage crew for the prop placement. On top of all of this I was also able to make the props and stage pieces. So let's see what's going to happen.

The great start

Some say a great start is something that happens very little. I think I might be in that very little. So to start off a few weeks back I went to the chino community theater on 7th street, it was great. I was able to meet the whole stage crew along with bond with a fellow ipoly student. Most of all I learned that rushing through everything and trying to get everything done isn't always the best idea. I say this because I believed that progress was based off of how much you can get done in just a few hours. This changed when I sanded down a cabinet for 5 hours just so we could restrain it. Come to find out the man who gave Gustavo and I this long task thought that it would be done the next time we worked on it. He was shock to find that Gustavo and I sanded down everything. Most of all I had the best start to mentorship I was able to do the tech work such as lighting cues and audio cues. I get to say I started here at this point.

Blog 9: EQ

1) I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2)
 a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
The EQ above does not meet the rule of three. It is not a yes or no question by wanting to know the most important factor,  thought is required.  The second criteria is where the questions breaks down, it will require statistical data to support one definitive answer and much recitation of facts. Third criteria is met with a definitive question.
 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

The EQ above meets the rule of three.  It is not a yes or no question, by wanting to know the  most important factor, thought is required.  Criteria two is meet as the argument can be made for one pivotal piece of evidence can insure a conviction.  The wording is clear and meets criteria three.
 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

The EQ does not meet the rule of three.  It is not a yes or no question by wanting to the the most important factor, however it is difficult to do in depth research on this.   The second criteria is meet because you can have two people arguing hair color and style are the best, when someone could be arguing that communication is the best.  It is specific and the wording makes sense, therefore it meets criteria three.
 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

The EQ does meet the rule of three.  It is not a yes or no question and research will be in abundance.  Criteria two is meet as it allows different areas of treatment to be examined and will allow real life experience to be part of the project.  Criteria three is meet asking for a specific answer.

3)  What is the best way to optimize your stage for successful production?

And we're off! to build...

I began to start plunging away at the stage sets for the wonderful play called Working just a few days ago and I must say already have the layout of the basic set pieces that are needed most of all. There is a really big surprise I'm building a set piece that is huge, nearing the size of a big rig and guesses on what it can be? No? That's okay I'll leave a picture in the hopes you'll have a fun guessing game to figure out the set piece.

They can light your way to success! 

The start of what will be a cool little platform

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

EQ: What is the best way to optimize your stage for a scenic design competition?

• An in depth planning meeting with the full production staff is very important and is the only way to start a successful production. What I mean by this is without the proper preparation you wouldn't have a budget to know what you can or can't build. You wouldn't know what the director wants, without his approval it wont be a happy place. Most of all you wouldn't even know who you're working with.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

The most important source is The Backstage Guide To Stage Management by Thomas A Kelly. Due to his first hand experience he stated some insight on what is needing to be discussed in the preparation stage of a production.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

Pete Scauber, is will be my mentor, he is associated with the Boston Court in Pasadena.  He is currently employed there as the technical director and I will be working with him learning making flats, platforms, set lights, focus light, run audio sight strengthening all the basic skills required for this position.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
To meet my 30 hours it will require working with the Drama Club and drama elective. I will be working on the Drama Club production of  "Working".  This will entail overseeing the audio, lighting, set building and costumes.  The Audio portion will have me going through the scripts and creating audio cues along with finding the audio pieces.  Lighting portion will have me, lay out the blocking with the script and finding where the light will need to be positioned during the play.  The set building portion will require making the physical props for the different scenes.  Costume portion will require me to over see the costume designer and make sure they have everything need and assist where needed.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.
The set building will be chronicled with photos, showing the progression of the build.  Culminating in the final stage and photos of the performance. The lighting and audio will have cues sheets that I will be creating, along with script notes through out the process which can be presented as verification.  Since I will be overseeing the costume portion it will stress my management skills and the completion of those costumes along with photos will represent my management skill.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
This hands on experience will immerse me in this field allowing me to see beyond just book knowledge.  I will use the information in reference books as well. Using both hands and book references  will  challenge me to think outside the box to achieve the looks and feel desired for the play.  Theater is about taking the audience somewhere else.  These are skills only achieved through hands on experience and that experiences will improve my skills.  

Want to win a kindle fire HD?

So today was a great I got to sell lots, also Drama Club found out that it is now able to raffle off tickets for a kindle fire HD that was generously donated by a parent. Since we had back to school Drama Club used it to their advantage, due to this we had a great turn out with parents donating or purchasing tickets. However the parents seemed to want to buy raffle tickets and when they were asked to put either their name or their child's name they all said their child could get tickets with their money. Well first step to raising money next step selling cookie dough. The flavors are (if interested) white chocolate macadamia, Chunky chocolate chip, Snickerdoodle, Peanut butter, White choc. oatmeal cranberry, Caramel pecan chocolate chip, Oatmeal raisin, and lastly Triple chocolate.

I look kinda funny, wait nope that's me normally.

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

1) Who is your mentor and where do they work?

My mentors name is Paul Lawrson, he is the technical director for "Chino Community Theater."

2) What five questions will ask them about their background?

What interested you in technical theatre that made you go into it as a career?

What type of education do you need to be competitive in this field?

What is your daily routine as a technical director?

What would you say is the most important aspect of this job?

If you were me, what would you do to try and break into this field now?

Is there any type of publication I can look up for additional information on this field?

What is the most stressful aspect of you career field?

How much has technical director changed since you first entered this field?

Blog 5 Project Reflection and Working EQ

1) The most positive statement for the senior project so far is by focusing on this career it will help me determine if this career path is the one I am going to choose for my future.

2) In reading "The Back Stage Guide To Stage Management" I have noticed that the experiences the writer has had are very similar to the experiences I've faced while working as a Theatre technician. The difference between the writers experience to my experiences are his productions were on a grander scale and he had many more years experience. However the difficulties of a play production are the same.

3) The thing that has worked for me in the senior project so far has to be the ability to understand how to be organized at my own comfortable pace. For example we have been given some homework along with an upcoming blog, I have been able to set a schedule of two or three small tasks to do a day to complete all needed assignments.

4) What hasn't worked so far with the senior project has to be the age restriction set in place by most of the local theaters. Which delays my mentorship from begining right away.

5) My starting EQ is "What is the best way to run a technological driven theater show?"
    I plan on answering this EQ with my mentor at "The Boston Court" in Pasadena.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1.  I plan to interview Gabriel Barraras. Since he also has done his senior project on something similar.  His experience will help me to gain some guidance on the  what worked and what pitfalls I should avoid. This will be the first step in compiling the information needed to complete my project.

2. Questions:
What interested you most about theater technician?
What was it like working at a local theater?
What did you enjoy the most?
What made you think of stage management as a senior topic?
Did you enjoy the place you interned at?
What skill do you think helped the most?
Is there a high demand for this field?
What types of hazards do you face in this field?
Is this an easy field to get into?
What education do you need?
Did you choose this field for the passion or the money?
Would you encourage other people to enter this field?
More ideas for opened questions could arise once I dig deeper into the field.

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1. My topic is Theater Technician, if you are unsure as to what one does in this career field, they really just get to play with fancy lights along with nice audio equipment.

2. Now I have been asked how would I incorporate ESLRs into my senior year. First what ESLRs are important to this question and that's all four of them; iPoly Citizen, Effective Learner, Effective User of Technology, and Effective Communicator. Now lets break it down:

• iPoly Citizen: As an iPoly citizen I will work diligently in assisting other grade levels in the set up of lighting and audio for their presentations and performances.  This assistance would even extend to iPoly staff in the preparation of presentations to parents and dignitaries that visit.  By always being early or on time I will make sure everything  is set up properly.  Making sure to minimize any chance of things going wrong and help others to achieve their goals.
• Effective Learner: As an effective learner I will seek out resources to expand my knowledge of proper light setting and advances in audio work.  By seeking not only educational resources, but volunteering for hands on experience to expand my abilities.  Gaining this knowledge will help when challenges arise in the practical environment allowing me the ability to think quickly and solve outside of the box. Not all situations can be resolved in what is considered the "standard fashion" but sometimes with an artistic/creative approach that leads to the solution. Such as projecting colored light on a white wall the to add depth or emotion that might now have been brought out.
• Effective User of Technology:  Technology is all around the field of Theater Technician and the opportunity to study and utilize new advancements is quite exciting.  Learning about and implementing new patching methods, use of the upgraded sound systems, proper placement of microphones and learning new lighting diameters to add effects. All these things would contribute to a more enjoyable experience by the audience and even the performers. Also with the integrated monitors we can expand the areas in which information can be displayed.  
• Effective Communicator:  As a communicator I will need to organize, delegate and find each individuals skill set.  The opportunity to misunderstand is often time more common, so priority one is to make sure what I am saying  is clear and precise.  To do this will require me to be a good listener, patient and a facilitator.  As a leader I must find each person strengths and  help them with their weakness. Along with this I must also recognize my weaknesses and find people strong in that area to assist my by working together. I will put all ideas into consideration and use the ones most feasible and advantageous.

Summer Mentorship Component

1. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlWZS7kmdWpzdDRDNVBLSG5tRzlFVm95VVN2UlI5S0E#gid=0

2. Contact information:
Doug Shoemaker
texcustomerservice@gmail.com
909.592.2071
131 S. Eucla Ave. San Dimas, CA 91773

3. Why wont older generations listen to the helpful comments of younger generations.
    How can a company so set in their ways still thrive in modern times.

4. The most important thing I gained from this experience was how to calmly talk to upset customers and help find a solution. This skill was developed by talking to frustrated customers, and employers, who came into the walk in store. Along with this skill I also gained the ability to organize and create a better flow on company's website.

5. It made me realize I didn't want to go into the family business, due to the fact you live with family and you don't want the frustration from work to follow you until you go to bed. Also I enjoy building and my options were between tech directing and working in the family business.

2013 2-Hour Presentation Reflections

1.   Hairdressing by Anna B.
      Karate by Renee L.
      Person Training by Andrew D.
      Marine Biology by Elijah A.
      Stage Managing by Gabriel B.
      Early Childhood Education by Perla V.
      Foster Care by Victoria Y.
      Physical Therapy by Elizabeth R.
      Computer Analysis by Brent K.
      Photography by Austin B
      Special Olympics by Logan R.
      Theoretical Physics by Hannah S.
      Homeless Youth by Angel C.
      Graphic Design by Stephanie H.

2.  Who sets the deadlines, the teacher or the student?
      How does NC rules work?
     

3.  Not only should the student know the information about their topic, but truly understanding  what they
     have learned.  The impact of that knowledge on their choice of subject.

4.  Theater Tech teaches you all aspects of entertainment staging, audio, lighting and how to manage it all.  It
     is a field I find very interesting.
     Criminal Psychologist intrigues me, to think about what motivates people to certain acts.  How to
     successfully profile them which leads to their capture.
     Business how to successfully run a company and make it profitable.  Having a parent with a family
     business and the seeing the effects of improper management motivates me to learn better business
     practices.