Comms Research

1. Elishia Selby Comms Unit 65
ProductionArts
Comms-communication
Comms standsfor communications,itisbasicallya communicationsystemstypicallyfoundin
theatres- for communicationbetweenstage managersandcrew. These systems containbeltpacks,
headsets,base stationsand acable. Deputystage managerscan use thissystemtocall cues for
soundand lightingaswell astobe able tocommunicate anyproblemsthatoccur duringa
show/production
http://www.stagespot.com/comm.html
Tecpro is a 'two wire'systemwhichenablesanumberof people totake part inthe
same conversation. Each participant can hear all other participants on the same
circuit while being able to talk to them simultaneously, so a full 'duplex'
conversation can take place.
http://www.tecpro.co.uk/
Limitationswouldinclude nothavingapermanentrecordof the conversationmeaningthatwhatis
saidmay be forgottenbythe nextshow(thanif it were written),some of the time
misunderstandingsmayoccur if informationisnotcomplete andnotbeingable tosee whatthe
otherpersoncan see inwhichtheymaybe tryingto describe.
3. Give some examplesorcallsthata DSM or SM maygive duringa show.
Duringa show the DSM or SN may cue in a lighting/soundchange/cueusingcomms.Theymayalso
cue whentoturn on a projectorforvisuals inorderforit to collate whenascreenmay come down
for itto be shownon.If an actor/actressisn’treadyto go onstage theymaycommunicate thistothe
soundor lightingtokeepgoingwithmusicorsomethingtopreventasilence where nothingis
occurringonstage. Withcuinglightingtheymayalsodeterminewhentolowerthe lightsforascene
change so that the assistantstage managers can take off and replace the stage setwithoutbeing
seentooeasily.
4. What otherpiecesof equipmentare neededbythe stage managerinorderto do theirjob
effectively?
Stage managersoftenuse a promptbook,sometimescalled"the book"or"the bible,"which
containsall cues,technical notes,blockingandotherinformation aboutthe show.Theyalsouse a
microphone (publicaddresssystem) whichisconnectedto the actor’schangingroomsso that they
can call themontostage whentheyare required.
Rolesfor an ASM
 Run the wingsduringa performance.
 Control the setchangestakingit onand off stage.
 Hoveringthe seatingareaforthe audience.
 Ensure rehearsal environmentsare prepared/safe asrequired(appropriate set,props,
costumes) withparticularattentiontoproprequirements.
 Ensure all propsare in the correct place andare workingcorrectly,checkingforanydamage.
 Co-operate andassistindayto day schedulingandplanningof all activitiesrequired.
 Givingcallsto the front-of-houseandrear-of-house.
 Readand interpretplansandsectionswithgoodknowledgeof mark-outprocedures.
 Theyalsoensure thateverythingismaintainedtothe standardthatall the designershave
created.
 Cuinglighting/sound/cast/visual etc.
 Theyare oftenaskedtocall a lightcue to coordinate itwithscenery,propmovement,actor
movement,score,conductoretc.
Skillsrequiredfor an ASM:

2. Elishia Selby Comms Unit 65
ProductionArts
 Organised
 Good underpressure
 Good memory
 Understandingthe differentroles
 Responsible
 Hard worker
 Committed
Whothe ASM works with:
 Lightingoperator
 Director
 Producer
 Soundoperator
 DSM
 SM
Important phrases usedon comms:
 Quieton cans please" otheroperatorsmustrespondbybeingquiet
 "Goingoffcans" whenanyoperatorleavesthe headset
 "Standby LX Q 11" operatorresponds: "StandingBy"
 "LX Q 11 Go"operatormay respond"Running"if it’sacue whichis notobvious,orisa long
fade.