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Documentation
Production run sheet
Production run sheet
A production run sheet is used in a variety style production where there are multiple items making up the performance. A school MADD night, dance, drama or music festival concert are examples of this style of performance.
The document records a summary of all the relevant technical information required for the show to run smoothly. This is used by the production crew to coordinated the technical elements throughout the performance.
Production run template.docxProduction run sheet example
Rehearsal report template.docxBump in / out report template.docxPerformance report template.docxPrompt copy
Prompt copy
For a stage production, the master copy of the script or score is known as the prompt copy. It is the stage manager's script and contains all the actor moves and technical cues. It also contains all the relevant information for the production, including contact lists, venue information, show information, emergency procedures, show reports and so on. It is commonly referred to as the 'bible' of a show.
It is created and used throughout rehearsals and used by the stage manager to control the performance as they call the cues for the show.
A prompt copy is usually laid out so that the script is on one side of a folder or book, and the cues are on the opposite side. These cues included could be actor blocking, lighting, sound, props, set, vision, pyrotechnics and follow spot.
Prompt copy example
Stage plans
Stage plans
Stage floor plans are used to show the layout of the venue. These plans are drawn to scale, often using a in 1:50 scale or 1:100 scale.
They may also include the theatre auditorium seating areas, loading docks, stage door entrance, workshop areas and rehearsal spaces.
Using the stage plan, designers can design the set, sound, lights and vision systems. Set designers use ground or floor plans of the stage as a template. They are then able to place scale drawings of scenic items and props on the template to show the director and the set builder. The set builder will also be given an ‘elevation’ which is a plan showing the set from a side view, with the height of each set piece clearly indicated.
Today, plans are mostly produced in a Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) program such as AutoCAD rather than hand drawn.
Key stage plans inclusions:
performance space measurements and dimensions
setting line
centre line
entrances/exits
site lines
sets
fly bars
masking
wings.
Stage Manager - show calling
Stage Manager - show calling
In productions with a stage manager, they will call the technical cues, including lighting, audio, vision, staging, fly, pyrotechnic and actor with the specific action or dialogue by saying:
LX cue 15 ... GO.
'LX cue 15' would be said before the cue and then the lighting operator would activate lighting cue 15 on the word 'GO'.
There may also be a ‘standby’ call before the upcoming cue or group of cues to alert all crew before the actual cue is called.
Cues and standby's may also be grouped together when required to ensure all cues are activated in synchronisation.
The video 'Footloose - tech crew perspectives' demonstrates how the stage manager calls the cues in a production.
Footloose - Tech crew perspectives
Duration: 05:20Stages of an arts production
Stages of an arts production
When putting together an arts production there are 3 key stages
Pre-Production
This includes:
concept
development of production teams and casting
rehearsals
publicity
design - lighting, sound, vision, costume, set
construction - set, costume, sound, props
bump in - transfer and set up everything in the performance venue including set, lighting, sound, vision, costumes, props
lighting and sound final set up, check and cued for the production
technical rehearsal
dress rehearsal
final directors notes.
Production
This includes:
front of House and venue management
publicity
SHOW TIME!
Post Production
This includes:
bump out - pack up or strike the production and remove from the performance venue
store or return all costumes, props, lighting and sound equipment
finalise all budgets
evaluate the production.
There are some key technical terms that are useful to be aware of, including:
backstage
stage left
stage right
prompt side
opposite prompt
downstage
upstage
wings
safety curtain
bump in
bump out
technical rehearsal
dress rehearsal.
Theatrecrafts.com provides a detailed glossary of technical theatre terms for further reference.
The video 'Theatre terminology' from Union House Theatre provides some simple definitions of some of these key terms.
Theatre terminology
Duration: 06:40Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
Anna Warr or other TAU photographer
Schools Spectacular images 1-4, photographer: Anna Warr.
Art Express, Operation Art etc
[Title of the artwork], © [Name of student], [Year published], reproduced and communicated with permission.
The Shark, © Sue Dawson, 2016, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Creative commons or other images that need attribution - use Open Attribution Builder
"Mr. Mouse" by Birdies100 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Our images
Visual arts activity 1 images, Photographer: Sue Dawson.
Our Kids
Girl in Garden 1-4, © Sue Dawson, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission. Provided all acknowledgements are retained, these images may be reproduced free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes within Australia only.
Content from artists already licensed with TAU
[Title of work with source link if possible], © [Copyright owner], [Year published], reproduced and communicated with permission.
Lord of the Flies II, © James Powditch, 2007, reproduced and communicated with permission.
section 113P
[Title of work with source link if possible], [Creator], © [Copyright owner], [Year published], copied under s113P, accessed [dd mmm yyyy].
Butterfly Effects, © James Powditch, 2007, copied under s113P, accessed 24 May 2020.
Over the Rainbow, songwriters: E.Y. Harburg / Harold Arlen, lyrics: © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Conexion Media Group, Inc, copied under s113P, accessed 21 September 2019.
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