BLOCKING ADDITIONS / CLARIFICATIONS /REMINDERS

br = break, ie shift position without moving far enough to map

st = steps (usually 1 or 2 steps, can be specified)

tow = towards ie M 2 st tow T

X = cross … longer than br, or tow, usually many steps

p/o = put on and tk/ o = take off (or variations)

en / ex = enter and exit

p/d = put down

p/u = pick up

Short words like: to, on, in. of, for, at (@) … can be written.

CUEING & Stand Bys

USE internal columns as described. (on Board) Always in the correct order: SBLQ5 and LQ4 GO.Always on a word or VIS, word with box under and line across to cueing column.Abbreviations used: SB, LQ or LX, SQ, ASM, FOH, VIS, and fby = followed byimm = immediatelyturn fast…. Place at the bottom of a page just before a page with cues at the top.

GROUPING CUES: SB LX 4 SQ 13 – 17 LX 5 – 10

LX 4 and

SQ 13 }GO

Drama 240 Anne Redish, Inst. Course Notes Stage Management Assignment Nov 2012 PROPS TRACKING Page 1 of 3 for this assignment, Pgs 72,73 & 74 ONLY

(Page 71 can be for practice.) You are to MAKE UP, invent or create props tracking that makes some sense with the stage directions that are given. Sometimes there will be a gap in the stage directions and you will be on your own to invent how and when something gets from place to place. DO not fret about the directorial or artistic sense of your choices. Make them possible, and record them as below. Read ahead before noting the prop movement, to be sure that it links up well with the next text or stage directions. THEORY: Main Purposes of Props Tracking:

1) To have a reference document that tells where all props are at all times and who handles them.

2) To have a reference document so you know where the props are if you start rehearsal in the middle of the play or a scene.

3) To have a reference document that helps you make a Props Preset list for both onstage and offstage.

4) Blocking tracks the characters’ moves, and prop tracking is done with a different perspective. The main focus of props tracking is the prop. Yes, there is duplication and overlap, but they are done differently.

Who does this job:

1) Someone from Stage Management does this. 2) If an ASM is available, and if that ASM will be the one backstage on the deck for

performances, then that will be the right person to do this. They will not be tracking cues and blocking with as much detail as the S.M., so they can have more room, and can have a larger map for this.

3) If the Stage Management person is usually alone at rehearsals, or is the sole Stage Management staff, then it would be done as we are doing it, with little space to track everything.

PRACTICE: Main Points:

1) Pencil. Sharp pencil. 2) All props items will be written in the Props Column in FULL CAPITALS. This does

NOT apply to props mentioned in the blocking column.

3) There are NO LINE NUMBERS needed.

Write the prop in the prop column approximately ACROSS from where on the script page it is used, like blocking. They will correspond to the blocking numbers approximately. Determine WHO is moving the prop. Write this in lower case (except for the first letter) beside the prop.Determine WHERE the prop is coming from. Write this in lower case beside the prop CHARACTER name.Write “to“ beside that.Determine WHERE the prop ends up. This may be farther down the page. Write this beside the “to”. If it stays in the person’s hand for a while, write “hand”. KEEP THIS ON ONE LINE. Write compactly. EG: BRIEFCASE Jane floor to handWhen the prop is put down, treat that as a new prop movement. EG2: BRIEFCASE Jane hand to tableIf an item is put INTO or ONTO another prop, ONLY the item being tracked is in CAPITALS.EG3: PAPER Jane briefcase to tableNOTES: Some people like to put “from” after the character name before the first location. If you like that, and IF it helps, you CAN do it that way. It does take up more room.Be as specific as reasonable. Sometimes a group of props can be treated as a unit. Eg from various plays include: Food. Clothing. Tools. Files. Books. In these cases, a note in the KEY, or elsewhere can clarify that certain items will be treated as a group, unless otherwise noted.Sample: with two props trackings, two blockings, and 1 lighting cue

Script page Cues Props Blocking Meg: I wonder6 if the real father knows what they8 really did. Jane: When oo10 I was in [town] the [town] LQ4 GO hall^ other day for lunch,12 and I want to o o BRIEFCASE Jane floor to hand 12 J p/u bfcs, holds it show you the lovely 14 article that they put in the paper with NEWSPAPER Jane bfcs to Meg 15 J gvs ppr to M my contact infor- o o

Thank you,Anne Redish, S.M.

Schedules 1) Overview2) Daily Per Assignment 10am – 6pm, and lunch aft

er max 4 hrs, incl END of Day, Breaks 5 min per hour.

Reports3) Rehearsal Reports / Notes2) Show Reports

http://www.queensu.ca/drama/drama240/index_006.htm

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