Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2016-17

ASM ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As an Assistant Stage Manager for the Pantomime there are various tasks
which needed to be completed. These can include health and safety
checks, administration and paperwork, props and set, special effects and
performing cues.

Rehearsals
As the rehearsals were based in London, tasks were limited until we were
in Plymouth where set and props were being delivered and made.
However, any urgent props required for the rehearsals or required for the
show which wouldnt be provided were sourced here.
Paperwork also needed to be prepared ready for the shows ahead, these
include:
Props List including what props are required from reading the
script, any additionals mentioned by the director and cast, where
they are being sourced from and which Act, Scene and Page number
of the script they are mentioned on
Shout Check List This includes a list of the props which are based
Stage Left and Right throughout the production and to ensure they
have been checked that they are present
Scenic Breakdown Showing which actors, props and set are in each
scene for the show and the entrance/exit movements
SL and SR Movement Summaries Cues for the ASMs to perform in
terms of prop handing and collecting, any special effect cues and
movements for scene changes

Also as ASMs, it was our responsibility on the last day of rehearsals in

London that the space was cleared and tidied, that everyone was happy
and sorted for their travel and accommodation in Plymouth and also to do
a truck load of all props which had been sourced in London and any
costumes which had already been present in London for fittings and
alterations.

Technical Rehearsals
This is the time where everything which has been noted in the rehearsals
in terms of the props and set comes into practise ahead of the show
opening. It is also the time where we worked along with Twins FX who
supply special effects for shows and specialise in pantomimes. For Snow
White we had a magic mirror which was controlled by a hydraulic arm and
remote and also Dylan the Dragon who could be operated in two ways: by
an arm so he could be lifted and flown over the audience along with
remote controls and also he could be sat stationary on a piece of set and
controlled by remote controls.

Technical rehearsals are a long but crucial process to allow the DSM along
with the LX and Sound designers to ensure all cues are correct on stage
and to make any amendments. As an ASM, we had to be on the ball for
when we were stopping and starting and ensuring the correct cast
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2016-17

members were around but also not causing

distractions throughout the process. This was also
our first time we could carry out our cues and make any updates to our
cue sheets as required.

Pre-Show:
ASMs are one of the first to arrive in the theatre in the morning to start
doing their health and safety checks in addition to preparing for the two
shows ahead. The checks and prep I carried out include the following:
Blow up 2 x balloons (1 for matinee and 1 for evening) and attach
curling ribbon
Make up 8 x goodybags for songsheet handout (4 for matinee and 4
for evening)
Goodybag stock check and countdown to ensure there were enough
bags and items for every show for the whole run of production
Batteries for Bat Costumes There were 8 costumes which
consisted of head masks and wings which had LED strips controlled
by 9V batteries. These batteries were charged overnight and then
were placed within the head masks and wings on a daily basis and
were checked to ensure they were working correctly
Carrot and Water prep There is a gag in the show which requires a
plastic fishbowl to be washed and filled with fresh cold water for
every show and also for a carrot to be cut into a fish shape to go
inside
Water pistols to be washed and filled with fresh cold water for
every performance as were used on the audience
Sword maintenance included filing of any sharp edges the sword
had obtained from use on stage and polishing to give it that extra
shine
Mirror check This was carried out with the DSM and just included
the DSM cueing the mirror and ensuring the mirror moved up and
down from the orchestra pit smoothly and without problems and
performed the 360 degree turn required. The AV which shows on the
mirror is also tested by the DSM at this point
Dragon The dragon is controlled by batteries placed in the body
and head. These were required to be charged overnight and then to
be placed in the dragon each morning and tested. The dragon also
has 2 remotes. One is for the wings and arm movement of the
dragon and the other is for the control of the eyes, ears and mouth
of the dragon (this proves tricky when following the script
speeches). Finally, the dragon has CO2 which is wired through to
come out of his nose to look like smoke. This needed to be checked
each day and monitored for when cans needed changing

Show:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2016-17

Throughout the show, as ASM Book Cover I was

based on Stage Right and was in charge of that
wing. This means ensuring correct theatre etiquette was maintained
throughout the show. This included no loud talking within the wings, no
water bottles or trip hazards being left in the wing.

I also followed a cue sheet which was prepared in the rehearsal stage and
updated during the technical rehearsals. These cues included prop
movements to cast members and different sides of stage, cues for the
dragon to be operated, cues for the mirror to be raised up and down,
switch on of batteries for bat costumes and cues for scene changes.

Also when it comes to the interval, ASMs get little break as they are
setting up for the next half of the show and ensuring any batteries which
need to be switched on or off or to be placed back on charge have been
completed.

Post-Show:
If it was a matinee performance, then the stage would be cleaned and re-
set straight after the curtain comes down and prepared for the evening
performance. This included fresh water for the water pistols, fresh water
and carrot for the fishbowl gag and also putting the bat costume batteries
back on charge for a boost before the second show. It also meant carrying
out another shout check to ensure all props and set had been moved back
to their correct place and carrying out another health and safety check
before the next show.

If it was an evening show, then it just meant ensuring that everything had
been powered down and switched off correctly and placing the batteries
for the dragon and bat costumes on charge overnight as we would be in
earlier the next day to reset everything for the shows ahead.

Shadowing:
When Hannah was shadowing me for the day, she was involved with the
whole process for the day. This included the initial set up of the props and
set for the show. Hannah also observed the battery set up in the dragon
and bat costumes (unfortunately she could not assist on this as the
process required the ASMs to be trained by the experts and signed off
that we were competent in the process due to health and safety).

I also allowed to carry out some of the ASM cues including set movement
and prop movements on and off stage. She also aided in the Health and
Safety monitoring of the wing and ensured cast members were of theatre
etiquette throughout the show.