Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Keeping track

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Nanette
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Joined: 8/01/06
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Posts: 399

Posted: 8/26/07 at 1:33pm

Like Gaafa we always marked our cut gels w/ the color numbers. These were then filed in a file folder; one color per folder. The folders were in number order in a box. We used Rosco for all our gels, so we didn't need to identify the various companies.

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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gracie
Walk-On
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Joined: 4/04/07
Location: United States
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Posted: 8/26/07 at 2:17pm

We've sort of always been everyone takes care of their own area and didn't need to worry about having to do any crossing over into unfamiliar territory. With the semi-retirement (for lack of a better term) of our two lighting experts, that's something that's begining to change.

We have a serious need for cross-training. Our newest board president is of that opinion and is working toward that goal. Not that everyone needs to be an expert in every area, but we all need to be somewhat familiar with each area. Putting all of your eggs in one basket can lead to trouble.

Yes Joe, we did hit the jackpot with the local high school replacing their lighting system. Not that we really needed any more lights to hang (I think we have around 80 or so now). Don't know what kind of shape the ones from the HS are in, but hopefully, we'll get use out of them.

Last winter, when I made a trip to the lighting repair guys up in Chicago, I did pick up swatch books for 2 or 3 companies. I forget the names. I know Roscoe and I think...Apollo?

Great idea Nanette about sticking with one company. Will have to remember that.

Now that our season is over until next summer, we hope to get a good inventory done. Something we have needed to do for a long time. The two things I know won't get inventoried are costumes and sets. Way too much to even begin. It would take months to inventory costumes/props. Sets...some might get done. But not a complete inventory. Too much changes. No sense in inventorying every 2x4x8. Next show, it might be cut into pieces to create legs for a platform.

www.vermillionplayers.com

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avcastner
Star
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Joined: 12/21/06
Location: United States
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Posts: 85

Posted: 10/24/07 at 11:46pm

To inventory gels, I have them pre cut by sizes we use, labeled by number, and stored by company, color, and then size in a filing cabinet. We also use china markers to write on the company's first initial and the number of the color, i.e., R60 for Rosco Booster Blue (or whatever it may be--I don't have my swatch book with me right now).

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posts: 832

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:42am

I may have mentioned this here or else where - I'm sure that other bloke 'Gaafa' might have done so as well, at odd times?
But it is probably worth mentioning again.
If you have a large theatre or pro performance centre near by. It may be worth while getting to know the techies & seeing if your group can snaffle up all the old gel they throw out.
When I did this game as a full time job, I would always ensure that the old gel after colour changes was not chucked out in the rubbish, but collected up to give to the local amatuer theatre groups.
In fact at a number of venues, the groups supplied there own plastic rubbish bins, with a lid on.
In most cases with leached out or discoloured hot spots in the gels. The outer parts could be cut down for the smaller 0.5 - 1 kW units used in comeatres.
However ensure you do pick them up regularly & even if they are total rubbish, take them anyway - to keep faith with venue.
This can also give you a leg in the door on bigger things they may want to throw out, such as old or updated lamps/gear & even scenery & odd things, left behind by touring company shows.
It's a great door opener that can be used in the future.

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Lights and Sound
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Lights and Sound

Topic: Keeping track - inventory systems?( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 8/26/07 at 1:33pm
	Like Gaafa we always marked our cut gels w/ the color numbers. These were then filed in a file folder; one color per folder. The folders were in number order in a box. We used Rosco for all our gels, so we didn't need to identify the various companies.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

gracie Walk-On Joined: 4/04/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/26/07 at 2:17pm
	We've sort of always been everyone takes care of their own area and didn't need to worry about having to do any crossing over into unfamiliar territory. With the semi-retirement (for lack of a better term) of our two lighting experts, that's something that's begining to change. We have a serious need for cross-training. Our newest board president is of that opinion and is working toward that goal. Not that everyone needs to be an expert in every area, but we all need to be somewhat familiar with each area. Putting all of your eggs in one basket can lead to trouble. Yes Joe, we did hit the jackpot with the local high school replacing their lighting system. Not that we really needed any more lights to hang (I think we have around 80 or so now). Don't know what kind of shape the ones from the HS are in, but hopefully, we'll get use out of them. Last winter, when I made a trip to the lighting repair guys up in Chicago, I did pick up swatch books for 2 or 3 companies. I forget the names. I know Roscoe and I think...Apollo? Great idea Nanette about sticking with one company. Will have to remember that. Now that our season is over until next summer, we hope to get a good inventory done. Something we have needed to do for a long time. The two things I know won't get inventoried are costumes and sets. Way too much to even begin. It would take months to inventory costumes/props. Sets...some might get done. But not a complete inventory. Too much changes. No sense in inventorying every 2x4x8. Next show, it might be cut into pieces to create legs for a platform.
	www.vermillionplayers.com
	IP Logged

avcastner Star Joined: 12/21/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 85	Posted: 10/24/07 at 11:46pm
	To inventory gels, I have them pre cut by sizes we use, labeled by number, and stored by company, color, and then size in a filing cabinet. We also use china markers to write on the company's first initial and the number of the color, i.e., R60 for Rosco Booster Blue (or whatever it may be--I don't have my swatch book with me right now).
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:42am
	I may have mentioned this here or else where - I'm sure that other bloke 'Gaafa' might have done so as well, at odd times? But it is probably worth mentioning again. If you have a large theatre or pro performance centre near by. It may be worth while getting to know the techies & seeing if your group can snaffle up all the old gel they throw out. When I did this game as a full time job, I would always ensure that the old gel after colour changes was not chucked out in the rubbish, but collected up to give to the local amatuer theatre groups. In fact at a number of venues, the groups supplied there own plastic rubbish bins, with a lid on. In most cases with leached out or discoloured hot spots in the gels. The outer parts could be cut down for the smaller 0.5 - 1 kW units used in comeatres. However ensure you do pick them up regularly & even if they are total rubbish, take them anyway - to keep faith with venue. This can also give you a leg in the door on bigger things they may want to throw out, such as old or updated lamps/gear & even scenery & odd things, left behind by touring company shows. It's a great door opener that can be used in the future.
	IP Logged