Production Meeting 2

The second meeting was held the following week, and included three of the four third year Designers. During this meeting we were briefed on the initial design concepts, and could give provisional affirmation to these ideas. Two of the projects would require projection and computer interaction, which will be confirmed in the next few weeks. The third design requires only a table, spotlight, and small smoke machine as it is just a model, rather than an interactive installation.

I had some queries regarding one of the more ambitious projects, as it would need a hidden camera that is subtly operated by the audience member to film them completing tasks - the footage would be played back to them once they have left the project area or booth. Initially, I was uncertain as to how this would work practically, and the level of technical ability required to build such a piece. However, following an email with Dave, we have clarified with the Designers that they must be able to set up and know their own projects, and that my role as Technical Stage Manager is to understand the pieces so I can fix any problems that may arise on the day of performance. A Stage Manager has been described as the person who is “making sure it all happens”(1). This helped to clarify my role, and also the amount of work I would be required to give to the actual creation of the pieces.

Overall, the meetings were very productive as it opened up the dialogue between the Designers and the Technical Team, and began to sketch out both a schedule and an idea of how the installations may work together.

(1) Tolkoff, E. (1998) ‘Stage Manager as Guru: Reading the Director’s Mind and Fulfilling the Vision’, Back Stage – National Edition, 9 October, 39 (41), pp. 5