Where are you all?

There is usually a drop in postings on this site during the Christmas period, and it picks up again in February. This year though, it feels as though nobody at all is posting - even us regulars seem to be posting less and less. Where are you all? I know I've been a bit busy (but then I'm always busy, and still manage to post)... is it simply busy-ness, or is it that people don't have anything interesting to say? Or perhaps we need another controversy, like Blackbox etc, to come along... Don't tell me there's nothing going on out there - there's plenty!! ... So I offer up a topic of question - I'm currently helping a girl get into puppetry, by introducing her around the place, inviting her to view rehearsals, sending her info, etc. It's the first time I've done something like this (though it does fit within my normal activities of helping fellow theatre people), and I'm just wondering how many people go out of their way to help newbies - and how many people have been turned down/accepted by those they admire/ask for help. Any comments? Na

I have to agree. It's very difficult to take the time to slow down; but of all the techies I've met (since I do mostly tech stuff), the ones that I liked the most were the ones who did take the time. And actually, they only ever explained something to me when they needed an extra pair of hands, and the task needed to be done was basic. Eg. I learned how to fade lights up and down using a computer program I'd never seen before. Very basic, but it allowed me an opportunity to learn, and the more experienced tech to get on with focusing the lights. The people that I often didn't like were the ones who didn't bother to take the time to teach me; I've actually found this detrimental to my performing roles in companies/venues, because if you don't know something, many higher-ups think your not experienced enough to do the job (therefore giving the task to someone with more experience, usually the person who could have taught you in the first place). I actually think it would be better if we had more work placement (type) opportunities. Of course with all companies, they are happy to have vollies (volunteers) come along, but are often dumped into more admin/clean-up jobs. If we as an industry offered more in-depth placements, with more creative input or opportunities, it would probably encourage more mentorship from pros, and more learning from students... That's my opinion anyway. Of course, it's also up to the person you're mentoring to take every opportunity they can to learn - some things are obvious to you, and not obvious to the person learning. (I had to explain the term 'spruiking' last week, forgetting that most newbies/emerging artists don't know it!) ...Right now I am waiting for a phone call from an international puppeteer whom I've admired, and just happens to be in town... til tomorrow. I met him momentarily last week (just long enough to say hi and give him my number)... I'm not one for introducing myself to other people in my industry - I'm pretty much a 'keep to myself' type - but this is one opportunity I didn't want to miss. I don't think he will contact me, but on the other hand, I did everything I could to try and meet - and learn - from someone more experienced than I am. More mentorship is all I can say! :idea: The Prompt Copy Store www.store.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne Treading the Boards www.treadingtheboards.thepromptcopy.com

A two way street

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