SM: "SL & SR" or "P & OP"
Thu, 22 Nov 2001, 07:34 amWalter Plinge7 posts in thread
SM: "SL & SR" or "P & OP"
Thu, 22 Nov 2001, 07:34 amThats a confusing subject for you.
Recently, I was calling cues for a small panto show, and, as is my understanding of stage geography, the right hand side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Left", while the left had side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Right".
As an SM, and an ASM for many years, all shows I have worked on have used this standard. However, on this particular show, I was told by the lighting op (who knows his stuff), that "Stage Left and Stage Right" were the English standard.
He argued that the true Australian standard is "Prompt" and "opposite Prompt (OP)" for SL and SR respectively.
?
Does anyone know the proper standard for this? I have heard of P and OP before, but was not aware they were even used here at all!
Are they just for lighting cues? Are they for all SM cues? Are they for direction and blocking?
ta,
Alan D .Thompson
Recently, I was calling cues for a small panto show, and, as is my understanding of stage geography, the right hand side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Left", while the left had side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Right".
As an SM, and an ASM for many years, all shows I have worked on have used this standard. However, on this particular show, I was told by the lighting op (who knows his stuff), that "Stage Left and Stage Right" were the English standard.
He argued that the true Australian standard is "Prompt" and "opposite Prompt (OP)" for SL and SR respectively.
?
Does anyone know the proper standard for this? I have heard of P and OP before, but was not aware they were even used here at all!
Are they just for lighting cues? Are they for all SM cues? Are they for direction and blocking?
ta,
Alan D .Thompson
Walter PlingeThu, 22 Nov 2001, 07:34 am
Thats a confusing subject for you.
Recently, I was calling cues for a small panto show, and, as is my understanding of stage geography, the right hand side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Left", while the left had side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Right".
As an SM, and an ASM for many years, all shows I have worked on have used this standard. However, on this particular show, I was told by the lighting op (who knows his stuff), that "Stage Left and Stage Right" were the English standard.
He argued that the true Australian standard is "Prompt" and "opposite Prompt (OP)" for SL and SR respectively.
?
Does anyone know the proper standard for this? I have heard of P and OP before, but was not aware they were even used here at all!
Are they just for lighting cues? Are they for all SM cues? Are they for direction and blocking?
ta,
Alan D .Thompson
Recently, I was calling cues for a small panto show, and, as is my understanding of stage geography, the right hand side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Left", while the left had side of the stage (from audience POV) is called "Stage Right".
As an SM, and an ASM for many years, all shows I have worked on have used this standard. However, on this particular show, I was told by the lighting op (who knows his stuff), that "Stage Left and Stage Right" were the English standard.
He argued that the true Australian standard is "Prompt" and "opposite Prompt (OP)" for SL and SR respectively.
?
Does anyone know the proper standard for this? I have heard of P and OP before, but was not aware they were even used here at all!
Are they just for lighting cues? Are they for all SM cues? Are they for direction and blocking?
ta,
Alan D .Thompson
Amanda ChestertonThu, 22 Nov 2001, 11:14 am
RE: SM: "SL & SR" or "P & OP"
When I did work experience at His Majesty's Theatre (Perth, WA) back in '93, the ONLY terms the techies used were PS and OP. Likewise with techies at other Perth theatres I subsequently performed in (Playhouse, Burswood, Regal). It was years, in fact, before I got a definitive answer on what 'stage right' and 'stage left' actually were.
I have a feeling stage right and left are more actor's terms and PS and OP are techie's terms. I have rarely heard a director use PS and OP in a rehearsal room. Similarly, I have rarely heard a techie use SR and SL. Is this correct?
Amanda Chesterton
I have a feeling stage right and left are more actor's terms and PS and OP are techie's terms. I have rarely heard a director use PS and OP in a rehearsal room. Similarly, I have rarely heard a techie use SR and SL. Is this correct?
Amanda Chesterton
crgwllmsThu, 22 Nov 2001, 11:55 am
RE: SLiP, SLaP, SLOP
Amanda Chesterton wrote:
-------------------------------
>>"I have a feeling stage right and left are more actor's terms and PS and OP are techie's terms. I have rarely heard a director use PS and OP in a rehearsal room. Similarly, I have rarely heard a techie use SR and SL. Is this correct?"
Sounds like a reasonable theory to me.
Stage Left and Right are definitely actor's terms, because they are from the actor's point of view looking out toward the audience. Directors naturally have to use this language in rehearsal when they're speaking to actors.
In production meetings with their tech crew, you'll sometimes hear directors switch to tech-talk and use "Prompt" or "OP". (Multi-lingual, those directors.)
My theory is that because the tech crew is likely to be looking from either side of the curtain (ie crew backstage could be talking on cans to crew in the biobox out front) the left/right perspective is not the same for both parties talking, so for accuracy they prefer to talk in terms of physical locations.
In some obscure theatrical tradition, the Stage Manager would always be set up on one particular side of the stage. That meant the other side of the stage was the "Prompt Corner" where someone could sit on the book and prompt the actors. So PS was for that 'Prompt Side' and OP meant 'Opposite Prompt'.
I say obscure, because I'm actually not entirely sure which side is which...(I think SR=OP, SL=PS..?) Although His Maj and the Playhouse have the SM's console on SR, I've been in theatres where it's the other way around, and anyway, who the hell uses a prompt? (Or if anyone does have to prompt, often it's the stage manager on the book...and THEN what side are they sitting on?)
Anyway, regardless of its now-redundant origin, it seems to be a well established and useful code for the crew. I don't think it's particularly "Australian Standard"...I would've thought that we've taken BOTH of these codes from the English theatre tradition.
Cheers
Craig
------/====/-<8> ~<8>-/====/-----------
-------------------------------
>>"I have a feeling stage right and left are more actor's terms and PS and OP are techie's terms. I have rarely heard a director use PS and OP in a rehearsal room. Similarly, I have rarely heard a techie use SR and SL. Is this correct?"
Sounds like a reasonable theory to me.
Stage Left and Right are definitely actor's terms, because they are from the actor's point of view looking out toward the audience. Directors naturally have to use this language in rehearsal when they're speaking to actors.
In production meetings with their tech crew, you'll sometimes hear directors switch to tech-talk and use "Prompt" or "OP". (Multi-lingual, those directors.)
My theory is that because the tech crew is likely to be looking from either side of the curtain (ie crew backstage could be talking on cans to crew in the biobox out front) the left/right perspective is not the same for both parties talking, so for accuracy they prefer to talk in terms of physical locations.
In some obscure theatrical tradition, the Stage Manager would always be set up on one particular side of the stage. That meant the other side of the stage was the "Prompt Corner" where someone could sit on the book and prompt the actors. So PS was for that 'Prompt Side' and OP meant 'Opposite Prompt'.
I say obscure, because I'm actually not entirely sure which side is which...(I think SR=OP, SL=PS..?) Although His Maj and the Playhouse have the SM's console on SR, I've been in theatres where it's the other way around, and anyway, who the hell uses a prompt? (Or if anyone does have to prompt, often it's the stage manager on the book...and THEN what side are they sitting on?)
Anyway, regardless of its now-redundant origin, it seems to be a well established and useful code for the crew. I don't think it's particularly "Australian Standard"...I would've thought that we've taken BOTH of these codes from the English theatre tradition.
Cheers
Craig
------/====/-<8> ~<8>-/====/-----------
Walter PlingeThu, 22 Nov 2001, 09:12 pm
RE: SLiP, SLaP, SLOP
Ok, just to confuse things even more, SR is PS and SL is OP, but not always. It basically depends on the lay out of the theatre, and even possibly down to SM's choice. The terms of SR/SL PS/OP are pretty much interchangable, and no one-way is correct. I would stick with Craig's theory though, that the techs use PS/OP and most actor's/directores use SR/SL.
Mem
Mem
Walter PlingeFri, 23 Nov 2001, 04:28 pm
RE: SLiP, SLaP, SLOP
Quick reply
I have been working in the industry for 17 years In the UK & Europe & can only comment on this from that point of view.
I have used both terms in the past but the norm is SL & SR as this will never change.
The Prompt Desk is normally sittuated on the SL side but can be on the oppisite side this is then called (excuse my French) bastard prompt.
In short SL & SR are constant and will never change, but prompt side can differ which can be confusing for visiting techies.
Best bet is if your calling the show you decide.
Bob
I have been working in the industry for 17 years In the UK & Europe & can only comment on this from that point of view.
I have used both terms in the past but the norm is SL & SR as this will never change.
The Prompt Desk is normally sittuated on the SL side but can be on the oppisite side this is then called (excuse my French) bastard prompt.
In short SL & SR are constant and will never change, but prompt side can differ which can be confusing for visiting techies.
Best bet is if your calling the show you decide.
Bob
Walter PlingeFri, 23 Nov 2001, 06:52 pm
RE: SLiP, SLaP, SLOP
:) For what it's worth, front of house (and management ) in my experience talk about prompt & OP... even when discussing seats in the auditorium.. although here at the Maj some smart alec always adds " except for Phantom" where I assume the stage manager was on t'other side:)
I think Craig's explanation rings true... everyone but the actors could be looking from both directions.
I think Craig's explanation rings true... everyone but the actors could be looking from both directions.
Walter PlingeSun, 9 Dec 2001, 03:42 pm
RE: SLiP, SLaP, SLOP
I to agree that SL/SR are more actors terms and prompt and OP tech terms. I think SL and SR are being used more. I find it very sad when graduates from our training institutions particularly those from technical course have no idea what prompt and op mean!
When a the stage manager calls from op they call from a bastard propmt position as bob said but it doesn't change the fact that PS is stage left and OP stage right it just makes reference to the fact that the stage manager is no longer calling from prompt ( the norm).
The smart alec is partly right about phantom using a bastard prompt but they have the wrong venue. Phantom was at the entertainment centre not at the maj. Which is a great pity as it would have been a fantastic venue and contrary to popular belief the show would have fitted it, but cameron had to have his 2000 seats.
Walter xits PS
When a the stage manager calls from op they call from a bastard propmt position as bob said but it doesn't change the fact that PS is stage left and OP stage right it just makes reference to the fact that the stage manager is no longer calling from prompt ( the norm).
The smart alec is partly right about phantom using a bastard prompt but they have the wrong venue. Phantom was at the entertainment centre not at the maj. Which is a great pity as it would have been a fantastic venue and contrary to popular belief the show would have fitted it, but cameron had to have his 2000 seats.
Walter xits PS