Audio/Video Design @ Schapiro

Prior to starting work on any Columbia Theatre production, please make sure to read and understand your duties for general design work at Columbia and the specific design area as detailed below.

General Information for All Design Disciplines

  • The Theatre Program will only be responsible for department-approved designs that are received by their designated deadlines.
  • Columbia property may not be altered without express permission.
  • It is the responsibility of each designer to keep and fill out a comprehensive list of their items, categorizing everything by owner and location origin.
  • There are no deliveries of purchased goods available on the weekends.
  • All items purchased by the production budget are the property of Columbia University after the production.
  • If a designer is going to be remote for all or most of the design process, their participation in the production must be approved by the relevant production staff to ensure that the designer’s in-person duties are adequately covered by a member of the production team. It is strongly recommended that designers be able to attend in-person rehearsals and meetings.

Thank you for working with us! Please don't hesitate to reach out to the PM or APM @ Schapiro with any questions.

 

Important Locations

Sound/Video Designer Deliverables

Sound Designer Responsibilities

  1. Present at Concepts Production Meeting and Load In Meeting
  2. Source any purchases needed and send links/information to Production Management for payment.
  3. Being present at scheduled Sound Focus/Quiet Time.
  4. Present at the entirety of all Technical Rehearsals/Dress Rehearsal to program sound and mix levels.
  5. Sound Designer is responsible for programming all sound cues.
  6. It is the responsibility of each designer to keep and fill out a master list of their items – categorizing everything by owner and location origin.
  7. If any items were borrowed or rented, the Sound Designer must coordinate the return of items to the appropriate location(s).
  8. Designers are responsible for the transportation of their personal items.

Process / Resources

  • There are repertory speakers that may not be moved.
  • For online orders (always preferred), send links with description of quantity, color, size, delivery preference, etc. directly to Production Management. 
  • A small amount of petty cash can be fronted for sound purchases through the APM - please see purchasing rules below.
  • All items purchased by the production budget are the property of Columbia University after the production.
  • Columbia technicians will Install and focus the approved additional speaker/microphones.
  • The A/V Supervisor must approve additional design components.
  • There is no dynamic rigging in Schapiro. Microphones, speakers and/or instruments can not be lowered, raised or made askew.
  • The department will supply a computer to run sound, equipped with QLab (with full sound and video license).
  • Equipment inventory is listed in below.
  • The sound rig and board may not be used without the presence of the PM, APM, A/V Supervisor, or Designated Schapiro Worker- unless express permission is granted.
  • Columbia property may not be altered without express permission.
  • A pre-show announcement is mandatory, per building code and NYC law. It must be audible, and occur within 10 minutes of the start of the performance. It can be delivered live or recorded. Columbia has stock recordings available for use. 
    • Pre-show announcement language example: (The language about exit doors is the only part legally required)
      •  "Hello and welcome to _______________.  Please take a moment to identify the nearest exit.  For the safety of our actors, no photography.  Please use this opportunity to silence your phone. Most importantly- enjoy the show”
      • *Please submit any variance of this language to Production Management/Director of Production for approval, before recording.

Resources

Purchasing

  1. As much as possible, please allow Production Management to make purchases on your behalf. It is faster and significantly less complicated than requesting reimbursements.
  2. Please see the Budgeting section, for more information.
  1. No technical work can begin without the PM, APM, or member of the Schapiro Student Technical Team present.
  2. Never work in any space alone.
  3. Never put any tape on the soft goods. If you need to add glow tape for actors, put two pieces together and pin it to the soft good.
  4. You cannot rig anything that will add significant weight to the grid. In other words, you may hang a piece of fabric or an overhead practical, etc. but no swings or anything that would add a person’s weight to the grid. 
  5. The boards must never leave the booth.
  6. Anyone using the light board must be approved and trained by the PM before gaining access to the booth.
  7. Designers/technicians cannot work in the space without a Columbia student/staff/faculty present. 
  8. Any exposed cable on the floor should be covered by marley and then taped down. Do not tape directly over the cable.
  9. Floor units must have an egress of 42”
  1. Do not cover up exit signs or fire alarms, or remove fire extinguishers. New York City fire code is very strict and any fines imposed will be passed on to the student responsible for the project. Fire inspectors have conducted surprise inspections.
  2. Prior permission of PM is required to use of the Genie lift.
  3. No smoking or live flame of any kind, for any length of time.
  4. There must be at least a 42-inch-wide egress to both fire exit doors at all times during any production. No scenery, person, chair, or curtain may obstruct the exit.