The Girlfriend Threat Level

The Girlfriend Threat Level

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Financial Info For Freelancers

If you are new to the industry, there are some important financial details you should know. First thing is to find a good tax accountant who is familiar with the entertainment industry. There are some quirks to the business that some regular tax guys don't fully understand. The author is not a tax accountant, these are just some helpful guidelines to prepare your financial situation for your tax guy if you are unfamiliar with the industry. Talk to your coworkers about taxes and budgeting. They might know a good tax guy to recommend or they might know about some quirks in the tax rules that are specific to your area or some new regulation that this general guide doesn't cover.

Next, download the Freelancer's Tax Worksheet. This is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that will help you to keep track of things for your tax guy. You may end up making some modifications based on your specific location and your tax guy's recommendations. From the "What You Should Know On Your First Gig" article, you should already be writing the details of your gigs down. Keep a paper calender of your schedule. If you use an online or computerized calendar, keep a paper calendar anyway as a backup. If you don't use a computerized calendar, keep 2 paper calendars, just in case, at least one small enough to carry around with you. This is where you write down all your future gigs that you are scheduled for and where you should be keeping the details of each gig, as explained in the article.

On the Freelancer's Tax Worksheet, keep track of your time after you have completed your gig. Record your time in and time out, how many hours you worked (these may be different numbers if you completed a strike in less than your required 4-hour mini or you are on a day rate and your clocked-out time is less than your 10 hour-day, so it's important to record both time and hours.), your rate, the dollar amount before taxes that you expect to receive, the name and location of the show and - this is very important - how many miles from your house to the location. You can Mapquest it at any time to make it easy on you.

If you have any days where your rate changes partway through it (if you go into overtime, for instance), write the rate change on its own row. So, if you worked on Monday from 8 AM to 8 PM with a 1 hour lunch break and you went into overtime at 5 PM, then one line will read Monday, in at 8, out at 5 for a total of 8 hours at your regular rate. The next line will say Monday, in at 5 and out at 8 for 3 hours at your overtime rate. Do not type in the miles a second time if you have several rows for only one trip.

When you receive a paycheck, double check your checkstub with your hours against your own records to make sure it's correct. If it is correct (adjusted for taxes if the gig was a W2 gig), enter the amount you received in the column next to your expected amount and highlight those rows of times and dates that correspond with that check. This is a quick at-a-glance way to keep track of who has paid you and who still owes you.

As you enter your paychecks, keep an eye on any gigs that were more than 2 weeks back or the scheduled pay period for that gig. If your checks are late, make sure you call that company and keep calling to find out where your paycheck is. Make note of all phone conversations and keep any email or other correspondence with all companies who have not paid on time in case you need to take legal action. Do not let your paychecks go unclaimed for very long, but sometimes there will be delays. Use this form to help keep track of those paychecks that are delayed.

Next is to get some large manilla envelopes to keep receipts in. You should be saving receipts for everything. Every time you eat at restaurants or cafeterias while at work, request the receipt. All clothing purchased specifically for work - save the receipt. You should save receipts for food, clothing, your phone bill, maintenance on your vehicle, tolls and parking expenses, any and all computer-related purchases (including internet) if you use your computer for work, and any tools you use at work. Save reciepts for any events you attend that are in the same field as your work. For instance, if you get film gigs, save movie stubs and if you work concerts, save concert ticket stubs - they count as "educational expenses" and might even count as networking the way business lunches count in other industries. Label manilla envelopes to match the type of receipt and the year and store your receipts in your envelopes in a safe place until tax time.

You can record your receipts as you get them or all at the end before you do your taxes. If you scroll to the right on your Worksheet, there are some headings to help you get organized. Simply enter the amount of each receipt into its own cell below the appropriate heading, then add them all up at the bottom of the column. This way, when you take all your papers to your tax guy at the end of the year, it's already organized for him, and if you ever get audited, you will have everything the IRS needs for the audit. Keep your files for 7 years, preferably in a fireproof safe with all your other important documents.

Bring your envelopes with receipts & checkstubs, your W2s and 1099s, and a printout of this Worksheet with all your gigs and your itemized, added-up receipt totals to your tax guy as soon as you have received your last W2 or 1099 form in the mail. Do not wait until the last minute. Some people file for extensions immediately, whether they think they need the extra time or not, just to allow some wiggle room in case there are any difficulties in obtaining your various forms from your various clients.

Now, to anticipate tax time, you need to have a good budget for the year. Freelancing is not steady work and we are subject to "on" and "off" seasons, which will vary from location to location. Especially if you are new, you may not get steady enough work to cover all your expenses. So it's very important to learn to budget. To start your budget, look at all your expenses from last month. Add up your rent, utilities, any credit card or loan payments, your vehicle insurance, how much money you spent on gas and food, and all other money you spent on miscellaneous things. Then take that dollar amount and add 10% to it. This is the very minimum amount of money you need to survive with your current expenses.

If you happen to make any money over your estimated budget (the total dollar amount you spent last month plus 10%), do not spend it. Take that money and put it into a separate account, preferably a savings account that earns you interest. When tax time comes around, if you end up owing taxes, you can use this money to pay your taxes with. If you accounted for miscellaneous spending and you have added 10% on top of that, you should have plenty of extra cash each month for entertainment without missing bill payments. If you want to save up for something extra, you can take it out of your entertainment budget. If you are interested in more aggressive budgeting or learning how to make your money work for you, consult with your new tax guy or look into a financial planner.

These are just some very basic tips to keep you afloat with a non-steady income stream. There are many other resources from licenced financial planners to help you improve and build upon these basic strategies. You may find your situation would benefit from incorporating yourself instead of filing as an independent contractor, for instance. If your tax guy really is familiar with unusual independent contractor situations, he can advise you on a more specific financial path for your specific needs.

http://www.stagehandtees.com/freelancersfinance.html

Stagehand Boo Boo

Hello Kitty was not powerful enough for this boo boo; Wolverine was needed for back up!

The Strathmore is Hiring an Assistant Lead Stage Technician

The Music Center at Strathmore, is a 190,000 square foot soaring structure that includes a magnificent world-class 2,000-seat Concert Hall, as well as a Education Center boasting dance studios, rehearsal halls, classrooms, and instruction studios, in addition to administrative office spaces. The Concert Hall has in excess of 150 performances annually.

The Assistant Lead Stage Technician (ALST) will assist as needed in the stage (carpentry) department. Duties will include the set and strike of the custom orchestra and choral riser system, musician chairs, music stands, pianos, soft goods, and other stage equipment as required. This position’s responsibilities include assisting as directed in the operation and maintenance of the Concert Hall stage systems including the stage lift system, adjustable acoustic system, and assisting in maintaining the detailed inventories of relevant materials and equipment, purchasing disposable equipment parts, and assisting in the long term planning for maintenance, repairs and equipment purchases.

When the Lead Stage Technician (LST) is unable to work a call the ALST shall assume that position as the lead with its responsibilities and hourly wage rate. Whenever the ALST works any calls other than when he/she is the LST, he/she shall be paid the assistant lead technician or key hourly wage rate.

This position which is hourly as required, will require membership in IATSE Local #22, and reports to the Production Stage Manager and Director of Operations.

Requirements for this position include a background in and experience with stage carpentry, properties, audio visual equipment as well as a basic knowledge of all aspects of production techniques, equipment, and facilities. A plus is rigging expertise or certification. Applicant must show willingness to be flexible in a new company and venue environment.

This position would also be a “second call position” (after the lead technicians) on calls not involving stage equipment set up or strike. Hourly wages, union benefits and work rules as per IATSE Local #22 collective bargaining agreement with Strathmore.

Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc is a non-profit arts education organization and equal opportunity employer.

Send Letter of Application, Resume and Professional References to:

Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc.

Attn: Director of Operations

5301 Tuckerman Lane

North Bethesda MD 20852-3385

Facsimile (301) 581-5149

Email facilities@strathmore.org

Closing Date: When Filled

Stupid Stagehand Tricks

Paul pulling a condom through his nose & out his mouth.  Considering we are standing on a corner in Washington, DC, I am sure that condom could be stuck in stranger places!

Shortest Out Ever!

I do believe I hit a record last night for the shortest load out of 30 minutes.  It was two speakers, a monitor, & five mics.  The drive to the venue took longer than the actual out.  What is your shortest out?

I stuck it in the wrong hole

He Puts It in the Wrong Place - Watch more Funny Videos

Gobo?

Because I am such a great stagehand, I was asked to return to the Wardman for an additional call, in order to focus, gel & add gobos to the fixtures. What’s a gobo? I went online to check & all I found was a stupid furry shit with legs & a big head. Why the fuck would they want me to shove his smelly ass into the lighting fixtures?

FUCK! I'll have to get a full body glove, so I don't singe my fur, while I sit on top of the lights, shoving Gobo into that little slot. Nothing is worst than burning fur!

Girly-Drink Junkie

Stagehand killed in fall had lots of experience Springfest contractor says friend's harness was unhooked

http://www.ialocal48.com/News/news.html

The stagehand who died of injuries he received in a fall at the amphitheater in Snowden Grove Park last Thursday had had numerous rigging jobs without incident.

Chuck Cole, the owner of Cole Entertainment Services, the firm that had contracted to rig the amphitheater for a concert at Southaven's Springfest, said Charles "Chuck" Houston had worked for a number of years as a stagehand.

"He was very experienced," he said. "He had begun working (as a stagehand) in 1997 and had worked on a regular basis since 2002."

Cole and Houston were personal friends and played football together at Southaven High School.

Although DeSoto County Coroner Jeffery Pounders said that Houston was not wearing a safety harness and that he was working without a safety net, Cole said Houston had on a safety harness, "but it was not hooked up at the time."

He explained that high riggers -- the workers who work the superstructure high above the stage -- "have to unhook and then re-hook as they move from point to point about the building."

He said that Houston either had unhooked to make a move "or he may have been on a beam that had no safety line where he could hook up."

Houston inexplicably lost his balance and fell about 40 feet, slamming his head onto the concrete stage.

At the time, Houston was working as an up-rigger and Cole was his down-rigger. Down-riggers pass materials to the up-riggers as they are needed.

"I didn't see him as he lost his balance, but I saw him as he fell," Cole said. "I started CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) on him. He was a close friend."

Houston had been working alone on one part of the superstructure, but other riggers were also working on the job, Cole said. None of the other riggers were near Houston when he fell.

Allen Byassee, business agent and corresponding secretary for Local 69 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union in Memphis, said Houston's death was "a needless, senseless death."

He said IATSE-covered workers are required to wear safety harnesses or to use nets to prevent falls and serious injuries.

"If he'd had that safety harness on at the time, we wouldn't be having this conversation is what I'm saying," he said.

Byassee said that some contractors cut corners by not having adequate insurance coverage such as IATSE provides.

Cole said his employees are "fully covered" by insurance in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Southaven Police Chief Tom Long said his officers have looked at the accident. "As far as we can tell, everything points to just a really bad accident."

He said investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are also looking into the accident.

"OSHA is going to do their thing, but that's separate from us," he said.

Stagehand guily of lover's murder

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/7040_stagehand_guily_of_lovers_murder

The jury in the Peter Noble murder trial took just under two hours yesterday to find him guilty of murdering his lover.

The three men and nine women were out of Reading Corwn Court for only 100 minutes before returning to give their verdict that The Hexagon stagehand was guilty of Josephine Cockell's murder.

As the unanimous decision was read out cries of "yes" were heard from the packed public gallery while Noble, 46, sat stone-faced in the dock.

Speaking after the verdict DCI Andy Taylor, who headed the investigation, said: "It was a particularly nasty attack and I am pleased we have secured a conviction."

"Hopefully this will give some benefit to Jo's family and friends. She was very popular and my thoughts go out to them," DCI Taylor continued.

Noble savagely stabbed Mrs Cockell, a Reading Museum worker, in his Stanley Grove home on December last year as she tried to end their end relationship.

Through the trial Noble's defence had tried to convince the jury he was so depressed he had an abnormality of mind and was not responsible for his actions.

The jury had heard three psychiatrists disagree about his mental state, although they were told by a GP his depression had improved before the attack and a doctor brought in to assess him when he was arrested declared him fit for questioning.

Ultimately, the jury rejected Noble's claim and found him guilty of murder.

Mrs Justice Rafferty told Noble: "There is one only sentence for murder and that is imprisonment for life." She ordered reports and postponed his sentence until later in the summer.

Violent end to a life hit by tragedy

PROSECUTOR Paul Reid summed up Jo Cockell's life when he opened the case against Peter Noble, telling the jury: "Her life was frequently touched by tragedy."

Just four months before her death the doting mother had been forced to come to terms with the loss of her son Xenon, who died of an asthma attack at just 29.

Heartbroken, she sought solace in the man she trusted most at the time, Peter Noble - and he repaid that affection by murdering her.

But Mrs Cockell would never have been put in that position had her life not been marred by tragedy twice before.

Her first husband, Xenon's father, Bogdan Sidorowciz, who she divorced in 1978, died of a heart attack. Then tragedy struck again when her second husband, Adrian Cockell, died in a Legionnaire's Disease outbreak at the Inland Revenue offices in Reading nearly 10 years ago.
The widow was left on her own to nurse Xenon, who was frequently rushed to hospital because of asthma attacks and once suffering a heart attack.

That was until she met Peter Noble at the Water Fest gala in 1998.

After an initial friendship their relationship grew until Noble moved in to her Salisbury Road home to help her get over her son's death. Xenon had died in Noble's arms. The couple shared an interest in spiritualism and would spend evenings talking and reading books by medium Doris Stokes.

However, on September 24 last year Mrs Cockell asked Noble to leave and told her line manager at the museum, Ivan Preston, she had a three-point plan to end the relationship. He said: "She told me she was going to let him down gently and do it over three stages and that she had completed the first phase.

"She said she found him overbearing."

She also spoke about ending the relationship to another colleague Frank Harding, who described Noble in court as a laid back gentleman.

Mr Harding said: "She said she was finding her relationship with him difficult. She felt that she didn't want to get close to anyone at that time because everyone she got close to let her down or died."

Noble stabbed her to death as she tried to complete her plan.

Friends said Noble had become jealous of her other friends and killed her just days after she returned from a weekend break in Paris with Carol Patient.

It was Mrs Patient who introduced the couple to each other. She was present at court throughout the trial.

Yesterday Mrs Patient paid tribute to her friend: "Two of Jo's greatest qualities were her strength and courage. The deaths of her two husbands, her son Xenon's asthma illness and heart attack were hard to bear and his death last August devastated her."

"Jo was a kind and generous person and gave her time freely if she could be of some help to others.

"Above all Jo was a lady. She handled all the traumas in her life with dignity and courage. She is very much missed by her friends and family."

'Killer Noble enjoyed being centre stage'

MURDERER Peter Noble's final act during his trial was to thank the jury for their efforts in reaching a unanimous verdict writes Anthony Moore.

The sword stuntman - accused of being an attention-seeker prone to theatrics by the prosecution - asked his defence barrister to make a special speech to the jury that had just branded him a cold blooded killer.

Robin Spencer, QC, said: "Whatever the jury's verdict he thanks them and regrets they had to endure such a case."

During his trial, psychiatrist Philip Joseph said Noble liked to be centre stage.

With the spotlight on him, the soft-spoken killer - born David Gordon but who took the stage name Peter Noble - told the jury he had contacted the other side and spirits had told him exactly when his victim would die.

However, Noble attacked Mrs Cockell two weeks before that date in a frenzied rage he could remember nothing about, except seeing a knife on the floor and hearing Jo Cockell last breaths.

The film buff said he wanted to capture the spirits taking Mrs Cockell's lifeforce to the other side but instead made a harrowing video he remembers nothing about.

With the camera zooming in on Mrs Cockell's naked body he says: "This is Jo and I'm very, very sorry. Very sorry. She's um, she's gone, she's with Xenon. I've committed a most heinous crime. But I think, I'm going to the great world. She's happy. That's all she wanted."


Throughout the trial the silver haired defendant sat emotionless as his savage acts were dissected - his face did not change when the curtain finally fell and the jury returned with its verdict.

Event Planner fails to recognize crowd motivation risks - 20 injured in melee.

Friday, August 9, 2013 - Event Planners for Korean cell phone manufacturer LG Electronics failed to do a thorough risk analysis for a promotional stunt and twenty people ended-up injured, with seven being sent to the hospital.

It's idea was to release helium-filled balloons in an open park, and each balloon would have a voucher that could be redeemed for a new smart phone that was valued at KRW 950,000 Korean Won (~$851 US).  Enthusiastic attendees planned their assaults on the balloons in advance and arrived at the event with sharp sticks, BB Guns, and knives on poles.  The ensuing melee after 100 balloons were launched was a disaster when greed over-took common sense.

"LG Electronics deeply regrets that a number of Korean participants were injured during an outdoor promotional event in Seoul, [South] Korea," a statement from the firm said.

"We can confirm that seven participants were hospitalised and, although none of the injuries were serious, LG takes full responsibility for the unfortunate situation and has offered to cover all related medical expenses.

"LG is investigating the incident to ensure that such an occurrence can be avoided in the future."

The company added that other planned events had been called-off because of concerns for attendees safety.

One regional TV channel has dubbed the event "World War G" - a comparison to the film World War Z in which zombies scramble over each other to climb over a wall.  The new phone is a model G2.

Phone:  Smart.

Event Planner:  Not so smart.

http://theatresafetyblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/event-planner-fails-to-recognise-crowd.html

Edinburgh Fringe stagehand 'nearly dies' after perfume sends him into anaphylactic shock

Performers are regularly ushered onstage with the exhortation to “break a leg”. Yet it was almost worse for a stagehand at the Edinburgh Fringe after an audience member’s perfume sent him into anaphylactic shock.

Bryn Jones, 22, has been working on the show The Dumb Waiter, which is on at the New Town Theatre for the next 10 days.

During a performance the scent worn by an audience member meant his throat tightened and he struggled for breath. He was in a “pretty bad way,” he told the Daily Record, which suggested Mr Jones almost died.

Mr Jones needed a friend to bring his medication but managed to carry on the technical duties during the play. When his friend arrived, he was lying on the floor and his face had turned blue.

“A friend of mine came into the room, grabbed me and gave me what I needed just as the show ended,” he said.

Mr Jones was effectively trapped during the performance. “I thought it would be good to get outside. But the only entrance out is behind the audience, so I couldn't really leave,” he said.

“I’d have had to cross the stage and move through the audience, but I didn't want to interrupt the show.”

Scents do not generally trigger such a dramatic reaction. “The chemicals in some of these perfumes are not usually too much of an issue for me,” he said, adding: “I haven’t had a reaction quite like this.”

The Dumb Waiter, written by Harold Pinter, is being staged by theatre company the Spartan Ensemble. The claustrophobic play about two contract killers awaiting orders from their absentee master runs twice a day for an hour.  It stars Ian Watt and Paul Comrie as the two hitmen. The play, a dark comedy, was first performed in 1960.

Mr Jones managed to see out the performance and make it to the Bedlam Theatre to work on his third performance of the day.

During the Fringe there has been a series of mishaps, including from performers on stage. Comedian Marcus Brigstocke is on crutches for the month after injuring his leg during a set, prompting a visit to A&E the following morning.

The Play That Goes Wrong did go wrong after actor Dave Hearn was thrown over a sofa in a fight sequence during a performance and dislocated his shoulder, also resulting in a trip to hospital.

The potential pitfalls has not kept the audiences away, as this year is set for a huge leap on 2012, which took a hit during the Olympics. Some venues saw audiences drop by more than a fifth during the clash with the Games but made up some sales towards the end of the festival.

The Fringe, which boasts 2,871 shows, has seen crowds soar. Charlie Wood, co-director of Underbelly, one of the largest comedy venues, said sales were up 22.5 per cent this year on its five-year average. Sales at the Assembly Rooms, another major venue, are up 30 per cent over last year.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/edinburgh-fringe-stagehand-nearly-dies-after-perfume-sends-him-into-anaphylactic-shock-8763002.html

Brothels of Costa Rica

Y'all miss me?  Betcha wondered where I've been.  Well, ya know.  Where there's sweet lovin' to be made, Bear is on the way.  So, I've been hanging out in the brothels of Costa Rica.  I've got pictures to prove it!  So, keep an eye out for my latest adventure & I'll see you on the next gig...