SCENE (SET) DESIGNDESIGNING SCENERY FOR THEATRESTAGECRAFT- MR. WOFFORD

SCENE (SET) DESIGN

Scene (Set) design is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery.

Traditionally, designers come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but now they are trained professionals, often with M.F.A. degrees in theatre arts.

WHAT IS A SET DESIGNER?

Architect

Interior Decorator

Painter

Artist

Historian (politics,arts,fashion,architecture,literature,theatre,film)

Sculptor

Model Maker Draftsperson Graphic Artist Schmoozer Detective Salesperson

IMPORTANT PARTS: THE SCRIPT

The production is shaped by the needs of the individual script.

Many productions are well-defined by the author, to alter them would alter the meaning of the play.

Some plays will need more discussion than others.

TWO STYLES OF DESIGN

Representational Design- presents the scene in a realistic way.

Presentational Design- Does not attempt to recreate “real life”. Designs are more abstract or symbolic

EXISTING LIMITATIONS

In some production situations, there are circumstances that shape the discussion of a play. Budget

Calendar

People-power

Flexibility for a travelling production

Emphasis on a particular design element

Unique space restrictions.

Know and discuss the limitations at the very beginning.

THE STEPS A DESIGNER TAKES

Takes on the project

Reads the Script

Researches the play or film

Analyzes the Script Place and Locale

Time Period

Themes

Mood

IMPORTANT PART: THE PLAY

Keep the focus on what is “good for the play.”

Differences of opinion can be great for collaboration, but it is important to keep the focus on the success of the play.

Great collaborative should create energy that takes the project in a new direction.

Director’s Idea Designer’s Idea

NewIdea

STEPS CONTINUED…

Creative Collaboration Study the Performance Space Sources of inspiration Now the hands-on designing

begins Discuss, meet, argue,

negotiate, figure it out, compromise

Come up with Final Design

Communicate Final Design

STEPS CONTINUED…

Oversee construction, painting, assembling, sewing, sculpting etc…

Oversee filming

Oversee Tech Rehearsals

Fine Tune details

Attend the wrap party

FLOOR PLAN

The groundplan (floor plan) enhances the use of levels and depth for the director and actor; and it serves as a “playground” on which the play unfolds during rehearsals.

Some important rules of thumb for working on the groundplan: find lots of interesting diagonals

create spaces that are important to individual characters

create tension through obstacles whether they are pieces of furniture, stairways, stumps or simply interesting levels.

Defining this “playground” is as important as deciding what it will look like in elevation.

ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Color Shape Form Line Texture Space

Balance Contrast Proportion Emphasis Rhythm Unity

PARTS OF THE STAGESCENE (SET) DESIGN

STAGECRAFT-MR. WOFFORD

FOUR TYPES OF THEATRE SPACES

Proscenium

audience views the action from one direction

90% of all theatres

Picture Frame

Arena audience views the action

from four directions Oldest arrangement in history Theatre in the round

FOUR TYPES OF THEATRE SPACES CONT.

Thrust audience views the action

from three direction

Most widely used in history

Created & Found Spaces each audience member views

the action from a unique perspective

An attempt to break down audience-actor distance

Non-theatre buildings, street theatre, multifocus environments

SCENIC VOCABULARY

backdrop: large sheet of painted canvas or muslin that hangs at the back of a set

backing: flats placed behind doors, windows, hallways, etc. to hide the space beyond

cutout: scenery cut out of board or fabric representing profiles of trees, buildings, etc.

dead-hung: scenery or lighting that is hanging in the air and not designed to be moved during the performance

deck: the stage floor, or a temporary floor that has been built on top of the permanent floor

SCENIC VOCABULARY

Erosion cloth: a very loosely woven cloth used to cover freshly seeded ground; used in theater for texture and background.

flat: frame constructed of 1-by-3 boards, covered with canvas, painted and used most often for interior and exterior walls of a building in a stage setting

ground cloth: a canvas covering the floor of a stage used as a padding for the acting area usually painted to represent grass, stones, etc.

levels: steps, platforms, etc. that raise the actor from the stage

multi-set show: a show that requires several distinct sets