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