SCENE (SET) DESIGN DESIGNING SCENERY FOR THEATRE STAGECRAFT- 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,architectu re,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 IdeaDesigner’s Idea New Idea

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 STAGE SCENE (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 l audience views the action from four directions l Oldest arrangement in history l 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