Chapter 8: The designers: Scenery and costume part 1

6 Objectives of scenic design

1. Help set the tone and style of the production. 2. Establish the locale and period in which the play takes place. 3. Develop a design concept consistent with the director's concept. 4. Provide a central image or metaphor, where appropriate. 5. Ensure that scenery is coordinated with other production elements. 6. Solve practical design problems.

5 Elements of scenic design.

1. Line. 2. Mass. 3. Composition 4. Texture 5. Color

5 steps in the design process.

1. Read the script 3 times and develop ideas. 2. Meet with the director to exchange ideas and discuss questions of style. 3. Develop preliminary sketches, rough plans of scenery - concept meeting. 4. Complete rough design and render - build model of set. 5. Finish design, make any small changes.

Scenic designer collaborates with 6 people:

1. Technical director. 2. Director. 3. Scenic charge artist. 4. Lightning designer. 5. Costume designer. 6. Property designer.

Materials and devices of scenic design

1. Wagons. 2. Fly loft. 3. Flat. 4. Scrim. 5. Props.

The playing are

A designer can only fit so much scenery on stage. Space is premium.

Ground plan (Created by the designer)

A layout of stage design that outlines various levels on stage and the placement of scenery, furniture, windows, etc.

Establishing the tone and style (objective 1)

A stage setting can help establish the mood, style and meaning of the play.

Developing a Design concept (objective 3)

A unified idea carried out visually through the set pieces on stage. Should compliment the directorial concept.

Realism

An attempt to present onstage people and events corresponding to those in everyday life. This is the goal of a realistic set designer.

Wagons

Low platforms mounted on wheels by means of which scenery is moved on and off stage.

Nonrealism

No attempt to portray reality. The goal of a nonrealistic set designer is to create a surrealistic presentation of images and ideas.

Props

Properties: objects that are used by performers onstage or are necessary to complete a set.

Scenic designer

Responsible for the stage set and they have to know even the seemingly mundane things. like how a door opens.

Flat

Single piece of flat rectangular scenery, used with other similar units to create a set. (Walls).

Fly loft

Space above the stage where scenery may be lifted out of sight by means of ropes and pulleys

Texture (Element 4)

The "Feel" projected by surfaces and fabrics. Chrome = smooth, burlap = rough.

Composition (Element 3)

The balance arrangement of elements, the way elements are arranged on stage.

Providing a central image or metaphor (objective 4)

The design of the set should be consistent with the concept of the play and have its own integrity. The design should make up a complete visual universe for the production.

Coordinating the scenery with the whole (objective 5)

The designer needs to provide scenery consistent with the playwright's intent and the director's concept.

Line (Element 1)

The outline or silhouette of elements onstage, e.g. Predominantly curved lines vs. sharply angular lines.

Mass (Element 2)

The overall bulk or weight of scenic elements, e.g. large platforms and wall vs. a bare stage.

Solving practical design problems (objective 6)

The scenic designer must deal with the practical problems of design.

Establishing Locale Period (objective 2)

The set should tell the audience the time and place. It should indicate a time period through means of the furniture on stage.

Color (Element 5)

The shadings and contrast of color combinations.

Scrim

Thin, open weave fabric which is nearly transparent.