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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,arc
hitecture,literature,theat
re,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.

New
Idea
Directors Idea

Designers 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

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

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