Scenery
A. We encounter forms of scene design every day
1. Hotel lobby
2. Store
B. Main difference between interior decorating and scene design is
scene design only finished when occupied by performers.
C. Through series of drawings and finally a 3D model or computer-assisted design,
the set gradually is created. At this point the designs are turned over to a technical
director who turns the virtual set into reality.
II. A BRIEF HISTORY OF STAGE DESIGN
A. Recent development
B. Usually no scenery with a few exceptions
1. Periaktoi
2. Deus ex machina
3. Ekkyklema
4. Mansions and Pageant Wagons
C. First real scenery appeared in Italy, later France and England in
proscenium theatres
1. Families such as the Bibienas had a monopoly on scene design for many years
III. "STAGE SETS" IN EVERYDAY LIFE
A. In stage scenery there is an analogue, or parallel, between scene design and our
experiences in everyday life.
B. This may range from theme restaurants to wedding decorations
C. As in theatre, designer selects elements which signal something to the viewer and
make an impression
D. Combination of colors, fabrics, furniture and style tells viewer exactly where he is
IV. SCENERY FOR THE STAGE
A. Like interior decorating but different
1. Elements of scale, mass, color
B. Must go a step beyond real spaces
1. Robert Edmond Jones says no need to make an exact room any more than you need
to have Napoleon play Napoleon or "Death" be dead
2. Needs to be an image, not a photograph
3. Has to magically transport an audience to a place and a feeling
V. OBJECTIVES OF SCENE DESIGN
A. Create environment for performers and performance
B. Help to set mood and style of production
C. Help to distinguish realistic from nonrealistic theatre
D. Establish locale and period in which play takes place
E. Evolve design concept in concert with director and other designers
F. Where appropriate, provide central image or visual metaphor for production
G. Ensure that scenery is coordinated with other production elements
H. Solve practical design problems
VI. AESTHETIC ASPECTS OF STAGE DESIGN
A. The Scenic Environment
1. Used to be scene designer's job to paint large picture
a. Began in Renaissance
b. Later famous painters such as Chagall and Picasso tried scene design
2. Thoroughout history, scenery has often been the central focus of productions
a. Clouds descending, rocks opening, chariot races, houses burning down
b. Today shows like Les Mis and Phantom sometimes have same effect
B. Mood and Style
1. Setting helps establish mood, style and meaning
a. Roman comedy might be bright and cartoonish
b. Tragedy dark and somber
C. Realistic and Nonrealistic Scenery
1. Scene designer needs to distinguish between the two
2. Rare to go completely realistic--has to decide how much
D. Locale and Period
1. Realistic or not, set should tell audience where and when play takes place
2. Must indicate time period as well as time of day and season
E. The Design Concept
1. Similar to directorial concept
2. Underlying idea carried out visually
3. Strong design concept is particularly important when time and place are shifted
F. The Central Image or Metaphor
1. Stage design should not only be consistent with play but should have its own integrity
a. Elements of design: lines, shape, colors, should add up to a whole
b. A central image or metaphor can help tie diverse elements together
G. Coordination of the Whole
1. With all the members of a design team as well as the director and actors contributing
to the overall effect, it's important for a designer to make sure his efforts don't work
against the whole
VII. SCENE DESIGN AND POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT
A. Movies
B. Vegas
C. Restaurants
D. Concerts
VIII. PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF SCENE DESIGN
A. The Physical Layout
1. Groundplan and sections
2. Models
3. Windows, doors, furniture, steps, sightlines
B. Materials of Scene Design
1. Traditional
2. Modern
3. Imaginative
C. Special Effects
1. Lights
2. Sound
3. Pyro
4. Props
5. Scrim
6. Projection
VII. TTHE PROCESS OF SCENE DESIGN
A. Elements of Design
1. Line
2. Mass and composition
3. Texture
4. Color
5. Rhythm
6. Movement
B. Steps in the Design Process
1. Read play
2. Design conference
3. Thumbnails
4. Renderings or models
5. Scene shop
C. The Scene Designer's Collaborators
1. Design assistant
2. Technical director
3. Scene painter
4. Prop master
5. Shop carpenter
6. House carpenter
D. Designing the Total Environment
1. Going beyond scenery to create a place and feeling
IDENTIFY OR DEFINE
1. Scene designer
2. Periatoi
3. Design concept
4. Central image or metaphor
5. Ground plan
6. Stage right; stage left
7. Upstage; downstage
8. Turntable
9. Wagon
10. Treadmill
11. To "fly"
12. Flat
13. Hard flat
14. Cutouts
15. Scrim
16. Screen projection
17. Special effects
18. Prop
19. Strobe light
20. Line
21. Mass and composition
22. Texture
23. Color
24. Rhythm
25. Movement
26. Thumbnail sketch
27. Rendering
28. Model
29. Computer-assisted design (CAD)
30. Technical director
31. Paint elevations
32. Scene shops, or production shops