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
