Designing Scenery for Theatre and/or Film Scenic Design Designing Scenery for Theatre and/or Film

Robert Edmond Jones- 1915 A stage designer is, in a very real sense a jack-of-all-trades. He can design fireplaces and bodices and bridges and wigs. He understands architecture, but is not an architect: can paint a portrait, but is not a painter: creates costumes, but is not a couturier. Although he is able to call upon any or all of these varied gifts at will, he is not concerned with any one of them to the exclusion of the others, nor is he interested in any one of them for its own sake. These talents are only tools of his trade. His real calling is something quite different. He is an artist of occasions.

Desire Under the Elms The Man Who Married A Dumb Wife

What is a set designer? Architect Interior Decorator Painter Artist Historian (politics,arts,fashion,architecture,literature,theatre,film) Sculptor Model Maker Draftsperson Graphic Artist Schmoozer Detective Salesperson

Eugene Lee- Wicked

Robert Wilson- Die Zauberflute

Cirque du Soleil

Hierarchy of the Set Designer

The Steps a Designer Takes Takes on the project Reads the Script

Steps Continued… Researches the play or film Who was/is the author? What else did he/she write? When did he/she live? When was the play/screenplay written? What was going on politically, artistically, in fashion, in theatre, in the world etc… Have there been other productions? What were they like? What’s been written or said about this work?

Aaaaah!

Steps Continued… Analyzes the Script Place and Locale Time Period Themes Mood Messages, hidden meanings Scenic Style Social Status of Characters Movement of Actors Entrances and Exits Set/Scene/Location Changes

Steps Continued… Creative Collaboration: Discusses research, analysis, findings and personal opinions on the work with the director and the other designers. Takes Direction from the Director Artistic Vision is solidified Study the Performance Space

Proscenium Stage

Proscenium

Thrust Stage

In the Round / Arena

Black Box / Multipurpose

Open Air Theatre

Steps Continued… Sources of inspiration Places of Inspiration Painters Photographers Sculptors Architects Nature Storefronts Interior Decorators Animators Magazines Places of Inspiration Library Bookstore Museum Internet Fashion Stores/Malls Outdoors/Nature

Eeeeeeeeek!!!!!!

Steps Continued… Now the hands-on designing begins! Tools to create and communicate: Collages Sculptures Rough Sketches/Thumbnail Sketches Paintings Rough/White Models Storyboard Photos/Photomontages Computer-aided designing tools

White Model

Photomontage

Collage

Collages

Collages

Photomontage

Steps Continued… Discuss, meet, argue, negotiate, figure it out, compromise with Director, Technical Director, other Designers, Producers, Writers, Artistic Directors etc… Come up with Final Design

Steps Continued… Communicate Final Design Final Scale Model Technical Drawings Final Budget List of Props and Drawings of them Final Drawings Final Storyboard Finalized list of locations Finalized critical path (timeline/calendar)

Steps Continued… Oversee construction, painting, assembling, sewing, sculpting etc… Oversee filming Oversee Tech Rehearsals Fine Tune details Attend the wrap party and maybe assist with the strike!

Elements and Principles of Design Color Shape Form Line Texture Space Balance Contrast Proportion Emphasis Rhythm Unity

Color Hots and Colds

Color and Shape in Design

Line, color, shape, form

Color, emphasis, line, texture

Most Important Know your Ability to do the Job! Theatrical Design is highly creative and even more highly competitive. There are fewer jobs in design than acting. BUT there are many more jobs that work with or under the supervision of the designer than in acting.