Chapter 8 The Visual Collaboration Working with Designers Wainstein, STAGE DIRECTING A DIRECTOR’S ITINERARY

Realizing the visual concept 1.Producer hires the director and designers. 2.Director and designers research 3.Informal meetings 4.First design meeting (sometimes by phone) 5.Work on sketches, drawings, thumbnails 6.Second design meeting 7.Refine the plans 8.Final design meeting – present models

Collaboration

Types of Collaboration Designer has no ideas Designer forces their ideas on director Collaboration

Meeting with designers Build on informal discussions that precede the first design meeting

SOMETIMES, these informal meetings are brainstorming sessions to “get the juices flowing.”

Design Meetings Informal…meetings in hallway, over coffee, by phone

First Design Meeting Called by Production Manager or Producer Director shares concepts Everyone discusses their working ideas This is a free exchange of ideas

Words to remember Don’t be afraid to speak up. Once a design is finalized, changes are hard to make.

Second Design meeting Designmers present their sketches. Director and designers agree to revisions and a date is set for a final meeting. HINT: The director should compliment the designers for their work. Be honest. Ask for what you need.

Final Design Meeting Final renderings, models are presented Deadlines for changes are set Designers move onto the implementation phase.

From Design to Tech Rough sketches and thumbnails

RENDERINGS

MODELS

Ground Plans

Elevations

BUDGET The TD, sometimes the PD budgets the materials and labor needed to build the show

Drafted Plans

Schedule

Building process

LOAD-IN

Technical Rehearsals

Realizing the Costume Design Thumbnails of Characters

Research

Final Renderings

Rent, Pull, Shop or Build

Process work Measurements Fittings Costume Parade

Publicity Shots

The run

LIGHTING Create the plot Hang and focus Final plot Focus Write cues Set cues Run

CHANGES “Changes must be soundly reasoned, affordable and able to happen given the time and labor available. It is easier to change something if it hasn’t been built yet.” (68)

Final thoughts Respect your collaborators Understand their work and process Visit the shops frequently Keep channels of communication open