Chapter 15: Scene Design
Functions of scene design: •
Defines performance space
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Creates a floor plan
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Characterizes the acting space visually
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Makes a strong interpretational statement
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Creates mood and atmosphere
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Functions in conjunction with other design and production elements
Scene Design
Floor Plan provides opportunities for: •
Movement
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Composition
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Character interaction
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Stage business
The Scene Designer’s Skills
Scene Designers are: • • • • • • •
Architects Painter/Artist Interior Decorator Actor Art Historian Stage Historian Knowledgeable about: scenery construction, painting methods, and technology
Working Plans and Procedures
Design Process varies, but generally includes: •
Preliminary Designs • •
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Sketches Scale Model
Final Designs • • •
Perspective Color Rendering Floor Plan 3-D Scale Model
Basic Scenic Elements
Soft Scenery Units: •
Made of unframed cloth, suspended
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Drops may enclose setting; may be painted with scenes
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Draperies may mask the sides of the stage, may be painted and hung to create stylized backgrounds
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Scrim specialized curtain made of gauze; opaque when lighted from front; transparent when lighted from behind
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Cyclorama any arrangement of curtains that surround the stage area on 3 sides
Basic Scenic Elements
Framed Units: •
Flats basic framed units; wooden or metal frame covered by a relatively flat surface of cloth or thin wood; painted or treated texturally
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Screens typical framed units since 1960s; rest on floor or are suspended; any shape or size; any material; used for projection
Basic Scenic Elements
3-Dimensional Units: •
Often must support considerable weight
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Used extensively in proscenium and flexible spaces
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Used sparingly in thrust and arena stages
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3-D units include: • • • •
Steps Ramps Platforms 3-D objects: Furniture, Rocks, Trees, etc.
Innovative Materials and Methods
Use of nontraditional materials and unconventional structural methods • Styrofoam • Thermoplastics • Molded Plexiglas Wood substitutes • Steel, aluminum, other metal alloys • Fiberglass • Styrofoam and urethane
Painting Scenery
Scene Painting Techniques • •
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Base coat - ensures a flat, neutral surface upon which other techniques and paint will be applied Overpainting – adds texture, shading, details Spattering - flicking small drops of paint from a brush onto the base coat Sponging - dipping a natural sponge in paint and patting it over the surface of the base coat Scumbling - simultaneously applying and blending more than one shade of paint on the same surface to give a mottled effect Lining - creating with painted lines the semblance of molding, paneling, door trim, and other details
Shifting Scenery on Stage
When using multiple settings, units must be shifted • Methods used for shifting scenery include: • Manual : scenic units moved by stagehands • Flying: suspending scenic elements above the stage and raising or lowering them as needed • Wagon: a platform on casters • Revolve: revolving stage turned by electric motors • Elevator Stage: raises and lowers segments of the stage
Set Decoration and Properties
2 types of Properties: •
Set Props = attached to setting or function as part of scenic design, i.e.: table lamps, plants, pillows, etc.
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Hand Props = used by actors in stage business, i.e.: silverware, notebook, playing cards, etc. •
Some “hand props” might be considered “costume props”, i.e.: pocket watch, handkerchief, parasol, etc.
Technical Rehearsals, Dress Rehearsals, and Performance
Technical Rehearsals: Focuses on all of the technical elements; Scenery, Lighting, and Sound, to ensure elements are functioning properly
Dress Rehearsals: Adds the costumes which allows the scene designer to see the settings in relation to all elements of production
The Scene Designer’s Assistants and Coworkers
Design Assistants: may make working drawings, construct models, search for furniture and properties
Technical Director: often independent of designer and of equal status; responsible for building, assembling, and painting scenery
Scenic Crews: Construction, Assembly, Painting, Shifting
