HOW TO DESIGN A FILM SET

by: Franchesca Buenaflor

INTRODUCTION

Set design is also known as production design.

It is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. It is mainly concern with the ”look" or physical appearance of the set for a film, whether in rehearsal or performance.

It reflects the way that the set is composed artistically in regard to props, actors, shapes and colors.

The set picture should express good principles of design and use of space. It should be visually appealing for the audience or should express the show's concept.

The set picture should express good principles of design and use of space. It should be visually appealing for the audience or should express the show's concept

Set design from the fantasy movie “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”

This e-learning module will discuss the elements of a production design and give tips and tricks on how to design a film set, as well as give out exercises to enhance one’s set design skills.

OBJECTIVE To be able to identify the importance of a

storyline as a guide to set design

To identify the meaning and elements of mise –en-scene

To describe the importance of sketching and drafting in set design

To identify the importance of composition and its elements

To give out practical guidelines in set -design

LESSON 1: THE STORYLINE

In order for you to start designing your set you have to first take a look at your storyline, your time setting, geographical setting that influences the characters “look” and the set’s overall composition.

Time setting – the era or year the story took place.

This is very important since this can greatly influence the type of gadgets and costumes that are present during that time that should be present in your set.

Ex. Sophia Coppola’s film “Marie Antoinette” (2006) as in reference to the real painting of Marie Antoinette

Note: You can already identify that the film Marie Antoinette took place during the Victorian Era, wherein the women wears voluptuous gowns filled with laces and petticoat.

Geographical setting- the place/venue where the story took place whether it is at a rural or urban area.

The geographical location of the story has a great impact on how the set would look, starting from the presence of certain elements to project the atmosphere of the place.

Ex. Danny Boyle’s famous Slum dog Millionaire (2008) that was shot in India.

Note: You can already see the film being shot in India through the long and bulky train right beside them; this establishes the status quo of the country that in return affects the costume of the characters.

Characters- are three dimensional and this must be presented through the “image” that you design that can be perceived by the audience.

The three dimensions of a character are first, the background of the character which includes the family background, the nationality etc. second, is the foreground which is the physical make up of the character or what the audience perceive. Third is the middle ground which is the character’s real self or personality.

 

Ex. Shekhar Kapur’s “Elizabeth” 1998

Note: In “Elizabeth” 1998, the dimensions of Queen Elizabeth’s character are shown through the set design mainly through her authoritative look which is executed through her natural deep make up, structured costume and the grandeur of her surroundings establishing her royalty as a Queen.

EXERCISE # 1

Read a storyline of a film

Attach a picture from the film and describe the time setting, geographical setting and the main character’s image

analyze the time and geographical setting’s impact on the character’s image

EXAMPLE Storyline: Marie Antoinette

character

Fourteen-year-old Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna (Kirsten Dunst) is the beautiful, charming, and naïve youngest daughter of Austrian empress Maria Theresa (Marianne Faithfull).

Time setting

In 1768, the victorian era she is selected by her mother to marry the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman), thereby sealing an alliance between the two rival countries.

Geographical setting

The story took place in France. Analysis

EVALUATION

30% - creativity 30 % - description of character, time and

geographical setting 40% analysisTotal of 100%

LESSON 2: MISE – EN – SCENEIn order for you to design a set you must know the basic elements

of the set or scene.

Mise-en-scène is a French term and originates in the theater. It means, literally, "put in the scene”. It is concerned with what should be present in the scene which is mainly includes the props, costumes and prosthetics or make- up

Props

Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set decoration and a prop is use. If the item is not touched by a performer for any reason it is simply a set decoration. If it is touched by the actor in accordance to script requirements or as deemed by the director, it is a prop.

Costume

A style of dress including garments, accessories, and hairstyle especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.

Prosthetic/ Make-up

Prosthetic is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects. While make- up is used to alter the user’s appearance to portray a particular character.

Multiple choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer, list down all your answers on a sheet of paper. (10 items)

1. It is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. It is mainly concern with the ”look" or physical appearance of the set for a film, whether in rehearsal or performance

a. set design b. props c. costume d. make-up

2. Is a French term and originates in the theater. It means, literally, "put in the scene”

a. set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. make-up  3. A style of dress including garments, accessories, and hairstyle especially as

characteristic of a particular country, period, or people. a. mise-en-scene b. costume c.make-up d. set design  4. are referred to as "hand props". a. smaller props b. larger props c. costume d. set decoration

Continue…

EXERCISE #2

5. If it is touched by the actor in accordance to script requirements or as deemed by the director

a. Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. props

6.  is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects

a. Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. prosthetic

 

7. is used to alter the user’s appearance to portray a particular character.

a. set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. make-up

 

8. If the item is not touched by a performer for any reason it is simply a _______

a. Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. set decoration

9. Are props that may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table.

a. larger props b. smaller props c. costume d. set

10. A set design can also be called_____

Production design b. props c. costume d. props

EVALUATION

Answer Sheet 1. A 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. D 6. D 7. D 8. D 9. A 10.A

10 - excellent 9 - outstanding 8 - very good 7- good 6- satisfactory 5 – needs

improvement

LESSON 3: COMPOSITION

Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art or a photograph, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

In the visual arts, composition is often used interchangeably with various terms such as design, form, visual ordering, or formal structure, depending on the context.

Elements of Design

Line - the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece

Movement is also a source of line, and blur can also create a reaction. Subject lines by means of illusion contribute to both mood and linear perspective, giving the illusion of depth. Oblique lines convey a sense of movement and angular lines generally convey a sense of dynamism and possibly tension. Lines can also direct attention towards the main subject of picture, or contribute to organization by dividing it into compartments.

Elements of Design

Shape - areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic

Elements of Design

Color - hues with their various values and intensities

Color is characterized by attributes such as hue, brightness, and saturation. Colors have been associated with different moods, dependent on the society of the time. For example, white has long been viewed as purity, whereas it can also take slightly different meanings such as peace, or innocence. However, in some places (like Japan) it signifies death.

Elements of Design

  Texture - is about surface quality either

tactile or visual. Texture can be real or implied by different uses of media. It is the degree of roughness or smoothness in objects.

Form - is a 3-dimensional object having volume and thickness. It is the illusion of a 3-D effect that can be implied with the use of light and shading techniques. Form can be viewed from many angles.

Value - is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.

 

EXERCISE # 3

Explain and compare the following terms.. (10 items)

1. Composition – mise –en-scene (4 pts)

2. Line –shape (2 pts)

3. Texture – form (2pts)

4. Color – value (2pts)

EVALUATION/ANSWER SHEET Composition –is the placement or arrangement of visual elements

or ingredients in a work of art or a photograph, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

mise –en-scene –It is concerned with what should be present in the scene which is mainly includes the props, costumes and prosthetics or make- up

Line –the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece

shape -areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic

Texture – is about surface quality either tactile or visual. Texture can be real or implied by different uses of media. It is the degree of roughness or smoothness in objects.

form - is a 3-dimensional object having volume and thickness. It is the illusion of a 3-D effect that can be implied with the use of light and shading techniques. Form can be viewed from many angles.

Color – is characterized by attributes such as hue, brightness, and saturation. Colors have been associated with different moods, dependent on the society of the time.

value - is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.

10 - excellent 9 - outstanding 8 - very good 7- good 6- satisfactory 5 below – needs improvement

LESSON 4: SKETCHING/DRAFTING

Now that you have already an idea of mise-en-scene together with the elements of design , you can now move on with sketching or making a draft of what you want the set to look like to have a clearer picture.

One of the key elements of designing a set is to make a sketch or a draft on how you want to the set to look like to serve as a model.

Sketching is drawing what you want the set to look like, before sketch is only made via colors black and white on a notepad but through modern technology sketches can now be digitally enhanced.

To be able to make a sketch you will be needing a simple landscape bond paper or if your are “techy” all you need is a computer application such as MS Word or any other editor such as Adobe picture editor.

This is an example of a sketch that is already digitally enhanced you can use the MS word or Adobe picture editor to enhance your sketch and add effects.

Note: I used pastel colors and soft shapes to portray a feminine atmosphere on the set to indicate that the room represents the owner which is a very feminine blonde bomb shell.

Your sketch will serve as a model for your design where you would pattern your set. Through it you will have a clearer vision on what the set would contain and what patterns and colors should be present.

EXERCISE #4 Pick a set from your favorite movie and describe it Make a sketch of the set using a short bond paper

and drawing materials You can submit it by scanning it then e-mailing it to

franchescarl1@yahoo.com

Grading system30% creativity30% design 30% composition10% descriptionTotal of 100%

You can refer to the example on the next slide

Example

This scene was taken from the movie “super 8” wherein the two main character were waiting for something to happen.

LESSON 5: PRACTICAL GUIDELINES IN SET DESIGN

Now that you have already acquired enough knowledge in designing a film set, you now must take in consideration the following to be able to bring your design into life.

Time Frame

This is important especially when you are meeting a dead line, one should always take in to consideration how much time he/she has to be able to bring the set together.

Budget

This is an essential key in designing a set, the budget determines how much can be purchased for the set. This gives the liberty as well as the limitation for the designer to choose the materials that will be a part of the set.

 

 

Availability

It is a must to check the availability of the materials that should be present in the set. for example you needed a vintage car to complete the vintage look of the set, you must check first if there are any available model on car rentals. Or if none you can always resort to the next guideline.

Alternatives

If the material that you are looking for is not available you can always find other ways or alternatives to back up your set. The key here is to be resourceful, to find other means to recreate the material through other stuff whether, through reconstruction or “chroma” the use of computer graphic imagery that is projected on the screen.

 

FINAL EXERCISE

Make a draft of your set design using Microsoft word or a picture editor it should be digitally enhanced to improve the quality and clarity of the set

Apply what you have learned from lesson 1 -4

then make a caption of the set on what part it belongs on your storyline

Submit it via e-mailing it to franchescarl1@yahoo.com

Refer the to the next slide for the example

Madelaine is relaxing at her newly decorated room.

EVALUATION

Grading system30% creativity30% design 30% composition10% descriptionTotal of 100%

FIN (FRENCH TERM FOR THE END)

Voila ! You now have the knowledge and the skills to design your own film set.

Remember that the key to a creative mind is to practice his skills all the time .

Have fun in creating your own set design be artistic and imaginative of course taking in mind the practical guidelines.

And who knows you might be the next superstar in production design! =)

GLOSSARY Set design- is also known as production design. It is the creation of theatrical, as well as

film or television scenery. It is mainly concern with the ”look" or physical appearance of the set for a film, whether in rehearsal or performance. It reflects the way that the set is composed artistically in regard to props, actors, shapes and colors. The set picture should express good principles of design and use of space. It should be visually appealing for the audience or should express the show's concept.

Time setting – the era or year the story took place. Geographical setting- the place/venue where the story took place whether it is at a rural

or urban area. Mise-en-scène is a French term and originates in the theater. It means, literally, "put in

the scene”. It is concerned with what should be present in the scene which is mainly includes the props, costumes and prosthetics or make- up.

Costume – a style of dress including garments, accessories, and hairstyle especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.

Prosthetic/ Make-up- Prosthetic is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects. While make- up is used to alter the user’s appearance to portray a particular character.

Composition- is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art or a photograph, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

Line - the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece Shape - areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic Color - hues with their various values and intensities Sketching - drawing what you want the set to look like, before sketch is only made via

colors black and white but through modern technology sketches can now be digitally enhanced.

REFERENCES Film Aesthetics 1 by Lori Shiba (

http://www.slideshare.net/hexakali/film-aesthetics-i?src=related_normal&rel=5244116)

Elements and Principles of Design by Marvin Bartel (http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/files/elements2.htm)

Composition, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_(visual_arts) Attributes of Visual Image,film school online,

(http://filmschoolonline.com/sample_lessons/sample_lesson_cinematography.htm)

Mise-en-scene (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_scène) Marie Antoinette, IMDb.com (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422720/) Slam Dog Millionaire, IMDb.com (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/

) Elizabeth, IMDb.com (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127536/) Film and Set Design Gallery (http://gallery.mcneel.com/?g=149&pg=1) Translating Hollywood Set Design To Real Life Design

(http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/translating-hollywood-set-desi-58760)

 

QUIZ   It is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. It is mainly concern with the ”look" or physical appearance of the

set for a film, whether in rehearsal or performance set design b. props c. costume d. make-up   Is a French term and originates in the theater. It means, literally, "put in the scene” Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. make-up   A style of dress including garments, accessories, and hairstyle especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people. mise-en-scene b. costume c.make-up d. set design   are referred to as "hand props". smaller props b. larger props c. costume d. set decoration If it is touched by the actor in accordance to script requirements or as deemed by the director Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. props   is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. prosthetic   is used to alter the user’s appearance to portray a particular character. Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. make-up   If the item is not touched by a performer for any reason it is simply a _______ Set design b. mise-en-scene c. costume d. set decoration   Are props that may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. Larger props b. smaller props c. costume d. set A set design can also be called_____ Production design b. props c. costume d. props