Set DesignerAshley Sanchez (1172340)

Group 15 – Fall 2013Wintertime by Charles L. Mee

Set Designer Duties Arrange the Theatrical space

Provide environment in which it is

played

Suggest time and locale

Provide the Visual Metaphor for the

production

Set designers Objectives Create an environment

Help set mood and style

Establish Locale and time

Help distinguish real from non-realist

theatre

Evolving a design concept with

director and other designers

Solve practical design problems

Objectives The set is the first thing that is

seen by the audience

Because of that you have create an environment

In this picture you can see rusty metal platforms, cobble stone on the ground, and outlines of bodies so the audience immediately knows that this production is going to be dark and about murder

Scenic Environment In our play:

The right of the stage will be open space of the open air

The left of the stage will show the living room with an entrance from the outside

And at the far left side will show another door to serve as another entrance

All furniture used will be in the rustic style.

Setting:

Place: Family Summer Home

State: Vermont

Date and Time: December 29, 2007 Saturday at 11:00 am

Season: Winter

Scenic Environment

Style In the style of Realism

Trying to recreate the specific

locale of the production

It will be in a modern time period

Realistic from Non-Realistic The set can assist in helping the

audience members understand if

what they are about to watch is

based on fantasy or reality.

By having our play set as a general

living room of a home, the

audience is able to clearly see that

the play is based on reality

Realistic from Non-Realistic The top picture is a realistic set, in

someone’s kitchen.

The bottom picture depicts an abstract set by the rounded platforms and angled poles to help create a fantasy world.

Mood The audience needs to be able to

understand what type of play they

are going to see.

The mood of this satirical play

Comical

Liberal

Process of set design There are a variety of materials

that an be used when build the physical environment in which the play takes place. Wood Canvas Metal Plastic Foam Dirt

The materials that are used help facilitate their vision

In our play:

With the help of carpenters and painters, and set will created mostly on sheetrock to provide the walls of the house

We can use fake snow to be sprayed on set so the audience member can sense that it is in the winter season

Cyclorama can be used to provide a background and sky for the scenery outside

Process of Set Design

Sketch Digitally Enhanced Sketch Production Photo

The Set Designer must be able to create a sketch to provide visual aids to make sure that all designers understand each other. Above are actual sketches and photos of a production of Wintertime.

Process of Set Design The set designer also deals with

Props that are either not are part of the regular scene

They are usually built or rented

Props that are not part of the regular scene:

Skis, suitcases, and blankets

Props that are:Pictures, mirror, bookcase,

fireplace, stationary desk, ect.

Factors of Design1) Line

It can provide direction (horizontal, vertical, oblique) that can evoke emotion and shape

2) Mass & CompositionComposition refers to the organization, arrangement, and

combination of objects on stage. A part that plays a big role in composition is the focal point of the audience

Mass refers to the amount of material that can be found on set

3) TextureThe apparent or actual quality of the surface: grainy, furry, bumpy

Factors of Design4) Color

Phenomenon created when the human eye reacts to the energy and frequency of light. It can connote emotion and it can add or lower the value to a scene

5) Rhythm Can create a sense of movement and is the repetition of elements. There

are three kinds of rhythm: regular, flowing and progressive

6) Movement This happens when the performers are able to act out the emotion in

the script and can intrigue the audience

Factors of Design As a set designer you are able to

choose colors of the wall, arrange furniture in any way that aids the production, and even pick out particular items such as a bed spread pattern.

By the help of the factors of design there are ways to decorate a church for a wedding, or hotel lobby, or a romantic dinner

Design Problems Needs to be able to provide a place

for entrances, exits, places to sit,

ect.

You are able to do this by showing

visible doors, staircases, a bar or

couches.

Carefully have to plan out how the

design will Facilitate those

problems.

In our play:

There will be two visible doors to resemble a front door and back door

There will be open space on the “outdoor” part of the scene to allow the initial entrances of the characters

Design Problems This production requires five

working doors, two more visible doors, a staircase, bar and a couch. By facilitating the needs of the production, it is easier give the audience a mood as well. This production is supposed to be a farce play, and the obscene amount of doors might give us the idea

Visual Metaphor A visual metaphor is when a

person, place, thing or idea is represented by a visual image that ties together the whole production

Metaphor for our play: A broken mirror to resemble that

dishonesty and unfaithfulness can break and put cracks into a relationship

Our play will deploy this metaphor within the set of the production

Why Set is ImportantGives the overall design for the play. This is because all the other

designers need to be able to know the basic shape of the play before they can begin their work

Is able to create mood or attitude that the play is leaning towards

Provides some context of the play.

Is able to be innovative and original