Sights and Sounds
The Designer's Choices
Chapter 9
-imagination is overflowing with visual choices
Setting the Stage
-concept
-visual images
-sketches
-renderings/full scale models
-technical drawings
-time art and space art skills-designer's imaginations
Aesthetic Goals -
-visual choices
-Denis Bablet
Suggestion vs Illusion: A Brief History of Theatrical Design
The Art of Theatrical Suggestion
-Greek
skene
orchestra
-16th cent
-dialogue also suggested the mood and atmosphere -Roman
-Medieval Europe
-Renaissance
-Shakespeare
-Asian theaters
Noh dramas
-actors transformed the playing space
Visual Splendor of Costumes
-actors chose and paid for their own costumes
-costumes were not chosen for historical accuracy
-Medieval Europe
-Renaissance England
The Magic of Scenic Illusion
-Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe, Asia and Elizabethan England
-Italian Renaissance
The Magic of Perspective Drawing
-Bibiena family
-things in front are duplicated and get smaller as they go back
-fade into vanishing points
-entire scenes of a single location entirely
-emphasis is now also on the scenery created by the scenic designer
-later adapted to the indoor theatres
-wings
-raked stage
-proscenium arch
-Teatro Farnese
-downstage
-upstage
The Rage for Realism
-suggested places rather than representative places
-shift from imagination of spectator to the scenic artist
-new methods were needed
Theatre Architecture
-Salle des Machines
-proscenium theatre
Theatre Technology
-illusion depends on technology
-Giacomo Torelli -counterweight system
-free plantation
-box set
Historical Accuracy
Lighting
-candles
-oil lamps
-gas lighting
-electric-powered carbon arc
-spotlight
-electric incandescent lighting
Reallocated Finances
New Drama
-melodramas
-horse race at Union Square
-moving panoramas
Cinematic Illusion
-theatre had to be reevaluated in terms of the visual elements
The Retheatricalization of the Theatre
-Adolph Appia and Edward Gordon Craig
Modern Non-realistic Scenic Conventions
-Einstein
-Freud
Modified Realism
-Josef Svoboda
-The Insect Comedy
Modern Design Choices
-total suggestion to illusionistic realism
Scenic Choices: The Imagination and Skills of the Set Designer
Given circumstances
Robert Edmond Jones
Selected elements signal an impression
-transforms empty space
Playwright
Director
Performers
Producer
Theatre
Staff
The Design Elements
-used to create the stage environment
Line
Mass
Color
Texture
Space
-Proscenium
-Arena
-Thrust
Composition
-symmetrical vs asymmetrical
The Design Metaphor
-objects and spatial relationships
-selects and arranges
-design metaphor
-unifies all the visual elements
A Monumental Metaphor
-Air Force One
-design metaphor guides all the other choices
Crafting the Vision: Scenic Skills and Training
-theatrical skills
-research skills
-determines stylization-realism to non realism
-spatial art skills
-graphic arts skills
-plastic art skills
-architectural skills
-interior design
-applied arts skills
-computer assisted design (CAD)
-comply with environmental regulations
-Imagineers
Costume Choices: The Imagination and Skills of the Costume Designer
-given circumstances
-costumes used in everyday life
-represent different qualities of society
-symbolism
-many reasons to chose clothing
The Creative Potential of Costumes
-define and convey characterization
-reflecting psychological and ethical traits
-convey time and place
-mood
-relationships with other characters
-help actor get into character
Practical Considerations
-scenery
-actors
-consideration of quick changes
-under dressing and over dressing
Dressing a Chekovian Protagonist
-Smaranda Branescus
Costume Design Skills
-history of clothing and stage costume
-graphic artist skills
-fashion designer skills
-limitations
-Theoni Aldredge
-cost accounting
-wardrobe skills
-garment construction
-accessorizing , wig making and makeup
Elements of Design
Line, shape silhouette
Texture
Color
Positions in Costume Area
Designer
Asst. Designer
Shop Supervisor
Cutter/Draper
First Hand
Stitchers/tailors
Milliners
Painters/Dyers
Crafters
Costume Crew Chief
Crew
Lighting Choices: The Imagination and Skills of the Lighting Designer
-creation and design of artificial light
The Creative Potential of Stage Lighting
-Phillpe Jacques de Loutherbourg
-small scale model theatre
Focusing Attention
-visibility
-selectivity
-selective focus
-auleum
-dimming house lights
-fading
Atmospheric Effects
-warm light
-cool light
-cyclorama
-practical sources
Mood and Emotion
-intensify mood and emotions
-Jennifer Tipton
Painting with Light
-control direction-distribution
-gobos
-modeling
keylight
fill light
back light
side light
-intensity
-color
-focus
-movement
Technology and Skills
-most technologically dependent
-equipment broadens the options
Types of Lighting Instruments
floodlights
striplights
spotlights
ellipsoidal (leko)
fresnel
followspot
best boy
gaffer
Noises Off: the High and Low Technology of Sound Design
Sound Effects
Aural Manipulation Of Emotional Response
-pre-show music
-scene change music
-underscoring
Shakespeare
-playing music for live performance
Designing Sound
-tape recorded sound
-amplified playback
-digitized sound
-DigiCarts
-synthesizer
-microphones
-shotgun
-general
body mike
Design Unity
-scenographer
-technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals
-production in incomplete without the audience and actor
The Designer at Work
High Tech Magic: Follow that Gondola
-techno-pop
-industrial
-Maria Bjornson
-travelator -
Choices
Death of a Salesman
Play Characters locked in a barn
Oedipus the King
Choose modern or classical music