AA SET DESIGN (Rehearsal Process)

the role of the scenic designer

If you chose to serve on the SET DESIGN TEAM for this semester's Advanced Acting show, you are responsible for participating in design team meetings as well as growing as a designer during the rehearsal and performance process.

If serving on the Set Design Team, you are ALSO responsible for independently learning about the role of a scenic designer as outlined below.

Please be sure you collect/document your learning and your design journey in your Process Journal.

PART II: REHEARSAL & DESIGN PROCESS

(LEARNing/applyinG)

Task: Independent Learning (Weekly Formative Grade): Each week, you must complete at least ONE reading/video, (or video series) listed below and respond in your Advanced Acting PROCESS JOURNAL.

You don't need to complete in order. You can pick/choose what is most interesting and/or useful to you each week.
You MUST watch/read each learning activity with a star (*). You can decide which week(s) you watch/do the starred items.

Please watch these first 2 videos (in order) during the FIRST WEEK of Rehearsal/Design Work:

*Video by KP: Process of (Scenic) Design (5:00)

Journal Title: Process of Design

After watching the entire video, describe the way in which a set designer should READ a script, and what should (s)he be looking for? (Be specific.)
Which designs were you most drawn to and were they literal or figurative?
What's the difference between "research" and "inspiration" in the design process?

*Video by KP: Scenic Design RESEARCH (5:00)

Journal Title: Design Research

How do script/scenic NEEDS impact RESEARCH?
Of the areas shared in the video, what would be helpful to research for OUR show?
What's the difference between "research" and "inspiration" in the design process?

Please watch these 2 videos (in order) during the SECOND or THIRD WEEK (your choice) of Rehearsal/Design Work:

(omit if you've taken Stagecraft)

*Video by KP: Scenic Design - Ideas, Inspiration, Transition (5:00)

Journal Title: Design Inspiration

After watching entire video, list then research some of your OWN ideas about our set design and collect your findings in your Process Journal.

*Video by KP: Creating a Cohesive Design - Aesthetic & Space (5:00)

Journal Title: Design Aesthetic

Based on what you've learned from the SCRIPT, what do you feel should be OUR show's design aesthetic and what elements can help support that aesthetic on stage?
Think & Respond: Are there areas of the stage that aren't being used that could support the overall design?

*Video: Designing Theatre: Comedy of Errors (4:57)

Journal Title: Scenic Design (Comedy of Errors)

1. What is the MAIN role of a set designer? (it's stated right before the title is shown on the video)

2. What does the designer in this video DO when she reads a script? (be specific)

3. What does the designer look at and collect to develop her ideas?

4. How is theatre design different than film design?

(Notice how the "feel" of the show leads to the LOOK of the show. This is ALWAYS true in design.)

*Video: Design on Stage (Bunny Christie)

Journal Entry: Reflections on Design (Ink)

What did YOU find visually interesting in Bunny Christie's design? Why?
In what ways did the designer's SCRIPT INTERPRETATION and/or RESEARCH assist in the creation of her final design? (List at least 3 specific ways.)

Video: David Rockwell's Set Design - On the Twentieth Century (2:33)

Journal Title: Scenic Design (David Rockwell)

1. What is the role of set design? (stated right away in video)

2. Any theatre project starts out with lots of what?

4. What is the role of collaboration in theatre? Risk?

Video: American Theatre Wing - Scenic Design (7:21)

Journal Title: Scenic Design (Riccardo Hernandez)

1. What does this scenic designer LIKE and NOT like?

2. What does the scenic designer GRAVITATE toward?

3. For a scenic designer, what is the first meeting with the director about?

(Notice: how the MEANING and "heart" of the text leads to the LOOK of the shows.)

Video:Building Broadway: Hamilton Set Designer David Korins (3:10)

Journal Title: Scenic Design (David Korins - Hamilton)

1. What were David Korin's first thoughts about designing Hamilton?

2. What IMAGES inspired Korin's designs?

3. What specific design elements on stage spoke to the greater MEANING of the show?

Video: David Korins, Set Designer of Dear Evan Hansen (3:43)

Journal Title: Scenic Design (David Korins - Evan Hansen)

1. WHERE did Korin's design ideas (for Evan Hansen) come from?

2. Who ultimately determined WHICH of Korin's ideas would "come to life" in Hansen? In Hamilton?

(Advice: Never be afraid to explore "I'm not sure why, but I really FEEL like...")

Video: Set, Scenic Art & Props - Sweeney Todd

Journal Title: Risk-Taking in Design

1. What did the leader of the set construction DO with the designer's drawings?

2. What research images did the designer use as inspiration?

3. What materials were used to create decaying walls for the set?

4. What is the role of risk-taking and "play" in designing a set?

Video: BUILDING a set design MODEL box

Journal Title: Building a model box

1. What did you learn about models and model-building from this video?

Video "Series": Scenic Art

Behind the scenes: Scenic art
Scenery Painters: A Look At Top Scenic Artists
Scenic Art (stone, wood, stencils, etc.)

Journal Title: Scenic Art

Describe what you found useful (to our show) from watching these Scenic Art videos. Be specific.

Video "Series": Painting Techniques

Journal Title: Painting Techniques

Describe what you found useful (to our show) from watching these videos. Be specific.
Try one of the techniques from the videos and upload a pic or video of your work to your Process Journal.

Video "Series": Brick & Stone Techniques

Making styrofoam look like brick/stone (Shrek theater build)
How to carve faux stone walls out of foam panels
How to make bricks for the stage

Journal Title: Brick & Stone Techniques

Describe what you found useful (to our show) from watching these videos. Be specific.
Try one of the techniques from the videos and upload a pic or video of your work to your Process Journal.

Video "Series": Stencil Work

How to use projection for stencil work
Pouncing technique in theatre set design (Creating an original stencil)

Journal Title: Stencil Work

Describe what you found useful (to our show) from watching these videos. Be specific.
Try one of the techniques from the videos and upload a pic or video of your work to your Process Journal.

Video "Series": Metal Look

Journal Title: Metal Look

Describe what you found useful (to our show) from watching these videos. Be specific.
Try one of the techniques from the videos and upload a pic or video of your work to your Process Journal.

Video "Series": Scene Shop Skills

Basics of Using a Power Drill

Journal Title: Scene Shop Skills

Describe what you found useful (to our show) from watching these videos. Be specific.

EXPLORE MORE (optional):

(This list will be added to over time. Let KP know if you find any helpful information that could be useful to future Advanced Acting students.)