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Stagecraft Week 16  
(December 4-8, 2023)

Important terms/concepts/info are in RED.

Google Classroom assignments are in BLUE.

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Ms. Price provides ALL learning for absent students in a self-directed format.

If absent, read & understand/complete each day's activities below.  You are EXPECTED to keep up with what's going on in class.

 

This week's lessons are focused on...  

PROCESS OF (SCENIC) DESIGN:  DESIGN CONCEPT

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In this Stagecraft unit, we are learning about THE PROCESS OF (SCENIC/SET) DESIGN.

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So far we've learned the following about the process of theatrical design:

1.) Often, design starts with an overall FEELING or mood that the designer hopes to achieve for an audience.

2.) Designers read the script to determine what  NEEDS to be included in their designs.  (Needs are both stated and implied in the script.)

3.) Designers speak (early on) with the production's Director to understand her/his vision for the show.

4.) Designers conduct RESEARCH for design-related needs, as well as for their own design ideas.

5.) Many designs "start" with an INSPIRATION image, idea, or item that has surfaced during the process.

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Once designers have INSPIRATION for their design, they can begin working on their overall DESIGN CONCEPT, which is what you'll be exploring this week in Stagecraft...

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Day 1:  Design INSPIRATION / STARTING POINT

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1. If absent, be sure you've read all of the above, and also completed last week's learning if you haven't already.  Remember, design is a PROCESS, so following the process in order is key.

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2.  Chose an INDIVIDUAL focus for the week and write it in your Reflection Journal in Google Classroom under Week 15.

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3. Watched a Video (Set Design of Newsies) and discussed as a class.  If absent, answer the following questions while/after watching the video.

Google Classroom Reflection Journal Title:  Scenic Design (Newsies)  (week 16 - day 1)

1.) How was the set designed to meet the NEEDS of the show?

2.) What RESEARCH did the designers do to make their designs historically accurate?

3.) What are some repeated images you observed in the design choices?

4.) What was the "STARTING POINT" for INSPIRATION of the entire design?

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4.  Discussed:   Research vs. Inspiration

Research is what you LEARN that keeps you ACCURATE in your designs. (accurate in time/place/style, etc.)

Inspiration is what you FIND that sparks your OWN creativity/ideas.

 

*Research is the FIRST STEP in "coming up with ideas".

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5.  Discussed how theatre is NOT film, and that ideas, locations, moods can be conveyed ARTISTICALLY (figuratively) on stage rather than just/only literally.  Getting to the HEART and MEANING of a story, scene, character, or song can help to convey ideas in more artistic ways.

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2.  Discussed:  Inspiration is EVERYWHERE.  Ms. Price shared examples of various random things in the world around her that "inspired" her for aspects of her own scenic designs for shows.

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3.  Watched a KP teaching video (Inspiration, Design Concept, Napkin Sketches) that shared the "next steps" of the scenic design process.  If absent, be sure to watch this video and answer questions below in your Google Classroom Reflection Journal.

Journal Title:  Inspiration, Concept, Sketches  (week 16 - day 1)

1.) Where can inspiration be "found"?

2.) List the things that "napkin sketches" of your design SHOULD include.

*Note: I made this video last year during the Covid shut-down, so it references (at the end) a different type of project than designing a set for a musical...but as you know, your class IS designing a musical set.

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7.  Continued (in design groups) your design RESEARCH and INSPIRATION search for any additional elements that could inform your final design concept and choices.  (Add your research/inspiration - AND any inspiration images - to your Google Classroom assignment entitled Scenic Research (Musical Design Project) if/when new ideas emerge.

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Day 2:  Design CONCEPT

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1.  Watched: Behind the Emerald Curtain - (3:59)

     Watched:  Behind the Scenes of Wicked - Set Design (12:16)

 If absent, be sure to watch these videos and answer the questions below in your Google Classroom Reflection Journal.

Journal Title:  Scenic Design (Wicked)  (week 16 - day 2)

1.) The designer says that the STORY is about two sisters, but what was the MOOD/STYLE the designer was trying to create with his design?

2.) What RESEARCH did the designers do?

3.) What was the overall DESIGN CONCEPT, and in what visual elements of the show did that concept appear?

4.) What are some things that you found interesting, intriguing, or inspiring in these videos?

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2. Learned that a DESIGN CONCEPT is the overarching IDEA that UNITES all aspects of design together in one COHESIVE "look" for the visual telling of the story.

  • Arriving at your Design Concept is often the product of INTERPRETING the show.

  • Design concepts often begin by defining your INTERPRETATION

    • Example:  Flowers for Algernon = the MAZE of a changing mind​

    • Example:  This Girl Laughs = finding yourself while finding your way back HOME

    • Example:  The Crucible = the DECONSTRUCTION of a society

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2.  Read ONE:  KP's DESIGN CONCEPTS in Once On This Island, Flowers for Algernon, The Crucible.   If absent , be sure to read one of the above "Design Concepts" and answer the questions below in your Google Classroom REFLECTION Journal.

Journal Title:   Design Concept  (week 16 - day 2)

1.) Which did you read, and what did you learn about a "Design (Director's) Concept"?  (What is it? What does it do?)

2.) List the show you read about/explored and describe what you find interesting about the Design Concept for that show.  Be specific.

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3.  Discussed upcoming Design Meeting (with instructors), where you will be asked to share your research, inspiration, concepts, and ideas with KP & Logan/John.  This is a graded meeting, however, the focus of the Design Meeting is on COLLABORATION...in order to come up with even stronger ideas for your design.    (If absent , be sure to read!)

  • To earn the best score on your Design Meeting, you need to show that you've read your entire script, and you/your team have gone through the process of design in class (this includes the quality/quantity of your research, as well as the way you've collaborated in order to find your inspiration and develop your show's design concept.  

  • You do NOT have to have your concept/set decided - the meeting will be a discussion of what you've found and hopefully assist you in discovering your own design concept.)

  • Your Design Meeting Rubric is HERE.

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6. Collaborated with your design group on...

  1. )  RESEARCH / INSPIRATION for your design (add to Google Classroom

  2. )  Your DESIGN CONCEPT

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Day 3:  Design AESTHETIC / Design Meetings

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1.) Reviewed PROCESS of scenic design

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2.) Watched a video (Beetlejuice Scenic Design) and discussed...

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3.) Considered (for your design):  

  • Have you ignored any part of the storytelling space?

  • How can every area on stage SUPPORT your overall design/concept?

  • How can you work to make everything on stage feel COHESIVE?

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4.) Watched a teaching video (Design Aesthetic) and discussed (as a class and with your design group) how it could apply to your own design.  If absent , be sure to watch!

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Day 4:  Design AESTHETIC / Design Meetings / PRESENTATION Prep

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1.) Watched a video (Lion King Scenic Design) and discussed...

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3.) Considered (for your design):  

  • Have you ignored any part of the storytelling space?

  • How can every area on stage SUPPORT your overall design/concept?

  • How can you work to make everything on stage feel COHESIVE?

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4.) Discussed what should be included in your Design Presentation ( If absent , be sure to read rubrics)

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