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Step by Step guide to Set Design

Step by Step Guide

An excellent article on Set design process

DESIGN CONCepts

By taking a look at some of the information in the pictures below, you can identify some key elements and consideration that needs to be thought about when designing the stage and set for a show. As this is one of the first things an audience will see it must communicate a variety of things in it. Location, Mood, Time period, Theme, Feelings, and emotions are all things that can be connected to the stage set up and the overall way in which the stage is used. Additionally the stage and set must be FUNCTIONAL as if it looks good but cannot be used the Director will not have any way to utilize movement in a good way for the audience to connect to the performance.

SET CREATION

Set creation can use a variety of ways to create your scene. You can use canvas flats, periaktoi, curtains, permanent set, simple sets, transformational sets (that rotate or change shape in some way). The way in which you design a stage set up will be depending on the needs of the play, the type of stage you have available and the storage capabilities of your theatre.

Permanent set would be a structure built to last many shows and it would be the only performance happening within that stage at that time. This is usually the case for shows that come in for a few months, or are on Broadway. Generally speaking these sets have long lasting performances and or long running events and would usually only need minor tweaks or updates as the show goes on.

American Community School of Abu Dhabi Set Dimensions

BOX SET or SCREEN FLATS

The box set can be a permanent construction that uses Canvas flats to create the scenery and would lashed together. It would create a semi permanent set that could be interchanged as needed. As the scenery is created with flats, it means that scenery can be moved in and out quite quickly.

SCREEN SET

The screen set is a semi-permanent set but is designed for shows that have shorter running times or duration. They are mostly created from Canvas flats that are painting and then lashed together to create the scenery. The advantages of this state design is that they flats can easily be stored and repainted for the next performance that may come along. They can provide ample depth and can be of varying heights.

CANVAS FLAT

The Canvas flat is one of the most useful and versatile constructions that can be used in theatre. It is usually a standard size height and width that is used to help create the scenery.

It is essentially a wooden frame with canvas stretched over it and held in place.

It has support structures behind it to help with warping, and then specific cleats that are attached to it for the lashing of flats together.

PERIAKTOI SET

This set design is incredibly flexible in design and movement on stage. The Periaktoi set uses the canvas flats but now have 3 panels attached together to create a triangle shape structure on wheels that can rotate around to show 3 different faces for the set. By adding additional small pieces that are supported over the top of the Periaktoi you can create walkways, hallways , windows or other items to add flair and interest to your set.

CURTAIN SET/FLY Set

The curtain set is one of the most flexible and easiest sets to create as the storage of fabric is quite easy to achieve. While fabric in a theatre tends to be very flexible and can open and close to review different areas, all fabric used on a set must be treated with fire-retardant chemicals in order to prevent fire. This system does require that you have ties and ways of opening and closing the curtains.

A Flye set is one that primarily revolves around the dropping of lyes from above to create the scenery or set.

They are FLOWN in and FLOWN out to create the scenery.

TRANSFORMATION SETS

PROJECTION & FILM

In some sets, projections can be used to create the scene or atmosphere.

Scaling up Image and Floor Plan

Learning to communicate your ideas in Set design is very important. Understanding where to hang certain items or place things is an important tool to indicate to builders, stage-hands and others involved in set design. Your Plan is always set up on the centre line for the stage. Using architectural drawing styles with small circles, boxes and other things to indicate placement of items on the stage is crucial. Satais and doorways or entrances should be indicated in addition to the way they open or the direction of travel. On the Floor plan you can see the arrows indicating the direction of movement. Walls will be indicated by larger dark lines that are bolded.