SceneryScenery

Getting StartedGetting Started

The director, technical director, or scenic designer The director, technical director, or scenic designer will carefully study the script to design a floor plan will carefully study the script to design a floor plan for each scene. (aerial perspective)for each scene. (aerial perspective)

A scenic design is created from the floor plan A scenic design is created from the floor plan (sketch)(sketch)

A model is built to show a 3-D example of what the A model is built to show a 3-D example of what the set will look likeset will look like

Plans are developed and construction begins.Plans are developed and construction begins.

BackdropsBackdrops

Sometimes scenery includes large Sometimes scenery includes large backdrops (called backdrops (called dropsdrops) that have been ) that have been painted to look like a scene.painted to look like a scene.– Example: woods from Example: woods from Into the WoodsInto the Woods, yellow , yellow

brick road from brick road from Wizard of OzWizard of Oz

Set pieces would be placed in front of the Set pieces would be placed in front of the backdrop.backdrop.

What is What is SCENERYSCENERY??

Curtains, backdrops, or any structures Curtains, backdrops, or any structures constructed to transform an empty stage constructed to transform an empty stage into a suitable background for the play.into a suitable background for the play.

Depends on many elements—the play’s Depends on many elements—the play’s requirements, theater facilities, budget, time, requirements, theater facilities, budget, time, and crew’s capabilities.and crew’s capabilities.

Sketches and RenderingsSketches and Renderings Floor Plan – a drawing of the stage setting Floor Plan – a drawing of the stage setting

as seen from above (aerial perspective or as seen from above (aerial perspective or bird’s-eye view); usually drawn to scalebird’s-eye view); usually drawn to scale

Sketch – rough draft, usually black and Sketch – rough draft, usually black and whitewhite

Rendering – a final, color drawing of the setRendering – a final, color drawing of the set Elevation view – a front view of the set Elevation view – a front view of the set

(looking in from the audience, aka frontal (looking in from the audience, aka frontal view); usually drawn to scaleview); usually drawn to scale

Set PiecesSet Pieces Set pieces are large, portable pieces of the Set pieces are large, portable pieces of the

stage settingstage setting– Flats (act as walls)Flats (act as walls)– Platforms (act as floors)Platforms (act as floors)– Could include doors, fences, windows, rocks, Could include doors, fences, windows, rocks,

trees, etc.trees, etc.

Unit SetUnit Set– Stock set pieces that can be used over and overStock set pieces that can be used over and over

Why do we have Why do we have SCENERYSCENERY??

To create the setting—to show the audience To create the setting—to show the audience where and when the play takes placewhere and when the play takes place

To define the acting area—giving the actors To define the acting area—giving the actors places for entrances and exits and planned places for entrances and exits and planned blockingblocking

To create a mood or atmosphere—makes a To create a mood or atmosphere—makes a statement about the theme of the playstatement about the theme of the play

Model SetModel Set A small model of a set (think model plane or car). A small model of a set (think model plane or car).

A miniature copy of the set, usually made of A miniature copy of the set, usually made of paper/cardboard or sometimes wood.paper/cardboard or sometimes wood.

Set is in “scale”– meaning that it is proportional to Set is in “scale”– meaning that it is proportional to the actual size.the actual size.– 1 inch = 1 foot1 inch = 1 foot

White model – a colorless model of the set (much White model – a colorless model of the set (much like a sketch only in 3-D)like a sketch only in 3-D)

Final model – a painted model of the set (much Final model – a painted model of the set (much like a rendering only in 3-D)like a rendering only in 3-D)