Set Construction

Essential Question:

What will I need to apply when building a set for a play?

Vocabulary

Flat Wood screws Muslin Sheeting material Backing (masking) Box set Floor plan

Vocabulary

Ground row Jack Practical Returns Profile Jigger Sight line

Flat Construction

Made of 1 x 4 white pine. Components are called

Corner blocks, and keystones Rails and stiles and toggle bars Use wood screws to attach corner

blocks and keystones Covered with unbleached muslin

Flat: IllustrationRails

Stiles

Toggle Bar

Corner block

Keystone

Flat: Measurements

Stile measurements are all in terms of 5” For example, a 12’ high flat needs stiles

of 11’5”. Rail measurements are always the

width of the flat. For example, a 4’ wide flat needs rails of

4’.

Flat: Measurements

Toggle measurements are all in terms of 5”. For example, a toggle bar for a 6’ wide

flat should be 5’5”. The length of material to cover a flat

should always add 4”. For example, a 12’ high flat needs to be

12’4”.

Flat: Measurements

The dimensions for a cornerblock are 9” x 9”.

The dimensions for a keystone are 6” x 3” x 2.5”.

Flats: Covering and sizing

How to cover a flat Unbleached muslin 4” in length Staple it to sides of frame Place wax paper around toggle bars Cover muslin, including what covers the

wood frame with glue/water mixture 2:1 ratio Sizing

Let dry, remove staples and cut excess

Flats: Miscellaneous

Corner blocks and keystones should be placed 3/4” from edge of flat.

Flats are joined with loose pin hinges.

Flats: Miscellaneous

Dutchman is used to cover the joints between flats.

To patch a hole or rip in a flat, material is glued from the back of the flat.

Only flats without openings may be floated.

Flats: Miscellaneous

Everyone involved with a production works on the set.

It is necessary to use a backing flat on all door and window openings.

Flats: Miscellaneous

A brace should be used to keep a flat upright.

A stage weight should be placed inside a brace to give weight to the flat.

The portion of the set which extends toward the right and left wings is called the return.

Sheeting Material

Three kinds of sheeting material: Celotex Masonite Particle Board Plywood

In relation to plywood, the letters AD means one side is planed, the other is not.

Sheeting Material

In wood measurement, nominal means size before planed.

Actual means size after planing. Corner blocks and keystones are made from

¼” plywood. The standard size of all sheeting material is

4 x 8. Other plywood thicknesses are 1”, ¾”and

½”.

Cutting Corner block

9”

9”

Keystone

3”

6”

2.5”

Attaching: Corner Blocks

Attaching: Keystones