Scene Design THE FOREIGNER Assignment

FOREIGNER DESIGN PROJECT

Due: 9/19
Schedule:
T 9/5 Poster Presentation
Work on revisions. By end of class print final poster for presentation to directors.
FOREIGNER assignment (9/19)

R 9/7 Studio
MEET IN RUTH TAYLOR THEATRE, Design Classroom, Room 318
List of the requirement for the show are due. Research/image files due. I will do a ground plan demonstration.

T 9/12 Studio
Hand drawn, rough ground plans due. Scan hand drawn GP. Clean up in computer. Elevation Demonstrations.

R 9/28 REFINED FOREIGNER DUE
Design and Sketch Presentation
Studio: BLACK ANGEL DISCUSSION
Discussion and feedback to design ideas.

THE FOREIGNER by Larry Shue

OVERVIEW: For our next project, we will use THE FOREIGNER as our text to engage in the process of creating a scenic design from a script to the drafting board to the computer to a final rendering. Our emphasis will be both a continuation of learning the Photoshop software on the MAC and the process of translating the play into an environment for the stage. Lots to discover!

The process will involve digital image research, hand drafting, scanning, Photoshop manipulation, drafted front elevations, scanning and Photoshop manipulation to create a final presentation. We will work one step at a time. Your evaluation for this design project will focus on the craft of executing the project while exploring the art of design solutions.

R 9/7 Studio
MEET IN RUTH TAYLOR THEATRE, Design Classroom, Room 318
BRING: Tracing Paper, pencils, erasers, architectural scale, triangles, masking tape and furniture templates, if you have them.

DUE: A thorough scenic design reading of the play with a written scenic flow. Also, bring with you 10-20 photos of the research you have downloaded in response to your reading of the play. Keep a file of digital images as you will use these to later develop your elevations.

Some THOUGHTS regarding your written preparation …

A scenic designer is, to a large extent, a spatial conceptualist. Space can be defined by objective reality (physical objects ... a house, trees, a tent, a shop), and by subjective or mental construction like metaphors or symbolic relationships attached to forms, textures, colors, etc.

The objective reality of the space in THE FOREIGNER needs to tell a story. What objects or forms need to be present to tell the story as scripted both in the dialogue and in the stage directions? Go through the script and underline all scenic references, props and specific actions like “goes upstairs as she goes through the swing doors into the kitchen,” to establish a scenic flow of events, a scene-by-scene synopsis. Record references to period, locations, objects, seasons, and feelings to serve as keywords for additional digital visual research. Diagram areas of the house. Write down the action of the show, including lighting references, in a sequence of the plot action. As you go through the play, ask yourself, “How might the objective forms be placed in relationship with one another so that the actor, moving and interacting within the space might make sense out of the action of the play?” ...Ground plans, walls, props, etc...

The subjective space for THE FOREIGNER may be less metaphoric than some of our future assignments but does require you to make design decisions in this area. What is the tone of the play? What kind of architecture, wall treatment and set dressing are necessary for the audience to appreciate the comedy of these country, city and foreigners in the action of the play? This is not a tragedy

Use my GYPSY homepage and Scenic Flow Chart as a model for your written scenic flow.

For an example of how I approach the study of a play in sketches, log onto my Production Design link and BALTIMORE WALTZ. Take the time to open and review my thoughts at the bottom of the web site entitled preliminary sketches. As you read THE FOREIGNER, record (and draw) ideas that come to mind.

Based on your individual scenic flow charts, your 10-20 photo research images, and action sketch ideas, you will work on developing rough ground plan sketches in class.

For examples of digital research ideas, log onto DANCING AT LUGHNASA and investigate my Preliminary Research links.

These “roughs” are to be placed within the official Stieren Ground Plan. You will need to download this off the Speech and Drama web site. To do so, log onto my web site http://faculty.trinity.edu/sgilliam/ (Bookmark this URL for future reference.) Click on the link to Dept. of Speech & Drama. Go to Drama. Go to Facilities. Go to Jane and Arthur Stieren Theatre “Click image…” Here you will find several photos of the stage that might prove useful later when we develop front elevation designs for the Stieren Theatre. Scroll down to the Ground Plan (PDF) link and open it. The MAC will open Adobe Reader (software) which in turn will open a browser page with a ¼” ground plan of the entire Stieren Theatre. Click on the File on the Browser menu and Save As the StierenGP.pdf to your desktop. Open Photoshop. Pull down the File menu to Open. There you will see on your desktop the StierenGP. Pdf. Open it. It will look invisible. Layer to Flatten Image. Then File to Save As to Format and JPEG. Hit Save and now you have a jpg Photoshop file of the Stieren Ground Plan. You can marquee the stage area you want, COPY and Paste to a new document for use.

In class, we will scan your hand-drawn ground plan ideas to make Photoshop images. I will demonstrate methods to use to clean up these ground plans to develop a final ground plan.

In class, I will demonstrate how to convert a ground plan into individual wall elevations.

For examples of elevations, log onto my GLASS MENAGERIE web site. Scroll down to “Alan, 1⁄4 Elevations of Budget Consider”.

You will need to convert your final ground plan into individual wall elevations. At least two must be finished painter elevations. In addition, bring digital research of furniture selections, set dressing ideas and possible people in costumes appropriate for THE FOREIGNER.

In class, we will explore how to convert drafted painter elevations into a front elevation of the set design. We will explore ways to layer in scaled furniture, set dressing and people.

R 9/21 Studio
We will explore ways to layer in scaled furniture, set dressing and people.

T 9/26 Rough Presentation Due for Feedback
We willl provide feedback for your refinement.