In-class Exercise and Assignment

Discover Ideas and a Design for Black Angel

DUE:  R 10/5

Often, you have heard me state that 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 (metaphors, symbolic representations attached to forms).

The objective reality of the space in Black Angel needs to tell a story.  What objects or forms need to be present to tell the story?  For example, do we need an entire market place to buy the chicken wire?  Do we need saw horses, a jail, trees?  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...

As a subjective construction, the space of Black Angel is an imaginary phenomenon, which exists in the spirit of the play, in the minds of the character, and in the imagination of the audience.  Clearly, Engel moves throughout space and time; one moment in this world, one moment in his thoughts.  Can a space constructed only in objective reality enable all Engel’s movement?  Or, how can you design an environment in which the space allow the imagination to fill in the moments?

Go through the play to establish a scene flow of events.  Record references to locations, objects, seasons, and feelings to serve as keywords for additional visual research.  Decide on the tone of the play.  Record symbolic moments and metaphors that come to mind.  Write it down and be prepared to discuss the play in class as a production meeting.

Assignment:            You are to walk the line of the play Black Angel.

On T, 10/3, you are to come to class having a thorough knowledge of the play.  You have a written scenic flow list.  You should have metaphor ideas.  Find a painting or sculpture that speaks to you and symbolizes this show for you.  Either bring a copy of this symbolic representation or have the URL available to presentation.

We will split up into 4 research teams.  Erika and Emily, Logan and Vince, Lori and Brook, Annie and Victoria.

Starting from one edge of the paper, make a line design that depicts the fantastic journey of a moving point (your mind) through the play.  The line needs to progress through each scene.  As it continues, note significant moments or visual ideas.  As you do this, sketch impressions, images, metaphors, objects, and words that unfold.  Does your journey revisit resting places?  Is your journey linear?  Then, you are to go on line and research the key moments for objects.  Write down the URLs.

On R, 10/5 you are to bring in a poster board-sized presentation of Black Angel, in which have individually walked the line of the play including visual moments using sketches or research images.

Objective:  At some point, the subjective limitless bounds of possibilities needs to find form for a specific space with a specific budget, director and actors.  Discovering the essential elements of a design might manifest themselves as you create concrete doodles by walking the line of the play.   

Examples of Walking the Line of a Play. From ON THE VERGE