Fundamentals of Theatrical Design: A Guide to the Basics of Scenic, Costume, and Lighting Design

293 Pages·2011·4.45 MB·English

by  Karen Brewster, Melissa Shafer

Fundamentals oF
theatrical design
Fundamentals oF
theatrical design
karen brewster melissa shafer
© 2011 by Karen Brewster and Melissa Shafer
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Dedication
We extend our love and gratitude to our families:
Lois and Ed Shafer, Nancy and Bill Brewster
Dick, Shannon, and Will Major
Your unconditional support made this book possible.
Annotated Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ..................................................................................... 15
Introduction .............................................................................................. 17
PART ONE—THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PROCESS
Chapter 1—Script Analysis for Designers .............................................. 21
How to Read a Play ................................................................................ 21
Script Formatting ............................................................................. 22
Dialogue .......................................................................................... 22
Reading Plays—Language and Subtext ............................................ 25
The Structure of a Play .................................................................... 28
Plot .................................................................................................. 31
Imaginative Engagement ........................................................................ 31
Identifying the Given Circumstances ..................................................... 33
Visual Metaphor .................................................................................... 34
Summary ............................................................................................... 35
Exercises ................................................................................................. 36
Chapter 2—The Objectives of Theatrical Design................................... 38
Immersion in the Play ............................................................................ 38
Determine the Objectives ....................................................................... 39
Time ................................................................................................ 39
Period .............................................................................................. 40
Place ................................................................................................ 41
Locale .............................................................................................. 42
Place and Locale Challenges ................................................... 43
Theme ............................................................................................. 44
Identifying Theme .................................................................. 44
Mood ............................................................................................... 45
Revealing Character ......................................................................... 46
Style ................................................................................................. 47
Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Solving Practical Problems ............................................................... 50
Conclusion ............................................................................................. 52
Exercises ................................................................................................. 52
Chapter 3—Researching the Design ....................................................... 55
What to Research—The Process of Investigation ................................... 55
The Playwright and the Play ............................................................ 56
Researching the Given Circumstances and the Design Objectives .... 58
Place, Locale, Time, and Period .............................................. 58
Theme and Mood................................................................... 59
Revealing Character ................................................................ 60
Style ....................................................................................... 60
Solving Practical Problems ...................................................... 61
How to Research—Libraries and Online Searches .................................. 62
Tertiary Sources for Research ........................................................... 64
Primary Sources for Research ........................................................... 64
Secondary Sources for Research........................................................ 64
Visual Sources for Research .............................................................. 65
Developing a Research Storehouse ................................................... 67
Plagiarism ........................................................................................ 68
Informed Intuition........................................................................... 69
Why We Research—The Enjoyment of Data Collection ........................ 69
Exercises ................................................................................................. 70
Chapter 4—Collaboration ...................................................................... 72
The Society and Culture of Theater ....................................................... 74
Design Team Collaboration—The Process ............................................. 74
Idea Development ............................................................................ 74
Communicate Ideas ................................................................ 76
Typical Collaborative Process .................................................. 76
Develop a Production Concept ............................................... 78
Communication Challenges .................................................. 79
Impromptu Discussions ................................................... 79
Business Etiquette ............................................................ 80
Gender and Communication ........................................... 81
Technologically Enhanced Collaboration ......................... 81
Execute Unified Designs .................................................................. 82
Budget, Labor, Time ........................................................................ 84
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Annotated Table of Contents
Tell the Story ................................................................................... 85
Exercises ................................................................................................. 87
PART TWO—UNDERSTANDING THE VISUAL COMPONENTS OF
THEATRICAL DESIGN
Chapter 5—Design Elements .................................................................. 88
Point ...................................................................................................... 88
Line ....................................................................................................... 89
Shape ..................................................................................................... 90
Mass ....................................................................................................... 92
Color ..................................................................................................... 94
The Color Wheel ............................................................................. 96
Value—The Use of Black and White ............................................... 96
The Psychology of Color .................................................................. 97
Texture ................................................................................................... 97
Summary ............................................................................................... 99
Exercises ................................................................................................. 99
Chapter 6—Design Principles and Visual Composition ...................... 105
Balance................................................................................................. 106
Proportion ........................................................................................... 109
Rhythm ................................................................................................ 110
Variation .............................................................................................. 111
Contrast, a Subcategory of Variation .............................................. 112
Unity ................................................................................................... 113
Harmony, a Subcategory of Unity .................................................. 114
Visual Composition ............................................................................. 115
Summary ............................................................................................. 119
Exercises ............................................................................................... 119
PART THREE—THE ARTISTIC AND PRACTICAL PROCESSES OF
THEATRICAL DESIGN
Chapter 7—Scenic Design .................................................................... 122
The Design Objectives and Scenic Design ............................................123
Place, Locale, Time, and Period .............................................................123
Mood ....................................................................................................124
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