Layne Hart

Ms.Burrows

Technical Theatre

7 March 2017

Design

In theatre, the design process is used to make any play. In scenic design, the first step is to read over

the given play. The second and third step is to do the exact same thing so that the person viewing it gets

a better understanding of every view going on in the story. It is important to reread just in case you did

not pick up on a certain action or detail. Next off, the fourth step is to begin writing down and taking

notes of the scenic elements while reading the play again. Scenic elements would include object like

chairs, a table, doors, and other key props on the stage or involved in the shows setting. The fifth step is

to start making thumbnail sketches and sixth is to make an actual rough draft sketch of all the scenes

incorporated. The seventh step is to interpret the mood shown and the colors that belong in the play to

fit the mood. Different colors can mean all sorts of moods. Red for example can mean mad or evil

unlike yellow, which can signify or stand for happiness and positivity. The eighth step is to find out

what type of set is being used. There are many different kinds of sets that can be used. A box set is

when there is just a stage with three walls. The arch at the beginning of the stage where the audience

will look in would represent a fourth wall. Box sets kind of make an illusion to a room and all the props

would be the interior of the room. There are other kinds of sets as well that can be done. Lastly, the

ninth step is to get graphing paper to begin dr awing out the scenes and setting of the play. Remember

to keep in mind research and analysis of the set pieces and how they fit proportion to the other props

and actors.

Design Meetings

Meeting 1 - Director's analysis and first thoughts

The first meeting for a play in the design process will consist of the directors analysis and first
thoughts of the piece. They will thoroughly review the material and read and listen to all that is said.

The director should come prepared to talk about the show and ask questions. They will share their

thoughts and ideas on the piece and identify major themes.

First Interim

The meeting after is called an interim. After the first meeting was the first first interim. All the

designers meet with the director to further explore ideas that were shown in meeting one. They will

discuss staging needs, the story, and share the initial research.

Meeting 2 - Research and first thoughts

The second meeting will be used to share the progress since the first meeting. It is mainly about the

scenery, costumes that will be used, lighting choices, the sound effects, and other things that are key to

having a show. Scenic designers should have lists of major elements that came from the first interim

and the text of the play.

Second Interim

After the second meeting, a second interim is scheduled a few weeks after. In this meeting, the scenic

and costume designers meet with the director to share sketch ideas of the set that will be used and the

costumes for the actors. The costume designers will also meet with the director to talk talk about micro

and macro choices and about rough costume plots that will have to be developed. A costume plot must

be made to share to let the director know about what characters will be wearing. They must review the

play a lot to understand what each character is like and how they will fit the time period or setting. The

sound designer is going to have to take time to meet with the director to share sound examples which

will be later used in the play. It is crucial that all parties available in making a play meet up with the

director to put their part in. Every party also talks to each other about their choices, being that they are

all intertwined.

Meeting 3 - Rough Drafts/ Designs

About two weeks later, a third meeting will be held. This is mainly about the designers sharing their
rough drafts or designs. The scenic designer and costume designer will need to have a draft of their

plans. The people involved in scenery will be expected to have a rough model and ground plan of the

stage. Costume designers should have a rough sketch and visual research about design and the given

characters. They should also have color choices picked out. The people on sound will present examples

of sound and music ideas.

Third Interim

The interim after the third meeting will require the creative team to meet with the director. They

will talk about the show event by event.This allows them to develop a scene by scene ground plan. In

this meeting, the lighting and sound designers will better understand the piece and their jobs. The

costume designers and director will have to find a time to meet and begin making choices, character

specific, to talk through the costume plot.

Meeting 4 -Redone Designs

The fourth meeting will be to share progress. The scenic designer will have taken the rough

drafts and refined them into a more in depth model. The costume designer should have some sketches

and extra research for the characters costumes in the play, along with a costume plot.

Fourth Interim

The interim for the fourth meeting will consist of the director and designers meeting to make

changes to the designs and prepare for meeting five, where the designs will be present. The designers

should all meet because their decisions of the show will affect others. Every area of the play revolves

around another. Lighting must correspond with makeup, for example. They all work together and need

to talk through plans.

Meeting 5 - Initial Look

This meeting will be used to view all the designers new ideas. The staff and production managers

will view these so they can comment on how appropriate each idea is.

Scenic designers will also be present to make ground plans, important scenic elements, and a view of
a color model in which they will use to incorporate in the play. A visual sketch will be expected from

the costume designers. A sketch for each character will be needed. If there are any odd functions of the

tech, he lighting and sound designers will have to address that, as well as any resources that are not

currently available.

Fifth Interim

In this interim, the designers will all meet to discuss the designs presented in meeting 5, the previous

meeting. The scenic designers will also have to meet up with the shop supervisors, the scenic artists on

faculty, the students involved in the show, and the advisor for scenic design. The costume designers

will be expected to meet with everyone involved in the costumes, such as the costume shop, makeup,

and others. The sound and lighting designers will have to meet with their advisors and supervisors. The

lighting, sound, costume, and other designers will have to figure out the budget and inform others

whether or not the designs can work out. If the proposed designs cannot be completed within the

available resources, the designers will have to meet with the director to think up a different solution

that can be used instead. These revisions should be shared with everyone before meeting 6 approaches

so they have time to prepare for other changes that it could have made.

Meeting 6 - Final Meeting

This meeting is expected to have final drafts and completed scenes. There should be a full costume

plot and color plot. A cue sheet should have been made as well. There will also be a sound list sheet.

These will all be given to everyone on the design team and the director will get a copy.

Sixth Interim

There will be a small meeting after the sixth meeting where a schedule will be produced.

Pre-Production

This meeting will be about the plans for the show. All the designers will share their completed ideas

and drafts to everyone on the production team. The scenic designers will present their research, drafts,

and sketches. The costume designers will show their designs, like their color schemes and research.
These will all be shown on a presentation. The sound and lighting designers will show their ideas and

view points of the show.

First Rehearsal

The actors will present their designs during the first rehearsal normally. All of the designers will give

a presentation of all the research and designs to the full production crew, cast, stage managers, and

other that were involved. Being present at this meeting for designers is mandatory.

Lighting Design

Lighting designers use different mediums of light to create a mood in theatre. Different kinds of

colors or light can indicate so many different things. It can indicate what time of day it is, what the

mood is, or even what is to come later on. Lighting designers have to work a lot with the other parts of

the cast.

When making a play, a lighting designer must go over the script many times and take notes as to

what color to use for different scenes.The director and designers will meet up and discuss what colors

fit each mood or plot.. Having meetings with a set designer is important because they must collaborate

to create the right look for the show. You may need to place the lighting instruments in different ways

so that there is no issue with an object getting in the way of a spotlight or something of the sort. Going

to shows and rehearsals is crucial when you are a lighting designer because you have to get a sense of

the mood and feel of a story. The lighting designer must meet with the director to get their perspective

on how the play should be played out. The set, light, and costume designers will all meet to collaborate

on an image for what it all should look like.Exchanging ideas can help the process go by easier because

you can understand others opinions on how they think the piece is meant to be. Once the show is open,

the designers job is pretty much complete and it is only the lighting crew and staffs job to help the

show run smoothly.

It is difficult to interpret stories by just reading them. Seeing people act it out gives a clearer

picture of the tone and emotions being shown. Different colors can symbolize emotions. For an
example, yellow may signify happiness or brightness but red will indicate evil or mad. Having a color

on a set can make the audience assume the mood. Lights can also help decipher whether it is day time

or afternoon or night.

Lighting can symbolize emotion, mood, setting , energy, and many other important elements during a

play.Having the right color is one of the most important things in lighting design.. Warm colors , such

as red, orange, and fall type colors can make one think of warmth, coziness, and intimacy. Pastel colors

can convey relaxation, calmness, happiness, and gentleness. Bright neon colors may make one think of

excitement or brightness. Color can make one have all sorts of different thoughts and emotions.

The primary colors of light are red, blue, and green. When these are mixed, a white light will be

displayed. The primary and secondary colors of pigment are red, blue green and violet, green, orange.

The primary colors have to do with the cones in our eyes which is how we view the light and color it

makes. When all of the primary colors are mixed, black is made. Mixing two primary colors creates a

secondary color. Color gels are sheets of polycarbonate or polyester that let out color when placed in

front of light sources.They are used to add color to a stage in theatre in a show. Color gels are not hard

to work and are easy to cut. They can be helpful and are used in pretty much every aspect of stage and

screen production that includes theatre, events, film, and other things. Color is very important in theatre

design. Certain colors can make an actor look a different way on stage.

The most important things to note while choosing the color scheme or lighting is the setting. You

need to keep in mind the time period, time of day, where it is taking place, and where is the lighting

source coming from. Also, interpreting the mood is very important because the color can either set the

right mood or mess it up completely, creating mixed signals for the audience or people watching it.

Choosing the right color for a character is very complex. Some colors do not look good on an actor,

such as green. But a pale yellow light will fit well with their skin color and makeup. If there is an off

color on the actor, they will not look good.

Colors are important in multiple instances in film and theatre, regarding the components of set,
props, costumes, lighting, and makeup. Each color used in theatre or a show can indicate many things

and really sets the mood for the story. The lighting and colors have a great impact with the emotions of

the one viewing it and are chosen to make them feel that way. When choosing color, you need to keep

in mind the setting, actor, mood, tone of the story, time period, and many other things. Lighting

designers have a very tough job being that they have to view many different aspects of the story just to

choose a color that will fit.

In conclusion, the design process is a process in theatre that helps a play be planned out. Lighting,

color, costume, props, and many other types of design are key to having a clean, smooth show. All the

designers must work together and compromise to make a piece or decision work. Not only is that

helpful in the field of theatre, but it impacts on real life as well.