THEATRE 451/551
Scene Design

TTh 3:30 - 4:45 PM • 203 Hiestand Hall
203 is open 24/7 except during classes TTh 11:00 - 1:45, 3:30-4:45 and MW 2:00-3:15

Introduction and Purpose | Attendance and Grading Policies | Supplies List
Course Schedule for Fall 2002

Late Work Agreement Form (.pdf format)

Prof. Gion DeFrancesco
247C Center for the Performing Arts
529-8318
defranga@muohio.edu

OFFICE HOURS
TTh 8:00-10:00 AM
or by appointment

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

Good theatre communicates to the audience in two ways. The playwright lays the foundadtion of aural communication by putting down the words that will be spoken to express a point of view, a purpose, a message. The actor uses voice as a medium to deliver the words to the audience's ears. Aural communication is often enhanced through sound effects, underscoring, or vocal manipulation courtesy of the sound designer.

The second way to communicate to an audience is visually. Again the actor is vital here, as it is the actor's body (appropriately costumed by the costume designer) that the audience will see. But the actor must move in some sort of environment within the stage space, whether it is an empty stage, black curtains, levels, backdrops or full interiors. This is the stuff we call scenery. Scenery, along with costumes and lighting, is one of the main tools we have to communicate a play visually to an audience. Always remember that scenery exists to help communicate the idea of the play. Along the way, it can help the production team convey mood, character, rhythm , movement, theme, and style.

All design centers around finding creative soultions to given problems. In the case of scenery design, we try to come up with the most elegant solutions possible to create an appropriate environment for a play. This environment must meet the needs of the play, the director, the actors, the other members of the design team. It must fit into a given space and be constructed on a given budget. There is a huge learning curve to make this happen, more than you can learn in just 16 weeks. But we can make a good start. By the end of this semester you should be able to:

• Understand how scene design contributes to the context of theatre through historic exploration of design and practical application of design to theatrical problems.

• Create a scenic environment for a given play through use of analysis. research and creative exploration

• Communicate design ideas to others using drafting, drawing, modeling and painting as tools

• Work with others collaboratively in an atmosphere of mutual respect

Some students fear this class because they think they can't draw. If you fall into this category, know that most of our projects involve model building rather than drawing. Once you understand how the three dimensional space works, believe it or not, you will be able to draw and render it more effectively. You should realize though that this is a studio course. Lecture will be very limited, and learning will happen though experimentation, practice, and effort.

Working in theatre always means working collaboratively. As such, its important to respect and appreciate others, even if their ideas are different than yours. If you are in theatre, you WILL be working with people of different races, religions, genders and orientations. The University's diversity policy as stated in the Miami University Policy and Information Manual Section 1.3 (click here to read) will be honored.

POLICIES

Attendance

Please be advised that this is a studio class. The key to success is understanding the concepts and processes that are introduced in class, experimenting with them, asking questions and receiving feedback. This can only happen if you attend each class. There is no book for this class to cover what you might miss.

            Because of the hands-on nature of this class, you will be allowed 2 absences. Use them however you like. Upon your third absence, a grade of "F" will be entered into the gradebook.

Late Work

Work will be due in class on the day that work is due. Should you turn your work in the day AFTER it is due, your grade will be lowered 12% (approximately 1 letter grade). Late work will NOT be accepted after this one day grace period unless you have filed a LATE WORK AGREEMENT. Exceptions for emergencies can be made, but must be discussed with the instructor.

            A Late Work Agreement allows you to turn in ONE assignment per semester as much as one full week late. The penalty will be the lowering of the final grade only 6% (one-half letter grade). Both of us must establish a new due date and sign the agreement. This must be completed a day before the project's original due date!

Download a Late Work Agreement form in PDF format by clicking here.

Grading

Each project will have its own set of criteria for grading. Generally, all projects will require a written statement of how you tried to meet the goals of the project and why you made the choices you did. Evaluation of the work will be balanced between how well you met the established guidelines of the project and how well you met your own goals for the project. Be aware that there will always be two factors that influence grading:

PRACTICAL
Have you met the objectives of the assignment? Of your own goals? Has your design met the practical needs of the play? Is the process of design evident?

ARTISTIC
Is the work neatly done? Is it visually interesting? Does it evoke emotion? Does your design accomplish what you wanted it to? Does it express your own personal voice?

Completion of the practical aspects of a project will earn you a passing grade in the class. Effort in incorporating an appropriate personal aesthetic sense (creativity, finesse, passion) will give you a chance at an “A.” As with all creative projects, your own personal interpretations and decisions are expected and encouraged.

Your final grade will be made up of the following components:

Antigone Projects 15%
Wing and drop (a day in...)10%
Box Set 10%

Affrilachia Design 20%
Awake and Sing! Design 30%

Designer Report 10%
Production Discussion 5%

You will receive a detailed handout for each of the projects that explains the requirements and criteria for grading.

TO PURCHASE

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Books to buy:
Antigone by Jean Anouilh, Lewis Galenteiere, translator
Affrilachia a collection of poems by Frank X. Walker
Waiting for Lefty and Other Plays by Clifford Odets
(we’ll actually be using Awake and Sing! out of this collection)

Books on Reserve: Designing and Painting for the Theatre by Lynn Pecktal

Supplies (basic):
#2 pencils (HB) X-Acto knife and #11 blades
drafting vellum (24" x 36") metal straightedge
architect scale rule Ebony pencil (or similar)
Bristol board pad (rough vellum) 2H pencil
adjustable triangle circle template
Aleene’s Tacky Glue white plastic eraser
Supplies (advanced): A range of drawing pencils drafting lead holders and leads
T-square lead sharpener
Compass eraser shield
lettering guide furniture template
spray adhesive
Supplies (as needed): For model building you should be prepared to buy some quantities of the following types of materials. Don’t buy them until you know what you are going to use!
illustration board (cold press, med.) foam core (black and white)
gesso acrylic paint (asst. colors)
brushes (asst. sizes) balsa or bass wood
drawing paper

COURSE SCHEDULE

AS OF8/28/02 (Subject to revision)

Tues. Aug 20	Introduction to Course Why do we design? Assignment: Read Pecktal Handout #1 (on electronic reserve)
Thurs. Aug. 22	The Design Process and the Creative Process Scenery and Character (bring x-acto knife, straightedge, scissors, pencil, scale rule, bristol board, glue) Assignment:Read Antigone, Find Greek research (due Aug. 27)
Tues. Aug. 27	Discuss Antigone, play analysis In-class exercises (bring sketchbook) Assignment: Antigone Line/Shapes (due Aug. 29)
Thurs. Aug. 29	Present Line/Shape projects (due) Discuss research and composition In-class exercises (bring black mounting board or black foam core and model supplies) Assignment:Antigone research collage (Due Sept. 5), Designer Report (due Oct 22)
Tues. Sept. 3	Exchange Day (Monday Classes)
Thurs. Sept. 5	Present Antigone collage (due) Space and Movement (non-specific location) Assignment:Antigone model (due Sept. 10)
Tues. Sept. 10	Present Antigone models (due) Discuss approach/concept, convention vs. illusion Assignment:Antigone rendering or model #2 (Due Sept.17)
Thurs. Sept. 12	Proscenium Space: Wing and Border Research strategies
Tues. Sept. 17	Present Antigone Redux (due) Mini Project - “A Day In…” (due Sept. 26)
Thurs. Sept. 19	“A Day In…” work: establish scenographic demands and E & P of design
Tues. Sept. 24	Proscenium Space: realism/box set Ground Plans and Spatial Relationships
Thurs. Sept. 26	Present “Day in…” model (due) Discuss models, furniture Assignment: Room Model (due Oct. 3)
Tues. Oct. 1	NO CLASS
Thurs. Oct. 3	Present “Rough Room” model (Due) EXECUTION OF JUSTICE Opens (Fri. Oct 5)
Tues. Oct. 8	Model and Ground Plan
Thurs. Oct. 10	Present “Presentation Room” model Multi-set shows, scene changes Assignment: Read Affrilachia
Tues. Oct. 15	Non-Proscenium Space Unit setting and creative approaches Discuss Affrilachia
Thurs. Oct. 17	Present Affrilachia inspiration, discuss approaches Assignment: Affrilachia White Model (due Oct.31)
Tues. Oct. 22	Present Designer Posters (due) “The New Stagecraft” Assignment: Read Awake and Sing!
Thurs. Oct. 24	Awake and Sing Quiz and Discussion In-class exercises (bring color media) Assignment: Research Awake and Sing!
Tues. Oct. 29	Present Awake and Sing Research 1 ANOWA opens 10/30
Thurs. Oct. 31	Affrilachia White Model DUE Rendering Overview
Tues. Nov. 5	A Rendering Technique (Begin AFFRILACHIA rendering) Color and Design
Thurs. Nov. 7	Present Awake and Sing Research 2 (if needed) and analysis Specific needs of AWAKE AND SING Assignment: Awake and Sing! Design
Tues. Nov. 12	Color and Design 2 Affrilachia Rendering DUE
Thurs. Nov. 14	Present Awake and Sing Rough GP’s (Let’s test ‘em out)
Tues. Nov. 19	NO CLASS 6 CHARACTERS opens 11/20
Thurs. Nov. 21	Presenting a Design: The Producer and Director
Tues. Nov. 26	Awake and Sing Rough Model DUE
Tues. Dec. 3	Presenting a Design: The TD, Props Master and Charge Artist
Thurs. Dec. 5	Carrying a design through
Fri. Dec. 13	Present Awake and Sing Finsihed Design 12:30 PM (time and date negotiable)