Joshua Logan Set Design 2020

Set Design for CSEC

Prepared By: Joshua Logan

The set is the arrangement of scenery to provide a background or environment in which the
action of the play can develop. It is the physical infrastructure placed on stage to create the
location of the play.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Set Designer

• Is responsible for analysing the play and determining the setting and properties
requirements of the production.
• Is responsible for researching information relating to the setting and properties of the
production.
• Is responsible for designing the setting and properties of the production. In other words,
he/she determines or selects the style, colour, placement, shape and size of the set.
He/She also selects the type of materials to be used.
• Is responsible for ensuring that the set designs are consistent with the overall artistic
vision generated by the director.
• Is responsible for selecting and hiring the set construction team, including carpenters,
builders, painters, wielders and any other persons necessary for the construction of the
set.
• Is responsible for ensuring that the set is constructed according to the design in a timely
manner.
• Is responsible for ensuring that the set remains within its budget.
• Is responsible for ensuring that the set is safe to be used for stage performance.
• Is responsible for setting up and striking the set.

Factors That Influence the Design of a Set

• Budget – Know the budget allocated for designing a set. This must also include set
construction.
• The Space – Know the stage for the production, i.e., the size and type of stage, technical
limitations and availability, sight lines, scenic, fly bars, fire wall, load in door, backstage
area. The size of stage would affect the size and layout of your set.
• The Type of Production – Each production has unique setting demands and limitations.
Dance production, drama production, concert, film or live theatre.

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• Other Technical Areas – Know the demands and limitations of other technical areas,
including lighting and costume.
• The Script – Know the setting demands made by the script, i.e., the number of scenes,
the various settings of each scene, scene changes.
• The Production or Director’s Concept – Understand the directors concept. If a designer
is unsure of a design, he/she should consult the director.
• Time between scene changes and manpower available for scene changes.
• Equipment/Machinery and Human Resources – This equipment available for
construction of set. The number and skill of persons involved in constructing the set.
• Material Resources – This is the availability and amount of material obtainable for
constructing the set.

Basic Components That Are Used in Designing a Set

2D Scenery Any scenery that is generally flat or any has two dimensions height
and length, for example, flats, cut-outs and backdrops.
3D Scenery Any scenery that has a three dimensional shape or with length, height
and width/depth, for example, platforms, stairs, chairs and tables.
Backdrop A large piece of cloth or canvas that is painted to represent any
desirable setting. The backdrop is situated to the rear of the stage
and spans the width of the upstage area. A backdrop can be a painted
cloth suspended on a fly bar or painted flats.
Book flats Two free-standing flats hinged together to fold to any angle.
Cross sectional view A drawing of the stage with the scenery as if seen from the side.
Cue to Cue The rehearsal of any technical element by moving directly from one
cue to another by skipping the dialogue in between the cues.
Cut outs Any object that is drawn and cut out from a ply or cardboard.
Design Concept The vision for creating the physical environment of the production in
consultation with the director.
Doors flats A flat with a functional door built into it.
Dress Rehearsal The final rehearsal of a live show, in which everything is done as it
would be in a real performance.
Drops Any scenery suspended from the fly bar.
Flats A rectangular wooden frame covered with cloth, canvas of ply board
to create walls and scenery. Flats are 8ft x 4ft in size and they can be
fastened together.
Floor plan A drawing of the stage with the scenery as if seen from above.

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Functional Set Any scenery that a performer interacts with or operates. For instance,
tables, chair, stairs, platform, doors, windows, picture on the wall
that the actor takes down, light switches, etc.
Non-Functional Set Any scenery that the performer does not interact with or operate.
These scenery or settings are designed for artistic purpose. For
example, back drops, false doors, windows and bottles on a shelf.
Paper Tech A sit down rehearsal where all the technical elements and cues are
coordinated and written into the script.
Perspective View A drawing of the stage with the scenery as if seen from the front or
the audience.
Platforms In theatre, a platform (also referred to as a riser or rostrum) is a
stationary, standard flat walking surface for actors to perform on.
Typically, they are built to be assembled together. They are often
used to provide varying levels, to make a show more visually
interesting. Platforms are usually 8ft x 4ft.
Pre-set The positioning of set pieces or props in specific locations on and off
stage prior to the start of the production. Some props needs to be
positioned on props tables, or on a specific side off stage.
Projection This is the use of projected images to create the setting.
Scenic Fly Bar The bars that are above the stage that are used to fly set pieces in
and out. There are two types of fly systems. A manual counter weight
system and an automated electric system
Sight lines The line of sight of the audience members from their seat to the
stage.
Spiking Marking with tape on the stage, or around the stage, to show the
correct positions of set pieces, furniture, performers or other items
which must be in a specific position.
Striking To take down or remove a set from the stage.
Wagons A scenery wagon (also known as a stage wagon) is a
mobile platform that is used to support and transport movable,
three-dimensional theatrical scenery on a theater stage. In most
cases, the scenery is constructed on top of the wagon such that the
wagon, and the scenery it supports, forms a single, integrated
structure.

Elements of Design

Line Vertical lines: these are lines that run up and down
Horizontal lines: these are lines that run from left to right

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Diagonal lines: these are lines that run at an angle

Zigzag lines: are a series of diagonal lines joined end to end
Curved lines: are lines that bend in any amount of degree; they may be gently
wavy to tightly wound spirals
All lines have emotions and meaning. For example Vertical lines give the feeling
of jail bars or being in prison, while horizontal lines gives the feeling of calmness.

Mass This is the size of the element on stage. Mass is important when creating a visual
illusion of a set piece in relation to other set pieces and performers. For example,
the size of a tree in relation to the actors. Is there is specific elements that need
to appear bigger or more than other setting elements on stage?

Colour Colours create mood and emotions. Thus, choosing the appropriate colour would
help determine the atmosphere of a play or a particular setting.

Texture Is the variation in colour, pattern and material. There can be two and three
dimensional texture. Three dimensional is any texture you can touch, e.g. rough,
smooth, silky, bumpy, and gritty. However, because the audience does not
touch the set, any three dimensional texture can be created on a flat surface
with various painting techniques.

Composition This is the arrangement or layout of set pieces on the stage. There is vertical
composition, horizontal composition and depth composition:
Vertical/Levels This is the vertical height of the each setting or scenery.
Generally high levels are any scenery above the
performers head or upstage. For instance, flats, backdrops
and drops. Generally, low levels are any scenery or setting
below the performers’ waist, e.g. chairs, low level cut outs,
rocks and foliage. Also, performance levels can be
achieved by using platforms for a particular scene or area
of the stage.
Horizontal/Balance This is the distribution of set and scenery across the width
of the stage. Designers should evenly balance the
distribution of set and scenery across the width of the
stage (symmetrical). However, there are some designs
that require uneven distribution such as dance
productions and abstract concepts (Asymmetrical).

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Depth This is the distribution of set and scenery from upstage to

down stage. Designers should distribute evenly distribute
the set and scenery along the depth of the stage. In most
proscenium arch stage designers then to design along the
semi-circular arch of the stage.

Cheating This is turning the set at an angle to the audience to ensure all members of the
audience can see the action taking place in the set. Cheating the set is very
common in a proscenium theatre stage.
.
Types of Sets

Open Set A setting without any walls, but with all the contents of the space.
Box Set An enclosed setting that has three walls and sometimes a ceiling or hanging
lamp/chandelier to indicate ceiling.
Skeletal Set A setting that uses partially created set pieces to represent the entire set piece.
For example, only the frames of a house would be used to represent a house.

Techniques in Set Design

1) Full set change – Occurs when the entire set on stage is changed.
2) Partial Set Change – Occurs when some (not all) setting is added or removed from an
existing set to create a different setting.
3) Transforming or reversible setting – Occurs when one part of an existing set is placed or
styled differently to create a different setting.
4) Use of unconventional materials to create setting – These include pieces of cloth styled
differently to create costumes. This include the use of non-clothing materials. For
example, newspapers, plastic bottles, or any material imaginable.
5) Recycle Setting – The reuse of old set piece. These old piece can be enhanced by adding
paint or embellishments and other materials to them.

Please note that the set design is only limited by your imagination.