Fundamentals of theatrical design
By: by Karen Brewster and Melissa Shafer
Contributors: Shafer, Melissa
Publisher: Allworth Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 284
ISBN-13: 9781581158496
Subjects: Stage-setting and scenery; Theaters; Stage management; Set designers
Description: The authors, both veteran theater designers, have consulted with a broad range of seasoned theater industry professionals to provide a guide full of advice and insight. With clear examples and hands-on exercises, this book illustrates the way in which the three major areas of theatrical design, scenery, costumes, and lighting, are intrinsically linked.
Table of contents: title: 1. Script Analysis for Designers. How to Read a Play. Script Formatting -- Dialogue -- Reading Plays: Language and Subtext -- Structure of a Play -- Plot -- Imaginative Engagement -- Identifying the Given Circumstances -- Visual Metaphor -- Summary -- Exercises -- 2. Objectives of Theatrical Design.  Immersion in the Play -- Determine the Objectives. Time -- Period -- Place -- Locale -- Theme -- Mood -- Revealing Character -- Style -- Solving Practical Problems -- Conclusion -- Exercises -- 3. Researching the Design. What to Research: Process of Investigation. Playwright and the Play -- Researching the Given Circumstances and the Design Objectives -- How to Research: Libraries and Online Searches. Tertiary Sources for Research -- Primary Sources for Research -- Secondary Sources for Research -- Visual Sources for Research -- Developing a Research Storehouse -- Plagiarism -- Informed Intuition -- Why We Research: Enjoyment of Data Collection -- Exercises -- 4. Collaboration. Society and Culture of Theater -- Design Team Collaboration: Process. Idea Development -- Execute Unified Designs -- Budget, Labor, Time -- Exercises -- 5. Design Elements. Point -- Line -- Shape -- Mass -- Color -- Texture -- Summary -- Exercises -- 6. Design Principles and Visual Composition. Balance -- Proportion -- Rhythm -- Variation -- Unity -- Visual Composition -- Summary -- Exercises -- 7. Scenic Design. Design Objectives and Scenic Design -- Place, Locale, Time, and Period -- Mood -- Theme -- Revealing Character -- Practical Considerations -- Scenic Designers Process -- Scene Design Package: Communicating Design Ideas -- Finalizing the Design -- Implementing the Design -- Summary -- Exercises -- 8. Costume Design. Given Circumstances and Costume Design -- Design Objectives and Costume Design. Time and Period -- Place and Locale -- Mood -- Theme -- Style -- Revealing Character -- Solving Practical Problems -- Costume Designers Process. Collaboration with Actors -- Costume Research -- Communication -- Design Implementation. Pulling -- Renting -- Borrowing -- Building -- Buying -- Budget -- Summary -- Exercises -- 9. Lighting Design. Lighting Designer -- Design Objectives. Motivated Lighting -- Nonmotivated Lighting -- Revealing Character and Solving Practical Problems -- Functions of Stage Light. Visibility -- Modeling -- Mood -- Selective Focus -- Controllable Qualities of Light. Intensity -- Distribution -- Color -- Movement -- Physical Impact of the Theater Space on Lighting Design: Light Hanging Positions -- Lighting Designers Process. Idea Development -- Designers Punch List -- Visualizing the Design: Lighting Storyboards -- Methods of Stage Lighting. Single Source Lighting -- Key and Fill -- Area Lighting -- Wash Lighting -- Specials -- Lighting Scenery -- Lighting Control. Circuits -- Dimmers -- Control Consoles -- Finalizing the Design. Light Plot -- Instrument Schedule -- Channel Schedule -- Magic Sheet -- Cue List -- Design Deadlines -- Implementing the Design. Cueing a Show -- Technical Rehearsals -- Summary -- Exercises -- 10. Building a Career in Theater Design. Training -- Applying for Design and Production Work. Cover Letter -- Résumé -- Portfolio -- Job Interview -- Conclusion -- Exercises. Appendices. Color -- Fabric -- Genre -- Glossary -- Light Cue List -- Lighting Fixtures -- Presentation Samples -- Step-by-Step Process for Designing -- Style -- USITT. Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics -- Lighting Design Commission Portfolio Guidelines for Designers -- Scenic Design and Technical Production Graphic Standard.