http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ Theatre Design Forum: Recent Posts en Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:45:23 +0000 http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=396#post-979 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:19:07 +0000 Cecilia 979@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hi! I am a Danisch girl, who are looking for a good school/ course in Scenography , I find it difficult to find a course in scenography in New York where you can apply as an undergraduated student..Have you any ideas? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=394#post-978 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:36:22 +0000 Terry 978@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Cinema aspect ratios may be a good place to start. Academy (old TV) is 1:1.33. Most films we like to watch now are 1:1.85 (16x9 TV equates to 1:1.78). And you probably don't want to go as wide as 'scope (1:2.35). Personally, I like a flexible proscenium or a wide ratio with adjustable side masking. Budget constraints and site restrictions will probably determine your height limits. If you want a full fly loft above the proscenium opening, you'll need to find out what the maximum building height can be and then work backward to determine the max. for the pros. arch. If you decide to dispense with a full loft (a very bad idea, but people do it) then your proscenium can be taller. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-977 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:32:32 +0000 Mward 977@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I recently did a show that was 1400 lbs of foam, so i found that a small chainsaw and a grinder with a wire brush attachment worked very well. If you are not needing to go that crazy you can use a wire brush or a horse comb to carve more fine details. A hot air gun will give you some really interesting results but you need to be really careful about ventilation and the type of foam you are using. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-975 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:33:22 +0000 martin 975@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>1) Very much depends on #3 But both extruded and expanded<br /> 2) Not sure where you are but there are many suppliers in the UK... the denser harder type may be got from Sheffield Insulations in the UK in large pieces<br /> 3) Generally we put a scrim on the foam then a something like iddendum... clay fireproofing type stuff </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-974 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:42:52 +0000 kennedy 974@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>3 things:<br /> 1) What kind of foam?<br /> 2) Where from?<br /> 3) What about fire hazards(hot lights on foam)?</p> <p>I've carved bricks from the rough backing of hardboard. But I would prefer foam, but at a loss as to where I start. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=394#post-973 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:34:36 +0000 davidsamuel 973@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Seeing as they're designing the theatre from scratch why not ask if it's possible for the height and width of the proscenium to be adaptable. That means each production will be able to choose how big the stage picture is (maybe even between scenes?) or have no arch at all if they wanted? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=393#post-972 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:57:36 +0000 Painter 972@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Do you mean why we choose to design for site-specific or *how* we make design decisions in site-specific? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=392#post-971 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:14:49 +0000 martin 971@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>sorry I assumed you were an american because of your spelling of "theater"</p> <p>In that case the schools I listed, also visit the SBTD website <a href="http://www.theatredesign.org.uk" rel="nofollow">www.theatredesign.org.uk</a> and check out there training pages...</p> <p>as for London being the artistic capital of Europe.... only my personal opinion of course, but i'd have to disagree and i'm English! </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=392#post-970 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:15:41 +0000 beaupre 970@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I am an EU citizen. I've chosen London because my older brother already lives there and it would be much easier for my parents to have us both there. Plus I think that may be our (perhaps false) vision of London as a artistic capital of europe. (because of the language I do not thing about france and italy). </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=394#post-969 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:57:21 +0000 martin 969@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>well there's a question and a half. I'll be honest I think I have heard someone talk about proscenium proportions but I can't recall who, when or where... </p> <p>You could try contacting Oistats Architecture Commission at <a href="http://www.oistat.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.oistat.org</a></p> <p>Theatres Trust may have some info <a href="http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/</a></p> <p>quick google brought up Mark Shenton's blog:<br /> <a href="http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=2&#38;tag=Soho%20Theatre&#38;limit=20&#38;IncludeBlogs=2" rel="nofollow">http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=2&#38;tag=Soho%20Theatre&#38;limit=20&#38;IncludeBlogs=2</a></p> <p>i'll ask around see what i can come up with </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=392#post-968 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:49:46 +0000 martin 968@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>it's really hard to recommend schools...</p> <p>but in London </p> <p>Wimbledon, Central, St Martins, RADA, </p> <p>can I ask why London? It's horribly expensive and not necessarily going to make it any easier to get a job when you graduate... especially as you're not an EU citizen </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=394#post-967 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:58:23 +0000 kentwalter 967@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hi,<br /> Our school is building a new theatre. The architects want input from the staff on the height and width of the proscenium arch. I have no idea where to start!! Is there a 'generic' formula for calculating the proscenium arch in respect to stage size, height of theatre, audience, etc?<br /> Any suggestions are very welcome!<br /> Thanks!<br /> Kent </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=393#post-966 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:46:08 +0000 alijwat 966@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hello,<br /> I am a postgraduate student studying scenography in Birmingham. I am currently conducting some research on why we make decisions about designing for a specific site and how we go about doing it.<br /> Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject or could recomend any reading material?</p> <p>Thanks very much! </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=392#post-965 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:30:28 +0000 beaupre 965@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>oh. well I don't think I have much choice. English is the only language I'm quite fluent in. So could you give me some contacts to those universities worth mentioning? And maybe also those not so great, but those in London?? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=392#post-964 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:31:33 +0000 martin 964@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Well we have lots of courses here for that... not all of the best ones are in London though </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=392#post-963 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:33:34 +0000 beaupre 963@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I'm planning on studying scenography/ theater design for a quite long time now. But just a few days ago I realized I have no intentions of studying in my country as a do not see any future in that. I decided to go to London but unfortunately I don't know any people connected with that field. And thats why I'm turning to you, hoping for some informations about universities there. I'd be very grateful for some advice </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-962 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:37:13 +0000 Brimmy 962@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Oops that is a router not a rotater?? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-961 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:29:05 +0000 Brimmy 961@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I just finished a set for the "Sound of Music" I used blue insulation styrofoam. To get a realistic brick effect I built my set pieces and then add the Blue foam. I didn't have a hot wire cutter so I just used an exacto knife to carve and cut out my pieces then used styrofoam friendly contact adhesive to glue the styrofoam to the set pieces. After that I used a rotater to carve out the brick pattern. You can then use your exacto knife and carve out little section to age the bricks and your done. I used Rosco's Foam coat to finish off the effect filling in holes and seems. The Rosco foamcoat also helps to harden the foam and gives it more texture. I have a great set crew and painter, and they finished off the painting.</p> <p>Hope this helps :P</p> <p>You can check out some of the finished photos here.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529391@N05/3323011020/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529391@N05/3323011020/in/photostream/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529391@N05/3323010688/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529391@N05/3323010688/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529391@N05/3323010542/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529391@N05/3323010542/</a> </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=391#post-960 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:46:40 +0000 martin 960@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>well I really can't think of a cheap way. You've not mentioned how close the audience are... you can buy crystals in bulk, a property master I worked with bought some for a chandelier but i'm afraid i've no idea where from. Have you tried a google search for "Acrylic Crystals", "Plastic Crystals" or "Chandelier Crystals"</p> <p>as for how to do it... drill holes through the crystals and thread through some nylon wire tying in (maybe) plastic washers to hold crystals in place, fasten wire at top and bottom to.. some kind of structure? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=391#post-959 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:24:16 +0000 tag2 959@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>thanks, but that doesnt matter. I'm just looking for ways to re-create the effect. thank you. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=390#post-958 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:08:07 +0000 hannahg2009 958@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Sounds a really interesting dialogue - I've just finished my PhD thesis researching a performance-centred approach to scenography and scenographic training. I situated my research in scenographic practice because I view the designer, costume and set in my research as being performers as well part of the design and design process.<br /> To do this I've used drawing as a means to enable the scenographer to physically explore performance (primarily from observations of the performer in rehearsals) and in doing so embody understanding.</p> <p>My website contains more details of this and some of my drawings. Please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss anything or if I can help at all.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hannah-gravestock.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.hannah-gravestock.co.uk</a></p> <p>Best wishes with your thesis - Hannah </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=391#post-957 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:52:52 +0000 martin 957@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>... surely everyone that sees this show is going to think "oh look the designer copied the Oscars"? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=391#post-956 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:24:26 +0000 Painter 956@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>whatever you do it won't be cheap, but small pieces of mirror board might work. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=391#post-955 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:17:17 +0000 tag2 955@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hello all, I am trying to figure out the best way to go about creating a arching frame around the proscenium made out of crystals. If you watched the Oscars this year you would have notice the marvelous crystal curtain they created and that's what I'm going for, just on a smaller scale. If you have any pointers or ideas of the best way to go about please let me know ASAP. Thank you again! Here is a link to a video that'll give you an idea...</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BbsTK7o9BE&#38;feature=channel_page" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BbsTK7o9BE&#38;feature=channel_page</a> </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=364#post-954 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:09:01 +0000 heathera 954@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>if you are going into your undergrad I would highly recommend a program that does not have graduate students because most of the designs are done by the graduates and not the undergrads, you will be assisting at most. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=390#post-953 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:06:39 +0000 heathera 953@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I am a senior at the university and am working on my final research paper. I have not nailed down my thesis yet, but the main discussion is about Senography vs Design. I am starting with Svoboda and his discussion on the topic. I am also going to be using Pamela Howard's book on scenography. I think I am going to compare and contrast American designers, vs. International designers and how they approach design (holistic/American). As individuals in the theatrical world I was wondering if you could point me to sources, or have an opinion on the topic, or how to improve the subject matter. Please let me know.<br /> -Heather Abraham </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-952 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:00:55 +0000 Terry 952@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Cut your basic shapes with a hot wire. If you don't know how to make one, look in any of the good theatre tech books for diagrams. Then you can use a wire brush and/or an appropriate solvent to texture the foam so it looks like weathered stone. Be careful with solvents, of course (flammability, toxicity, all those nasty things). You could also make (or buy?) vacuum-formed plastic sheets made to look like stones, but it's a lot more work to design, harder to execute (unless you've got a vacuum press handy--a big one) and no matter how hard you try to hide it, there's still going to be the issue of repeating patterns. The foam solution allows for a nice random quality that's better to look at. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-951 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:29:31 +0000 martin 951@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>the best tool for cutting foam is a hot wire cutter... you can buy them from a variety of places or make one yourself. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=389#post-950 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:10:27 +0000 Stina 950@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I'm constructing an entire back wall to look like stone for our next show, Dracula. Any advice on how to tackle this big beast? I'm carving it out of 2" thick sheets of foam. I have a crappy turkey knife to carve with - but if anyone knows of a better method please share. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=364#post-949 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:47:56 +0000 Terry 949@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>I wouldn't worry about labels. Do what you need to do to get into the program that seems most amenable (size, atmosphere, faculty, courses offered, etc.) and then take the courses you like or feel will build on your strengths. In the TTVF industries, it's much more about portfolio contents than qualifications, unless (or even if) you're shooting for an academic career. So find a program where you can build skills and portfolio materials and go there.</p> <p>I was the first designer at Marymount, but I haven't been in touch for twenty years or so--it was a lot of fun but a little seat-of-the-pants back then. Still, it's in New York and you can do a lot of no/low pay freelancing while you're there. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=387#post-947 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:52:53 +0000 Painter 947@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>hmm... tricky one!</p> <p>First of all I'd question how much of the movement your describing is going to be obviously visible from the audience, because the twisting movement of a lens focusing/zooming can be subtle...</p> <p>so your probably going to want to make the gesture quite obvious ie: big telephoto lens. Quite often big telephoto lens's have a gun grip on the actual body of the lens... could you possibly intergrate that into your design and then you could use it to simplify the design and just have two sliding tubes? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=364#post-946 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:44:30 +0000 pinkfishegg 946@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>yep thanks that does help. I got into Ithaca recently and am interviewing at Penn state this weekend. I'm still waiting back from Uconn. I got a good scholarship from Ithaca so I may go there but i have to decide on some things. For example at Ithaca I'm a technical concentration and at Uconn i would be a lighting design concentration. I'm a Pennsylvania resident so Penn state would be a lot cheaper than either of the other school, but I'm not sure if i can get in (my grades are a little low for Penn state, but high enough that i have a shot. ) I don't know if I'd even want to go to a huge school. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=387#post-945 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:53:49 +0000 underhill 945@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hello. I am trying to design a non functioning camera lense to fix to a head piece. must be lightweight and - heres the catch, actors must be able to turn the lens as if a real camera lens does. so far have come up with the idea of an outer tube (used as the turning ring that stays still but turns horizontal)which needs to somehow pushes the inner lens tube out in a slight twist, and then comes back down. Also there maybe 3 tubes involved as looking at how a lipstick works, contains 3, but is quite difficult to make and wondered if anyone new of simpler way.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>louise </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=386#post-944 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:11:10 +0000 scott 944@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>hi</p> <p>check out charles sturt university. i lecture in design for theatre &#38; television at the wagga wagga campus in australia. we have had international students on exchange in the past. </p> <p><a href="http://www.csu.edu.au/svpa" rel="nofollow">www.csu.edu.au/svpa</a> </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=379#post-943 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:00:42 +0000 alisongarner 943@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Glad to see this subject promotes discussion. </p> <p>Just to clarify a couple of things - in calling it an "old boys network" I meant in the sense of an elitist or nepotistic industry rather than male dominated, as I know it is not. I think we should try not to perpetuate the notion of the theatre world as being for those who can afford to be part of it. Potentially talented people from diverse backgrounds will be excluded from entering the profession and this can also alienate potential theatre audiences.</p> <p>I also want to stress I was not trying to blame sceno.org as I know Martin and his team do a great job on tight finances but rather I meant as a place where theatre arts professionals, students etc can network it is an issue that deserves discussion and editorial debate.</p> <p>I agree with alot of the posts and I do not want to be a hypocrite as I have had to work low and unpaid and it was definitely the only way we could set up our own theatre company. However skilled professionals are being exploited in the industry when they could be paid a living wage. I don't think it's good enough to just say 'well that's the way it is we just have to go along with it.' It wasn't that long ago when the status quo was for women to be excluded from the work place - where would we be now if our predessecors had just accepted that? I am all too personally aware that getting into and maintaining any creative career is tough but I also see it as our duty to be the change we want to see. </p> <p>I agree that the SBTD website is very poor and I'm not sure what they do to help newly qualified designers, although I do remember Kate Burnett telling us as students not to do unpaid design jobs as that would mean taking a designer's job who would otherwise be paid for it! I do intend to write to David Cockayne, who is the Theatre Designers' Equity representative and maybe raise a wider debate. </p>