http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ Theatre Design Forum: Recent Posts en Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:57:14 +0000 http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=408#post-996 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:16:21 +0000 Badger 996@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I need some help! I'm trying to find a good way to create large amounts of brambles for a Sleeping-Beauty style stage set. Does anyone have any suggestions? Perhaps tubes of brown foam that could be twisted and bent into the required shapes, and have leaves etc stapled onto them? Has anyone had a project like this in the past? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=407#post-995 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:16:10 +0000 clairelightfoot 995@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hey guys,</p> <p>Im a third year student studying performance design at the university of leeds. For our final piece there has been discussion about having a swimming pool in the set to be revealed in the second act.<br /> I was wondering if anybody has any advice about realizing this? Has anyone done it before? I quite liked the idea of raising the floor of the stage with steel deck and then having an 8x4 section replaced with a perspex tank (meaning I would be able to light through it - changing the colour of the water. However Im working on a somewhat restricted budget and havent used water on stage before. Any advice or tips would be really appreciated. </p> <p>Claire </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=406#post-994 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:24:07 +0000 irina 994@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hello!</p> <p>I am a theatre designer from Israel; I have master degree in stage &#38; costume design and work experience in both.<br /> Recently I came to the UK (I have work permit).</p> <p>What is the best way to find a stage/costume designer job?</p> <p>Should I send e-mails with link to web-site with my works or post envelopes with photos?</p> <p>Is it better to start as a volunteer?</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Irina </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=405#post-993 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:48:56 +0000 torrea2100 993@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hello everyone, well my concern is this:<br /> I am a senior as an architecture student but my plan is to go towards an MFA in Stage Design, I have dome my research and the programs that I'm most interested in is MFA in Yale school of Drama, CalArts, Carnegie Mellon, but it seems like it is impossible to get into any of this schools if i don't have a theater background. is this completely true? can anyone offer any advise on how to get into any of these schools??<br /> also, my goal is to eventually work for Broadway or imagineering, are these schools good options?</p> <p>Thank you in advance </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=404#post-992 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:57:22 +0000 emmat 992@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hi, I am currently doing an art foundation course and I have applied to study theatre design at Nottingham Trent, Leeds, LIPA and Rose Bruford. </p> <p>I have started a brief that I set myself to make set and costume designs for a play, but as I have never made a set design before, I need any advice on the process of design or how to approach a design? Also, how should I present the design? as a model? or in a sketchbook (initial ideas)?</p> <p>I would also like to know what to put in my portfolio that would impress the interviewer! At the moment I have simple 3D designs, paintings, life drawings and several sketchbooks which are more investigative.</p> <p>Any advice would be great, please!</p> <p>Emma x </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=403#post-991 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:01:17 +0000 davidsamuel 991@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>The easiest way would be to paint it - even if you just paint it a solid 'sand' colour. It shouldn't make the lights glare if you select the right paint.</p> <p>If you can't paint the stage you may need to think about what items you would see at a a beach that also fit in with the performance. Maybe a beach umbrella and some beach chairs (or banana lounges?). You could also indicate where the water/waves are by creating some sort of wave sculpture or fabric area. This could be highly stylised to look like a wave or a foamy shore and that might be all you need to communicate the idea.</p> <p>I guess this could also help to make it appear that someone is surfing. By placing a small platform camoflagued within the wave sculpture the 'surfer' could place the surfboard on the platform and stand on top of it, pretending to surf.</p> <p>Hope this helps. Let us know what you end up creating. It's always great to hear about/see different solutions to design problems. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=403#post-990 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:09:22 +0000 pompaloona 990@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Does anyone have any ideas to make the stage look like it has sand on it (it has to be basically covered because it is set on the beach)? We can't paint the stage or the lights will glare, and using a tarp probably wouldn't be the best idea, because people might trip on it, and the set changes would be difficult, so I'm running out of ideas!<br /> Also, how would you make it appear someone is surfing?<br /> I'm kinda new to designing, but any help would be great :)<br /> thanks! </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=303#post-989 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:53:11 +0000 markroypos 989@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hi<br /> I lecture in Props ands Scenery construction at the University of Melbourne VCAM faculty in Australia.<br /> <a href="http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/production/" rel="nofollow">http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/production/</a><br /> We tend to use Vectorworks as our computers are all macs and it is considerably cheaper than AutoCAD. The mac platform is great if you are familiar with it where as the AutoCAD tends to be the industry standard in Australia although Vectorworks is growing. You could also try Google SketchUp (its Free!)as a simple 3D program for concepts.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nemetschek.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nemetschek.net/</a><br /> <a href="http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&#38;id=13779270" rel="nofollow">http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&#38;id=13779270</a><br /> <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/" rel="nofollow">http://sketchup.google.com/</a> </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=401#post-987 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:09:19 +0000 sgt. pepper 987@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hello, my name's Peter Edwards, 17, and i'm a student a the city of Bristol college in Bristol, England.<br /> I'm currently doing a national diploma in performing arts and a part of my current business topic is to research and then put on a presentation on being a stage designer.<br /> So i was wondering if a stage designer or anyone else with experience of designing could answer me a few questions. It would be GREATLY appreciated :)</p> <p>so, here we go...</p> <p>Why is it important to have a stage designer for a theatre performance?<br /> What are they in charge of?<br /> What would happen if they weren't there?<br /> Do you stay in one particular job long?<br /> Is it a lot of pressure?<br /> What do you do after you finish designing the stage?<br /> Who else do you work with?<br /> Are you in charge of anyone else?<br /> What is the money usually like?</p> <p>Thank you in advance for anyone who can help me :) </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=400#post-986 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:16:43 +0000 Terry 986@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Is it in a house? If it's architectural, it's a round room, usually on the small side, and found at the corner of a house. They were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and typically several stories tall--so you'd have a small round room on each floor as an extension of a larger rectangular room.</p> <p>Here's a picture I found on the web: <a href="http://www.owhats.nu/htb/turret.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.owhats.nu/htb/turret.jpg</a></p> <p>Terry </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=399#post-985 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:07:45 +0000 Terry 985@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Josceline,</p> <p>There aren't a lot of other materials that would do this. Shark's tooth is about the best thing I know of, although the closer you get with the camera, the less well it'll work. (You'll see the texture of the fabric as you get closer to it.) Many years ago Josef Svoboda did some remarkable things with partially-silvered mylar, but that was really tricky stuff to do optically, and didn't involve a painted surface, but rather a reflection of something.</p> <p>Shark's tooth carefully lit ought to work.</p> <p>Terry </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=400#post-984 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:17:20 +0000 drillguy1701 984@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Anyone know what a "turret" is (I do know its a large gun on a ship)? It apparently seems to be something round - like a room, but not sure exactly, or how to recreate it. HELP!!!! </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=399#post-983 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:28:35 +0000 Josceline 983@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hey</p> <p>I am building a set for a short film in which the walls need to appear to become see through. I have been looking at using shark tooth scrim, but was wondering if anyone knew of any other materials that can be used to similar effect? </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=398#post-982 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:07:37 +0000 JOSEPHIN 982@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>hello there.<br /> my name is Josephin.<br /> i live in Bosotn MA.<br /> i am making a 15' by 10.5' backdrop for my upcoming tour.<br /> i was wondering if there are any set designer up here or people with experience making fire regulated backdrop for the theater or clubs before, who would be so kind as to give a fellow artist some inside info.</p> <p>here are some specific questions:<br /> 1. where do i find cheep fire retardant muslin fabric? (i found rosebrand.com but looking for something cheeper).<br /> 2. where do i find scenic paints?<br /> 3. what do i mix the paints with to get a fire retardant backdrop? (someone mentioned flamex p50 to me)?<br /> and lastly: where can i find the ringlets? *since i will be sewing this beast myself.</p> <p>if you even have some info for me. anything what so ever in the matter i would appreciate it so much.<br /> thank you in advance,<br /> -Josephin </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=397#post-981 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:56:26 +0000 davidsamuel 981@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>The things I usually want to know before I accept the role is:<br /> - What venue will it be performed in?<br /> - What budget is put aside for set/costumes?<br /> - Who will be responsible for sourcing/making? Designer and/or workshops or specific makers?<br /> - Is there a designer fee included?</p> <p>Of course I like to ask the director/producer/writer questions about the production/script/story to try and gauge what their thoughts are and to see how confident/motivated they are in the production and then to make sure I'd be the right choice for the role. </p> http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/topic.php?id=397#post-980 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:37:58 +0000 bohemianbreakdancer 980@http://www.sceno.org/theatre-design-forum/ <p>Hi Everyone,</p> <p>I'd like to try and get a BIG list of all the questions a designer should ask when being handed a new job. Questions like: "what ideas do you already have"?, "what's the stage like?", "how much is the budget?", "where's my money?!"</p> <p>Perhaps it would help to break them down into meetings:</p> <p>1. Initial meeting with the director, producer, and anyone else who decides if you get the job.<br /> 2. Next meeting with the director and other designers to decide a concept.<br /> 3. Follow-up meeting to really decide a concept.<br /> 4. Any other meetings that you need.</p> <p>Just post your questions as you think of them.</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Will. </p> 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>