Notes

Ground Plan - Top staring down at the ground/bird's eye view.

What are the elements of design that are required to create an imagined spectacle?
1. Shape - How much space does something take up? Bulky, square, round? What are the three-dimensional proportions of the scenic element?
2. Line - The line created between two points. Are they curved or straight?
3. Texture - The surface quality of a scenic element. Is it rough, smooth?
4. Color - How does the choice of color--in relation to other scenic elements--affect the emotional or analytical response of the audience?
5. Movement - How do the scenic elements move in relationship with the lights? The actors?

TIME-
Time Period - What year does the play take place? How crucial is it to the integrity of the play that the setting be strictly within the given time frame?
The Season - Which season is the play in? Is it cold? Hot? The weather affects the costuming of the characters and the movement of the actors.
The time of day is also very important in Realism plays.
How much time passes throughout the play? Overall? In-between each scene?
Is the play in real-time (i.e. Night mother) or episodic (i.e. Raisin in the sun)?
Is the time linear? How does the spectacle indicate the change in time? How radical must these choices be to convey these changes to the audience?

COSTUMING -
What is the style of the time period? Do they look ridiculous? Average people on the street? Straight lines? Curvy lines?
Think about the movement of the fabric in costuming. How does the fabric lie on the body of the actor or contribute form to their character? Thinking about color when examining relationships between characters. How can colors contrast characters or tie them together?
What do these people look like within the context of the play?
The way light hits the fabric--if the color is smooth it will reflect light if it is rough it will absorb light. How does the light make the costume look? Does it go together?

OTHER ASPECTS -
Specific make-up or costumes described in the script. Ex.- Someone is injured or scarred. Specific props some characters may need (i.e. cigarette, flask). Props must be specific to time period, like all else.
Choreography/Blocking -
Practical and Aesthetic Qualities - Look at the text--what kind of imagery is used in the text to help provide an atmosphere? What are the descriptive words?
Symbols and Metaphors within the text.
What's the relationship between the spectacle you are creating and the architecture of the theater in which you are producing it?
1. Thrust 2. Proscenium 3. Arena--round 4. Black box/environment 5. Found Space In what space was the play originally produced?