Samuel F Blog book

Small scale theater/touring company’s there will only be need for 1-3 ASM’s, due to the company not being that big, and the venues they will be performing at wont be big either, so there is not much to organize props wise, rehearsal space wise, and the set would be small scale as well, so the get in would be fast and easy. with small scale there are not many technicians needed for the process, so when you go to give information to the other technical departments, not much will be needed o say, other than showing them the rehearsal schedule, and some rehearsal notes for that day, if it is to do with that department. there would minimal props, due to is being a small company, and a small amount of actors, and if they are a touring company, they would have their props with them to what ever venue they travel to, so there would be no need to go and buy props. when it comes to the show, all you would have to do is get the props table ready, preset any set that is being used, and maybe give a cue or two to an actor. and with health and safety, you would have to give a quick talk about the venue and where the fire exits are, and what may be a hazard to some people, and when it comes to show night, you will do a safety check, make sure that nothing can harm you or an actor/technician.

with medium scale theater, there will be a slightly larger acting and technical company, so when you come to do a health and safety talk, you will need to go into more detail, due to the size of the venue being a lot larger than a small scale company, and the company itself being larger. there will be a lot more props used, due to the company being bigger, so you will need to have a bigger props table to use, and will need to source a larger amount of props, so you will need to see if you have to buy any props, and ask for some petty cash to go and buy them.your rehearsal notes will be bigger and you will therefore have more information to give to you DSM and to the other technical departments. you will still need to do a rehearsal schedule for the next day or week, so that if your are needed, you may be found easily. when it comes to show night, you will have to set out the props table, make sure everything that should be there is there, you will do a preset check, make sure all the set is in place, and everything on stage is ready for when the show starts. you will preset the cast to, making sure they are ready for when the show starts. we will also help with moving set during the show if needed. there will be around 4-5 ASM’s for a medium scale theater due to the size of the cast, you can have 1-2 ASM’s in the rehearsal room, and the other 3-4 out sourcing props and set.

In a large scale theater, it is similar to medium scale with the company size being bigger and the technical team being bigger, and you have around 6-8 ASM’s for the same reason again, some in the rehearsal rooms  and the others sourcing props, you’re rehearsal notes will grow in size again, due to the size of the company, and you may have more props than a medium scale company, or you may have less, dependent on what the play/show is, the same goes for the set, you may have more set or you may have less, but when it comes to show night, you will have more cast to look after, that you will need to preset their props and set for, and you will need to put all of the cast on stand by, but overall its the same as medium scale, just on a large scale.

And when we had our first production meeting and we were given the original, we kept them in mind, while still researching of the original ideas that we had, and coming back to the next production meeting with the original ideas, and the ideas that we researched, and the director have new ideas that they have come up with.

Also when the director gave us the original idea, she drew a picture of it in our minds for us. she described the idea that she had in such detail, that we were able to draw it out in our minds, before we were even able to put it on pen and paper, and this helps us out a lot because we really get to visualize the set before we go back to design and draw it out.

With these drawings we would have accurate descriptions on what part of the set it is, what color we will be painting it, and where we got the idea of it from, so if the director had given us a an idea that they had, or something to go away and look at, we would come back with some sketches of the idea that they had given us, and see what they think of it, and if they like it we will go ahead and make a more detailed version of the sketch, and if they do not like it then we will go back and edit the sketch, unless they say they want to cut the idea, or give us a new idea, that we can work on. 

These are the technical drawings of West side story that i did.

Before i started these drawings, i practiced on a different piece of paper, where i learnt all of the techniques that were used while technical drawing. Also how to start of a technical drawing, and how not to get confused.

These technical drawings are also to the scale of the model box, and this is a front view of the model and the drawing. and as you can see they look alike, due to you making the model to the exact scale and placement of the technical drawings and the scale drawings you will do.

We did technical drawings of the West side story set, that was previously made.This allowed us to practice technical drawings, and also what to do and what no to do while drawing, also little techniques that would help us with these drawings, and what we would be needing to do to complete a technical drawing. We also practiced special drawing techniques, so that when we were doing scale drawings and technical drawings. so we would be given a blank piece of paper in which we would practice on until we were happy with the standard that we were at, in order to start with the real thing.

While we were in production meetings. we all put in our ideas and explained our ideas very well, and we got our point across, and when it came to talking about the model that we had made, or the sketches we had drawn we explained what we had made and what we could improve on it very well, as we acted on constructive criticism, and worked hard to make the Director happy. And when it came around to painting the model box, and adding in the final details, after we had made it, i was good at painting the model box, but when it came to using the Fimo it took some practice, but i eventually understood how to use it. and was therefor able to put on the detail with the Fimo, and then go and paint it, to give it the final effect.

While we were presenting the model box to the directors and other members of the technical i feel as if i was very clear in the way that i spoke, and that i got my point across as to what i was going to say, and the same for when we were presenting the model to the cast, i was clear in the way i spoke and told them all that they needed to know about how we got the idea for the model box, and he came about making this model of the ideas we had been given.

And finally while we were doing our overnight paint call, i feel as a team we all worked very well with each other, we all had good communication which in the long run helped us get through the night, and made it a lot faster than we had thought it would be. And while we were split up and working on different parts of the set, i feel like we all made it go a lot faster by us doing so, and even tho we were working individual on some parts, and in pairs on others, we still had great communication, which really held the team together and allowed us to work so well together.

Get given the script and read the script, so you know about the story. Read the script again, for added details, venues, mood of the play. Read it a final time, more detail, real Vs implied.

Concept meeting.

ALOT of research/ tan gentle. Research that is sparked off other research.

Mind map/sketches. Venue info.

speak to director. If it’s alright keep going. If not back to research.

Protrude model. Not 100% to scale./ or if you can’t draw non scale model.

Director. If good keep going, if not, back to sketches

Scale model 100% accurate. White card model/ plain model.

Director, if ok keep going, if not back to previous stages.

Full scale detail model with colour

Director. If they like it keep going, if not back to previous stages.

Production meeting.

Technical drawing. Ground plan/top,front,side.

Build the set

Paint the set

Model presentation cast

Set introduction/health and safety talk.

Directors/rehearsals/finishing of the set.

Tech rehearsals. Fix N’ Snag.

Dress rehearsals. Another Fix N’ Snag. Production shots.

Production/ opening night.

More Fix N’ Snag

So throughout the design phase we have converted most of our ideas into the final set, weather we have kept the idea from the early stages, like sketches and rough ideas, all the way up to add it on the final model.

With the brief and the stimulus being Alice in wonderland, i feel that the team brought Alice to life, with the set. we implemented a lot of the ideas that the directors gave to us, aswel as ideas we had gotten from the Alice play/film itself.

While we were making ideas for the set, and sketching stuff down, we were working in pairs. By us working in pairs, we could each tackle the 3 main parts of the set which were the floor the tree, and the 2 sides of the set.

We would be getting our materials from various different sources, but only after we had finished our material list. we were making a material list once we had started making rough sketches for what the set could contain and or look like, we would need to start making a material list due to the fact that if we did want to keep any of the ideas we had that material there and ready for us to use. Or if were to get another idea which we could use the same material for, we still have it on our list, and once we had all of our ideas and we had made the model, we would give the material list to sect construction, for them too see if they had any of the materials to save us wasting money, and if they do not have a certain material they will order it in for us to use.

And then we have our research wall, which contained all of our pictures for visual ideas, that we could use in our set. such as The banyan tree, and the floor, we got the ideas from the research we had gathered and put on our wall. from the second that our Director gave us the stimulus and the idea of the banyan tree, we went to design and looked at all of the possible Banyan tree ideas, and styles. Such as how we wanted our tree to look, in relevance too the research we found, and how we can stylize our tree to look like a banyan tree, but in Alice terms. And then we had to research the floor, which we had an idea of it being like a checker board, but in a spiral style, so it looks like the floor is moving, and it fits in well with the Alice theme, of it being weird and wacky. So we got a few pictures, and went to the director with them, and they gave us feedback from our research, which we then took to the design stage, and we made work ,until they agreed and liked the idea we had made, and the same goes for the banyan tree.

Head of design: There job is to design the set for the show. they will not help with the building of the set, or the painting of the set. they will not even be in the theater while this is happening, due to his job already being done.

Assistant design: Weill be the Had of designs right hand man, they will get the Head of design all that they will be needing in order for the set model's and drawings to be made.

Scenic painter: The scenic painter will come in once the set has been made, and is in the main space, and he will paint the scenic element of the set.

Assistant scenic painter: Will be there helping to paint the set, aswel as getting the Scenic painter what ever he needs, in order for him to do his job.

Painter: Will be with the scenic painter , and will paint what ever the scenic painter, tells him to paint, weather it be the set, or it be props.

Such as when we were cutting up in the design room, we would make sure that we were cutting on a cutting mat, and that we were always cutting away from our self's/ by us using cutting mats it would make sure that when we were cutting that we had a nice strong surface, so that you and the thing you are cutting will not slip, so you will not injure yourself, And you always cut away from yourself, so that if you was to ever slip you would not injure yourself at all.

while spray painting, we would wear spray painting masks, so that it protects us from the paint, due to it being toxic, also if you were to be spraying up a ladder, you would have someone footing you at ALL times, to make sure the ladder does not slip.

While we were designing we made a material list of all the ideas for materials we could be using, and if we decided to cut a material idea, we could just cross it off of our list. Once we had all of our materials, we would go to construction and give them the list so that they can order us all of the materials that we will be needing, in order for us to make the set, how it looks on the model.

the processes that we took to getting our design ideas, were all sparked off of the stimulus. we were given the stimulus and we instantly started getting ideas, and researching everything we could, weather it was to do with Alice, or set ideas of scenery we cold be using, or for the colors we could paint the set.

we have had to communicate with the director, to get there approval of the set, every little idea we have had or we have had to change something with the set, we have to run through it with the director first. if we cant use a certain material, or we can make one of their ideas work,. we would have to go and tell them that it we would not be able to do what they ask, but give them an alternative idea, which is similar and what we can do, if they like that idea we will make that idea come to life, if they think of a new idea, we will try and make that idea work, and if not we will repeat the cycle until the director is happy with the set, and we can go ahead and make the set.

we will be in contact with set construction 24/7. once the model has been all cleared by the director, we will make a ground plan, and then we will be with construction from there on, we will be helping them with the making of the set, giving them guidance on how to make a piece of set, or how big a measurement is

we would go and talk to sound about where they would be able to place there speakers, and what the optimal place to put their speakers would be. so if we had a piece of set, in the way of a where they had planned to put their speakers, we would tell sound that they cant have a speaker placed there and then tell them where they can have a speaker placed.

We would talk to lighting about what color gels to put in their lights, where to put their lights. because if they have put a yellow gel in a light, and the part of the set the light is pointing at is yellow, then you might aswel have no light there because it wont be doing anything.

You would talk to the Stage manager and the Assistant stage managers. about what props they would need to order, and if parts of the set are going to be moved during the play, they will be informed

We will finally talk to costume, to discus the color of the costumes, and discus how the costumes will look on the set. if they will blend well and look nice and stand out, or if they do not blend well, and look horrid next to the set.

after we were given this stimulus, we went upstairs to the set design room, and instantly started brainstorming ideas, from the ideas the director had, and the ideas other members of the technical team had. We started up a research wall so that if we had any new ideas, we would pin them up on the wall. this is where we kept all of our pictures we had researched and found online, and that we had taken our self's, and that we believed would help us  throughout the design stage.

once we had our research, we then started to make some rough sketches, of what we could have in the set, what the set could be based around, and we would make lots of ideas to bring back to the production meeting next time, to show to the director in response to the stimulus they gave us last time, and see how they react to our research and our ideas, and if they like our ideas, we can then go back to design  and then branch of our initial ideas, and produce more detailed ideas.