June 20th, 2010
A scenic designer can sometimes also be known as a set designer or stage designer. Their job is to design theatre sets in an interesting way. Their main aim is to create realistic and atmospheric theatre sets, which enhance a production and allow the actors to perform in a much more convincing manor. The design of the set can be a very important factor in any production. After all, theatre is a very visual medium, and the stage is the first thing to be seen by the audience, setting their expectations for the rest of the show.
Scenic designers have to have a good artistic vision in order to do their jobs well. They initially work in conjunction with the director, in order to establish the tone and atmosphere which they wish to create. The set designer will then come up with a series of sketches from which to work on. Once they have a design in mind, they will set upon building and hiring props and set pieces to be used during the production. Often, set designers will need to do a great deal of research in order to get their designs just right. This is particularly true if the production is an historical piece, because the set designer will need to ensure that every item on the stage fits into the right time period. Using prop hire specialists, like Keeley Hire, is a great way for set designers to find realistic period pieces for their design, without spending too much cash.
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March 4th, 2010
The traditional theatre set consists of flats, which are usually constructed into a three walled room with the fourth wall missing and the audience viewing the show through that imaginary barrier. Those walls are then dressed and the appropriate furnishings, and props complete the overall impression that the designer is looking to convey.
However, many theatre spaces, especially on the fringe consist of little more than black boxes and do not have the necessary space to erect huge flats. It therefore becomes all the more important that authentic props are used as these will carry the whole weight of the show’s design.
In fact, many large scale productions in huge theatres also shy away from traditional theatre sets. For example, the Royal Shakespeare Company helped cement its position at the forefront of the British theatre scene with its productions of Shakespeare’s history plays, which did away with sets and instead utilised banners and weaponry.
Shakespeare’s plays are timeless. You might think this means that you can take costumes and props from any period. This was the approach in a recent production of Chekov’s ‘Three Sisters’. The effect was as if the actors had been let loose in a child’s dressing-up box. In fact, to get the timeless quality, there still needs to be consistency – however stripped back it is.
At Keeley Hire, we provide props for films, television and theatre as well as the advertising and event planning industries. We have been in business over forty years and are always happy to deal with your queries however strange you may think them.
Tags: authentic props, Prop Hire, Props, Theatre Sets, traditional theatre sets
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