Sets or scenery designer

SETS OR SCENERY DESIGNER

Introduction    

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cenry or set refers to the painted background used to represent natural features or other surroundings on a theatre stage or movie set. It is also defined as the natural features of a landscape considered in terms of their appearance, especially when picturesque. In other words, it can be explained as the general appearance of a natural place or the aggregate of features that give character to a landscape according to dictionary.com. With this information above, it is not wrong to say that a set or scenery designer is one who creates and constructs the natural surroundings for the scene of a theatrical performance. To explain further, set designer is one whose responsibility is to research, design and supervise the construction of scenery, costume and all the visual aid in stage, film and television productions.

Referring to the definition of sets and scenery designer, it is necessary for the designer to have the following qualities;

*  An artistic flair; that is to say one should be creative in thinking and in the way of seeing things.

*  Able to combine practical and artistic skills;

* Good communication skills; the set designer since will not be working alone should be someone who is good in terms of communicating ideas and concept to the director and instructions to the people they work with.

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he designer should also be someone who has interest in reading. This is because, he has to get the whole concept of the production (drama or performance). Ergo, the designer is expected to read the script as many times as possible, both to get a feel for the flavor and spirit of the script and to list its specific requirements for scenery, furnishings and props. The time of day, location, season, historical period and any set changes called for in the script are noted. The set designer's focus here is on figuring out everything that may be needed based on the dialogue in the script. Stage directions tend to be ignored at this point in the process since it’s not really necessary to the set designer.

All the things appearing on the stage other than the scenery are called stage properties, or props. Set props like furniture, draperies and decorations are the types of things that complete the set and they need to be part of the set design.

Before a set is staged for a drama or a production of any type, it goes through several preparation and idea development. The beautiful appearance you see during the performance was first an idea that was rough sketched, manipulated, developed and constructed. Set designers use several tools to communicate their ideas to the director and the other designers. These include:

*  a rough sketch of the set in the preliminary phase

*  floor plans drawn to scale showing from above the general layout of each set and the placement of the furniture and large props

*  front elevations giving a view of the elements of the set from the front and showing details like windows or platforms

*Miniature three-dimensional models showing how each set will look when finished.

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he set designer as stated in the first paragraph does not work alone. It is a collaborating thing. First, the set designer will meet with the director and the design team (set, costume, lighting and sound designers), to discuss the details of the set and the director's interpretation of the play. The set, costume and lighting designers also meet and work together to ensure the creation of a unified look and feel for the production. A lively exchange of initial ideas and first impressions helps clarify the steps that each person needs to take in this intensely collaborative process.
The set designer needs the expertise of a master carpenter who then uses the sketches of the designs made by set the designer to constructs the scene since the main material used in the construction is mostly wood.
The designer also in order to bring out the liveliness of the built scenery needs the expertise of the Master Painter. He in order words bring the set to live by the introduction of colours. The Master Painter is responsible for painting set elements under the direction of the set designer, but often the Master Painter has the freedom to choose many of the design elements him/herself.
Again, the set designer seeks the help of an electrician. When sets are built, it sometimes require the installation and hanging of light and other electrical appliances necessary for a particular production. This is when the need of an electrician comes in. In many companies, no experience is necessary to serve in one of these roles as you will be taught on the job. Often, actors serve in these roles when they aren't needed in rehearsal.

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n conclusion, the work of the set designer is as important as the liveliness of the production is concerned. The set designer in short adds meaning to an act on a stage or any theatrical production. If the man is said to walking in the forest, what shows the stage that he is indeed walking in the forest? The stage designer makes that scene real for audience to tell the location of the act without being informed by anybody.