Evaluation

Mood board of performance. 

Within working towards producing a set design for the school horror many demands and high inspirational input from students were required. As the drama department was eager to put on a good show for the audience, like every stage production it was important to put as much as effort possible to create a superior outcome.

Firstly, as I was excited to be involved in the making of a theatre design a lot of responsibility was needed from me and the team. There was a great range of practical work that I was involved in. For example, it was one of my jobs with my group to construct a florist shop relevant to the storyline and to make a dentist chair. Therefore, to make the correct scenery I researched the types of chairs that relate in the story. I believe that research was significant for this project because it gained knowledge on clarifying the type of pieces that should be created. I also got involved in:

Scene painting

Prop construction

Construct the action prop (the prop being used)

Making the plant

Designing posters, graphical designs

Painting

Creating a dentist chair

Florist construction

Technical requirements- working out scale of plant was essential

Visual research/ mood boards/search engines/books, TV

Got involved in stage management- guiding for when to change scenes. Ensuring person controlling plant was OK- health and safety

Making sure everything is safe whilst props are being transferred.

While I was in the process of designing the set I learnt much more about the timescale of ‘pre-production’. Firstly, I noticed that the timescale was very strict as the date is set therefore it is permanent.  As well as this but, every member of the designing team has lots of individual responsibilities due to the busy timescale. To help, the production to be successful, comprising a strict and encouraged management in addition excellent organisational skills ensures the production is stable.

There was a variety of parts that I enjoyed and felt the ability to complete. Firstly, I took the pleasure to be original and creative. Not only this but, I was capable selecting the correct and suitable images from search engines which are most relevant to the story. However, I was sometimes positioned in making decisions without help meaning I was uncertain without assistance. But, I overcome this by compromising with my team members to make a final choice. If I was to improve in this project I would thoroughly plan my steps before designing as this would reduce the stress over the deadline.

An element that I have learnt the most during this project is to understood how important it is to meet deadlines for a set design because it is immovable. For that reason, an individual must stay focused from beginning to the end of the stage design. Moreover, I gained knowledge on how to organise this event successfully. This includes going through the script numerously. I believe that rehearsing scene changes are highly important as I needed to remember where the props are located. Most of all, I know that team work gains motivation and success as it guarantees being confidence throughout the project. Also, during the live performance I learnt to keep the actors feeling confident as well as moving props safely within a very quick time. I was happy to make sure the person behind the plant prop was ok at all times. Live performances can be stressful but this can be overcome if everything is organised correctly.

During this production I have gained much knowledge about how professionals work in the theatre industry. From researching different themes for a particular mood and finding out why so much input is needed from each and every member. I am aware that many people are needed from different creative roles for the most professional outcome. Before I started this course I was unaware why Copyright regulations were so important and how much a great impact this could have to a company if it is over-looked. I also learnt that measurements are essential of the props and sightlines of the stage because every person from the audience must be able to view each side of the stage. I know that the audience is key members to impress as everything you decide to make from initial ideas must have a positive effect to the viewers. It is also important to be ready to be criticised by the client as it is their job to ensure we are on the right task and making everything appropriately according to what they prefer. I was amazed to see how accurate the initial drawings of ideas looked to the final pieces. 

If I could do this again, I would love to get involved into costume design and creating different costumes to show a certain status and personality. As well as this, if I had the permission to I would like to develop my lighting skills and be in control by experimenting and creating something unusual. Overall, I felt confident and enthusiastic about this experience where I identified many pre production skills, the personality to carry this task successfully as well as backstage management.