Theater I: Set Design

Journal # 10:            Set Design Vocabulary

 

1. Setting

The location where the play takes place.

Settings can change from scene to scene within a play.

 

2. Rendering

A colored sketch or drawing of a setting or a costume.

 

3. Set Props

A piece of furniture (or a big thing, like a tree) that is part of a set.

 

4. Floor Plan

A birds-eye view drawing of the setting. It shows where things are in the setting.

Designers make a floor plan before they build a set. The floor plan helps them see the size and placement of the background and set props.

 

5. Unit set

Single setting which can represent a variety of locales with the simple addition of properties or scenic elements.

 

6. Flats

Flat pieces of theatrical scenery which are painted and positioned on stage so as to give the appearance of buildings or other background

 

7. UIL Unit Set

The unit set approved for use by the University Interscholastic League

 

8. Three-fold flats

Three smaller flats joined at two places by hinges to “unfold” into three sections.  Used in UIL unit set.

 

9. Two-fold flats

Two flats joined together by a hinge to “unfold” into two sections.  Used in UIL unit set.

 

10. Step units

Moveable steps or stairs used in UIL unit set that vary in width.  The UIL unit set includes 2’ and 4’ wide step units.

 

11. Pylons

Narrow set pieces that resemble pillars or columns.  Used in UIL unit set, and vary in heighth.  UIL unit set uses 4’, 6’, and 8’ pylons.

 

12. Platforms

A raised horizontal surface.  Used in UIL unit set, and vary in size.  UIL unit set includes 4’ x 4’, 4’ x 8’, and 1’ x 1’ platforms.  1’ x 1’ platforms resemble blocks (or small cubes)

13. Ramps

An inclined surface.  Used in UIL unit set.  UIL ramps are 4’ x 4’ and incline from the floor level to 1’ above.

 

Theater I: Journal #12 and In-Class Reading/Work

Journal Entry #12 PLOT STRUCTURE (11/30/09):

Read pages 138 -140 and pages 144 – 145.  Make sure to know the diagram and parts of the plot structure on page 145.  (You may omit the element of “crisis” as it is really part of rising action!)

Read the sample scene on page 142 between RAY and MOLLY.  Using the sample script, and the Plot Structure diagram on page 145, continue plotting out the short scenario involving Molly and Ray.  This will look like a list of elements of plot structure followed by a description of a situation.  An example is below:

Exposition: Ray has committed robbery.  Although no one was hurt, the police are after him.

Inciting Incident: He goes to see his mother to get the keys to a getaway car.  She takes the keys and puts them in her pocket.

Rising Action:

Turning Point:

Falling Action:

Resolution:

Be imaginative in getting to the resolution.  The characters do not have to be heroic or good-hearted.

 

Journal entry #12, cont. VOCAB (12/2/09):

Write the definitions to the following words in YOUR OWN WORDS first.  If you don’t know, look at the word and its parts to guess what it might mean.

Then, find the definitions in the glossary or index of your textbook to write in the accurate definition.

(Hint: They’re both types of characters.)

protagonist                                    archetype

 

12/2/09:  In-class assignment: Write a short 2 person scene in which one person is the protagonist and another is an archetype.  (There are many types of both!)

Theater I: Journal #10 - Vocabulary

Journals are due no later than Monday, November 16.  After that point, they are LATE --- and will receive no more than a 70%.

Entry #10: Vocabulary

obstacles: anything that gets in the way of a character's OBJECTIVE (their goal or goals)

stakes: RISKS that a character takes in order to achieve their OBJECTIVE

tactics: the ways that a character tries to obtain their OBJECTIVE

conflict: the main problem a character faces

Today we played the game "Control Tower..." If you can remember the OBJECTIVE, the STAKES, and the TACTICS used/created in the game "Control Tower," you'll be able to remember the definitions of the above words.

Theater I: Journal #7 continues! Vocabulary!

Ch-ch-check it out!  Word on the street is, you'll need to know these terms for your next theater project!

 

Add them to your #7 journal entry for 10/20/09!

 

blocking: movement of actors onstage

 

staging: bringing to life onstage

 

director: a person who oversees the entire production (generally what you see onstage)

 

actor: a person who portrays a character

 

cross: movement from one place to another

 

cast: (noun) a group of actors who play the roles in a production, (verb) to be selected to play a role

 

"upstaging": stealing the focus in a scene

 

cue: signal for something to happen

 

prop/property: anything an actor handles onstage

 

set: the onstage physical environment that actors perform in/on

 

QUIZ Wednesday, October 21 on STAGE AREAS.  Be prepared.

 

Please make sure that you have your journal checked by Ms. Yanchak BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23.  Please arrange to make up any missed assignments by this time as well.