Set design model by Marcel Jambon for an 1895 Paris production of Giuseppe Verdi's Otello.Set design for the New Zealand Opera's 2016 production of Mozart's Magic FluteScenic design for The 2010 Family Series, by Glenn DavisA simple red curtain set design for the Oresteia presented by Stairwell Theater, 2019
Scenic design, also known as stage design or set design, is the creation of scenery for theatrical productions including plays and musicals. The term can also be applied to film and television[1] productions, where it may be referred to as production design.[2] Scenic designers create sets and scenery to support the overall artistic goals of the production. Scenic design is an aspect of scenography, which includes theatrical set design as well as light and sound.
History
The origins of scenic design may be found in the outdoor amphitheaters of ancient Greece, when acts were staged using basic props and scenery. Because of improvements in stage equipment and drawing perspectives throughout the Renaissance, more complex and realistic sets could be created for scenic design. Scenic design evolved in conjunction with technological and theatrical improvements over the 19th and 20th centuries.[citation needed]
Elements of Scenic Design
Scenic design involves several key elements:
Set Pieces: These are physical structures, such as platforms, walls, and furniture, that define the spatial environment of the performance.
Props: Objects used by actors during a performance, which help to establish the setting and enhance the narrative.
Backdrops: Painted or digitally projected backdrops and flat scenery that create the illusion of depth and perspective on stage.
Lighting: Setting the tone, ambiance, and focal point of the performance, lighting design is an essential component of scenic design.
Functionality: In order to meet the demands of the actors, crew, and technical specifications of the show, and sets must be useful and practical. When building the set, designers have to take accessibility, perspectives, entrances, and exits into account.
Scenic Designer
A scenic designer works with the theatre director and other members of the creative team to establish a visual concept for the production and to design the stage environment. They are responsible for developing a complete set of design drawings that include:
Basic floor plan showing all stationary scenic elements;
Composite floor plan showing all moving scenic elements, indicating both their onstage and storage positions;
Complete floor plan of the stage space incorporating all elements; and
Front elevations of every scenic element and additional elevations of sections of units as required.
Brockett, Oscar G., Margaret Mitchell, and Linda Hardberger. Making the Scene: A History of Stage Design and Technology in Europe and the United States, Tobin Theatre Arts Fund, distributed by University of Texas Press, 2010. Traces the history of scene design since the ancient Greeks.
Pecktal, Lynn. Designing and Painting for the Theater, McGraw-Hill, 1995. Details production design processes for theater, opera, and ballet. The foundational text provides a professional picture and comprehensive references to the design process. Well-illustrated with detailed lined drawings and photographs to convey the beauty and craft of scenic and production design.
