Archive - MacAllen's Theater GUide

Three Thumb Set Design

Even if you don’t know the difference between a hammer and a drill, you can still have a great set. Building a world class set doesn’t require a hug budget either. A great set can be built for a hundred dollars; likewise, a even a set with a ten thousand dollar budget might be terrible.

To begin, you first must decide on the set budget. Once you have determined how much you can spend, you can layout a design. After you have determined your budget, figure out how many sets you need. A play such as Neil Simons The Odd Couple takes place entirely in Oscar’s apartment. Thus you can spend your entire budget furnishing the apartment, and not worry about several different location sets. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest requires several different sets for each scene. Its important to realize when working within the constraints of a tight budget that it is possible to save money by using set pieces that are part of several different scenes.

Decide how detailed the set will be. Many productions can use a minimalist set design using simple objects like a desk and chairs allowing the actors and hand props to define the scene. The other extreme is a fully built set with fake walls and working lights.

When deciding on a set design, also consider the ability to store set pieces when they are not being used. If there is not room to store a set back stage while another scene is playing, its simply impossible to have that set. Also keep in mind that set changes must be fast. You simply can’t keep your audience in the dark for five minutes while you rearrange the stage materials. This point can be complicated by shortage of stage hands, or by having too many. Be sure your scene changes are as rehearsed and planned as the rest of the show. A good trick to consider is that at intermission, there is a ten to twenty minute window where the sets can be changed. Keep this in mind also when designing your set.

One basic element of set design is the flat. Flats can be light weight wooden frames with canvas stretched across them, or they can be built out of heavy lumber and plywood. Flats can include doors and windows, or serve as a backdrop. While flats can be fairly easy to construct, building flats that are strong enough to support people such as for a balcony scene involve a great deal more than simply nailing wood together. Don’t attempt to build flats unless you have some skill working with wood. For more information on building a flat, visit this page on building a flat.

Integrating lights on stage can add to a set design. Whether you are putting sunshine in a window, or a table lamp on a nightstand, lighting on stage can add to the realism of a scene. The important thing to remember when building lighting into a set is that it needs to be operated by the lighting technician. Standard lamps can easily enough be plugged into a dimmer back and hooked up to the control box. However, you must be able to run the wires off stage without them being noticed. Wall lamps built into flats are good for this sort of them because the wire can simply run out the back of the flat. Battery operated lamps should not be used, and lights the actors use on stage should also somehow be plugged into the control pack. Something to consider also is that using a high wattage bulb can change the lighting on stage creating shadows. Seven watt bulbs can be purchased. These bulbs will fit into a standard fixture, give enough light to appear on, and not dramatically change the stage lighting.

Furnishing your set can be inexpensive if you work at it. Often a couch or chair can be found at yard sales for pennies, or at thrift stores. Remember, this isn’t going in your living room, its going on stage for a few weeks and then later can be thrown away. Period furniture is somewhat more difficult to come across. Most furniture at yard sales tends to be left over from the 1980’s as people replace their older couches, tables, and chairs. Again though, you are not looking for antique collectibles, only furniture that fits the part. While period furniture will tend to be more expensive, makeshift models can still be found. Even if its not perfect, the piece may still work.

Other building materials may include paper mache and cardboard. Using hollow objects like a milk jug (please clean it first), you can build objects for a set. One great example is building a cliff out of paper mache and purchasing spray paint that comes out like stone. Cardboard is an inexpensive material that can be used to build things on a set or accent the set. Often free, cardboard can be a great way to add to your set. An exacto-knife or utility knife will leave a clean edge. One example is making wood trim for a house or apartment set. First, using unpainted cardboard, the cardboard is cut into strips. With a brown marker, the grains of wood are drawn on. Using a light varnish, paint over the cardboard and the cardboard will look like wood.

Always know where your local 24-hour hardware store is. If you run out of nails at two a.m., you need to know where you can buy more. Dealing with smaller venders on regular basis—while not often 24-hours—does have some benefits. Small venders may be willing to trade supplies for ad space in the program, or if you become a non-profit, the donated supplies can be a tax right off for them.

Saving money is great, but always make sure anything you build will be strong enough to support the actors who use it. Its always better to be on the safe side than have a set collapse in the middle of the show. The same is true of fire hazards; make sure no piece of the set is blocking a fire exit or is too close to a live flame.