TA 161 Theatre Design Topics
Department of Television, Radio, Film and Theatre
 Fall 2007

Jim Culley     Office hours: 
Culley's Office      TWThF 11:30 or
HGH 202   by appointment
                                                                     

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Learn to make model boxes and white models to represent set designs concepts
  2. Develop drafting skills necessary to accurately depict design details in scale
  3. Master the vocabulary necessary to critique theatrical designs
  4. Study the process of design moving from directors concept and script analysis to finished design presentation and design realization
  5. Develop theatrical painting techniques common in theatre

TEXT BOOK:
Lynn Pecktal. Designing and painting for the Theatre. New York: Hott, Rinhart and Winston, 1975. (Optional)

Darwin Reid Payn. Design for the Stage. Cardondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1974. (Optional)

PROJECTS;

  1. Model box exercise
  2. Perspective exercises
  3. Drafting exercises
  4. Line, form and composition exercises
  5. Three theatrical design projects
  6. Theatre painting exercises

MATERIALS;

  1. Foam core and 3ply Bristol board
  2. Architect’s Scale ruler
  3. Vellum and drafting supplies
  4. Paint smock or painting clothes

DESIGN PROJECT and  SCRIPTS:
         1st :    Abstract unit set; Beckett. Waiting for Gadot
         2ed:  Flexable recombining of three units; Shakespeare. King Lear
         3ed:  Realistic English manor house/ Theatrical;--------  Noises Off

CLASS SCHEDUAL;
Aug. 29:  Model box and first design assignment
Sept. 5: Pencil Drafting: Scale rule and floor plans
Sept. 12: Intro to CAD: front elevations and detail drawings
Sept. 19: Perspective exercises
Sept. 26: Perspective exercises
Oct.   2:  Presentation of first design and assignment of 2nd design
Oct.   9: Line exercises
Oct. 17: Form exercises
Oct. 24: Unity exercises
Oct. 31: Color and composition exercises.
Nov.   7: Second design presentation and assignment of 3ed design
Nov. 14: Scene painting exercises; colors and bricks
Nov. 21: Scene painting exercises; barn wood and wood panels
Nov. 28: Scene painting exercises; balustrades and drapes
Dec    5: Third design presentation

GRADING:
         Exercises 40%
         1st Design project 20%
         2ed design project 20%
         3ed Design project 20%

PLAGIARISM:  University regulations (as explained on pages 448-49 of the 2002-2004 "SJSU Catalog") require that instructors report any instance of academic dishonesty to the Judicial Affairs Officer.  One form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism--taking ideas, writing, or work from another person or source and representing them as one's own.  Plagiarism includes both having someone else write your papers and cutting and pasting from the Internet.  For advice on how to avoid plagiarism, consult the following site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html."

Note: San Jose State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course, please tell the instructor as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary accommodations.

Selected Bibliography Theatre Stagecraft and Design

Arnold, Richard L. Scene Technology. 3d ed. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1993

Bay, Howard. Stage Design. New York: Theatre Arts Books. 1967.

Bruder, KarlC. Properties and Dressing the Stage. New York: Drama Books Specialists, 1974.

Burian, Jerka.The Scenography of Josef Svoboda. Middletown, Conn.: Wesleyan University Press, 1971.

Burris-Meyer, Howard, and Edward C. Cole. Scenery for the Theatre. 3d ed. Boston: Little, Brown. 1972.

Craig, Edward Anthony. Gordon Craig: The Story of His Life. New York: Kropf. 1968.

Craig, Edward Gordon. On the Art of the Theatre. New York: Theatre Arts Books. 1957.

Gillette, A. S. An Introduction to Scene Design. New York: Harper. 1967.

Gillette, A. S. and J. Michael Gillette. Stage Scenery. 3d ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1981.

Gillette, J. Michael. Theatre Design and Production. Mountain View Ca.: Mayfield, 1997.

Glerum, Jay O. Stage Rigging Handbook, 2d ed. Carbondale,Il:Southern Illinois University Press, 1997.

James, Thorazine. The Prop Builder's Molding and Casting Handbook. Whitehall, Virginia: Better way Publications, 1989.

James, Thurston. Theatre Props Handbook. WhiteHall, Virginia: Betterway Publications, 1985

Jones, Robert Edmond. The Dramatic Imagination. New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1968.

_________. Drawings for the Theatre. New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1970.

Mielzner, Jo. Designing for the Theatre. New York: Athenaeum, 1965.

_________. The Shape of the Theatre. New York: Crown, 1970.

Oenslager, Donald. Scenery Then and Now. New York: Russell & Russell, 1966.

Parker, W. Oren and Harvey K. Smith. Scene Design and Stage Lighting. 3d ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1974.

Payne, Darwin Reid. Theory and Craft of the Scenographic Model, Rev. ed. Southern Illinois University Press, 1985.

Payne, Darwin Reid. Computer Scenographics. Southern Illinois University Press, 1985.

Pecktal, Lynn. Design and Painting for the Theatre. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1975.

Rose, Rich. Drafting Scenery for Theatre, Film And Television. White Hall, Va,: Betterway Publications,1990.

Simonson, Lee. The Art of Scene Design. New York: Reinhold,1968.

_________. The Stage is Set. New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1964.

Sweet, Harvey. The Complete Bool of Drawing for the Theatre. Boston: Allynand Bacon, 1995.

Sweet, Harvey. Handbook of Scenery,Properties and Lighting, Vol 1. Boston: Allynand Bacon, 19989

Television and Film Scenery Construction and Design

Millerson, Gerald. TV Scenic Design. 2d ed. Boston: Focus Press, 1997.

Olson, Robert L. Art Direction for Film and Video. 2d ed, Boston: Focus Press, 1999.

"PLAGIARISM:  University regulations (as explained on pages 448-49 of the 2002-2004 "SJSU Catalog") require that instructors report any instance of academic dishonesty to the Judicial Affairs Officer.  One form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism--taking ideas, writing, or work from another person or source and representing them as one's own.  Plagiarism includes both having someone else write your papers and cutting and pasting from the Internet.  For advice on how to avoid plagiarism, consult the following site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html."

San Jose State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course, please tell the instructor as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary accommodations.