design key terminology Flashcards
what are the 4 main staging shapes?
theatre in the round
end on (sometimes referred to as proscenium arch)
thrust stage
traverse
proscenium arch (end on):
large arch, through which the audience views the performance
most commonly used staging
advantages of proscenium arch (end on):
audiences kept distant from performers as acting area is separate
elaborate set and costume can be used as easier to change
lighting the performance is easier as you don’t have to consider effects on audience
easier to create 4th wall
disadvantages of proscenium arch (end on):
less intimate
audience not close to heard to make out small details
view of action can be restricted
theatre in the round:
audience is located on all 4 sides of stage
advantages of theatre in the round:
audience nearby so provokes a feeling of intimacy and involvement
entrances and exits can be made through audience
audience feels part of performance
props and see will be used creativity as no backdrop can be used
disadvantages of theatre in the round:
careful about scenery that doesn’t mask actors and part if the stage from audience
backdrop and curtains cannot be used
lighting is difficult as actors have to be lit from all 4 sides without blinding audience
traverse stage:
audience is on two sides of acting area - catwalk
mostly used in modern theatre spaces
advantages of traverse stage:
actors can enter from upstage or downstage
backdrop or cyclorama can be used
audience close to action
disadvantages of traverse stage:
restrict view of some audience members
difficult when positioning lights
pitch:
speaking in a low, high or natural voice
pause:
a dramatic pause or silence at key moments can hold tension and emotion
tempo or pace:
speed in which someone talks
tone and expression:
suggesting your mood and intention towards the listener
volume:
effect of a charter speaking loud, quiet or using a stage whisper
accent:
indicating where someone is from and their status in society
emphasis:
the pressure on certain words to make them stand out
intonation:
the rise and fall in your voice, helping us say what we mean
posture and stance:
the position in which a character holds their body
confident character - very upright posture
pace of movement:
does a chapter move slowly or quickly? queen might move slowly - indicating their power and status
gait:
persons manner of walking
questures:
communication through hands and other parts of their body
facial expression:
face used to convey an emotional state
eye contact:
used to establish status, control and passion
what do you need to mention when talking about costume?
colour
shape
fabric
texture
condition
top to toe and heat to toe design
what can costume communicate?
relationship between characters
social status ( rich vs poor, cleanliness, quality of fabric)
age (fashionable vs out of style, layers for old people, less clothes for young, hair and makeup)
sound can be diagetic:
when the source of the sound comes within the characters world
for example, a door creaking, character switching on radio
sound can be non-diagetic:
type of sound that does not specifically exist within the world of the play
sound can be live or pre-recorded:
microphones: amplifies actors voice, head mic or handheld
effects can be put on mic: reverb
live music or SFX:
a band or orchestra could be incorporated into performance
music can be played underscoring and supporting the actors
actors can use instruments or props to create music and sound
soundscape:
use of sounds that are layered to create a mood and atmosphere
often sounds used might be natural, once you would expect to find in a particular location
diagetic lighting:
originates within the world of the story, might be a lamp or sunlight coming through a window
transitions of lighting:
crossfade, one lighting state fades into the next
snap, where one lighting state immediately moves into the next
spotlight:
hard edged effect, used to light characters or elements on the stage
floodlight:
clear wide angled light
fresnel:
softer edged effect, good for overall light when used with others
strobe light:
a flashing light used for special effects
gobos:
can create texture on a stage
coloured gels:
added to lights to add colour to lighting
purpose of lighting design:
illuminating action on stage
convey settling and time of day
creating mood and atmosphere
focusing audiences attention
communicating themes or symbols
raked seating and stage:
useful for slight lines
set dressing:
smaller items that are details to a set such as stage furniture to establish settling and era
cyclorama:
used for projection and backing images to support the mood
stage makeup
base:
first layer of makeup
stage makeup
shadow:
used after applying base so certain features are not accentuated
stage makeup
highlight:
put on to make an area of skin stand out
stage makeup
eyeliner:
makeup used around the eyes to make them more noticeable
stage makeup
blush:
to redden an area of the face
stage makeup
powder:
to prevent smudging and an oily look
stage makeup
jowl:
hanging part under jaw
