Machinal Design

Question 1

Describe in detail your base Set Design for a production of Machinal/ your concept. Erin

Answer 1

Primary theme of Machine Society, secondary/ stylistic theme of expressionism. Thrust stage built in the shape of an open jaw, with jagged angular buildings/ cityscapes for teeth, represents how humans are trapped in the bite of industrial society.
Irregular backwards clock, shows is set in a world like our own but different. Checkerboard back wall, hanging lights from the upper cityscape, inspired by 2011 Frankenstein design. 4 windows on back wall, images projected their throughout play. 4 platforms on stage that can raise and sink.
LED panels covering both side walls, and LED strips around both doors in the wings for exits/ entrances.

Question 2

Describe your Set Design for Episode 1 - To Business

Answer 2

Clocks in each of the back wall windows, pressure on workers to produce and be efficient and quick. Typewriters on each platform, they are raised to act as tables, a phone on the front one for telephone girl and other according stationery.

Question 3

Describe your set design for Ep 2 - At Home

Answer 3

A radio on back left platform, a lampshade on back right platform, a table and chairs on front platform, vase of dead flowers on the table, a large drooped lamp downstage right. Back windows are all lit different colours to represent nearby apartments/ streetlights.

Question 4

Describe your set design for Ep 3 - Honeymoon

Answer 4

Each back windows will fill with water each time Helen references the ocean and wanting to see it. Shower curtain/ toilet on back right platform, only front platform raised with a single rugged bed on it, physically awkward for them to share,a mirror on wheels for efficiency facing the bed downstage right.

Question 5

Describe your Set Design for Ep 4 - Maternal

Answer 5

Different vintage looking maternal images displayed in each back window, a dummy, a pram, a onesie and a baby with blonde curly hair as Helen says she wants a pretty baby that looks like that later in the okay, foreshadowing. Also visualises her internal pressure to be a good mother. A wheelchair next to the bed, removal of autonomy. A hospital blue draped bed for her on front platform, dead flowers from her husband on side desk, death of self.

Question 6

Describe your set design for Ep 5 - Prohibited

Answer 6

A disconcerting eye displayed in each back window, each platform raised with chairs around them as tables in a speakeasy. Cups and glasses of alcohol on the table. Front platform with a large table and 4 chairs for the characters. A vintage piano downstage left with an eye painted on the front. The eye becomes a continuous motif in the play, represents the higher society watching.

Question 7

Describe your set design for Ep 6 - Intimate

Answer 7

Nothing displayed in the back windows, for the first and last time. This is because she has no worries, and isn’t being watched, she is happy. A large, comfy looking heart shaped bed on front platform, room for her to spread out in, she isn’t caged in.

Question 8

Describe your set design for Ep 7 - Domestic

Answer 8

Two clocks and two eyes in the back windows as she is being watched again/ out of her comfort zone. Visual tension in apprehension of the next episode. Two chairs on the front platform, one tall like the husbands ego, one short and wider as Helen is more reserved and ‘plain’.

Question 9

Describe your set design for Ep 8 - The Law

Answer 9

Jagged question marks in each back window as her fate is unknown/ hands in the air, visual suspense as she stands trial. All three platforms raised, front one down, she feels fenced in. Irregular angular black columns on back platforms for judge lawyers and jury. Unsettling/ expressionistic design. One questioning stand where Helen is, an eye on the front of the pillar, continued motif. Lots of black chairs lined around her stand for messenger boys and reporters, only one seat empty with initials S.T on the chair, left for sophie Treadwell / symbolises now she oversaw the Snyder/ Gray murder trial which influenced the play.

Question 10

Describe your set design for Ep 9 - A Machine

Answer 10

Skulls in all of the back windows, symbolising her coming death. Two apparatus- Like single- walled railings, represents prison cells, one for her one for the other inmate that sings in the episode. Electric chair on front platform raised. A priest’s stand on back middle platform overseeing it all, an eye with a cross painted through it- corruption of society/ religious control. Chairs for witnesses to the killing.

Question 11

Describe your set design for Ep 9 - A Machine

Answer 11

Skulls in all of the back windows, symbolising her coming death. Two apparatus- Like single- walled railings, represents prison cells, one for her one for the other inmate that sings in the episode. Electric chair on front platform raised. A priest’s stand on back middle platform overseeing it all, an eye with a cross painted through it- corruption of society/ religious control. Chairs for witnesses to the killing.

Question 12

How would you light Ep 1- To Business

Answer 12

LED panels lit up in a harsh fluorescent yellow, like the uncomfortable bright lights in many office spaces. With symbols, numbers, data and writing/ report quotes moving around the screens, flashing up and moving away at a slow pace, until QUE Mr Jones touches Helens shoulder and they freeze, allows for focus and suspense on this moment. Then after it’s over they move faster and rapidly, mirroring her state of mind.The light strips around each doorway will turn red each time Mr Jones enters the stage space, then go back to white when he leaves, portraying him as a threat of danger in Helen’s eyes.

Question 13

Describe the Live Theatre Influence for The LED panels ?

Answer 13

Live theatre influence- Curious Incident- Manchester Opera House 2022, Directed by Marianne Elliot, Designed by Bunnie Christie, they also used LED panels across all walls and the floor of their set. And programmed them to display images and numbers during scenes where Christopher is doing maths. They were supposed to represent Christopher’s state of mind throughout the play and allowed for the audience to understand him better, my aim is the same for Helen and the audience.

Question 14

Describe the Live Theatre Influence for the hanging lights?

Answer 14

2011 National Theatre production of Frankenstein, Directed by Danny Lee Boyle, Lighting designed by Bruno Poet. Large textured chandelier made up of hundreds of irregular light bulbs, mounting the set/room beautifully, hanging above the audience and the stage. I would recreate this but on a smaller scale, similar effect but not the focal point of my set.

Question 15

How would you light Ep 2- To Business?

Answer 15

Using the 4 back windows usually used for projection images / related displays, I’d place a light behind/ below each opening shining upwards and through it. In the script we hear snippets of anonymous conversations had by Helen’s neighbours, they happen at intervals in the scene and we cannot see them on stage only hear them. Using backlighting + gels, when Girl and Boy” speak one window will light up in pink, another in green for “Man and Woman”, another in blue for “Wife and Husband”. The colours will be bright and vivid, compliant with expressionistic design. They will throb + pulse in-sync with the heard dialogue, representing the flow of the conversations. The topics are relevant to what Helen is speaking to her mum about so having them be visually present on stage will contribute to her state of mind. When she says “Do you ever get used to it?” to her mum, the hanging lights will turn red til the end of the scene, showing a switch in her mental state.

Question 16

How would you light Ep 3- Honeymoon

Answer 16

Dimly lit stage as it’s an awkward and painful scene for Helen, minimal lighting. Hanging lights lit in a deep blue to match the back windows which are showcasing waves. A cool icy blue light at 40% intensity from the LEDs, giving the stage a hostile/ cold wash. Honeymoons are usually in warm places with warm emotions and love, I would do the opposite of this as this is a marriage where no mutual love or connection is present.

Question 17

How would you light Ep 4- Maternal ?

Answer 17

Profile spot at 70% intensity on Helen’s torso/face sitting upright in bed, this will shrink to just her face on QUE “Let me alone” Although she feels isolated and consumed by this, she would also rather solitude than the company of the apathetic nurses and her husband. The profile spot will separate her from the rest of the stage/people, also representation of her mental health and possible postpartum depression/mania she is struggling with. I’d also have there be a soft strobe-light at 60% intensity from one side of the stage on the LED panels, perhaps resembling a broken light/ that the hospital is in poor condition and so is her life. Footlights lit in fluorescent cyan, will create odd shadows on her face due to low angle up-lighting, expressionist technique. Inner world.

Question 18

How would you light Ep 5- Prohibited ?

Answer 18

Overall dimmed stage to mirror the dark/ secluded vibe of a speakeasy. LEDs off, just soft orange warm seductive light from a wash of foot- down lights. Also makes the stage appear to be nighttime. The hanging lights lit in a rainbow at 40% intensity, a splash of colour for a rebellious/ party streak to match the bar, but not very bright so that it distracts from the scene. Warm and comfortable vibe to contrast the previous scenes, Helen is taking more control of her life, doing something for herself, living.

Question 19

How would you light Ep 6- Intimate

Answer 19

Bulbs around the wing entrances and the hanging lights lit in a dim magenta at 30% intensity, representing the romance and bliss she feels. Dim follow- spot on her when she gets out of bed at 40% intensity, focus is on her and not the man, this is her experience. Using a gel it will turn to a soft-pink when he kisses her goodbye at the door. When they are both in bed there will simply be a singular orange back-light, creating soft silhouettes. The scene should be mostly in darkness, that is how Treadwell intended for the scene to be and I want to respect that whilst following my own artistic instincts.

Question 20

How would you light Ep 7 - Domestic?

Answer 20

The LED panel on Helen’s side of the stage will be lit in blue, and turn deeper/ darker when she says she feels she is drowning, the Husband’s side will be lit red to showcase him still as a threat and an uncomfortable presence for Helen. These will create a blend of purple in the middle of the stage, a colourful clash between the two, showing that even at a peaceful point in their marriage they are not a match in any way shape or form. On the QUE “young woman pulls away swiftly” the hanging lights will flicker in a chase sequence for around 5 seconds.

Question 21

How would you light Ep 8 - The Law

Answer 21

Red fresnel spotlights at 60% intensity on all subjects in court, to not be completely defined but enough that they isolate each group. They will all be facing directly- down on the actors, making their faces appear unsettling - demonic- demonising authorities and the judicial system. Bar Helen, who will have a forward -facing spotlight in yellow at 80% intensity, this will set her apart in all ways to the rest of the characters, as she is the one standing trial.

Question 22

How would you light Ep 9- A Machine?

Answer 22

The Hanging lights + LED strip around the base of the front platform with the Machine mounted on it, lit bright red throughout the scene at 80% intensity, these will start a chase sequence when she rises and begins the walk to her death, acts as a loading sign for her impending doom. LED strips lining the prison frames in white to isolate the prisoners. LEDS on the walls lit in dark red at 30% intensity, focus and dimension should be in the machine but gives the stage a wash of dark red/ unsettling vibe. Chiaroscuro.

Question 23

Describe your costume design for The Young Woman?

Answer 23

Mixing of fabrics/ patterns, clashes, awkward, mirroring her awkward personality and tendencies.

Question 24

Describe your costume design for the Mother?

Answer 24

Question 25

Describe your costume design for The Priest?

Answer 25

Question 26

Describe your costume design for The Husband ?

Answer 26

The cane is for superficial purposes, aesthetic, intimidation tactics.

Question 27

Describe your costume design for The Lover?

Answer 27

No blazer or waistcoat, relaxed working -fit. Suspenders for practicality.