Edexcel GCSE Drama: Designing Drama

INTRODUCTION TO SET DESIGN What is a set designer? In a sense, you are already a set designer. You probably have opportunities to influence the layout and colour scheme in your bedroom, for example. Your choices are influenced by practicality, style, comfort and image. An observer might also learn something about you based on the books or games on your shelf or the posters on your wall. A set designer is very different from an interior designer, however: they think about space from the audience’s point of view, not the occupant’s. This means that they help to communicate meaning, artistic intentions, style and atmosphere through the scenery they design and the stage furniture they select for the stage. How can I design sets as part of this course? You can opt for set design in either or both of the practical sections of the course. If you choose to work as set designer in Component 1, you will work in a small group to devise a piece of theatre. You will help to develop the piece as a whole, but your specific responsibility will be to design the set. Component 2 is similar, but you work with a script instead of devising your own drama. As there are two extracts from the same play, you could design a set for one and perform or choose a different design role for the second. Component 3 is the written exam. When you evaluate a performance you have seen, you might have to write about set design. Practical work will give you the knowledge and understanding to write confidently about set in the exam. How can set design communicate meaning? We all ‘read’ peoples, places and situations, but do not always realise it. ASSESSMENT CHECK In beginning your journey as a set designer, you will start to ‘use design skills to contribute to and support performances’ and gain ‘knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed’ (AO3). FOCUS Some tasks to get you thinking like a set designer. What can you tell about the person who occupies this room? What clues give you those ideas? DESIGN TIP Pay attention to your pre-set . This can include light and sound too and is seen or heard before the performance begins. It establishes setting and style and lets the audience think, ‘I know where we are.’ TASK 1.1 Study this set for Blithe Sprit , then answer the questions, giving specific examples from the set. 1 What room is shown? 2 The play is set in the 1930s. Are there any clues to this? (Look at styles and shapes of furnishings , scenery and fabrics.) 3 What seems to be the economic background of the people who live in this house? (Do they seem wealthy? How does the set suggest this?) 4 What colour palette is used? 5 What mood or atmosphere is suggested? (Consider, for example, whether colours are light or dark and whether there is clutter or space. Does the set suggest a calm life or hectic one?) Chapter 1 Practical Guide to Set Design 16