Edexcel GCSE Drama: Designing Drama

SOURCING MATERIALS FOR THE SET Once your set design has been agreed with your group, it is time to think about the actual set. What do I need and what will it cost? Keep in mind while designing that you will only have a small amount to spend on your set. Don’t buy anything until you know: • what your budget is • everything you will need to design and make your set • where you might get it • how much it will all cost. TASK 1.11 Copy and complete a chart like this to keep track of what you need. Item Source Approximate cost Large pot plant Borrow from family or friends None Backcloth Pre-painted: hire for 5 days £100? Too much? Make own: canvas and paint £60? Too much? Make own: 2 tarpaulins and paint £40? Make own: sewn-together sheets, rough wooden frame, paint £30? Make own: cardboard boxes taped together £10? Will they look poor? Watered-down PVA as fire retardant £2 Stage flat Ply-board sheet from DIY shop £20 Rough-cut lengths from wood yard £5 Water-based paints and cheap acrylic £10? Watered-down PVA as fire retardant £2 3ft round table Borrow None Round white tablecloth Charity shop or make? £3? Recycling and borrowing It is unlikely that you will be able to buy everything needed for your set. Is everything in your design essential? Can anything be changed to something you can borrow or recycle? Recycling here simply means making an item into something else. For example, you could fix small wheels to a table so that it becomes a trolley. A large scarf can become a tablecloth. A green tarpaulin over a stepladder could be a mountain. ASSESSMENT CHECK By making considered choices, you are demonstrating skills in: ‘making appropriate judgements during the development process.’ This stage of design works towards AO1: ‘Create and develop ideas to communicate meaning for theatrical performance.’ FOCUS How to find, recycle or buy the materials for your set and meet your artistic intentions. DESIGN TIP Be resilient. Tackle problems step by step. If an item is difficult to get, think: • Can you make a saving elsewhere? • Could you use a similar but cheaper version? • Do you really need it? Find out what is already available in school. Could you borrow a table? Is there an existing stage flat that you can paint over? Try pound shops for craft materials and acrylic paint. Go to builders’ merchants for offcuts. Pallets (often free) are useful for timber or even basic furniture. Chapter 1 Practical Guide to Set Design 26