Help me build a good set without knowing what I'm doing.

October 1, 2009 3:46 PM

I have to build a forest set for a performance. I've never built a set before. What should I know?

I'm in charge of a fall-themed performance. I would like the set to be fall themed: forest-y, pumpkin patch-y. I have literally never even approached this sort of thing and this is somewhat high profile so I'd like it to be good. It doesn't have to be elaborate, but I would like it to be impressive, even if it's just by being tasteful. Also, there might not be any time to set it up except day-of, so reliable ideas, or multiple options are good ideas.

I have a couple of friends who will be helping who are ex-hs theatre geeks/stage crew; but I'm not sure what sort of actual experience they have and I certainly haven't seen a portfolio. I can somewhat trust them to translate, but if not knowing what they know, it might be better if you can spell anything out.

The theatre itself is pretty big (80" x 60" stage, still waiting to hear the height) and quite full-featured in terms of lighting (I think, I'm worried we might have to pay extra).

Basically, I'm looking for ANY advice of ANY kind. I'd really appreciate it. Book advice is good, but I have a deadline of about a month so it might be tough to absorb it all. Budget is pretty small, under $1000.

Also, I'm pretty creative: graphic designer, illustrator, etc. I've just never translated it to 3D before.

posted by Brainy to media & arts (12 comments total)

For an autumn look, check into what you can do with the lighting system. Gels over the lights, a dappled look using gobos, you can really achieve great effects before one thing goes on the stage. If you can work with someone who has lighting design experience, you're going to make the set look several times what you paid for it.

I'm assuming a proscenium stage, which means you can take advantage of backdrops. For a woodsy theme, I'd use netting with colored leaves tied into/onto it. This helps with setup, since all it needs to do is be lifted, so if you only have a day-of setup time, that'll save you a lot of effort.

Make sure that, if you're using any plant materials (or any materials, really), you're following fire codes. Generally, a good spray with a flame retardant on everything is a good idea.

Good luck!
posted by xingcat at 4:43 PM on October 1

I've tried typing up a response several times to this... it's such a big question, and there are so many routes you can go. Hopefully this one helps!

I think the first thing I would find out (and you probably know) is what are your performance needs on the stage. I was taught to estimate a 4sq.ft. area for each performer. With an 80' x 60' deck, you should have plenty of room, but keep it in mind as you start to fill the stage.

From the more artistic route, you'd want to first start researching - hit up Google Images and start grabbing pics of things that you really like. In your case it might mean orchards in autumn, bales of hay, etc. Just general images of things that inspire you and that feel appropriate for the show.

Couple that research with some practical knowledge of what's needed for the show. Is this set purely for looks, or do you need physical elements that can be acted on, moved, played with, etc.

With that basic info in hand you can start actually finding stuff. I could see hay bales, corn stalks, wooden wagons, etc., giving you that harvest feel. Of course though, that's up to you - maybe this is autumn in a forest, or in another setting of your choice. That's what the research will help you narrow down - what kind of world this is.

In terms of actually finding stuff, $1000 could be pretty generous. This is my artistic gut kicking in, but I don't see autumn/fall stuff being pretty and new - it's well worn. The year is aging, and the props might reflect that. Hit up your local goodwill store, talk to area farmers and try to find some vegetable things, etc. Don't be afraid to call and ask for stuff. You'd be amazed how much people will give up for the theatre.

You might want a nice backdrop too - Grosh has some nice ones, although with a stage as wide as yours you could have trouble (that's a huge deck!). Poke around though, it's certainly worth looking into. If you have a cyclorama though (big white drop in the back for lighting, etc.) you might not need one.

A great resource for questions is ControlBooth.com, a form devoted to theatre design and tech. I know a lot of the members there would be glad to help, and it's certainly worth putting your question to the folks there too!
posted by cvp at 4:49 PM on October 1

Less is more. Suggest a forest, don't build one.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:08 PM on October 1

You have to fit it to the play as well. If it's a dark play, dark trees at menacing angles. If it's a happy play, vertical, evenly spaced, happy colors. Etc.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:09 PM on October 1

Whatever you do, don't build lifelike trees. Not only do they look bad, they're a major pita to handle. Even plywood cutouts are a pain. jeffamaphone's advice is spot on - suggest a forest. Fabric and leaves on netting is quick and easy.
posted by anadem at 5:40 PM on October 1

Answering some questions, clarifying others:
The performance is a concert, not a play. I kept it vague intentionally.

I'd be more interested in a barren forest than a full one, so while the dappled light through leaves look might be good, would there be a similar pattern that would look more like trunks?

How can I tell if a light is gobo capable? Are they all?

Grosh does have some nice backdrops, but what exactly is a "leg"? Also I might be too nervous to rent those as they are quite expensive and I don't know if I have enough expertise to be responsible for them.

We will have a projector available and a motion graphics guy to do scenery but I'm not sure if it will be enough of a backdrop OR what the projection situation would be like (rear, front, how wide it would be).

It might help if you more knowledgable people know the venue and can see the specs they have up there.


ps. if any of you would be mefi-mail available to kind of be a patron saint with any and all other questions that might come up, I would be forever indebted...and you could get in free to the show if you're local
posted by Brainy at 6:01 PM on October 1

80 by 60 is a huge space to fill for $1000. For starters you should ask the representatives of the theater if they have a standard masking set that can be pre-hung for you. Black velour or duvatyne legs, borders, and full blackout or cyc are the norm to help you close in a huge space to something more manageable. (If those were new vocabulary words, check out Rose Brand for theatrical fabric basics and a great ordering inventory.)

If your theater has a fly system, rely on it to help create the environment. You can use the rigging to support your forest structures with fishing line and cord, and not have to waste your time in a oneday load-in on bracing and leveling each structure you build. You'll also save a lot of money this way. Rather than using plywood and stick lumber to create trees, you can use fabric, sheets of cut styrofoam, or even paper- more bang for your buck. One company that sells lightweight, cheap, themed decorations and materials is Stumps Prom and Party.

For more stuff on your pumpkin forest theme, check out Superior Studio Specialties, a supplier or props for store displays. Prices are good and ordering staff is helpful.

Please do me-mail me if you have more questions.
posted by alight at 6:38 PM on October 1

Waiting for Godot has a minimal set with a single tree. Examples of actual Godot stages might give you ideas for suggestive rather than literal set designs. For example: this set

(Though you may find the examples are somewhat bleaker than the look you hope to achieve.)
posted by pines at 6:39 PM on October 1

Pines, a few trees like that would actually be really great. Bleak is okay. Although that looks like a real (and expensive) tree to rent.

Also, if we were to do a pumpkin patch, we could get actual pumpkins but is there an easy way to suggest the vine-age that surrounds them without covering the stage in slippery vines?
posted by Brainy at 6:52 PM on October 1

>>Pines, a few trees like that would actually be really great. Bleak is okay. Although that looks like a real (and expensive) tree to rent.

Funny you mention this. I spotted this photo as well, which has what looks like a much more easily made "tree".
posted by pines at 4:54 AM on October 2

Erosion cloth cut to have an open weave might suggest some vines for you. Rose Brand's price you might be able to find better prices elsewhere. Also re: your gobos question ask your lighting guy although I would imagine that that space definitely has Source4's or other ellipsoidal lighting instruments that can handle a gobo. You will definitely find gobos that look more like trunks Barbizon would be a good place to start looking.

Here's the tree page:
Barbizon trees
Rosco trees

Full disclosure: I work for this company, I. Weiss but we might be able to get you stuff and we're in the city and we're a distributer for Rosco and Rose Brand. Although I'm unsure of lead time nonsense.

Feel free to me-mail me as things come up, I'm also in NY if you want someone to play translator in person.
posted by edbles at 1:40 PM on October 5

The show was last night and went amazing, couldn't have been more perfect. We got 6 branches from American Foliage, flew them 3 per side and it looked like there were giant trees off-stage. Along with a lot of other special things about the show.

Thank you everybody for your help here.
posted by Brainy at 11:17 AM on November 1