Syllabus

Spring Quarter, 2002 Th 3331 Scenic Design 1 (prereq QP-1330 or #) (A-F only) #45571 1200-1350 TTh, MPAC 51, Arden Weaver, 3cr.
	Course Description:
	A study of the principles of scale perspective and foreshortening applied to the stage with consideration of the elements of design and composition, light and shadow, as employed in scene design. All elements of advanced stagecraft: new materials and scenic techniques will be considered in this study. Students will complete practical studio work in the design of settings for a variety of productions. The student will complete at least one project design including elevation drawing, watercolor perspective, scaled model, and a complete set of designers drawings.
		"A stage designer is, in a very real sense, a jack-of-all-trades. They can make blueprints and murals and patterns and light plots. He can design fireplaces and bodices and bridges and wigs. She understands architecture, but is not an architect,... you can paint a portrait, but you’re not a painter: creates costumes, but is not a couturier. Although we are able to call upon any or all of these varied gifts at will, we are not concerned with any one of them to the exclusion of the others, nor interested in any one of them for its own sake. These talents are only the tools of our trade... the designer in the theatre is "an artist of occasions." R.E. Jones
	The scenic designer is the person charged with the responsibility of finding the form of the physical world of the play. In order to accomplish this task the designer must develop and call upon a number of skills. In this course we will work with some of the problems designers encounter in their attempt to find and develop form. Over the semester our class will constantly be in the process of developing design solutions. Through the constant involvement in the design process we will become adept at creating successful scenic solutions to the challenges presented by plays and the theatre.
	Course Objectives:
	Students will be able to identify the elements of scenic design and have gained some skill in the manipulation of design elements. Students will have experienced the analysis, research, and synthesis designers go through when working on a creative project and be able to map out a plan for accomplishing the goals of the designer. Students will have experienced communicating their ideas to their peers and have an understanding of the group nature of communication in the theatre and the personal responsibility assigned to the scenic designer.
	References:
	Designing and Drawing for the Theatre, by Lynn Pecktal, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1995; ISBN 0-07-557232-X Scene Design and Stage Lighting, Sixth Edition, by Parker, Oren W.; Wolf. Craig, R. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1990; ISBN 0-03-028777-4. Scene Design in the Theatre, by Sporre, Dennis J.; Burroughs, Robert C. (Bookstore) Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1990; ISBN 0-13-791682-5. Theory and Craft of the Scenographic Model, Revised Edition by Darwin Reid Payne Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, IL; ISBN 0-8093-1194-1.
	Course Content:
		We will be doing extensive design/model building in and out of class. We will also be keeping a sketchbook with ongoing assignments. In design courses it is important for students to get feedback from their peers and all of the model projects, sketches, drawings, and plans will involve a group critique. It is important for students to attend class regularly and to be on time. In the theatre we deal with deadlines. It is important for students to finish assignments on time.
	Evaluation:
		Drawing / Perspective Portfolio 15% A series of drawings collected throughout the semester. Design Project #1 5 % Design Statement, Collage, etc., 11" x 17" 10 % 1/2" scale model 5 % Drafting, plan and section views on 18" x 24", 8x8 grid vellum Design Project #2 5 % Design Statement, Visual Research, photo copy presentation, detail assembledge 5 % Thumbnail Sketch of design concept 20 % Perspective drawings and elevation leading to a formal sketch/rendering 10 % Model, 3/8" scale 10 % Plan View 5 % Section View 5 % Front Elevation with Detail Drawing 5 % Final Presentation ____________________________ 100% Total Evaluation
	Each student is expected to be in class every day. Attendance will be taken throughout the semester. You are responsible for the material indicated in the daily syllabus (unless appended by the instructor) at the time it is due. Late assignments will be accepted within a reasonable time period, however the evaluation will reflect such actions. From time to time, there will be an unannounced drawing exercise that will be developed in class.
	...	* Student evaluations due, progress report due by the end of the sixth week of the semester. "Students should be provideed with written evaluation of their performance in each course before the end of the sixth week of the semester starting spring semester 2000." Vice Chancellor for Academic Adm.
...	Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.
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