Role of the Scenographer
CR 516- SCENOGRAPHY- UoA2 Essay
Q//Write a, detailed, illustrated, analytical case study that explores the role of the scenographer and the scenographic outcome in a live production or productions you have personally seen. Particular attention should be paid to the overall scenic approach, the use of lighting, audio, visual effects, costumes, scene changes, and the overall interpretation of the narrative.
A//
This essay is going to act as a case study of live productions which I have personally seen, and drawing from other examples to be able to communicate the role of the scenographer and the product. It will highlight the outcomes of audio-visual effects, lighting, costume design, scene changes and the understanding of the storyline.
Scenography, as a term itself may be found to have many definitions from various books and scenographers themselves. One such definition, as stated by scenographer, Pamela Howard, in her book ‘What is Scenography?’, “Scenography is the joint statement of the director and the visual artist of their view of the play, opera or dance that is being presented to the audience as a united piece of work." " Josef Svoboda, who is also a very renowned scenographer and sometimes deemed as the father of scenography (www.sceno.org – Accessed on 01/05/10) also mentioned in Pamela Howard (2002), it is ‘The interplay of space, time, movement and light on stage’. I find that, through my readings of the different definitions, that it is hard to have one fixed definition for the term scenography. I feel that, it is the visible entirety on a stage; from the set, costume, lighting (and sound which is audible) that adds to the overall production or story. John Russell Brown (1997) mentions that “in well equipped modern theatres, stage design or scenography has become a huge task of planning, building and coordination.”
The role of the scenographer is quite integral to a production. Whilst the scenography of a production can be taken care of by
Q//Write a, detailed, illustrated, analytical case study that explores the role of the scenographer and the scenographic outcome in a live production or productions you have personally seen. Particular attention should be paid to the overall scenic approach, the use of lighting, audio, visual effects, costumes, scene changes, and the overall interpretation of the narrative.
A//
This essay is going to act as a case study of live productions which I have personally seen, and drawing from other examples to be able to communicate the role of the scenographer and the product. It will highlight the outcomes of audio-visual effects, lighting, costume design, scene changes and the understanding of the storyline.
Scenography, as a term itself may be found to have many definitions from various books and scenographers themselves. One such definition, as stated by scenographer, Pamela Howard, in her book ‘What is Scenography?’, “Scenography is the joint statement of the director and the visual artist of their view of the play, opera or dance that is being presented to the audience as a united piece of work." " Josef Svoboda, who is also a very renowned scenographer and sometimes deemed as the father of scenography (www.sceno.org – Accessed on 01/05/10) also mentioned in Pamela Howard (2002), it is ‘The interplay of space, time, movement and light on stage’. I find that, through my readings of the different definitions, that it is hard to have one fixed definition for the term scenography. I feel that, it is the visible entirety on a stage; from the set, costume, lighting (and sound which is audible) that adds to the overall production or story. John Russell Brown (1997) mentions that “in well equipped modern theatres, stage design or scenography has become a huge task of planning, building and coordination.”
The role of the scenographer is quite integral to a production. Whilst the scenography of a production can be taken care of by
References: and Bibliography Howard P., 2002, What is Scenography? Brown R. J., 1997, What is Theatre? An Introduction and Exploration. USA, Washington: Butterworth- Heinemann www.reallyuseful.com – Accessed on 04/05/10) Mcann G.( 2010) Josef Svoboda Modernism Achieved?, CR516 [Lecture notes] Scenography. University of Kent, Creative Events: Design and Production