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The
Playwright's FAQ
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The Playwright's FAQBy Lynne Harvey, writer-in-residence at the Drayton Court TheatreQ. How do I describe my set requirements? A. As in character requirements, keep it simple. While writing the piece you probably saw the set in your head and this probably didn't change while you were writing it, but most probably grew as the play took shape. Unless you are a set designer on the side leave it to the designer or in smaller productions the director, who will have their own ideas as they are putting their own spin on your play. A good set designer is invaluable, they go to venerable institutions across the country, come out knowing their way around a stage blindfolded after having only seen it once and can come up with five different designs for your set that work/won't fall down/the actors feel comfortable in and the director can choose from so that they feel they came up with the idea themselves. A lot of innovation goes into set design and a good designer can get you out of many problems.There also a lot of rules and regulations that must be adhered to for safety reasons. A trained designer will know all these and will be able to offer advice on technical matters generally. On the page, put down where the scene is set and only the bare neccesities that would be needed on stage for that scene. For example: A BUSY INNER CITY OFFICE. A DESK WITH A PHONE, DESK DIARY. A CHAIR. The designer would pick up on the 'busy' and 'inner city' and would design a set to reflect this. Busy does not have to mean five extra characters scattered about answering phones never to be seen again after the first scene. Where does the pen come from? His pocket, a drawer in the desk or was it on the desk? - Let the actor work it out.
No other description is needed unless it is used in the script. 'Filing cabinets stage left' and 'empty coffee cups' and 'stubbed out cigarettes in a full ashtray' are not needed. Let the set and props develop of their own accord. A good set is one that isn't even noticed, it should fit the action and play so well, and it should never ever detract from the action and thrust of the play - unless the play is so boring it's all you've got left to look at, and haven't we all been there? Let's hear it for set designers - the unsung heroes!
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