Synopses & Reviews
Packed with professional information and cutting-edge technologies, SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, Ninth Edition, equips you with the most up-to-date coverage available on scenery, lighting, sound, and technology. Completely current, the exciting new ninth edition mirrors the best of real-world practices. Vibrant color production photographs support the text and spotlight examples of contemporary work. Scenery design and technology coverage includes a strong emphasis on modern technology, while changes in the lighting section reflect the latest practices. Coverage of sound for the theatre reflects the digital age in which we live and work. The text also includes an expanded section on television design, as well as greater emphasis on health and safety issues. The authors emphasize collaboration in all sections of the new text, and they provide insight via interviews with professional lighting and scenery designers in two features: "Working Professionals" and "Designers at Work." Reflecting current professional practice, SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, Ninth Edition, offers in-depth coverage of a broad range of topics, making it the most detailed and comprehensive text available in the scenic and lighting design and technology fields.
Review
"Yes, so far this is the best, most readable, and most inclusive text on these topics I have found. I intend to keep using it."
Review
"...if the Stage Lighting section of SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING were a stand-alone book, I would seriously consider it for two different classes. The author's presentation is more complete and readable than other books covering a comparable subject. For the non-design oriented student, who makes up 90% of our introductory class, it presents many subjects in an understandable fashion."
Review
"I find the clear, detailed and specific explanations in this book helpful."
Synopsis
SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, Eighth Edition, continues its tradition of being the most detailed and comprehensive text available in the scenic and lighting design and technology fields. Much of the scenery design and technology section has been re-worked with an emphasis on modern technology. Changes in the lighting section reflect current practice and technology. The authors have placed an emphasis on collaboration in all sections of the new text. "Designers at Work" interviews with professional lighting and scenery designers are a new addition to the Eighth Edition. In addition, the entirely re-written section on sound for the theatre reflects the digital age we live and work in.
About the Author
W. Oren Parker inspired hundreds of designers over his very long and successful teaching career. His absolute love of architecture and furniture was obvious to anyone who took his History of Architecture and Decor class (affectionately known as "Pots and Pans," which he no doubt thought was hilarious) if only from the sheer volume of information and detail involved. His dedication to teaching was unbeatable. Parker was born and raised in Michigan, where he met his wife, Thelma (known as Teschie). He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his master's degree from Yale University in 1940. He joined the faculty of Yale and remained there until becoming professor of drama at Carnegie Mellon University (then Carnegie Tech) in 1963. He retired in 1976. His book, SCENIC TECHNIQUES, was the first to standardize drafting for theatre, and SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, written in collaboration with Harvey Smith in 1963 and now in its ninth edition, was the definitive text for designers planning to enter the profession. Parker joined the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) in 1963 and was elected a fellow in 1986, the same year he received one of the Institute's highest honors--the USITT Award--for his work as designer, educator, and author. In 2001, the USITT created the W. Oren Parker Scene Design Award. Sponsored by Stage Decoration and Supplies, Inc., the award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of scenic design in the performing arts while pursuing an undergraduate degree. It was the first of USITT's Awards for Young Designers and Technicians in the Performing Arts aimed at undergraduate students. R. Craig Wolf is a professional lighting designer as well as an educator. Mr. Wolf's designs have been seen nationwide, including productions for San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Dance Theatre Workshop in New York, Virginia Shakespeare, Richmond Ballet Company, Theatre Artaud in San Francisco, and Japan America Center and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble of Los Angeles. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and is vice chair of their Publications Committee and, for five years, he was lighting commissioner. He became a lighting associate member of the United Scenic Artists Design Union in 1977. Mr. Wolf has taught at the Universities of Michigan and Virginia and is currently professor of design, MFA graduate adviser, and head of the design program in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University. Dick Block has worked as a freelance scene designer and a scenic artist for more than 25 years. He has designed for AMAS, Columbia Artists, and TheatreWorks USA, all in New York, and for the Virginia Stage Company, the Weston Playhouse (Vermont), and the Human Race (Ohio). Additional regional credits include work at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Center Stage in Baltimore, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, as well as the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Block is also active with United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), having served as scene design co-commissioner and on the board of directors, and with the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival both regionally and nationally, having served as the first national design chair. He is the recipient of the Kennedy Center Medallion for Distinguished Service. Block received his MFA from Northwestern University. After teaching at the University of Michigan and Cornell, he is currently the associate head of the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon.
Table of Contents
Part I: CREATING A DESIGN. 1. Introduction. Theatrical Form. Physical Form. Scene Design. 2. Scene Design and the Theatre. The Theatrical Medium. The Physical Stage and Its Auditorium. Working with the Physical Space. 3. Scene Design as a Visual Art. Design and the Designer. Composition and the Elements of Design. Principles of Composition. Composition, Space and Depth. Composition and Unity. Composition and Interest. 4. The Design Process. Function of Scene Design for Drama. Design and Other Theatrical Forms. How to Begin Presenting the Design Idea. Theatrical Design Outside the Theatre. 5. Drafting the Design. Drafting Equipment. The Graphics of Design. Drafting Conventions. The Ground Plan. Designers Elevations. Computer-Aided Drafting. Drafting Three-Dimensional Scenery. Planning Properties. Pictorial Drawings. Part II: REALIZING THE DESIGN. 6. The Scene Shop, Tools and Equipment. The Scenery Shop. Wood as Scenery Material. Woodworking Tools and Equipment. Metal as Scenery Material. Metalworking Tools and Equipment. Scenery Surfaces. Scenery Hardware. 7. Building the Scenery. Types of Scenery. Soft Scenery. Framed Scenery. Three-Dimensional Scenery. Textured and Sculptured Surfaces. Mirror Surfaces. 8. Color in the Design. The Language of Color. Color in Pigment. Color and Light. Color Vision. Color Sensation and Subjective Response. Color Manipulation. 9. Painting Scenery. Paint and Color. The Toxicity of Paint and Dye. Painters Elevations. Paint Procedure. Textured Surfaces. Methods of Painting. Brushes and Other Equipment. Flameproofing. 10. Handling the Scenery. Factors Influencing the Handling of Scenery. Backstage Organization. Manual Running of Scenery on the Floor. Flying Scenery. Scenery on Casters. Lifts and Elevator Stages. 11. Stage Properties and the Designer. Properties vs. Scenery. Selecting Properties. Making and Remaking Furniture. Fabricating and Casting Techniques. Body Armor and Mask Making. Effects Properties. Foliage. Adhesives. The Computer and Props. Sound Effects. Fire on Stage. Part III: SOUND FOR THE THEATRE. 12. Sound and Music in the Theatre. Fundamentals of Sound. Sound in the Theatre. Elements of Sound Design. The Process of Designing Sound for the Theatre. 13. Sound Systems and Equipment. The Sound Systems. The Equipment. How To... Part IV: STAGE LIGHTING. 14. Introduction to Stage Lighting Design. Stage Lighting. Qualities of Light. Stage Lighting and the Elements of Design. Stage Lighting and Theatrical Form. Functions of Stage Lighting. Role of the Lighting Designer. The Lighting Laboratory. Development of a Lighting Designer. 15. Stage Lighting Practice: Distribution. Lighting the Actor. Angles and Direction of Light. Lighting the Acting Area. Lighting the Background. 16. Color and Light. Color is Light. The Language of Color. Color Filtering. Color Interaction. Color Perception. Designing With Color. A Method of Using Color. Color Media. 17. Intensity Control. The History of Dimming. Elements of Electronic Control. Types of Electronic Control. State-of-the-Art Memory Systems. Designing with Electronic Control. The Operator and Remote Control. 18. Distribution Control: Lighting Instruments. Choosing the Right Instruments. The Physics of Reflection and Refraction. The Plano-Convex Spotlight. The Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight. The Fresnel Spotlight. The PAR Fixture. Other Theatre Instruments. Care and Handling. 19. Projection, Practicals, and Effects. Light as Scenery. Projection Techniques and Equipment. Practicals. Special Effects. 20. Stage Lighting Practice: The Light Plot and Production. Design Decisions. The Collaborative Process. The Light Plot. Realizing the Plot. 21. Stage Lighting and Electricity. Atomic Theory. Sources of Electric Current. Electric Units of Measurement. Alternating Current. Conductors and Insulators. Stage Connectors. Switches. Circuit Protection. Testing Equipment. 22. Light Sources. Incandescent Lamps. Arc Light. Gaseous Discharge Lamps. Common Stage Instrument Lamps. 23. Stage Lighting Practice: Design. Design Practice: The Proscenium Theatre. Design Practice: Arena Production. Design Practice: Thrust Stage Production. The Flexible Stage. Lighting for Dance. 24. Lighting Design as a Profession. Lighting on Broadway. Interview with Donald Holder. Designing for the Regional Theatre. Interview with Chris Parry. Lighting for Opera. Working as a Lighting Designer. Interview with Robert Shook. Interview with Dennis Size. Interview with Ann Archbold. Interview with Tom Ruzika.