Props, Set Dressing, and Scenery

2. 18 Props, Set Dressing, and Scenery

3. Objectives • Identify factors to be considered when selecting furniture for a production. • Recognize the difference between set dressings and props. • Explain how the pattern of materials used on a set affects the video image.

4. Interior Decoration for TV • Set dresser • Set dressing

5. Set Design • Sketch of set, usually from above, drawn to scale • May also be sketch from camera’s point of view • Director uses design to mark walls, doors, and furniture on rehearsal floor

6. Furniture • Needs to be solid and not too soft • Sofas and chairs must be firm enough for talent to sit down and stand up gracefully • Cushions—seat of talent should be above knees • Avoid swivel or rocking chairs

7. Furniture Placement • Do not put furniture talent will sit on against set wall • It will be impossible to backlight • Many distracting shadows will occur • Place any furniture at least six feet from set wall • Furniture not used by talent is considered set dressing and may be placed wherever decorator likes

8. Surfaces • Beware of shiny surfaces that will cause light hits • To dull shiny surfaces: • Lightly apply crème makeup on surface • Spray area with very inexpensive hair spray • Spray with photographic dulling spray

9. Props • Furniture is normally set dressing—not prop—even though it is handled by talent • Furniture is only considered a prop when it is used in a way for which it does not appear to be designed • Armchair that traps someone who sits in it • Bookcase that swings open to reveal secret room

10. Discussion • Scenario: Set has easy chair, lamp, end table with newspaper, drink coaster, reading glasses, and TV remote control on table. • Action: Man walks in, sits, turns on lamp, opens newspaper to crossword puzzle, puts on reading glasses, takes pencil out of shirt pocket and begins working puzzle. • Identify which items are props and which are set dressing.

11. Scenery • Flats • Curtains • Backdrops

12. Curtains • Curtains may hang loosely in attractive folds, creating interesting texture and shadow pattern, or • They can be pulled and stretched tight to form featureless background for limbo shooting. This is called cyclorama (cyc).

13. Curtains (Cont.)

14. Rigid Cyc • Cyc can also be made of rigid material • Corners where walls meet each other and meet floor become curves, so set is completely featureless

15. Backdrop • Painted with scenery, unlike curtain, which is one color • Skyline of London • Polynesian island • The Alps • Grand ballroom

16. Creating 3-D • Set dressing should be arranged so that there are items in foreground, middle ground, and background of shot • Creates depth in three dimensions for 2-D television screen

17. Colors and Patterns on Set • Contrast ratio limitations must be considered when determining color for set walls and set dressings • Consideration should also be given to choosing colors complementary to costumes worn by talent • Be wary of patterns of fabrics and wallpapers that may cause moiré

18. Striking the Set • When set is no longer needed • Large set pieces often saved for use on future sets

19. Career Page • Set Decorators Society of America • www.setdecorators.org

20. Review Question What factors should be considered when choosing chair or sofa for set? No shiny surfaces, seat doesn’t compress to the point where it is lower than talent’s knees, contrast ratio, moiré, colors, not placed against a wall if talent will sit on it.

21. Review Question If talent must sit on a piece of furniture, why must it be placed no closer to a wall than six feet? No backlight can be used if chair is against wall. Unattractive and multiple shadows will be created on wall by rest of lighting instruments.

22. Review Question When is a piece of furniture a prop and not set dressing? When furniture is used in way that it does not appear to be manufactured to be used.

23. Review Question How can video image be affected by patterned material? Certain fabric patterns can cause moiré, which is when television system reproduces pattern with rainbow of colors or moving lines displayed in patterned area.

24. Glossary • cyclorama (cyc): An indistinct, solid-color background that is typically used for limbo shooting and chromakey shooting. • moiré: An effect caused by certain fabric patterns in which the television system reproduces the pattern with a rainbow of colors or moving lines displayed in the patterned area.

25. Glossary • props: Any item handled by the performers during a production, other than furniture. • set design: A scale drawing of the set, as viewed from above, that illustrates the location of furniture, walls, doors, and windows.

26. Glossary • set dresser: The person responsible for selecting the furniture, wall and window coverings, accent accessories, and all the other design elements that complete a program’s set. Also called a set decorator.

27. Glossary • set dressing: All the visual and design elements on a set, such as rugs, lamps, wall coverings, curtains, and room accent accessories. • strike: To dismantle or tear down a set that is no longer needed.