David Munns PDND - IADT3965,en.pdf · Production Design Fundamentals of Specialist Practice ......
Transcript of David Munns PDND - IADT3965,en.pdf · Production Design Fundamentals of Specialist Practice ......
Production Design
Fundamentals of Specialist Practice 1st year BA Unit for all students
before specialising
“You can build superb sets that are the pride of the designer, but if they are not inspired by the directors original idea, then they can only be a hindrance to the film “
Andrey Tarkovsky, Sculpting in Time
Year group split into 3 groups x,y,zRotation covers production design/cinematography/directing/producing/documentary/editing/soundProgramme over 3 weeks ‐ 1 day per weekThen repeated with other groups
Design is paired with cinematography ‐ lighting workshops on previous day of each week
At the end of the unit the students make choices as to specialism in their next two years
Introduction to production design and art departments –overview
To develop an understanding of how an Art Department operates and the nature of the designer's research required for any film.
(1 hour session)
Significant space project (2 hour session)Working in pairs Imagine you are making a short film in a set based on the description of a significant room in an earlier part of your lives – could be a schoolroom/stables /shed/attic etc.
One person describes the space to their partner using voacabulary of the particular; describe the light, the soundscape, the details.
The emphahsis is on the SPECIFIC and PARTICULAR In description ‐ not using words such as ‘large’ or ‘old’To describe the QUALITIES
One of the pair draws a simple ground plan of the room described by the other and annotates.
This can form the basis of a script that is about location, sense of space
Put yourself in the position of the Production Designer who is going to recreate the 'room' from your description ‐for a potential studio build.
Repeat the process reversing the roles, one is the story teller the other records the information.
Assignment
‘ person in confinement’
short written piece with images and mood Imagining spaceWork is done out of studio time
Expectation of task to take 1 hr – 1 ½ hourOne page written; one page visual images
Visualising Text
For this project, we use a scene taken from a script, ranging from 2‐4 pages and of an interior to be built as a studio set
Briefing of project Objectives are to produce visualisations and ground plans which
communicate ideas and concepts. Use visuals to express texture, light and space.
Dividing the group –usually around 24 students though increasing –into 5 or 6 groups of 4/5 students
Part 1
First ‐ (45 mins) – outline of what you look for when reading a text ‐ enticing responses from the students
‐ when – period; day/night; evening/morning‐ light ‐ and shadow; how the set may be lit‐ colours and textures, colour palette ‐ textures ‐ the responsiveness of different materials to
light‐ creating a strong atmosphere to create the right mood ‐making choices appropriate to the script‐ scale‐ depth‐ action – what are the actors doing ‐ entrances and exits
Distribute the scenes, read and then read again Group brainstorming of applying the previous elements to the particular text
Second
Visit the library ‐ one hour ‐ and collect 10‐15 images as inspiration and look for images that distil the essence of the scene and convey your visual ideas.
Thirdgroups present visual research to the whole group (~ 30/45 minutes) – whole group as directors/cinematographers
Visualising text exercise ‐ Part 2
(3 hour session)
the process of design, why particular choices are made and why they are appropriate.
In the same groups Draw up ground plan to scaleProduce 3 visuals – single point perspective (or two point if able)
Think about the camera and the action that has to take place. Is the camera likely to be static, moving, tracking, on a crane? Allow for options with the camera.
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Visualisation exercise Part 3 (3 hr session)
complete the visualsConclusion of presenting to group
Followed by screenings of scenes from films that I have designed
Storyboard project
(1 ½ hour session)working in threesbrief – story in 12 frames with 3 elements –dog,chair,person
Screenings
1 ½ hour sessionsillustrating use of exterior locations
Locations exercise ‐ (1 ½ hr session)
looking at locations and how to recce visually – the architecture of space
working in threes producing a drawing; a photo; a written description of the characteristics of the place ‐ a location within one mile of campus
what information is needed‐terrain & vegetation‐ scale‐ light or dark‐ busy or quiet
Overview of Architectural movements(1 ½ hr session)
Ancient Greece to today
Linked to films – students to contribute the suggestions to make the connection
Such as:Roccoco – Marie AntoinetteBrutalist – Clockwork orangeFuturist – Gatttaca