Back drop

Deciding which way round the back drop should be.

I like the leaf behind the tree as it pads the tree out a little but when the leaf is on the other side it forms an arch which i see as a hint towards the wedding at the end of the story.

Dummling and Princess

Princess has her hair down, prepared for marriage.

Simple fabrics, no embellishment but Tudor silhouettes

Versailles Opus Stone Flooring

Finished Flooring board. Very happy with it! Went alot better than i expected.

Backdrop Sketches

Tudor Rose

William Morris

Although William Morris is more Victorian era than Tudor, his pieces have been a source of inspiration for my backdrop.

Tree Trial

This tree was made using a chicken wire tube to make up the trunk and single wires constructing the roots and branches. The model was then covered in modrock and then the plan was to cover and add texture with milliput.

When adding the milliput I realised that the underlying structure was not sturdy enough to stand along or to hold the weight of even a small bit of milliput. I also wasnt happy with the branches as there were too many and they were too thin and wispy looking.

Preliminary Tree Tech Drawing

Preliminary sketch to work out appropriate size, method and opening placement.

Inspiration

I am using the colours from this image in the stained glass window and vaguely following a similar pattern.

Stained glass trial

Trial Design

I originally wanted a detailed stained glass but when trying out designs on plastic with acrylic glass paint I wasn't happy with the look. I really like the different sized circles as they aren't all the same and goes with the organic feel of the final design. Although, the liner used on the bottom trial is too white and I feel it would look a lot better in a pale bronze colour which would link back to the Tudor genre.

Theatre Model #2

Cutting out the proscenium arch

Aerial View - Spacers

Side View - Floor on spacers

Side View - Balcony without front face

Side View - Balcony with front face

Front View - Model Box with balcony, safety curtain and first two rows of seats

Mock up of proposed set

Design Ideas #3

Sticking with the same layout, I have played around with using tudor panelling, stained glass and twigs in varying areas.

Panel flooring, multicoloured stained glass window, twig frame.

Leaf backdrop, tudor panel and rose window, plain stone floor.

Rose and leaf backdrop, tudor panel semicircle.

Mood Boards

Environmental Art, Architecture, Nature

Fantasy MakeUp and Illusion

Tudor

Organic Architecture and Environmental Art

I've always been interested in these subjects and these images are quite inspirational. The flower dress takes the classical silhouette and, like other examples shown, fills it with something unexpected. Although real flowers wouldn't be suitable for theatre, it is food for thought.

Illamasqua #2

This image is inspiring because the pattern and colours show similarities to the fabrics used to make Tudor gowns, particularly towards the end of the 16th century when everything became more detailed and decadent. Taking this texture and applying it to face has made me think about where I am using particular colours, textures, patterns and shapes and whether I should mix it up a little to see what happens.

Practice Makes Perfect!

I decided to make a very simple model to give me a better idea of what I'm working with, although still difficult as I don't have any stage measurements yet! This exercise really helped me visualise and see things coming together, as well as pointing out simple issues. For example, its now clear that the step down into the 'adaptable area' may not work as it doesn't leave a lot of room around the ring, although would the actors need room there? This is something I would normally discuss with actors and the director but in this case I have to decide for myself.

I have included photo's above of the process of making the model tree which went okay for a first attempt. I have since found an image sheet of tree silhouettes so I can choose a shape appropriate for the period, location and that will fit in the set.

Tudor Exterior Design #1

After hitting a dead end with my designs I thought that maybe I was placing too much emphasis on the scenes being the court. I decided to look at exteriors and use a balcony for the King and Princess to be stood on when they greeted Dummling and his followers. I plan to have a forest to the side of the building and to leave the rest of the stage empty so that different props can be brought in to represent different scenes. For example, the inn scene can be represented by wooden tables and beds being brought in and the scene in the forest where Dummling shares his food can be represented by a couple of stumps(for them to sit on) and a tree being brought in.

With this area being so versatile, this design should be usable for the entire production.

Changes in Fashion

The volume in the sleeves also moved over the century from a lot of flare around the cuffs so an undergarment can be seen to the volume being around the shoulder and a very tight cuff around the wrist.The image above labelled ‘Clothing of the elite’ clearly shows the change in sleeve volume.

Research Traces, Upper Class Ladies

My research tracings show the difference in detailing over the 1500’s. The early Tudor detailing is bold and uses a lot of pearls and beading whereas later in the century the detailing is a lot finer and more than one luxurious material is used for example pearl, lace and velvet all on one garment.

Stage Shape/Size?

I then started to think about how I would fit my designs into a different stage shape.

If the stage was very small or the balcony was impractical to build the audience area could be incorporated, although there are limited theatres that have removable seating.

I considered having the train of people running around an area left empty in the seating area which would make the performance slightly interactive.