I'll readily confess that set design is not my strong suit. I've produced live productions before and my response to "What are we going to do about the set?" the answer is usually something along the lines of a distressed noise and "Keep it minimal". But for this project, backing away from a topic I don't know much about is not the answer. If we're going all the way for the rest of the production, there's no way I'm going to let it be let down by the set.
As a group we've already had some initial ideas about the set, and working on the pitch definitely helped to consolidate those into a coherent plan. But we've now to got make these plans a reality. I decided to kick-start this by paying a visit to the workshop to ask what they might be able to do for us. Alison and Kenny invited me to attend an induction in the workshop to get a feel for what's on offer, and then we could discuss what we wanted further. I agreed that was a good course of action, and asked if I could bring Mia and Kelsie along as they are the group's set designers. They said yes, and here's what happened...
Workshop Induction
Our induction was scheduled for Thursday 15th March. None of us knew what to expect – we'd been told in Fresher's Week that we were entitled to use the equipment in the workshop but not really seen what was available, although the work that was on display at the time had struck me as being very impressive.
As well as Kelsie, Mia and I there were two other students, both studying Fine Art – although one was a Foundation Year student, the other completing her Masters. We started off our induction with a chat with the staff, and an explanation of what would happen. We'd begin with a Health & Safety Induction (delightful) before getting a full tour of the workshop and then learning how to use the equipment. Alison then left us in the care of Kenny, but asked that our group spoke to her before the end of the day about our designs.
It's safe to say that the Health & Safety Induction was a necessary evil. I mean, there isn't really any way to make reading a list of rules particularly interesting but it's better to be safe than sorry. The tour of the workshop was far more interesting. I knew that there was a woodworking area and a metalworking area, but we were also shown the painting room, the foundry, the ceramics area and the plaster-making room. All very interesting stuff – the possibilities of what one could make are almost endless!
Our first inductions were in the woodworking area. We were shown how to use the dust extractors (probably the most important part of the process), the saw and the sander. I got the hang of the saw very quickly but the sander was a bit more difficult. We ended up making a little wooden sword by committee, which was rather fun! It looked pretty convincing as well, which was the best thing.
We took a quick break there as we explained that we needed to be gone by 1pm for our lecture. Kenny was surprised by this because he was expecting to use the whole day for the induction – we hadn't been told that so we explained that this wouldn't be possible. He said that he would have a rethink whilst we took a break. I met Mia and Kelsie in the canteen with my production folder where we discussed the set design further whilst they grabbed a bite to eat. With a few minutes to spare I ran up to AV to get the measurements of the TV so we could speak to Alison later.
It was then time for our metalwork induction. Kenny showed us how to use the guillotine, the metal folder and the metal roller (I'm sure you can work out what those all do) but we didn't get an opportunity to have a go because there just wasn't the time. We spent longer learning how to use the welder – which I maintain is the most terrifying piece of equipment in the workshop – and the plasma cutter. For the welder Kenny really went into detail about the PPE we would have to wear if we wanted to use it to prevent us from getting hurt – especially the masks to protect our eyes, some of which were so much more high-tech than I expected.
By this time it was 12:30pm and Kenny said that we should go and have a break ahead of our production task, which I was grateful for otherwise I would have ended up being really rather hungry and irritable.
Consolidating Ideas
I really enjoyed the time we spent in the workshop! Not only was it really valuable to get all that information, and rather fun, it also really got our creative juices flowing about what we could make. I was particularly interested in the reclaimed wood and scrap metal that was available. Not only would it be far cheaper to produce set with this kind of material, but using recyclable stuff adds to the message we want to put across about being environmentally friendly and it's quite fashionable at the moment. Win win!
Once the production task was finished (you can read more about that in 'A Very Busy Week') the three of us headed back down to Alison to discuss our vision with her. We actually worked out that we would need very little from the workshop. We plan to source our sofa and chair from the reception of the uni, an AV are looking to get some exhibition boards for everyone to use, which just leaves us to get something for a coffee table and to make a false wall for the television. We may also need some extra uprights, but we're not going to find out any more about those for a while.
Alison said that it would be pretty easy for them to make us a false wall, and that it would cost about £11, which is easily manageable if we all pitch in (hell, I'd be prepared to cover that out of my own pocket – that's crazily cheap!). It took a bit more thinking, and a tour of the Stanwix Theatre backstage area, to sort it out. The current production is using these little box-like crates look like they're going to be perfect. They're currently painted black, but Alison said that they've got lots of reclaimed wood that could be used to cover them to make them look natural – that would fit the style and theme of the show perfectly! And an added bonus of these is that they're completely free!
I'm delighted with this progress, and Mia and Kelsie seemed just as pleased. Alison was also pretty happy with what we were asking for and requested that we send her a formal request of what we wanted, including further measurements of the TV (I hadn't quite taken enough it seems) and contact details for the main contact. I promised that I'd get them sorted for Friday.
Tying Up the Loose Ends
First thing Friday morning I was back in the TV Studio. Armed with a tape measure and a rough diagram of the TV I took all the measurements that I could think of, and a few more besides. I then took my rough drawing to the Library and converted it into a technical sketch (well, as technical as I could make it).
I popped back into the workshop to just check that I'd got all the information I needed for them to begin construction. Alison confirmed that what I'd made was fine, and that I should send a copy of it when I send in my request. I collected her email address while I was there – that's probably something I should have gotten on Thursday, but it's fine. Alison also took the opportunity to show me the reclaimed wood that would cover our crates. It looked grand, and I'm really excited to see the final result.
One final email was sent and this part of our production is now well on its way to being sorted (plus an email to Ed to request the reception furniture). I'm quite pleased with what we've been able to organise – especially considering how little any of us know about set design. I think it's going to look pretty good, and there's definitely room for further embellishment should Kelsie and Mia decide. Yes, I'm very happy with how all this is going!
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