Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Death of a Salesman Set Design Ideas

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ILUVDRAMA
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Joined: 8/01/07
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Topic: Death of a Salesman Set Design Ideas
Posted: 8/01/07 at 11:28pm

I am taking my first college-level theater course and my current essay assignment asks me to describe how I would design an "unrealistic" set for Death of A Salesman and what materials I would use. The only example in my textbook is making the set out of a metal frame. Since this is a computer-based summer course, I am not able to get any further clarification from my instructor. I would really appreciate any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Theatre Student

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Gaafa
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Posted: 8/02/07 at 1:47am

Well the last time I had anything to with DOAS' was yonks ago back in the 60's.
It was just an ordinary bog standard box set.
Methinks your instructor wants you to design it with outside of the box thinking.
The easiest way is first read the script. make notes of what image comes to mind, then read it again & let it incubate. Hopefully this will hatch into a formilised design & visulisation of the type of structural & material, check your notes of the script, then dovetail them together.
A qick visual thing, I find, is to use 'Lego blocks' on a board, that I knicked from son, as he is now over 30 he never got them back, so he hasn't missed rhem?
Rgere again these days, you rould only have to pyress a few buttons.
Then read it again & see if it is workable & achieves rhe easance of the play.

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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ty.gab
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Posted: 8/02/07 at 10:49am

here is a photo gallery from our school's production in november 2006.

http://bryantgallery.com/gallery/CCHS2007?page=5

the skeletal house represent a sort of "cage" in which willy is trapped.

the crrumbling walls represent how willy's life and family are falling apart form the inside out.

you can't really see them in any of the pictures, but there were sihllouettes of buildings and houses behind and SR and SL of the house.

there was also a sihllouette of telephone lines which are somewhat visible in a few pictures.

all this represented the pressure put on willy by the outside world.

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biggertigger
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Joined: 4/16/07
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Posted: 8/02/07 at 7:08pm

Originally posted by ILUVDRAMA

I am taking my first college-level theater course and my current essay assignment asks me to describe how I would design an "unrealistic" set for Death of A Salesman and what materials I would use. The only example in my textbook is making the set out of a metal frame. Since this is a computer-based summer course, I am not able to get any further clarification from my instructor. I would really appreciate any ideas or suggestions you may have.

I am guessing that they mean more then just using wood or metal to build a set.

Like a few have said, read the play (or at least the set description) and then begin your thoughts from there. I would try not to keep it too real. It ask for unrealistic so like using a fish tank for your set. Then creating the furniture out of fish tank items and then maybe having the cast "float around" like fish. Or having it take place in a cave during caveman times. Ultimately, use your imagination. Work outside the box.

The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

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ILUVDRAMA
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Joined: 8/01/07
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Posted: 8/02/07 at 11:42pm

thanks to all for the great ideas! this is a great site! i will definitely be posting again! Smile

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Topic: Death of a Salesman Set Design Ideas( Topic Closed)