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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...  /  Am I being too ambitious with my set design?
Posted by: ABennettWriter, September 20th, 2007, 3:28am
I wasn't sure exactly where to put this. I guess it does quality as a WIP, though.

When I'm working on anything, I try to have a definite set drawn out. I use Google SketchUp, which is AMAZING. It's probably not the best idea, but it helps me organize my mind and keeps me from forgetting where things are.

Anyway, I'm working on a play and its set in an apartment building. What I've drawn is what I would love to have, but am I being too ambitious? I love live theatre and I've seen a lot of different shows. My favorite sets were those that were different - they weren't just three walls. I've tried to design what I would love to see. I think it fits the show and the characters.

What do y'all think? Too big? I'm sorry that the picture's big, but if I made it smaller, then the text would've shrunk and it would've been unreadable. The wall is chain link, and the floor looks like this:

I do see furniture in the show, except I'm not sure how that should be handled. Using wires seems like an easy way, but I don't think most theatres have the fly space. I really don't want to limit the availability of the show by making it too big.

All opinions and comments are welcome. Thanks in advance.
Posted by: sniper, September 20th, 2007, 6:00am; Reply: 1
Hey, if you build it - he will come.

It looks pretty big but if you got the dough and the time plus a play that fits the set I don't see a problem with it really. But it kinda depends on how the audience is seated, if the set gets too high some of the people down front may have a problem seeing what's going on on the top floor.

Rob
Posted by: bert, September 20th, 2007, 7:05am; Reply: 2

Quoted from ABennettWriter
I wasn't sure exactly where to put this. I guess it does quality as a WIP, though.


General note -- when we move out of the realm of scriptwriting into actual production-related discussions -- this is the board we use.

Just a reminder, as it is not intuitive.

As to the question at hand, you are the only one who knows what you are actually capable of, Steel.  Is it too ambitious?  Not if you can pull it off, it isn't.

Sniper's point about the top floor is well-taken, though.
Posted by: Shelton, September 20th, 2007, 10:35am; Reply: 3
I don't see any problem with it.  I can see where people woul think about being able to see the top floor, but the 25' 7" mark is the top of the the fence.  The action would be in the 13-18' area I'd imagine, though a shrinking down wouldn't hurt.

It looks interesting, but chain link and diamond plate certainly don't scream "apartment".  Prison, yes.

Do you have anything mapped out for the area under Aaron's place?
Posted by: ABennettWriter, September 20th, 2007, 12:31pm; Reply: 4

Quoted from Mike Shelton
Do you have anything mapped out for the area under Aaron's place?


Not right now... I thought about it being a mail room, or laundry room. (Without the actual machines, of course.) I forgot to measure the space, but the doors are only 6'5''. I  know if it's not used it's wasted space, but I really like how you have to go up to get to Aaron's place. I've never seen an apartment building with apartments on the bottom floor, too.

The reason for the fence and metal: The town was once heavy in factories and other industrial companies. So it's a dirty town, and I wanted to show that. Your comment about the prison is spot-on, though. Two of the main characters (it's sort of a love triangle type story) feel that they're stuck in this small town. Imprisoned, if you will.

I first had the fence at 19'2'', but it made Cindy's place look really small, and Aaron's really big. Making the fence 25'7'', I think, balances it out.

Anyway, thanks for the comment/opinions.
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