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The set designer should have a semifinal set design, preferably in digital format, by the date specified in their contract, this is often early in the term. VectorWorks is the preferred software for creating the set design, but some success has been had with Google SketchUp. Many older members of the Ensemble are familiar with VectorWorks; feel free to ask them for help if you're unfamiliar with the software. It is definitely not necessary to have too detailed of a design in VectorWorks – as someone who has set designed and TD'd before, I find VectorWorks is the most useful for placing and sizing set pieces, but hand drawing/SketchUp is more useful for drawing exactly what you want things to look like. If you have both, give them to the TD! Having more is always better than not having enough.
You need two things:
- A drawing of the 3D set from a front view. This can be in whatever format you want: paper drawn, Google SketchUp, AutoCAD... etc.
- A drawing of the set in VectorWorks. VectorWorks is a software that is free for students where you can draw the set design. VectorWorks is stupidly hard to use and all of your set pieces should be approximations for your own sanity – ie, a chair can be a cube that is the size of a chair. It is REALLY useful for the LD to be able to place lights and see where they go for each scene in a set.
The semifinal design should be presented at the earliest possible prod meeting. The other designers, particularly lights, should give feedback how the design will interface with their departments. After the prod meeting, the set designer should meet with the TD to discuss the technical feasibility of the set. Remember that the TD has the final say in all structural/safety decisions.
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The final set design should be in a digital format, as shown above. The The final set design should be approved by the TD and director if possible before it is presented to the production staff and should be as detailed as possible. It should include sight lines, the spaces that any moving objects (such as a door) will pass through, and anything other information that could possibly be useful. The design should also conform to all fire/safety regulations.
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