TA 211 TECHNICAL PRODUCTION I
Tuesday-Thursday 10AM-11:30AM
Kathy Thomas
Villard 102, 896-0408
Office hours-by appointment
DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the technology of building scenery and creating lighting for the theatre. Along with construction techniques, the personnel, materials and equipment will be covered. The lighting section will cover lighting instruments, dimmers and other equipment as well as basic electricity and physics. The class schedule includes lectures and demonstrations. Reading assignments in the textbook will be important in completing the assigned projects.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the term, you will be able to identify and read a simple set of drawings. You will understand the layout and use of a scene lab. You should also understand the construction of basic scenic elements. You will have built and painted a small flat. You should be able to identify basic lighting instruments and their purposes. You will be able to hang and focus an ellipsoidal reflector spotlight. Most importantly, hopefully, you will gain or further an appreciation for the technology, teamwork, and skills used to accomplish the scenery and lighting for a theatrical experience.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
We will be using a scenic design of Clifford Odet’s Awake and Sing as an example of a production process. Several projects will use the production photos and drawings included in the course packet. Reading the play is mandatory. There are three copies of the play reserved in the Knight library. There are also other copies available in the stacks.
TEXT BOOK: Theatrical Design and Production by J. Michael Gillette
Keep up with the assigned reading. There will be three “pop” quizzes based on the reading throughout the term. The textbook will also help you successfully complete your assignments.
There is a scenery lab safety guideline packet on Blackboard. Each student must be checked out on the tools and sign the student agreement form found in the packet.
Course projects and other helpful information can be found on Blackboard. Bring your day’s work and project information to class.
QUIZ ONE
Awake and Sing in class: Oct. 2 10 pts.
QUIZ TWO
Tools/Lumber/Hardware in class: Oct. 11 35 pts
PROJECT ONE
Floorplan/Elevation/Budgeting Due: Oct. 25 50 pts
QUIZ THREE
Rigging/Painting/Props/Plastics/Metals in class: Nov. 1 40 pts
Reading and lectures
PROJECT TWO
Flat Due: Nov. 6 75 pts
PROJECT THREE
Instruments Due: Nov. 15 40 pts
PROJECT FOUR
Light Plots Due: Nov. 29 30 pts
PROJECT FIVE
T.D.&T. article report Due: Dec. 3 25 pts
PROJECT SIX
Hang/Focus Light Dec. 6 - 8:00 AM 65 pts
THREE “POP” QUIZZES 30 pts
ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICIES
This is an “attendance mandatory” course. Although I might not take attendance every day, it will be obvious if you do not attend class. Successful completion of the course assignments is predicated on attending class. Class begins at 10AM. Please show respect by arriving on time. Please sit in the first five rows.
Many of the projects will be graded on a subjective level. I will be looking for not only a finished, on time project but indication of time and care taken in completing the assignment. I will be using the grade descriptions outlined in the University Bulletin: A, excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, inferior; F, unsatisfactory. A completed, last minute project is probably not "excellent". I will be taking into account neatness and accuracy (which are very important in any technical drawings or constructed scenery).
A successful theatre production depends on everyone involved meeting deadlines. The Scene Designer has a date drawings must be due. Technical Directors must order materials on time. Master Electricians must hang a light plot in a given time frame. If one person misses a deadline, the whole production suffers. So…
PROJECTS WILL BE DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS PERIOD. LATE PROJECTS WILL BE ASSESSED A MINIMUM OF 3PTS PENALTY. NO PROJECT WILL BE ACCEPTED LATER THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE DUE TIME.
Missed quizzes can be made up only with a very good, documented excuse and only within 24 hours
100%-91%=A
90%-81% pts.=B
80%-71% pts. =C
70%-65% pts. =D
Minuses and plusses are included in the above range
Please read and understand the attached page concerning the production credit. Please remember the production credit must be COMPLETED in order to receive better than C- in this course. After that, the final grade will be determined by the project grades.
PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES DURING CLASS!
CLASS SCHEDULE
Sept. 25 Introduction-Tour
Sept. 27 Theatre Personnel CHAPTER 1
Oct. 2 Scene Lab design CHAPTERS 4,pp.135-158
Oct. 4 Tools/Hardware pp. 176-188
Oct 9 Lumber/Materials pp. 162-169
Oct. 11 Design Process/Drawings pp.120-127
CHAPTERS 20 and 22
Oct. 16 Flats/Drops pp.198-223
Oct. 18 Platforms/Levels pp.225-242
Oct. 23 Rigging pp.194-196
Oct. 25 Plastics/Metals
Oct. 30 Painting/Props CHAPTERS 10-11
Nov. 1 Basic Electricity/Physics CHAPTER 13
Nov. 6 Instruments CHAPTER 14
Nov. 8 Instruments cont.
Nov. 13 Dimmers/Control
Nov. 15 Dimmers cont.
Nov. 20 Color CHAPTER 6
Nov. 27 Light Plots CHAPTER 12
Nov. 29 Special Effects CHAPTER 15
Lighting in Different Theatres/Styles
FINAL EXAM TIME: 8AM Thursday, December 6, 2007
It’s not my fault!
IF YOU HAVE A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY AND ANTICIPATE NEEDING ACCOMMODATION IN THIS COURSE, PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET WITH ME SOON. PLEASE REQUEST THAT THE COUNSELOR FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SEND A LETTER VERIFYING YOUR DISABILITY.