Chapter 7

Scenic effects

All scenic design is, strictly speaking, an effect. But here we shall look at various ways in which the designer can extend and augment normal staging treatment.

 

 

 

The illusion of space

7.1 The divided setting

Any set will look larger than it really is if shot on a wide-angle lens. But suppose there simply isn’t room or the scene is too brief to be worth building a sizeable set?

Then the divided set can be an effective solution. Instead of constructing a complete room we build a few strategic sections. Let us take an example.

It is a short scene, showing an episode in a soldier’s life. A cadet enters the ancient hall of a military academy and marches up to a table to meet an examining board.

Set A: Two examiners ...

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