David kinnaird blog

[kinnairdd]

Dance Show : building and sourcing the music disks. A big piece of the set, was the inclusion of 2 heaps of music disks, hung at the back of the stage. These disks had the ability to move in and out of the stage should it be necessary. Before we started building, we had to discus how we were going to cover the disks. From previous discussions with directors, we knew that they wanted the disks to be covered in a shinny cover. Our first idea was sticky back plastic. As we could lay it over each disk and stuck it down easily. One of the images above shows some research into this. Once these were ordered we could begin on the frames. For the frames we used some 1x1 and 2x1 pieces of steal beams. We cut and grinned each piece to the correct length, and used used the 1x1s round the edge, and the 2x1 to allow, any joints between two prices of wood to be stuck down. Every 4 ft of a frame intended to be classed, there must be a metal beam in the frame, as without this, the wood can become bendy and much weaker than it should be. All that was need now, was for the frame to be welded. As we are young and 'unskilled' we were unable to used the welder ourselves, instead our tutor did it for us. When using a welder however, one must wear and welders helmet, this covered the entire face to prevent any sparks from making contact, but also has a special visor, which darkens automatically when one welds. This is important as the light produced from the welder is so bright that it can blind someone. Therefore, the person welding should always shout 'eyes' before welding to allow those within the vicinity to change there field of view. Once welded, the areas welding are extremely hot and should be left for a good while before contact is made. Now that the frame was cooling we began on the woodwork. On each frame there were 3 disk, with diameters of 8ft, 6ft and 4ft. We began with the 8ft's, as the were the biggest, for these we used some 0.5 thick 8x4 sheets of wood. We used this as we didn't want to use anything too thick as it would weigh down the disks and make then extremely heavy, and if they were too think the would flop everywhere. We then measured a centre line in the middle of each sheet of wood. Using a giant compass, which was set at 4ft as that was the radius of the circle, we created two semi circles of either piece of wood. Then to finish off each half, we used a jigsaw to cut the curve of the circle. We then repeated this process for the 4ft and 6ft circles. Once cut, we first positioned each the 8ft pieces on the frame. Once happy with the positioning, we clamped the wood down ensuring that it didn't move out of place. Then we used a 0.2 cm drill, to drill some holes though the wood and into the frame itself. We then screwed these down, making sure that the screw was flush up against the wood, this ensured that there were no bumps in the plastic when it was applied. This process was repeat for all 6 disks on both frames. We then used some wet tape to cover the any seals left in the wood. This tape works by sticking when it introduced to water. Therefore being very flush against the given surface. Now we could apply the plastic. We cut this into squares which we applied and then used a scalpel to cut round the edges of the wood. On major issue we had that was dust and dirt was caught under the plastic therefore creating bumps, this was something that we couldn't avoid and had to deal with. Another issue we had was that the biggest disk slightly flapped meaning we had to apply yet another beam of metal behind to prevent this. We then cut some smaller plastic Black circles which we applied to the middle of each circle to give it more of disk look.

[kinnairdd]

Dance Show : building and sourcing the music disks. A big piece of the set, was the inclusion of 2 heaps of music disks, hung at the back of the stage. These disks had the ability to move in and out of the stage should it be necessary. Before we started building, we had to discus how we were going to cover the disks. From previous discussions with directors, we knew that they wanted the disks to be covered in a shinny cover. Our first idea was sticky back plastic. As we could lay it over each disk and stuck it down easily. One of the images above shows some research into this. Once these were ordered we could begin on the frames. For the frames we used some 1x1 and 2x1 pieces of steal beams. We cut and grinned each piece to the correct length, and used used the 1x1s round the edge, and the 2x1 to allow, any joints between two prices of wood to be stuck down. Every 4 ft of a frame intended to be classed, there must be a metal beam in the frame, as without this, the wood can become bendy and much weaker than it should be. All that was need now, was for the frame to be welded. As we are young and 'unskilled' we were unable to used the welder ourselves, instead our tutor did it for us. When using a welder however, one must wear and welders helmet, this covered the entire face to prevent any sparks from making contact, but also has a special visor, which darkens automatically when one welds. This is important as the light produced from the welder is so bright that it can blind someone. Therefore, the person welding should always shout 'eyes' before welding to allow those within the vicinity to change there field of view. Once welded, the areas welding are extremely hot and should be left for a good while before contact is made. Now that the frame was cooling we began on the woodwork. On each frame there were 3 disk, with diameters of 8ft, 6ft and 4ft. We began with the 8ft's, as the were the biggest, for these we used some 0.5 thick 8x4 sheets of wood. We used this as we didn't want to use anything too thick as it would weigh down the disks and make then extremely heavy, and if they were too think the would flop everywhere. We then measured a centre line in the middle of each sheet of wood. Using a giant compass, which was set at 4ft as that was the radius of the circle, we created two semi circles of either piece of wood. Then to finish off each half, we used a jigsaw to cut the curve of the circle. We then repeated this process for the 4ft and 6ft circles. Once cut, we first positioned each the 8ft pieces on the frame. Once happy with the positioning, we clamped the wood down ensuring that it didn't move out of place. Then we used a 0.2 cm drill, to drill some holes though the wood and into the frame itself. We then screwed these down, making sure that the screw was flush up against the wood, this ensured that there were no bumps in the plastic when it was applied. This process was repeat for all 6 disks on both frames. We then used some wet tape to cover the any seals left in the wood. This tape works by sticking when it introduced to water. Therefore being very flush against the given surface. Now we could apply the plastic. We cut this into squares which we applied and then used a scalpel to cut round the edges of the wood. On major issue we had that was dust and dirt was caught under the plastic therefore creating bumps, this was something that we couldn't avoid and had to deal with. Another issue we had was that the biggest disk slightly flapped meaning we had to apply yet another beam of metal behind to prevent this. We then cut some smaller plastic Black circles which we applied to the middle of each circle to give it more of disk look.

[kinnairdd]

Dance show : constructing the set. In general, the dance show was very similar to the the Music gig, the entire set consisted of steal deck on metal legs. So exactly like the music gig, we relocated all of the deck into the work space, and ensure we had the correct number of legs of the correct length, cutting any should we need too. And finally attached some metal railing and stairs where they were necessary. One major difference from the music gig was the inclusion of cladding. This is where we coat the edges of the steel deck with thin sheets of wood. The makes the set as whole look nicer, and prevents behind and under the deck from being seen. We used thin sheets of wood, for the cladding as it isn't too heavy and won't add any weight too the deck. As seen in the design above, we were dealing with curved pieces of deck too, therefore using the thin wood allowed us to curve the wood round the curved. To attach the cladding, we used an air pressure staple gun. We didn't use a brad gun, and later on the cladding will need removing, and although the wood is easy to remove, the brads aren't quite so easy. As we were working in a auditorium rather than the workshop, meant we had to move a compressor into the space. This is a device that turns engine power into compressed air, and compresses it into a large tank. The compressor runs off of 16 amp power which meant that we had to bring a transformer into the workspace as the room only had 13 amp sockets available. We then connected the compressor and the staple gun via a hose and powered up the device. We were now good to clad. When using a staple gun, one must wear googles at all times to protect the eyes and must be wary of ones surroundings. When stapling, one must ensure that they know where the hands are and that they are not in the radius of the gun as it could possibly go throw the given surface and straight into their hand. Also, one apply a good amount of pressure to the gun, the ensure that the staples sink into the wood. This makes the cladding look nicer and as a whole stronger. Once this was done, the main part of the set was complete.

[kinnairdd]

The photo above shows a lighting rig plan, the instructs the rigging to in how to rig each light correctly. To begin a blank rig plan is a birds eye view to the bars above, it contains each bar whether it be a LX bar or not allowing the rigger to know where they can place a light. The designer uses a template and hand draws each different generic light into the position on the bar that it should be. For example number 40 shows a profile. Once every light has been drawn a key must be drawn out in the side of the box, detailing exactly what each symbol on the plan means. If booms and ladders are present in the rig they are drawn out on the back of the plan or one a separate piece of paper. Next, if the light has a specific gel, then the lantern symbol is to be coloured this colour and the key will detail exactly which gel this is. Finally the number above the light shows the channel number so that when the light is patched, it's channel is noted allowing the plotter know which light is which. The rigging team now use this plan to correctly position and patch each lantern.

[kinnairdd]

Preparation for Scenic Painting.

Before we could begin painting the set, it was vital that we learnt all of the key techniques and how to layer our painting. Dry Brushing: The first technique we learnt was dry brushing, this is where the tip of the paintbrush on the surface ,intended to be dry brushed, and is gently run across without any pressure being placed upon it. This is used to remove the smooth appearance that painting usually creates in order to create a scratched texture such as woodgrain. Stippling: Next we learn Stippling, this is where the paintbrush is dabbed onto the surface usually with some force repeatedly until the surface if covered. This technique gives the surface a bumpy texture to create a rock like look. Furthermore, this technique can be used to blend multiple colours, simply by switching colours between dabs can help blend to colours together to create a more natural look. Splattering: The next technique we learnt was splattering, this is where the paintbrush is simply knocked against the painters hand to make the paint randomly splatter dots all across the surface. This technique is sometimes used to add pattern to a surface but often to make something look slightly dirty, by splattering a brown paint across something can create the illusion that it is covered in dirt. Sponging: Sponging is exactly the same as stippling, however instead of using a paintbrush, the painter uses a sponge. This technique is used to create some variation in colour, in some places where the sponge is dabbed, the colour will appear lighter than before and will blend with the colour around it to give the concluded look and more natural blend. Ragging On, Ragging Off & Rag Roll: Similar the dry brushing, tagging is also used to give a similar texture to a given surface, to rag on, the painter dips a piece of cloth into their paint and lightly drags it across the surface, to rag off, the painter uses a clean rag to wipe off some paint put previously, however leaving some behind to give the scratched and rusted texture to the surface. Rag rolling is where the rag is rolled across the surface opposed to dragging it. Graining: The last painting technique we were taught was graining, for this technique we required a special tool called a grainer, this once dipped in paint can be slid across a surface, changing angles whilst one does it, to create the shape of wood grain and knots on top of a given surface.

[kinnairdd]

Installation Project day 1 (14/09/15)

Today we begin planning out the design for our installation project, to begin with our team had drafted 4 separate ideas between us. My idea what to create a hospital type room which was all perfectly set out when the audience walked in, however there would be a horror twist and we would use a flashing UV to reveal hidden blood streaks and messages all over the floors and walls, however, we came to the conclusion that my idea would be too difficult and possibly too difficult to create. Sam's idea was to create a haunted cottage like area within the room full of blood stains and other scary stuff. We planned to make the room as dark as well could using a single light to create a very confined and scary space, we decided against this idea as we though again it would be slightly difficult to create. Chelsea's idea was to completely fill the room with bubble wrap, to make a more calm dream Spode to everyone else's nightmare themes. We decided against this, because, although it being easy to do, it was be destroyed after the first person using it. We then between us came up with the idea to make the dream seem more confusing than it was scary by flipping everything upside down on the roof. We all agreed with this idea and decided to stick to it. Originally we were going to combine the hospital dream with the flipped dream. However knew that it was practically impossible and was forced to re-think. We then came up with the idea of a child's bedroom, filled with demon teddy's and other childish things. This was our final idea as we knew it was something we could definitely do. However when we first chose our room and began, we encountered various problems, for a start, the power didn't work, forcing us to move rooms, secondly we learned that we could drill into the ceiling making it impossible to attack what we wanted. We discussed various alternatives to this such as creating a false ceiling but came to the conclusion that we should build the furniture out of something light like polystyrene, allowing to glue them to the ceiling making our life easier.

[kinnairdd]

Sound Workshop

During the sound workshop, we were introduced to all the equipments used to create and control sound. Before we were given a demo with the soundboard, we were given an insight into all the basic equipment and plugs we would be using. The first picture shows all the plugs used in sound, the first; stereo 2.5mil jack is used for all of the headphone cables used on the soundboards and for comms. The second; mono 2.5 mil jack is used for plugging in amps to amplify sound, the single black ring on the mono plug shows that it is a mono, whereas the two black rings show that something is stereo. The third one, the RCA Phono, is used to transport audio and visual signals between things, these are commonly used in TVs as well as theatres. The last plug is the headphone jack, this is the typical plug which is used in order to plug headphones into mobile phones or other electrical equipment.

We were also introduced to some of the basic equipment we would be using, these included the microphones, mixing desk, speakers and amps, monitors and the DJ box. The microphone is used in order to take a source signal such as someone’s voice and send that signal to the mixing desk. The mixing desk then obtains these signals and gives the sound engineers to ability to modify those sounds as he pleases, for example boosting the signal. The Amplifiers are were the signals are boosted before being sent to the speakers. The speakers the output the sound. The monitors are the speakers on stage which are pointed at the musicians to allow them to hear what it is that they are playing. the DJ Box converts the signals from the line level to the mic level.

Finally, we were introduced to the channel strip and the many sections that made this up. Firstly; The gain section is used to change the level of input of the sound, this is useful as it allows the sound operator the adjust the sound to a point where it sounds it's best and doesn't become distorted. The Aux section is used in order to send a copy of the signal to other places such as the monitors, e.t.c The EQ section is used in order to modify the frequencies of certain parts of the sound, this is useful as it allows to operator to boost or cut different parts of the sound in order to make it sound better. The Pan section is used to balance out the sound with everything else that is going on, making easier to hear what is going on on stage as well as the music as well. Finally the fader is what is used to adjust the volume of the sound, making sure it is not to loud or quiet.

[kinnairdd]

Lighting Workshop During the lighting workshop, we got to experiment with many of the different kinds of lights that we will be using throughout our two year course, we were taught how light is not only used to make some visible, but can also be used to show characteristics and create and atmosphere for the play. During this workshop we were tasked with using lights on each of our peers in order identify that person. The first picture shows me being lit, I believe that I have been lit in this way in order to highlight my tall and slim structure, this is shown though the two lights directly above my head. Blue lights were also used to light the cyclorama in order to show my calmness. Furthermore, the other pictures shows how I have lit up my other peers in different ways and shows how I have experimented with all the lights given. The last picture shows how light can be used to create a tone, in this picture, red lights have been used to create a dark and evil tone, also the lights have only lit pails back, which makes his face dark and unable to see, this shows how the light has been used to make that certain person stand out and gives the audience more of understanding about that character. We also learnt how light can be used to show structure, when we were experimenting, we noticed that only using certain lights made someone's face and body seem a bit flat, however, once we introduced lights from other angles, it's added depth and roughness to that character which highlighted their structure. Finally, as we were experimenting, we got the chance to use the lighting desk, this was something that I had done before, but did not remember so much about, we were taught how to control each separate light and how to change gels and colours of lights directly from the sound desk.