THEA 103 1st EditionExam # 2 Study Guide Lectures: 7 - 11Lecture 7 (February 9)Drafting can be done with CAD or can be handsketched. It just needs to be clear. legible, and also needs to follow established conventions. Drafting is the way that thescenic designer communicates with the tech director and the show. Drafting begins with an Orthographic projection (a way of representing a 3d object in two dimensions using multiple views). Drafting then uses plan views (top and bottom views) as well as side views.There are a number of lines that you should be aware of when looking at drafting pictures. Border: thick double linePlaster line: thin dashed lineCenterline: thin line of short-long-short with a note of CL near lower edge. Not necessarily the center of the auditorium, designer sets it.Section: uniform hatching on diagonal linesLeader line: a thin solid line with or without an arrow at the endDimension/extension line: a thin lineBreak Line: a thin line that extends beyond the edges of the breakA complete pack of scenic drafting includes:Sketch: give an idea or impressionGround plan or Light Plot: Both plan a view of the stage and show theatre architecture (proscenium arch, plaster line, smoke pocket, etc) Most important thing on either of these drawings is the CENTERLINE. Which is the only way to measure right and left. The PLASTER LINE is the reference for all upstage and downstage measurements. Scenic ground plan should show all scenic elements. Major scenic elements should be identified through notes. Overhead items should be shown with dotted lines.Curtains, backings, and maskings are shown for sight lines. Contains Line Set Inventory, or a list of pipes overhead that can be flown in or out.Light Plot: similar to ground plan. Shows scenic elements (in less detail). Focus is to show lighting equipment for show in relation to scenery and masking. It is a composite drawing. Lighting is drawn over top of ground plan. Section: Shows theatre cut in half along centerline and split wide open. If you stand between the two halves and look stage left wing, that is “center looking left.” Cut canbe made anywhere that benefits the information.Deck plan: drawing of the floor. Theatre floors are often covered with platforms called a show deck. Includes stairs and multiple levels.Elevations: Takes ground plan and sets it up in three dimensions, one element at a time. Measurements are critical at this stage, allows carpenters to see each individual piece. Goes into much more detail than ground plan. Detail Drawings: where elevation leaves off, detail drawings begin. Give a much closer look with a scale that is closer to full scale. Also include practicals, which are scenic elements or props that plug into electricity.Lecture 8 (February 16th) A flat is a wall on stage. Unlike a real wall, a flat is thinner, only a representation of a wall that is either covered with muslin or thin plywood. A flat consists of Top rail, Bottom Rail, two toggles, and two Stiles (on the sides). There are then keystones and cornerblocks added to the soft cover flat, which the hard cover flat doesn’t require.A soft Cover Flat is like a picture frame with a muslin cover that you can paint on. Soft cover flats are often made out of 1x3 (true dimensions ¾ by 2 1/2) or 1x4 (which is more accessible and available, whose true dimensions are ¾ by 3 ½ ). Top and Bottom rail run whole width of flat, to make the joint stronger. This is called the buttjoint.Corner block: plywood triangle, much like a gusset, glued and stapled to a corner or butt joint. Surface grain should cross the joint perpendicular, or diagonally. Nailing pattern: two staples on either side of the joint, and then make triangular shapes.Keystones are applied to toggles with bowtie nailing pattern.Muslin is glued to front, and wrapped and painted with white glue to tighten it.A Hard Cover Flat is also called a TV FLAT or HOLLYWOOD FLAT. Hardcover flats are covered on front with ¼ inch Luon. No cornerblocks or keystones are used, just screws or staples.To make a flat, first make a cut list. Example: (2 @ 4’ , 2 @ 3’ – 5” , 2 @ 11’ – 5” )Remember, add 1/8th of an inch for saw blade, and put x on side you’re not going to use.Lecture 9 (February 23)Platforms are often wooden. Wooden platforms are usually 4 X 8’ because sheet plywood comes in this size.When constructing a platform from a schematic, make sure to check the scale first. The frame of a platform should be made out of 2X4 (which is sturdy and readily available.) The platform then needs to be supported every 4 ft.The nomenclature for platforms is the same as for flats, (stile, toggle, rail).¾ inch plywood covers the framework and finishes off the platform. Then Masonite is addedon top, to make the surface smooth and paintable.What if you want the platform higher? You can add legs, but make sure to do that every 4 FEET.CROSS BRACING or TRUSSING is used to secure legs if platform is raised. It is stronger than either bolting or screwing.You can join platforms with bolts, screws, clamps, or coffin locks.Stairs are used on stage often. There are three different kinds of stairs. But first we need to talk about the parts of a stair.Parts of a stair: tread (what you step on), riser (vertical portion of stair, what you’d kick if youkicked the stair) and carriage Stairs are measured in rise (how high it will be) and run (how much floor space it will take up)9x9” is the steepest stairs can get. Usually stair dimensions add up to 18. 6 x 12”, etc.CUT CARRIAGE STAIRS – diagonal shaped, can be very longFULL CARRIAGE STAIRS – short stairs, perpendicular carriage, like little stairs leading up to newdick stageCLOSED CARRIAGE or SHIP’S LADDER stairs – rise and run not dependent on each other. Can be REALLY steep, and not take up much floor space. Almost like a ladder.ESCAPE STAIRS – hidden from audienceA wagon is a platform with castors on it, so that it can move.Wagons can be moved in a fixed path by using a cable-drive knife system. The knife fits in a groove on the floor. A wagon on a knife system can move straight or in more complex patterns.A Jacknife platform moves on a radius with a dumb castor. As long as a dumb castor is attached perpendicular to a pivot point, it will move smoothly with little friction and can move in a curved trajectory.Remember, use dumb castors whenever possible because swivel castors are loud and not as reliable.See handout for