The Invisible Character; A Perspective Into the Significance of Set Design in Film, Theater and Television

Abstract

The importance of set design is easily comprehended by looking at the history of performing arts and its progress; but the point worth noting is the progression and gradual transformation in the role set design plays in media today. In modern film and theater works, set design is not just a means to create the spaces needed in the story, but it is a character by itself. This paper focuses on the qualities and nuances of set design character and how its components contribute to shaping this character. Based on such perception of the set, two fundamental and interrelated aspects are introduced and discussed: A myriad of information that is provided to the spectator by a brief look, while they are usually unaware of it, and that a complete and detailed set can gravely affect the actors and enhance their generated emotions. In addition, the transforming role of set design in correlation with technological advancements of the modern performing arts is discussed in this work. It was concluded that, although one cannot ignore these advancements and their influence in performing arts, it should be noted that they cannot substitute the entirety of the design process, but have to be incorporated in it. As such, the designers must educate themselves in these fields and understand these new techniques, so that they can become a mediator between the usual requirements of the set and the technology in use.



Author Information
Maryam Khosravibabanari, Independent Scholar, United States

Paper Information
Conference: MediAsia2019
Stream: Film Direction and Production

This paper is part of the MediAsia2019 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon