In terms of learning, this has probably been my most exciting unit so far on this course. I came into Specialist Practise wanting to do something different, something new and exciting and ultimately, something to improve my chances of employment once I have graduated. I took my minimal knowledge of what happens in industry in regards to the production of a set, after it has been designed and have been able to make myself a key element in the making of the sets for the Autumn Term productions.
I had had a small amount of tuition for using AutoCAD when I was on placement at the National Theatre, and it took me a good few weeks to get back into using the tools. It's all very easy to forget and AutoCAD isn't the most user friendly computer programme! When I was at the NT I was only taught drawing tools, nothing about layers, formatting, templates or plotting and page layouts. I'm very proud of what I have been able to teach myself. I have no idea if what I am doing is the correct way to do it, but the resulting effect is what I want so that's good. The biggest struggle I came across with the page layouts was trying to customise my own paper space. Once a friend of mine showed me where the wizard was hiding, I was able to create the AUCB layout. Once I had discovered the Layer Properties Manager, I was also able to create and manage my own layers which sped everything up a great deal!
Not only has using a new computer programme been a huge learning curve, I have been working with Richard McCabe, set builder, to be able to contextualise my drawings, and make sure that what I am drawing is relevant and most importantly, an aid to set building. Being involved in the set building process was brilliant! I feel that I went into it eager to learn and I have learned so much. During the get out for In Extremis John made a comment, "Less than two weeks ago you didn't even know how to use a power drill!" and there I was conducting the disassembly of a huge structure with a team of actors to help. Building was physically hard work, and the long hours were draining but I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed working with Richard, and I feel that we made quite a good team! I listened to what he was telling me, advising me and guiding me, making the most of someone with thirty years of experience in the industry.
When it came to drawing up A Soldier's Tale, I knew what information I needed to make the pallets from, but once I'd [finally] drawn the proscenium arch, I was completely stumped with how the structure on the back would work. The drawing that Richard sent me didn't really clear it up, and it was only once we started building that I understood! I guess because my knowledge of set building is so minimal, this is going to be happening a lot. I'm still learning with AutoCAD and building but the knowledge I have is safely stored away never to be forgotten.
The major problems I faced was mostly with communication across departments. I found it very irritating that people were constantly communicating with me via another person, for example, Rose was constantly being asked questions about what I had drawn, or where I was, when I am always contactable via email or my phone. I think this problem has resolved itself over time, as John will now pick up the phone to speak to me rather than creating a game of Chinese whispers to ask me about a ground plan or the dimensions for the pros aperture.
I plan on keeping going with this work, being a draughtsman and a set builder, as I really enjoy it! I think it educates me as designer, as I know how scenery will get built. It has been hard work, but the time has really flown by and I have genuinely enjoyed myself.
When I started SP I was worried about the lack of structure from the tutors because it is all independent learning but I found myself putting in a lot of hours and being extremely pro-active about my independent study to get things done. Having external deadlines from Richard helped me a great deal in making my work feel like it had a purpose. Working on live productions has been a great challenge too, as with a hypothetical project the only person it affects is me as the designer, whereas with this I am in effect working for the designer to achieve their vision and turn their two dimensional design into a three dimensional working stage set.
There is not a lot I would have done differently with this unit, I feel I have effectively managed my time and my resources. The only major problem was my work disappearing from the system which was hugely frustrating. Luckily it wasn't any work that effected a live production as it was just my elevations for the studio theatre, which I'm sure if I was to do again it wouldn't actually take as long as it did the first time as my skills with AutoCAD have improved a great deal over these 11 weeks. Overall, a very enjoyable unit where I have been able to work on something that excites me, and I am able to lead it directly to future employment; I have even been offered a placement at Richard's company, Helix 3D.
