attachments_06-04-2012_23-41-26 / 2 scenery

- II -

Scenery

Even the smallest studio makes full use of the cyclorama as a general-purpose background. Usually the cyc (pronounced “sike”) is a stretched cloth of canvas, gauze or velour. Usual colours and tones include white (60 per cent reflectance), black, light grey, midgrey, light blue or dark blue. The “board” shape of cyc is now seldom used, as it restricts staging area and causes sound colouration. Generally, small shallow C-curved type provides the best backings for shooting in TV studio.

Most TV staging follows a number of regular forms:

1. scenic backgrounds, when the action takes place in front of a scenic flat, a painted cloth, or a phote blow-up, used, for example, during the weather forecast.

2. area staging, needed when presenting widespread action such as ballet, choirs, orchestras etc. To provide maximum space, area staging is usually based on open cyclorama. In front of it a series of scenic units are positioned (pillars, arches…).

3. open sets, basically consisting of pieces of furniture or scenic units, set up in front of an open cyc.

4. box sets (closed sets), which are traditionally three-walled arrangements, used for many realistic room settings.

5. composites, when, instead of building separate settings, you can combine different sections: a part of a schoolhouse, perhaps, with school-room, adjoining corridor, office and schoolyard - where the camera moves around within this composite, passing from one section to another, creating the realistic effect.

6. two-tier staging, used for action to move upstairs or downstairs. Instead of actually building one set above another, the construction can be made on different levels.

The artificial theatrical scenery is not accepted in television, where the illusion of realism should dominate. But this realism is just deception. For example, a leafy branch in the window can indicate a nearly tree, plastic flowers and clear plastic sheeting may be more realistic on camera than natural plants and real water, but with the proper effective lighting which makes a vital contribution to a television production.

1. Why is cyclorama considered to be one of the main attributes of scenery?

2. What forms of TV staging can you name?

3. Can you give examples of composites and two-tier staging?