Venue: Red House Theater Date: 2014/7/18-20 Director: Gian-Hao Huang and Dong-Yi Xiao Set Design: Ming-Huei Huang Lighting Design: Li-Juai Chang Costume Design: Guan-Yin Lee Technical Design: Zi-Han Lin Scenic Artist: Ming-Huei Huang Prop Master: Ming-Huei Huang Photographer: Da-Yang
About The Story This comedy is about the cast and crew of a TV live show in an haunted, old studio. The show has been interrupted by a Japanese samurai's spirit. The makeup artist is a psychic; he says that the spirit will not leave until the wish of the samurai can be fulfilled. Meanwhile, the director tries to change the ending of the show, angering the cast. The actors are so angry that they refuse to follow the director's lead. Everything seems to be out of control. Can the TV live show go on to play? Can the warrior's spirit rest in peace? Designer's Statement The play takes place in a studio, which is now decorated as a Japanese tea house. The stage is separated into two areas. When the live show (in the play) begins, the camera starts rolling, and only the central part of the stage is lit; the rest of the stage is dim. The audience's attention is naturally directed to the lit area, where most activities take place. When the show cut into (simulated) TV commercial, the entire stage is lit. At this point, the crew and the director enter the stage to work. I utilize lighting techniques and spacing arrangement on the stage to create distinct visual effects between action and commercial interruptions. A typical Japanese tea house is clean and spacious. In this comedy, I decided to make it very colorful and add a number of interesting elements to suit the comedy atmosphere of the story line.
The original space
An old house, a long-shape set, all the walls are made from red bricks.
Researches
Film studio: full of properties.
Japanese room.
A lot of shooting equipment.
Japanese style garden.
Draft Sketch
The red block is a scene for the live show, the blue block is out of camera, crews and director are there.
Japanese room.
An image: the middle part is bright, the rest of the set is dim.
working process wall painting
I think Ukiyo-e painting is very suitable for this play.
Screen
Chinese calligraphy matches the Ukiyo-e background well.