BBC3 Project
For our first project of the year, we were to create the set for a late night talk show hosted on BBC3. Since this was our introduction to the course, we as students were allowed to decide the topic, host, and style of the show in order to have full creative control. According to the brief we were given, we needed to have “A link/presentation area, a discussion area for guests, and a flexible performance area, able to accommodate at least four performers of music or other entertainment.”. In addition to this, we were given the options of a black or white cyclorama, the ability to vinyl the floor, and later the dimensions and floor plan for the Studio 6 space.
Upon receiving the brief, I immediately gravitated towards a late 60s/early 70s futuristic setting, as I had previously created art and projects in this style, and was familiar with the shape language I would need to use for it. Our instructor stated that the content of the show could be based around the host’s personality, but that it could also be based around a concept. I was much more interested in building it around a concept, and started to formulate the idea that the set was alive and interacting with the host/guests. I thought that this fit very naturally with the style I chose, since the mid century futuristic style often includes organic, living shapes. Because of the unusual concept, I wanted the show to lean towards being more surreal and comical, taking inspiration from things like Twin Peaks and the Eric Andre show.
I began with sketching out concept art for layouts, furniture, and what the host might look like. I then moved into visual research, creating a moodboard and a pinterest board. While searching for furniture and set pieces, I came across an amazing Flickr account (Francesca “designturbo”). Her account was a catalogue of artsy and futuristic mid century furniture, lighting fixtures, and other home decor pieces. This account gave me a ton of inspiration, and I used three of the pieces photographed there (orb chandelier, Two tiered side table, Standing shelf with mirror) in my final set. In my research, I also found interior designer Verner Panton, and Sofa Bazar by Superstudio, which inspired the large couch, and the holes in the performance area set piece.
While researching and talking to others, I decided to make my concept for the show a bit friendlier. In my original concept, the set was supposed to torment the host a little bit by pulling small pranks on them, and distracting them while they were talking to guests. I decided to take more inspiration from older children’s TV shows like Pee Wee’s Playhouse and The Muppet Show, where the host/s would interact in a playful way with props and the set. In addition to this, I took inspiration from large synthesizer moog boards, and decided to include a large synthesizer in the set to enhance direct intractability. I originally wanted to include a large conversation pit in my set, with the idea that it could be an area where guests could talk and give presentations. Despite being in my original concept, I was not able to find a way to integrate this, and scrapped it in favor of a more circular host/guest area.
After completing my research, I moved onto constructing my rough stage and set pieces. I made crude versions of the larger set pieces, and placed them around the stage in different orientations to see what worked best. I decided on a sort of three leaf clover/three circle layout for the set. The performance area on the far left, the discussion area in the middle, and the link/presentation area on the right.
Once I figured out my final layout, I moved onto creating finalized concept art as well as polished props for each area. Two of my final concept illustrations were created digitally, and the last one was started as a large traditional painting, but was finished digitally as well due to time constraints.
In response to my feedback:
In my feedback, it was suggested that I think more about materials and textures used, and to combine different types of materials to create visual interest. Unfortunately, I did not include this in my final slideshow, but it was something that I did think about! I remembered it a few days before, but it completely slipped my mind to discuss. If I had given more thought to it, and had taken the time to carefully consider my materials more, I absolutely would have had a mix of shiny materials like glass and plastic, plush and upholstered pillows, couches, and walls, shag carpets, and smooth plasters and woods.
It was also suggested that the synthesizer, and the intractability of it could have been made more of the focus; been put in the middle of the set and taken more precedent on the theme and content. I had not previously thought about that, and after hearing the suggestion, I agree that it would have been a very interesting direction to take it. I do not agree that it should necessarily have been the main focus of the set, but rather that that could have been an alternate route for me to take. In the event that I had gone that direction, I feel that the set would have taken on a very different tone, becoming more sci-fi spacey rather than simply inspired by futuristic design.
Overall, I am incredibly proud of how my first project turned out. I think that I came up with some pretty clever solutions when I was not sure how to make some props. I used pearlescent beads as lightbulbs, cotton balls wrapped in tape for the curved desk, and air dry clay for the performance area wall. I am particularly proud of how I made the two tiered table, and the synthesizer. A few things were a bit lacking due to my time management, such as the back walls (didn’t link up well with the yellow squiggle), and I was not able to finish my second concept illustration as a full painting. Otherwise, I think I did a good job with my time management, and responding well to the brief and requirements.
