Assignment: Directing 1, create (in a separate document and then cut and paste here) a 1-3 page document with ideas for your design conceit. Advanced and 319 Directors, you will need a longer paper, 3-6 pages with two sections, one with preliminary notes and ideas to discuss with your designers in initial meetings and then finalized conceit ideas after having met and discussed ideas with your design collaborators. 319 Directors may have multiple meetings before writing the final section.
Conceit is how you carry out the concept of the play physically and visually. Conceit often focuses on setting, time period, mood, atmosphere and overall world of the play. Conceit is should be in service to the concept either directly, or in relation to the supporting Themes.
Conceit should take into consideration the given circumstances of the play. Given circumstances are situations and conditions of the story that are defined by the text.
In Much Ado About Nothing the given circumstances are that soldiers are returning from war, so a war must be incorporated into the concept and/or conceit. Another given circumstance is that Leonato is hosting the whole party at his estate – which implies that he is very wealthy, and the estate is very large. One could not set this play at peacetime or create a working class Leonato. In some cases directors and design teams have contrasted the given circumstances but it is always for a very particular reason to highlight an idea or theme.
Grading Criteria:
When creating your paper is should address:
- What your main ideas are for conceit
- How these ideas support the concept, themes and spine
- How these ideas are realized in scenic design, costume design, lighting design, sound design and movement.
- You do not need to have the design figured out! Just have ideas to begin the conversation and/or inspire your designers. Feel free to reference any of your image research and/or embed music.