Set Design meeting with Red Team #15

Wednesday 2nd December 

Victoria (Director) and the Art department (Myself, Annie and Mariah) had a meeting with the red team and their director, Izzy to make sure we were all on the same page. The art department is the only department within this project that has to involve both teams and has to come to a compromise that suits everyone, regarding the set design. This is because we simply do not have enough time to construct two entirely different sets. Instead, we need to come up with a relatively simply structure that is, at the same time, malleable and will work with both teams' narrative ideas. We went into the meeting knowing what it is we wanted to get from it. As we knew that the red team needed a door, we had added one and changed our narrative to be able to make a door work in our story. Previously, we had not felt the need for one but realised that it wouldn't be a problem if we adjusted the story to fit it. One of the problems was that the red team wanted a large window covering one of the flats. We didn't want this so they suggested we cover it with MDF board. We heard what they were saying but all agreed that we would prefer not to have to cover it up as it might look a bit naff in the final cut. Just before the meeting however, we came up with another compromise to put to the red team as we knew how important this window was. We wanted to have a compromise ready in case they were set on that idea. These were the points we raised to them:

- We need a door next to the window (the overhang) as this is vital to our narrative. When the protagonist leaves, there will be the figure standing looking into the window. We want to be able to show these two characters in the same shot.

-We need at least two walls without doors or windows. This is because, as we will have our door on the overhang, we need a free wall for things like picture frames

-We don't want wallpaper that's too busy as this will distract from the objects within our set which are important to the story. We don't mind the idea of wallpaper but it needs to be simple in its colour and design.

OUR COMPROMISE: 

-We are willing to compromise by having a large window on one of the flats as well as the window and door on the overhang, however, the window will have to be on the left side of the set so that it faces the blackout curtain.

Our original design (Green Team):

Our compromised design (flipped and with a large window on the other side):

Vicky quickly drew up this compromised sketch, which gave a really simple but clear idea of how we could include both essential parts of the red and green team's set design. We would therefore have the bench on the other side, also facing the blackout curtains so that we can hopefully blackout the set and reduce the objects you'd see lying around the studio. This would reinforce the idea that this man is wondering through a void. We can use the red team's window to our advantage this way and have a shot through the window from the interior looking out as the man walks along the festoon lights.

Red Team's Design:

Large window and door on the opposite flat. We need the door on the overhang and we will make the overhang detachable so the red team can remove it if it's not necessary.

The only thing left to decide on was the wallpaper, and Vicky suggested that the red team put together a mood board to send over to us. Overall, the meeting was very quick and to the point. The red team seemed happy with the compromise and i feel like we left the meeting on a positive note. Green team were happy with everything that was discussed and it was really helpful having both directors in the call as well; they knew what they wanted and it allowed the meeting to run a lot smoother.