Metamorphosis Concepts: Lighting and Sound
- Directorial vision and concepts are needed for exam success.
- Ownership of the play can be shown through costume, sound, set, lighting, and makeup.
- Maintain an expressionistic style with elements of Kafkaesque nightmare.
- Total Theatre: Blend of sound, visuals, and actors creating a unified effect.
- Incorporate physical theatre elements.
Lighting and Sound Considerations
- Mood and Atmosphere: Consider elements of symbolism.
- Design should be aligned with the play's action.
- Time of Day: What quality of light/sound will you use?
- Audience Experience: What should they see and hear?
Lighting Terms
- Intensity, angle, color, lantern choices.
- Use of gobos, lenses, gels, barn doors, irises.
- Lasers, holograms, strobes.
- Wash, hard/soft edged light.
- Blackouts, fades, cross fades, snap cues.
- Focus.
Sound Terms
- Diegetic and non-diegetic sound.
- Microphones, amplifiers, sound direction.
- Sound levels, reverb, echo.
- Recorded sound effects, fades, soundscapes.
Lighting and Sound Cues
- Lighting can fade up slowly as a character enters, accompanied by soundscape.
- Sound and lighting cues can be combined, especially at the start or end of a scene.
Example Cues
- Lights fade up + garden noises = early summer evening.
- Door slam (sound) + quick light fade = later evening.
- Kitchen light on + phone sound effect = Night-time
- Argument starts + underscoring music= Changing atmosphere.
- Woman grabs knife + distorted music.
- Man Screams + Music stops (quick fade) = audience attention change
Additional Resources
- Lighting and sound worksheets.
- Glossary of terms.
- Top band design examples.
- AQA PDFs on Lighting and Sound.