Model Making for the Stage: A Practical Guide [Paperback]

Keith Orton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Model Making for the Stage focuses on the scenographic model and its crucial creative role in the theater-making process. Although it is primarily designed to meet the needs of students and practicing stage designers, the skills and techniques of accurate scale modeling are also transferable to hobbies like model railways and dolls’ houses. Contents include practical information about model-making materials and setting up a working environment; foundation skills, techniques, and exercises to introduce the art of model making; instructions for constructing scale interiors, exteriors, and furniture, as well as scale figures; scenographic models as communication tools; information about theater technology, scenic construction, and painting; and presentation of the final scenographic model. Keith Orton is a design instructor at Britain’s Central School of Speech and Drama.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A truly inspiring and eyeopening look at a theatrical art not always recognized in America, this is highly recommended.” -- Library Journal

From the Publisher

Model Making for the Stage focuses on the scenographic model and its crucial creative role in the theater–making process. Although it is primarily designed to meet the needs of students and practicing stage designers, the skills and techniques of accurate scale modeling are also transferable to hobbies like model railways and dolls’ houses. Contents include: practical information about model–making materials and setting up a working environment; foundation skills, techniques, and exercises to introduce the art of model making; instructions for constructing scale interiors, exteriors, and furniture, as well as scale figures; scenographic models as communication tools; information about theater technology, scenic construction, and painting; and presentation of the final scenographic model. Keith Orton is a design instructor at Britain’s Central School of Speech and Drama.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crowood Press (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861266901
• ISBN-13: 978-1861266903
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Title says it all, June 20, 2007

By 

roguerpj (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Model Making for the Stage: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

This is a vary useful book on a lot of levels. I have been building models since I was 12 and this book had some good advice for me. I like the fact that it take the time to go through several different areas of the set design model and gives detailed examples of how to make items.

For me, the other strength of this book is that it looks at set models as tools for the set designer. It isn't just about how to make a nice looking model, but rather it is about how to make a set model that functions as a tool for expressing the design.

The one negative I have with the book is it's size. I wish that the book was bigger thus allowing for larger pictures.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book on the subject, October 12, 2008

By 

Rob (FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Model Making for the Stage: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. It's perfect for anyone who wants to go further into model making but isn't sure where to go next. It suggests methods and practices which are useful and effective. Much of it is really a matter of learning a certain process or technique which was not readily apparent from other people's model work. How do they get the tiny roughly textured bricks? How can I save time making all those human figures? What am I not doing right in construction to get that really-clean look? The book helps with all of these issues and more. If you're making models for Hollywood right now, maybe this book isn't for you, but for the rest of us it's a valuable tool.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and helpful, June 20, 2008

By 

(L)Ove (At. Home, Earth) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Model Making for the Stage: A Practical Guide (Paperback)

Let me first off say I never made any models as a kid. I wanted to get a book in order to explore the possibilities for making stages in animation production. This was one of the only modelling books I could find. And for my purpose it was very helpful. It details materials you can use and how to build the model stages. The book is intended for set designers making models as a tool, but I found the crossover to my purposes quite easy.

The pictures in the book are very impressive and make my own attempts seem feeble and amateurish, but that is a question of ability and training. I wish I could find more good books like this on modelling.