Happy Thanksgiving if you live somewhere that celebrated the holiday yesterday. I sure did, and I still can hardly move, so here’s a simple post for the weekend: a list of all of the things that this production requires, broken down by scene. This list already exists in my head but this is the first time I’m writing it down. It will be very useful.

General notes

• Every scene but 6 takes place in the woods–lots of trees and brush throughout.
• The man wears a cloak over a tunic and tights; the woman wears a loose-fitting dress. They have very similar plain leather shoes.
• Depending on scale, the stag’s antlers will have a dedicated lighting effect that needs to be controlled in each appearance
• If we add motion, all characters will need to be rigged and will require one motor each

Scene 1

• Man, arms raised over head with bow and quiver
• Stag, on hind legs
• (Non-background) tree with shaker motor (?)

Scene 2

• Wife, arms outstretched, one hand pointing, shouting face
• Man, sheepish with bow and quiver
• Hut/hovel

Scene 3

• Man, leaning forward with lantern (controllable light) in upstage hand, probably without bow or quiver (he left them at home?)
• Stag, standing elegantly

Scene 4

• Woman, chicken in downstage arm, long list in upstage hand
• Man, defeated pose, with lantern in same hand as scene 3

Scene 5

• Man, in reverence (almost crouched), holding list from scene 4 in upstage hand
• Stag, leaning forward to read the list
• Royal horse and carriage (with lighting effect?)

Scene 6

• Woman with tall crown on tall throne, angry, leaning forward and pointing
• Man, looking upwards at throne, frightened, pleading
• Armed guard holding man by the elbow
• Long banquet table: turkey, goblets, platters of food
• Stone brick walls, tapestries
• Various attendants, guards, maidens, etc., not animated (or animated as a whole), possibly abstracted

Scene 7

• Man, muddy, wet, begging
• Stag, ferocious, back arched, antlers lit a different color
• Second stag to be used for effect on hind legs
• Fire effect in background
• Practical effect for lightning strike?

Scene 8

• Man with torch
• You’ll see what else.

On Monday we’re going to talk about our soundtrack choices on a theory level: narration, dialogue, music, and sound effects. After Monday, we’re getting technical, and I’m so excited for it.