Necessary Targets: Set design (revolves, trucks, projection, multimedia, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, flying)

Set Design in Necessary Targets

Utilising the Revolve

The revolve can be effectively utilised in “Necessary Targets” to illustrate changes in location and time, providing a dynamic, fluid staging.
It can also be used to juxtapose past and present, home and the refugee camp scenes, reinforcing the recurring theme of displacement.

Trucks or Treads

Trucks can be employed to introduce smaller set pieces or props onto the stage, contributing to visual storytelling. Using trucks can streamline scene changes, ensuring a seamless performance.

Projection and Multimedia

Projection can play a key role in establishing the setting, such as displaying images of war-ravaged Bosnia, which heighten the realism.
Multimedia can be used to build a richer, immersive experience augmenting the emotional content of a scene. For instance, a newsreel of war coverage can amplify the impact of the conflict on the characters.

Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnics can be used sparingly and strategically to dramatise certain scenes, such as depicting the bombardment of the Bosnian town.
While planning for pyrotechnics, safety considerations and the potential to distract the audience from the narrative should be factored in.

Smoke Machines

Smoke machines can be used to create an atmosphere of tension and chaos. It can also symbolise the metaphorical ‘fog of war’.
However, the use of smoke machines needs to align with the overall visual aesthetic and not obscure the audience’s visibility.

Flying

While not a commonly used technique in Necessary Targets, flying can be used creatively to express abstract concepts such as memories and dreams of the characters.
Flying set pieces or characters can inject moments of surrealism into the otherwise realistic portrayal, adding another layer of artistic interpretation.

Remember that a well-executed set design in “Necessary Targets” can create an immersive theatre experience, forward the narrative, and accentuate its themes and characters’ emotional journeys. Understanding the various set design elements and their potential applications will help you to better appreciate and critique the play’s execution.