Task

To help you develop and flesh out your director’s concept, answer the following questions with as much detail as you can. Remember, there isn’t a right answer to these questions – it’s your artistic interpretation of the play you are working on.

  • When is your play set?
  • Where is your play set?
  • What does your version of this play look like?
  • What does your version of this play sound like?
  • What do you want your audience to feel or experience when they watch your version of this play?
  • Who would be your dream cast or collaborators on this project?
  • Why does this version of the play reflect who you are as an artist?
  • If I am an audience member, why would I want to come and see this version of the play?

Task

Now that you have defined your concept, you can take it further by creating your own moodboard. These are images that support your concept or will help a designer in understanding the visual language of your play. Think about what colours or textures might work best. You can also think about time period or location to help you visualise what your play will look like.

You can create your moodboard in any way you like. You could create a collage using clippings from magazines and newspapers or create one online using Pinterest, Jamboard or Instagram. When creating your moodboard it might be helpful to think about a particular colour scheme you would like, any textures you have in mind, the kind of space you think the play will take place in and the emotions you want to create in your audience.

Next, you can create a playlist using music that could either be used in your play or could help inspire your cast and creative team. You might choose one genre of music that fits your style or music from the time period your play is set in. It’s totally up to you.

You can make these in whatever format works best for you (for example, using Spotify).

If you would like to take these ideas further, some directors like to create a storyboard that outlines the action of the play. This helps them with blocking or thinking about large set pieces they might like to include. Why not try drawing your own storyboard for your play using the downloadable template below?

Your completed template can help guide you in the rehearsal room as you block your scene with your actors.

Congratulations for completing our Introduction to Directing workshop. We hope you found it useful and that you were able to start putting together a vision for your production and prepare for rehearsals.

If you’re interested in finding out more about directing you can download our free Inside guide to directing pack which contains interviews with directors at different stages of their careers, further exercises to help you on your directing journey and links to opportunities.

We’d love to know how you got on. You can reach out via social media @oldvictheatre #OVJoinIn to let us know what you thought of the workshop and share your directors’ concept.

Credits

Written in collaboration with: Joseph Hancock and Roberta Zuric

Actors: Louie Keen and Jessica Alade

Writer (Mumburger): Sarah Kosar

Videography and editing: Olyvon

Graphic design: Matt Hodges