SCAD
Fall 2014
THED 777
George Head
Designed with Jeff DeBoer, Olivia West, Michelle Martin, Catie DelleMonache, Virginia Berg, and Andres Hernandez
Model by Laura Camp
1/8" = 1'0" Scale
25"x35"
Chipboard, Wooden Dowels, Balsa Wood, Ribbon, Scale figures
The first design project done in the Themed Entertainment Design Masters Program was a collaborative studio designing a stunt show in a pre-existing theater. The group decided to start from scratch with a unique storyline centered around a circus in which everything falls to chaos. Much of the design process went to writing the storyline together, then designing the rest of the project somewhat independantly. Olivia West was responsible for show treatment, Michelle Martin provided storyboarding, Catie DelleMonache worked on costumes, Virginia Berg designed props, Jeff DeBoer and Andres Hernandez created digital renderings, and I worked on the digital revit model as well as the 1'0" = 1/8" scale model.
The show takes the place of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular theater for a one-night-only event. The Bedlam Bros Circus is holding auditions for a new act, as their main two headliners' acts (a magician and a stunt man) are getting a bit stale. And the Ringleader gets fed up with the way he is treated by his fellow cirkies just before auditions begin and quits. Thus the unassuming, seasoned silent clown Chuckles, and his overbearing wife take over the show. The storyline follows the two main characters, the Magician Marvin "The Magnificent" Mancini, and stuntman Claude "The Human Comet." Both are vying to stay in the headlining act by continuously ramping up their stunts until chaos ensues, causing a Rube Goldberg effect of each circus member trying to save each other from one disaster after another. Then after the dust finally settles and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief, the Bedlam brothers, themselves, reveal they had been watching the entire time and find the new combination act completely enthralling. Auditions are closed, the circus performers perform their finale combination act, and it is announced the circus is here to stay.
Utilizing the spacious existing site of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Theater, the Circus had ample room to perform their acts. Additions of fabric swags in the Bedlam Bros signature Navy and Gold creates the timeless atmosphere of being under the Big Top while preserving the use of the exisiting light rigging and facilities. Additional columns were added to the existing structural system in order to install the acts that occur above the ring. In addition, the tech booth was relocated to the back of the theater to preserve the unobstructed view of the show and free up some additional seating for the circus' one-day-only showcase.
Introductory poster by Jeff DeBoer @ jeffdb.com
Costume concept for the Ringmaster, Chuckles, Bubbles, the Flying Fontaines, the Firebreather, Marvin "The Magnificent" Mancini, and Claude the Human Comet by Catie DelleMonache @ cdellemonache.com
Preshow storyboard by Michelle Martin @ sparkysdoodle.com
Finale storyboard by Michelle Martin @ sparkysdoodle.com
Atmosphere rendering by Jeff DeBoer @ jeffdb.com and Andres Hernandes, digital model by Laura Camp, Jeff DeBoer, and Andres Hernandes
Model looking down at stage from top of audience seating
Lion carts and clown fire truck set up inside ring
Looking up at audience seating on benches near accessible entrance from downstage left
Tightrope walker on added columns about to cross the tightline
View of audience and stage looking from stage left of model
Looking at audience from stage left with fabric tent swags and show lighting
Pre-existing roof with added columns and tightrope walker looking from stage right
Entire outside of 1/8" scale model with roof
