"The Husband who was to Mind the House" - Set Model Box (Version One)

After I created the initial designs for the set, I then went on to create the model box. The model box at this time was crafted using mostly card and paper, and is not to scale. The aim was to get my initial thoughts out into a 3D piece before concentrating on the finer details. Working in card was beneficial to this process as it meant I could have a free flowing approach to the project. I was able to adapt the design quickly as I went on, and could change or eliminate certain parts that were not working. I enjoyed the whole process of creating the model box. It was really exciting to see the designs I had in my head come to life on stage (if only on a small scale!).

The empty stage model before any of the set went in. The character model is scale to 1:25, and is based on the husband character in the text. His height was modelled on my own!

The farm house is created to resemble a structure that has not had it's walls put on yet and has just the beams showing. This allows for light to go into the house from nearly every direction, and the background to be seen through it. I thought it would be a looser structure on stage than a solid house, but is still quite clearly where the family live.

The trapdoor opens on stage, and instead of the husband going down to the cellar, the barrel of ale is lifted up to him. It could be attached to the inside of the cellar door. The lighting of the scene could change to help show that the husband should now be in the cellar.

The cloud line has been removed from the top of the stage, and the house is now raised off the stage on beams. A hill has been put in behind the house. This shall be used to hide the lift which puts the cow and the husband onto the roof.

A textured ground next to the house distinguishes it from the surface of the farm house.

The view from above of the layout of the stage.