Course Description
Information and applied skills regarding safe, efficient, and effective use of metals, plastics, and other such nontraditional materials in scenic and costume construction.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will take on an advanced project in their
choice of a more sophisticated plastics or metal project that
involves a greater understanding of the materials and safe
manipulation/modification techniques of working with those
elements.
Athena Title
Entertain Tech and Skills
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To introduce the student to the tools, materials, and safe/ecologically responsible practices in the application of materials commonly referred to as plastics and metals. All scenic materials, including those used both before and after WWII (the point at which many nontraditional materials were introduced), will be discussed, handled, and researched. Attention will be given to those materials previously abandoned for hazardous nontraditional materials.
Topical Outline
A comparison of traditional and nontraditional materials A history of "plastics" and their use in the theatre and entertainment A history of "metals" and their use in the theatre and entertainment Research, discussion of the use and application of traditional materials such as canvas, muslin, paper, paint, lumber, glues, adhesives, fasteners, etc. Research, discussion and reevaluation of lesser known materials that have been all but abandoned for the sake of expediency and cost Essential safe, responsible and effective plastic working skills in molding and fabrication Essential safe, responsible and effective metal working skills in welding, molding, joining, cutting and fabrication to include basic engineering considerations Solving engineering problems with metal and plastics in rigging, moving scenery, costumes, and makeup SYLLABUS: Texts: Welder's Handbook by Richard Finch Performance Welding by Richard Finch Scene Design and Stage Lighting by Parker, Wolfe and Block The Backstage Handbook by Paul Carter and George Chiang Schedule and Content: Week 1: Brief history of welding and metal work in the theatre Basic electricity; terms and technology Welding with gas/flux Week 2: Basic symbols and joints: butt welds, groove Joints, lap and special considerations necessary for metals such as aluminum and iron Week 3: OxyAcetylene cutting and mechanical cutting devices: proper flame, gauges, hoses, tips, abrasives, machines, materials and special safety considerations Welding Project #1 due Week 4: Stick welding: electrodes, tools, hazards and safety Welding Project #2 due Week 5: MIG welding: the use of various shielding gases, wires, specialized techniques for active metal welding and safety Welding Project #3 due Week 6: Gas Welding, brazing, and soldering: proper and safe use of flux, rods, and materials Welding Project #4 due Midterm Exam Week 7: A history of organic, synthetic, and processed plastics in the theatre. The sad and unfortunate history of the misuse of plastics in the theatre. Overview of product types, processes and the traditional materials largely modified and replaced by plastics Week 8: Glues and Adhesives Sculpting and use of various foams for three- dimensional projects Plastics Project #1 due Week 9: Vacuforming: Techniques, materials and safety Creating the vacuform mold Plastics Project #2 due Week 10: The Fiberglass Composite: The safe and environmentally responsible use of various laminating and casting resins, fabrics and related chemicals. Traditional methods and materials replaced by organic resins Plastics Project #3 due Week 11: Engineering and structural problem solving with metal and plastics Week 12: Engineering and structural problem solving with metal and plastics continued Plastics Project #4 due Week 13: Final Exam Final Project due Final Paper and Presentation due for graduates Grading: PROJECTS: Metal: #1. Metal Cutting - Oxygen-Acetylene Mechanical #2. Stick Welded Joints #3. MIG Welded Joints #4. Braze and Solder Joints #5. Final Project - Assigned by instructor and due last week of classes to equal 20% of grade for Graduates and 25% for Undergraduates Plastics: #1. 3-dimensional composition (sculpting) #2. 3-dimensional composition extrusion and heat form #3. 3-dimensional laminations #4. 3-dimensional casting #5. Final Project - Assigned by instructor to equal 20% of grade for Graduates and 25% for Undergraduates EXAMINATIONS AND PAPERS: #1. Midterm Examination to equal 25% of the final grade #2. Final Examination to equal 25% of the final grade #3. (Graduates Only)Research Paper and Presentation on topic assigned by instructor to equal 10% of the final grade