How do you observe the production element working across the production? Are there repeated patterns used by the designer?

Writing Assignment One is designed to help you observe how a single element of production
works both descriptively and analytically. To do well on this assignment, you’ll need to push yourself
to carefully observe the choices made by designers in ways that you may not have noticed prior
to taking this class. The assignment asks you to report objectively (without personal opinion or bias)
in Observation Sections #1 and #2 before coming to your own assertive conclusions in the Analysis
Section.
Expectation: Demonstrate ability to describe and critique one element of theatre production
the National Theatre’s adaptation of Treasure Island (dir. Polly Findlay) [available through Drama
Online Database on the UW-Madison library website]. Your TA will tell you which Production
Element you will be considering. To succeed on the assignment, you must:
1) Closely observe how one specific production element in the performance is being used to help
create meaning in production.
2) Report observations with clarity and specific detail.
3) Draw clear conclusions grounded in observations.
PRODUCTION ELEMENT
RESPONSE STRUCTURE
Note: Each section should start on its own page. IE) Section 1 Should begin on Page 1; Section 2
on Page 2; Section 3 on Page 3.
Section 1. Observations from Production: The production Element in the entire production (250-
300 words)
Using vocabulary from Barbara Clayton’s “Guide to Basic Elements of Theatre Production,
make observations about a single production element in a single production. How do you observe
the production element working across the production? Are there repeated patterns used by the
designer? Specific sections that have more production element density than others? Successful
responses will describe the overall use of the production element in the production objectively and
support the description with cited evidence.
Section 2. Observations from one Scene: The production Element in a single scene (250-300
words)
How does the production element work in a single scene? Choose one brief window of time
between 180-300 consecutive seconds in length to specifically observe. Watch this scene
repeatedly until you are confident in the use of the production element in this scene. Successful
responses will use cited example to describe how the element functions in this scene.