It is easy in a film version to show the contrast between the wood and Athens, because I can choose two completely different locations and film there. The most significant difference between the wood and Athens is the noise. The wood shall be very calm, peaceful and harmonious, whereas Athens shall be very noisy due to people and cars. Also the two areas shall show the contrast between the natural environment of the wood and the architectural environment of Athens.
This scene shall be set on a wooden veranda outside a minimalist coffee bar.
There shall be 5 table on the veranda situated like this:
The crockery used in the coffee bar shall be plain white.
For this particular scene I have decided there shall be six-camera angle.
Due to the camera angle we will be able to see one shop either side of the coffee bar and the other side of the road which is a market.
This is where each individual mechanical shall be situated.
The scene is set in the modern part of Athens. Due to it being set in Athens it is going to be busy, therefore the noise needed in the play shall create itself whether it be by passers-by talking or cars going past on the busy main road. Like the noise, the lighting shall create itself. Because this scene is going to be filmed on a nice midsummer’s day the light created by the sun shall be sufficient.
In Act, one scene one; the mechanicals are deciding who shall play what part in the play Pyramus and Thisby. Quince tries to take charge of the situation but is not helped by Bottom’s outbursts of performing everybody’s roles.
Quince – I would like quince to come across on screen as if he was commanding but not in a nasty way. He shall read out who is to play each part.
Bottom - I would like Bottom to come across on screen as a confident person and someone who thinks he is brilliant at everything.
For the rest of the mechanicals, I would like them to show they don’t really want to be there and just take what part they are given, except Flute because he is reluctant to play the part of a lady.
In this scene there is two main moments where the humour shall come across to the audience. Both of these concern Bottom.
1 – When Bottom goes off on one of his speeches about being the lion, I want him to jump out of his chair and fling his arms into the air. By doing this he shall knock the tray out of the waiter’s arms onto the floor.
2 – When they are walking down the steps from the veranda there will be a banana skin on the floor. Bottom walking proud and tall shall skip down the stairs and straight onto the banana skin and fall awkwardly to the floor. Every one around him laughs. Quince eventually helps him back to his feet and he walks off very embarrassed.
Costumes
This act is set in the wood and can be split up into two different parts.
1 – Titania and Oberon arguing.
2 – Helena and Demetruis arguing.
Titania and Oberon arguing
This section of the scene is situated in the fairy world which is part of the wood. This is the layout of Titania’s chamber where Oberon and Titania are witnessed quarreling.
Only Titania and Oberon are featured in this section of the play so here is where they shall be situated.
In this section of the scene Titania is arguing with Oberon about a Changeling boy.
Titania – I would like Titania to come across on scene as a confident lady, she is not going to back down to Oberon just because she is a female, but I would also like the actor to play Titania as quite an arrogant person.
Oberon – I would like Oberon to come across to the audience as somebody who has quite a short fuse, because I would like him to react to what Titania says in a very violent and argumentative way.
Near to the end for this section because Oberon is so wound up he goes across to Titania’s dressing table and flip it over with rage. This will emphasis Oberon’s short fuse and bad temper.
Costumes
Demetruis and Helena arguing
This section of the scene takes place in an opening in the forest, this is a brief summary on how the opening shall look
There are mainly three people on screen in this section and a fourth joins at the end. This is how they shall be positioned and their movements.
The wood used for this scene shall be a deciduous wood and because it is filmed in the middle of summer the leaves shall be on the trees and the floor shall be beautiful green grass. The lighting in the wood will have to be enhanced because the sun will not create sufficient lighting. Long shafts of artificial light will be used to create the effect of the sun shining through the trees. The noise in the wood will have to be a mixture of natural and artificial sound. The stream tricking over the tiny pebbles will create the natural sound of a babbling brook. Other sounds like natural bird song and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves will be added to created the desired effect.
There are four people featured in this section of the scene.
Oberon – I would like Oberon to be a complete contrast to the time earlier in the scene, I want him to be peaceful and calm
Puck – I want Puck to come across as a mischievous fairy that will do everything that Oberon commands him to do.
Demetruis – I would like him to come across as a dominate character especially over Helena, also I want him to show no emotion towards Helena.
Helena – I would like her to come across quite desperate and really emphasis how much she loves Demetrius.
Costumes
