The Raft of Medusa
Have you seen a play
with a video background?
My role
Skills
Tools
Project time
Image design lead (with 8 team members)
Team management, Brainstorming & Ideation, Problem Solving, Decision Making
Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects
7 months
Background: Stepping Into the Spotlight
During my time at university studying theater, I had the privilege of working with an amazing theater. It was here that I learned how performances are built from the ground up.
The most exciting part? Understanding how the audience experiences the show.
Designing for the stage isn’t just about creating something that looks cool - it’s about crafting an image that speaks to the audience and elevates the performance. Every detail counts, from lighting to sound to timing, and I had the chance to learn how all these elements come together to tell a powerful story.
Among all the projects I worked on, one stands out as truly memorable: The Raft of Medusa.
The Project: Surviving on the Raft
This play is a gripping tale of 13 boys and girls stranded on a remote ship, battling the elements and each other. The stage design had to reflect the raw, tense atmosphere of survival. The boat became the centerpiece of the stage, with all the actors moving around it, making the use of space unconventional but impactful.
Creating an image that perfectly complemented the performance was a true challenge—but it also made the entire experience more meaningful.
The Process: Bringing the Vision to Life
1. First Impressions: Script Breakdown
Reading the script was my starting point. I scrolled through the pages, jotting down ideas and marking the parts where visuals could make a big impact. A great stage image can provide major clues about a performance's theme or tone—it has the power to convey emotion, set the mood, and even hint at the deeper message.
2. Collaborating with Other Departments
When it comes to stage design, communication is key. I spent hours in meetings with the lighting and video teams, making sure we were all on the same page. If the lighting isn’t right, the video becomes invisible, and if the video’s too bright, it washes out the scene.
3. Collecting Inspiration
Designing for the stage is like a giant puzzle, and every piece of inspiration counts. I led brainstorming sessions where we discussed colors, atmospheres, and the role of video. I worked closely with the video team, discussing the intent behind each image—was it for color, mood, or meaning?
4. Storyboarding the Vision
Understanding the script was crucial to turning ideas into reality. A great performance is built on the entire team’s understanding of the narrative. To communicate my ideas clearly, I sketched out storyboards that showed how the visuals would evolve alongside the performance.
5. Building the Set
One of the most exciting parts of this project was collaborating with the stage team. Sometimes, I had to adjust the stage design to fit the vision for the video. Creative changes were often necessary to make the visuals and the set work together seamlessly.
6. Show Time: Rehearsal Ready
One of the most exciting parts of this project was collaborating with the stage team. Sometimes, I had to adjust the stage design to fit the vision for the video. Creative changes were often necessary to make the visuals and the set work together seamlessly.
Final Results
[Allen] What happened to your little foxes? (Speechless) Your little fox -
( turns to Anne) and the kids threw her off the boat (no voice)
[Anne] And we're now rescued.
[Anne] I knew we'd be rescued because of him.
[Allen] (Painful) The little fox shouldn't have been in the tent together--because--? [Anne] It's because of him. It's because of him.
[Allen] This is not true. Tell me, Ann. I didn't think it wasn't true. You didn't treat me like that. - I believed everything, but you didn't. - I still believe in you, Anne.
You have to tell me, it wasn't to get the little fox out of the tent, being with me in the tent. You love me, Anne.
[Anne] I loved you.
[Allen] Then don't you love him now?
[Anne] I can't say that.
As darkness begins to fall and waves rise almost silently, the first flash of the explosion flashes, and at the same time, the bottom of the steamer can be heard cracking. As the fire grows bigger and bigger, people cannot hear the sound of burning, and the shape of the people is too small to recognize in the midst of a huge fire and smoke.
It flows aimlessly with a calm sound, a dark sea like clay. Sometimes the waves break as if they were touching each other, lamenting. The sea is crying like this. Then the wind begins to lament. sighing
The wind - born, disappeared, came back with a louder moan - meets the wind a groan from another direction. The wind makes sense as it becomes one with the sound.
Noise on the plane. [Pilot]
Where's the baby fox?--- Your dog, signed with you--- Cute idea.
To accept a puppy in a crowd.--- Is it on the dog boat? Did you starve to death? You didn't get over the difficulty, did you? Or did you play around and fall headlong overboard?--- Don't worry too much. Dogs are dogs. You're alive. In the end, this fact is more important than a little fox! A rope ladder descends from the plane into a boat.
[Pilot] One by one, don't wait until one person gets up, come up. The ladder is a very strong one. And you guys aren't heavy. Really. It's nice to spend a week in the sea.
You guys look like evil demons. People will be scared, let alone compassion!