A Devil’s Manuscript

Director: Nora Melikechi
Production Designer: Anna Lavender

This design explores the end of ideological evolution and the passivity of modern Western societies, where youth culture is defined by escapism and nostalgia for the metaphorical ‘ghosts’ of lost futures. Dance and underground club culture are housed in buildings from a time before the ‘end of history’ (Fukuyama, 1992), housing spectres of the political past. Using influences from Prague's National Theatre New Stage, Fuchs2, and Prague’s communist era of design, the stage is set in a church hall (Kattilahalli, Helsinki), where dancers beckon the main character to awaken from the passivity of modern Western life.

The challenge for this design was to create a stage that represents a ‘pocket of time’ within a small budget and time frame, therefore stage flats were utilised for easy transport and construction.

Interior of Prague’s National Theatre New Stage

Interior of Fuchs2

This pre-vis uses real data of the sun’s position on the date of the shoot to visualise the lighting for the set. The high ceilings and beckoning light is serene, like an industrial church that has been untouched for years finally receiving light.