Breaking Down the World: The Role of Sets, Props, and Environment in Storytelling
“The process of constraining the world is originally an imaginary one, sometimes associated with a fictional universe.”
When creating the world of a story, every element—from the sets and props to the overall environment—plays a critical role in shaping the narrative. Understanding how these elements influence the shots and storytelling is key to building a cohesive world. Let’s break it down into the core components that will guide the world-building process:
1. History: Understanding the Time and Context of the Story
The history of the world within your story sets the stage for everything that happens. Establishing the time period and understanding what happened before and after your story provides context for the narrative.
- What time is your story set in?
- What major events have shaped the world?
- Consider the impact of things like natural disasters, pandemics, or significant historical events.
- Establishing a clear beginning and end will help you develop the middle of the story.
Understanding these elements will help ground your world in reality, even if the world itself is fictional. Contextualizing your story through history gives the narrative emotional depth and relevance.
2. Ecology: The Flora, Fauna, and Environmental Impact
Ecology is about the relationship between living organisms and their environment. In your story, the natural world influences the characters and events.
- What flora and fauna exist in this world?
- How does nature affect the world?
- What is the condition of the environment depicted in the scene?
The key here is to communicate the ecological elements visually—without overwhelming the audience with text or exposition. Visual storytelling is the most effective way to show the impact of nature on the world.
3. Geography: Defining the Location and Culture
Geography refers to the physical location where the story takes place. The environment and location provide context for the narrative and influence everything from architecture to culture.
- Where is the story set? Is it in a primitive, developing, or advanced nation?
- How does geography influence the architecture, culture, and people’s way of life?
- Consider the role of history, religion, and science in shaping the built environment.
- How does geography affect urbanization, culture, and daily life?
- What influences people’s clothing, mannerisms, and social behaviour?
These factors will affect the choices made for the sets, props, and characters. The way people dress, speak, and move is heavily influenced by the geography and culture of their environment, so understanding this is essential when planning actor choices and character designs.
4. Sets and Props: Modelling the World
The sets and props are the physical manifestation of your world. These elements help signal to the audience what kind of environment they’re in and contribute to the overall atmosphere.
- What props and sets will clearly define your world for the audience?
- How do they reflect the environment, culture, and time period?
In this phase, you are modelling the world—creating spaces that feel authentic to the narrative. Props should be purposeful, serving as visual cues to support the world-building.
5. Basic Composition in Maya
When creating your world in 3D software like Maya, basic composition becomes critical in translating your ideas from concept to reality. Focus on the arrangement of objects, lighting, and camera angles that help reinforce the themes and tone of your story.
6. Mood board: Visual Inspiration
A mood board serves as a visual reference for the world you’re creating. It helps capture the atmosphere, textures, colour palettes, and design elements that define the aesthetic of the world.
You can gather references from various sites, including those specifically dedicated to visual references, to guide your decisions about the sets, props, and overall design.