Behind the Scenes of my current project: Working on an amateur production of 'Oh What a Lovely War'
- Isabella Ward
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Bringing a theatrical production to life involves countless hours of preparation, creativity, and technical work. Right now, I am immersed in the process of preparing for an upcoming an production of 'Oh What a Lovely War'. This post takes you behind the scenes to explore how I am building the soundscape and visual atmosphere that will help tell this powerful story. From creating projections to gathering tracks and sound effects, and now building a QLab show file, every step is crucial to shaping the audience’s experience.
Creating Projections That Set the Scene
One of the first tasks I tackled was designing and assembling projections. 'Oh What a Lovely War' relies heavily on visual storytelling to convey the mood and historical context of the First World War. The projections serve as a dynamic backdrop, transporting the audience to different locations and moments in time.
I have gathered archival images, wartime posters, and period-appropriate visuals as well as creating the slides referenced in the script which include key dates and facts for example 'Gunboat smith fouls carpenter in sixth round'
Gathering Backing Tracks and Sound Effects
Sound plays a vital role in Oh What a Lovely War, blending music, dialogue, and effects to immerse the audience. I used existing backing tracks that include period songs, military marches, and songs referenced in the script.
I have also collected a wide range of sound effects to enhance realism and emotional impact. These include:
Distant artillery fire
Machine gunfire
Heavy bombardment
Explosions
Gunshots
and many more!
Each sound effect was carefully chosen to support specific moments in the script. For instance, the sound of a gunshots signify a small moment where a shot is fired, whilst the distant rumble of artillery underscores the constant presence of war.
To ensure smooth transitions and precise timing, I edited these sounds to fit the pacing of the scenes. This involved trimming, looping, and layering multiple effects to create a rich soundscape.
Building the QLab Show File
Now that the projections and sound elements are ready, I am building the QLab show file. QLab is a powerful tool that allows me to control all audiovisual components in one place.
I start by importing all backing tracks, sound effects, and projection videos into QLab. I am now organising them into cue lists that correspond to the script’s scenes and cues. This organisation makes it easier to trigger cues in the correct order and at the right moment. I utilise key features of QLab such as:
auto continue
auto follow
fade in
fade out
stop
loop
and many more!
One challenge is syncing sound and projections with live action on stage. To address this, I use QLab’s fade and delay features to fine-tune timing. For example, a projection might fade in just as an actor delivers a key line, or a sound effect might overlap with music to heighten tension.
Collaborating with the Creative Team
Throughout this process, I work closely with the director, stage manager, and other designers. Communication is key to making sure the technical elements support the overall vision.
For example, the director might request a projection to be more subtle or a sound effect to be louder. I test different versions and gather feedback during rehearsals. This process helps refine the production until everything feels seamless.
I also coordinate with the lighting designer to ensure projections don’t clash with lighting cues. Sometimes, we adjust brightness or colour temperature to maintain visual clarity on stage.
Practical Tips for Theatre Sound and Projection Design
If you are interested in theatre production, here are some practical tips based on my experience:
Start early: Gathering and editing media takes time. Begin as soon as the script is finalised.
Keep it simple: Avoid overloading projections or sound with too many elements. Focus on what enhances the story.
Test on site: Whenever possible, test projections and sound in the actual theatre space to check visibility and acoustics.
Organise cues clearly: Use descriptive names that work for you and group cues logically in QLab to avoid confusion during the show. Everyones brain works differently and things that work for other may not for you.
Build flexibility: Include manual overrides and pause points to handle unexpected changes during live performances.
Looking Ahead to the performances
As the show approaches, the technical setup will move from rehearsal rooms to the theatre. I will spend time running full tech rehearsals, adjusting cues, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. The goal is to create an immersive experience where the audience feels transported to the world of 'Oh What a Lovely War'.
So far this project has been a rewarding challenge, combining creativity and technical skill. I look forward to sharing pictures the final production and seeing how the elements I’ve built contribute to the show’s impact.
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