SIGHTS
Clean and appealing décor, comfortable chairs and sofas to lounge on, throw pillows, a coffee table, a stocked bar holding bottled waters and staple liquors (rum, whisky, scotch, vodka, gin, wine), sodas and mix in the fridge, fruit in a bowl, a bucket of ice, platters (vegetable, fruit, cheese, shrimp) lining the counter, a small buffet table (with finger foods and sandwich fixings, plates and napkins, coffee, candies, chips, ice cream), a flat screen TV (tuned to a show or showing what’s happening onstage where the celebrity will be appearing), framed wall portraits and posters of famous celebrities who have performed or been interviewed at this venue or studio, a stereo system playing soft music or ambient sounds, a few popular magazines, a telephone, artwork and décor that reinforces a chic and relaxing atmosphere, an attached bathroom with well-lit mirrors for applying makeup, celebrities reviewing speech cue cards and itineraries before going onstage, stylists touching up one’s hair or makeup
SOUNDS
Soft music (or music that suits the venue and people), the squeak of a leather couch as someone sits on it, ice clinking in a glass, laughter, a TV playing in the background, support staff prepping celebrities for the event, candy wrappers or chip bags crinkling, crunchy snack foods being eaten, the pop of a champagne cork, the hiss of a soda being opened, the grind and whir of an espresso machine, musicians warming up their voices, a stylist spraying hairspray, reporters asking questions in an interview prior to one’s event, celebrities meeting with fans and signing autographs after an event
SMELLS
Warm food, air freshener, cologne, perfume, sweat, coffee, citrus, beer
TASTES
Food and drinks provided to green room users (alcohol, snacks and sweets, meat, cheese and fruit trays, shrimp cocktail, easy-to-eat appetizers or special requests from celebrity guests)
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
Leaning back into a cushy seat, flipping through a glossy magazine to settle one’s nerves before performing, pacing the length of the room, stretching or performing relaxation rituals before an interview or stage appearance, holding tightly to a pen or marker as one signs something for fans with backstage passes, dabbing a soft cloth napkin at the lips after eating, straightening one’s silk tie or plucking at one’s costume or clothing, scraping a hand through one’s hair, smoothing down one’s shirt or dress, picking at one’s nails or engaging in another bad habit to try and settle one’s nerves, a makeup artist dabbing at one’s face, a stylist fussing with one’s hair, sweat gathering along one’s back and under the arms, hot and sweaty hands, a dropping sensation in the pit of one’s belly, the beginnings of stage fright
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Celebrities with personal conflicts using a shared green room
A celebrity making a special green room request (a specific style of décor, food, beverage, ambiance elements) that isn’t fulfilled
Stage fright kicking in
A band member showing up late or intoxicated
Drunk or high celebrities trashing the green room
Illegal activities happening in the green room (drugs being used, prostitutes being brought in)
Underage fans and groupies trying to get into the space
A security guard dropping the ball and allowing a deranged fan or other threat inside
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Celebrities and their handlers, event coordinators for the studio or venue, groupies, special guests of the celebrities (contest winners, family members brought on tour, an entourage), the local host at the studio or location, TV reporters invited to speak with the celebrity or performer
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Rural Volume: Mansion
Urban Volume: Cruise ship, limousine, penthouse suite, performing arts theater, rock concert, Vegas stage show, yacht
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Some green rooms are very basic: a simple room where celebrities can wait before going on air with a host or on stage at an event. The standard rooms—with comfortable couches, a live feed of the studio playing on the TV, a table of refreshments and bathroom facilities—are fine for a short in-and-out interview. However, when celebrities are putting on an intense live performance with intermissions or time in the beginning where a cover band plays, they may have specific requests for their relaxation space. From non-animal-byproduct furniture and vegan refreshments to a specific brand of imported bottled water, celebrity requests can make green room management especially challenging. If you have this setting in your story, think about how specific requests might characterize your celebrity and the possible conflict that might arise if those requests are not fulfilled.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Martin grabbed the remote and cued up some jazz, then fluffed the plum-colored pillows on the white chaise and matching overstuffed chairs. The requirements for this room had been very specific: white and purple décor only, three types of chilled Prosecco in individual ice buckets, soft jazz, and, oddly enough, lime jelly beans. He’d scoured the internet hoping to find lime-flavored beans that came in purple or white but had no luck. Rather than disappoint, he’d placed green ones in a purple glass dish and hoped for the best.
Techniques and Devices Used: Contrast, multisensory descriptions
Resulting Effects: Characterization, establishing mood