Set construction

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:28 am

Anyone here make sets for their projects? Nearly everything I've done (and all my projects on S8) have been shot outdoors. For my first 16mm project, I'm shooting indoors using a constructed set of a space capsule interior. I'm planning the set over the next few days, and hopefully starting construction next weekend. The current design is a framework of 2 by 4s, with foam insulation paneling on the interior. Various wiring and a control panel containing a modified keyboard and joystick will be added, as well as a few gutted PCs and a monitor. A viewport will be fabricated from plexiglass.

Any tips on construction, design, or lighting? I want this to be realistic but not historically accurate - although I am looking at Soyuz interior photos for some reference. I guess the main light source would be a harsh spotlight from the sun or nearby star through the viewport, as well as some relatively low-key lighting from the instrument panel. I'm probably going to make one wall removable as well as a separate back section, to facilitate filming side and rear-facing shots.

Post by **timdrage** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:41 am

No particular advice, but sounds really cool, and is the kind of thing I'd like to do for a low budget S8 film... tiny cramped spaceship interior has got to be one of the cheapest sets to build!

tho I guess not neccessarily the easiest...

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:03 am

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting my hands dirty and sticking the gear into the set and making it look realistic. I used to build plastic models - still do occasionally (aircraft, cars, and tanks), so detailing comes naturally I guess.

I need to figure out some kind of power source for the interior lighting. If I go with LEDs, a simple battery will last for days, but if I use the small 12v automotive bulbs (probably much cheaper), I guess I can use that 12v power supply I have lying around...

I don't know if I mentioned it, but this is going to be shot in B&W. I was going to shoot 16mm, but I may shoot it in S8 for an even more lo-fi feel... the interior's going to be a mess, with wiring and consoles all over the place. Kind of like the computer in "Pi".

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 4:15 pm

The wood framework is nearly finished. Adding the interior walls today.

Post by **HTTK** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:17 am

That sounds awesome. I've always wanted to build a set for a project. Share any of your tips/secerts to building? Also any pics you could take of your set going together would be awesome!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:02 am

Some things I've learned:

- nails and 1x3 wood are not that strong
- set construction takes time

Most of the main console is finished, including a rack of gear, a modified keyboard, an old monitor, a joystick, and several control devices. The right wall is installed but not detailed. Out of town this weekend, but before I leave I hope to find an old car seat at a junkyard. Next week/weekend I'm planning on installing the seat, the left wall, and probably making the front window assembly, which will be hinged to allow shooting through the front (rear-facing shots). The right wall is also removable for side shots.

After that I'll install the ceiling and detail the walls, then do some quick interior lights. I really need to come up with some treatment for the floor - right now it's beige carpet. Any suggestions? Maybe laying some black fabric down around the seat would be enough to make it inconspicuous - it won't be in many shots, but I'm sure part of it will be visible at times.

Post by **Scotness** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:25 pm

We're building one for Hold Me Tight - the basic design is like this :

- it's meant to be the corner of a farmers cottage in England in the 1840's - I've got some really good art people, and a whole lot of flats from some other films. I'll post some pics when it's done (in about a month).

Here's a few reference pics from the miniseries Against The Wind - I'm hoping it will look something like the first one.

Scot

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:01 am

Cool stuff - are the pictures from one of your projects?

The set is 95% done. I just need to mount the viewport and quickly make a back wall, then add a few more lights and wires.

I've discovered from this project that I really prefer shooting on location whenever possible. The pluses of working with a set (theoretically more comfortable, since it's inside an air-conditioned house, not being dependent on natural lighting) are more than offset by other issues (it takes forever to build sets as a one-man crew, achieving acceptable realism is tough, and the sets take up a lot of room).

I added a single low-quality picture to my website.

http://plaza.ufl.edu/ekubota/film.html

Post by **timdrage** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:26 pm

I added a single low-quality picture to my website.

Looks like it's gonna be cooool!

Post by **sooper8fan** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:33 pm

Evan Kubota wrote:

I added a single low-quality picture to my website.

HAHA! Sweet....looking good, Evan. Keep us posted (i know you will).

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:03 am

More photos on my site,

http://plaza.ufl.edu/ekubota/film.html

Also linked from the main forum here.

I'll update the site after the second shooting day.

Post by **steve hyde** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:37 pm

Looks interesting Evan. What's the story pitch?

Steve

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:44 pm

It's difficult to give a brief synopsis, but it follows an astronaut who experiences time dilation and a repeating sequence of events on a test flight.

Post by **HTTK** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:30 am

Nice Evan. I left you a message on your blog.

Thanks for the update.

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:43 am

The Bolex is nice but I've forgotten to switch to the right lens at least three times, one of which was tonight. Luckily it was only a three second closeup. I was doing some pick-up shots of unusual angles that I wasn't able to get with the actor actually in the cockpit.

I realized that pretty much everything I've shot has been with the Angenieux 25mm f/0.95, and I've probably used it at f/1.4 or under 75% of the time. It's very tricky to focus at that aperture, even on a tripod and using a tape measure. I hope it comes out reasonably well...

For the second shooting day, in a week and a half or so, I'll use the Kiev-16U that just came. Reflex with a mirror shutter, so I won't have to worry about switching lenses any more. Unfortunately all the lenses are f/2.0, so I'll probably have to add another light.

I've used about 170 feet of film so far. I'll probably finish off the reel in the camera getting some exterior wide shots for the opening sequence, then use one of the two loads currently in my freezer in the Kiev for most of the shots, and the other load in the Bolex for shots requiring a wider aperture. After that everything will be sent to the lab, and I'll start crossing my fingers...