Not much has happened since the first post, aside from some "prep" before this whole project gets its first big start.
First and foremost, I've attended a local miniature enthusiast group's public display and got the chance to speak with a few of their members. They're all lovely, friendly, and most importantly equally enthusiastic about miniatures as I am. They had some very helpful information to offer, including various things covered about their group which I have every intention of checking out in a more appropriate setting and perhaps becoming a member.
Their displays were all amazing and inspiring, and I believe that having the opportunity to see the wonderful creations has further stoked my desire to see this project to completion.
Actually pertaining to said project, we've obtained the platforms that the model will be mounted on. We've opted to have a single base in which the rooms slot into, perhaps on pegs, while each room has its own platform that the room is build upon cut to shape so each room fits together like a puzzle upon the main board.
Before we can begin I have to touch up the various design to include the extra rooms (Lavatories) which is problematic because the design is so solid that it adds little wiggle room to just slap on an extra room without the whole design being altered. Still, I'm sure I can make it work.
Currently I'm trying to figure out how to do the ceiling/"roof". Since the design for Bag End is very organic and flowing, it's not possible to simple say "Okay, we'll cut the roof off at this height all around." because then you would end up with hallways that still have roofing over them, or conversely windows cut in half. Rather I'm thinking that the ceiling will have to come apart at different heights and be as organic as Bag End itself is.
This is going to prove interesting though, when you also include the "earth" that exists between the rooms. How will that be affected by the varying cut-off heights? I have yet to figure out a solution for that problem in particular, but I'm working on it.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The Beginning of Bag End
Some time back, after becoming enamored with The Hobbit movie, I decided that it was a dream of mine to create a replica of Bag End. Now I've begun the journey to complete this insane task of mine.
I've seen other models done of Bag End, whether it be of clay fronts, bonsai tree decorations, or the amazing model done by Maddie Chambers (Or Maddie Brindley; I'm not sure which she goes by) and loved them all. I also became obsessed with watching videos of people designing and building Model Train scenery and how beautiful some people make their scenes to look.
I haven't yet delved far into it. In fact considering how much work is ahead of me I haven't even touched my toe to the water. But I've been doing research and planning, to determine how I should go about building this model.
The most I've decided is that the scale will be done in 1:24 scale, or "half an inch for every foot". As much as I wanted to do 1:12 scale (One inch for every foot) that would be too massive and far too much work for little ol' me.
I'm not actually the only one working on this. My father is going to help as well, and I have friends/family helping out with design suggestions and encouragement. When it comes to decorating the place, however, most of that will fall on my shoulders since I'm the one who likes to make the tiny objects from clay and other materials.
Aside from that, I'll be working with the WETA floorplan, since I favor its design over others or the prospect of designing my own. Speaking of designing my own, I will be editing the floorplan ever so slightly to include a few missing amenities such as bathrooms, but little more than that will be altered.
The actual design, decoration, and detailing will be remade as accurately to the movies as I can manage while still retaining my sanity (So excuse me if I take any shortcuts. Some things I might just not be capable of).
If you'll excuse my backtracking for a moment, I'd like to point out that after much guestimation measurements, using the WETA floorplan in 1:24 scale results in a model that is ~54x28" room to room. That's a good-sized dining room table right there!
Because of the absurd amount of space this will occupy, I'm toying with the idea of making the entire thing out of modular rooms. Each module will be a room (or more depending on the sizes of surrounding rooms) and a cut down the "empty" space(Or filled-with-earth-space, as it were.), that will press/connect/snap together seamlessly.
Each module will also have its own section of roof as well that will also fit seamlessly with the other roof pieces. When completely closed and fitted together, it will look just like a hobbit hole under a hill.
As much as it's going to kill me, my ultimate goal is to craft as much of the furniture myself. How I'm going to do that I have no idea as I've never made any miniature furniture in my life. I suppose now's as great a time as any! I want to do this mostly because of my desire to emulate the exact appearance of the "real" Bag End as I can. I won't be able to do that with store-bought furniture.
I guess that will wrap up my first post about this little project of mine. I mostly wanted to create an introduction to it, my ideas, and where I wish to take this, so it's easy to follow along for anyone who ends up watching the progression. I'll be posting updates as soon as anything significant happens or changes.
Farewell for now!
I've seen other models done of Bag End, whether it be of clay fronts, bonsai tree decorations, or the amazing model done by Maddie Chambers (Or Maddie Brindley; I'm not sure which she goes by) and loved them all. I also became obsessed with watching videos of people designing and building Model Train scenery and how beautiful some people make their scenes to look.
I haven't yet delved far into it. In fact considering how much work is ahead of me I haven't even touched my toe to the water. But I've been doing research and planning, to determine how I should go about building this model.
The most I've decided is that the scale will be done in 1:24 scale, or "half an inch for every foot". As much as I wanted to do 1:12 scale (One inch for every foot) that would be too massive and far too much work for little ol' me.
I'm not actually the only one working on this. My father is going to help as well, and I have friends/family helping out with design suggestions and encouragement. When it comes to decorating the place, however, most of that will fall on my shoulders since I'm the one who likes to make the tiny objects from clay and other materials.
Aside from that, I'll be working with the WETA floorplan, since I favor its design over others or the prospect of designing my own. Speaking of designing my own, I will be editing the floorplan ever so slightly to include a few missing amenities such as bathrooms, but little more than that will be altered.
The actual design, decoration, and detailing will be remade as accurately to the movies as I can manage while still retaining my sanity (So excuse me if I take any shortcuts. Some things I might just not be capable of).
If you'll excuse my backtracking for a moment, I'd like to point out that after much guestimation measurements, using the WETA floorplan in 1:24 scale results in a model that is ~54x28" room to room. That's a good-sized dining room table right there!
Because of the absurd amount of space this will occupy, I'm toying with the idea of making the entire thing out of modular rooms. Each module will be a room (or more depending on the sizes of surrounding rooms) and a cut down the "empty" space(Or filled-with-earth-space, as it were.), that will press/connect/snap together seamlessly.
Each module will also have its own section of roof as well that will also fit seamlessly with the other roof pieces. When completely closed and fitted together, it will look just like a hobbit hole under a hill.
As much as it's going to kill me, my ultimate goal is to craft as much of the furniture myself. How I'm going to do that I have no idea as I've never made any miniature furniture in my life. I suppose now's as great a time as any! I want to do this mostly because of my desire to emulate the exact appearance of the "real" Bag End as I can. I won't be able to do that with store-bought furniture.
I guess that will wrap up my first post about this little project of mine. I mostly wanted to create an introduction to it, my ideas, and where I wish to take this, so it's easy to follow along for anyone who ends up watching the progression. I'll be posting updates as soon as anything significant happens or changes.
Farewell for now!
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