How cheaply can I make miniatures? - Page 2 - IndieTalk

directorik · 02-19-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspiring Mogul

How about I get a mix of volunteers and skilled labor, and, hopefully, the skilled labor will offer a discount for an aspiring mogul.

Sounds fine to me. I see no reason not to ask both.

Aspiring Mogul · 02-19-2012, 09:19 PM

I'm finally getting it.

With this video, by IndieMogul, I presume I can make a good-quality spacesuit, and, with his other videos, I can figure out how to do a space helmet. Are his suggestions good? He's a Mogul, so we must be related. LOL. And I think I can get help to figure out how to do this as well as build miniature spacecraft and a miniature space-station or moonbase - probably both.

Now, I have to find a script-writer and a good SF author to help me develop my story.

directorik · 02-19-2012, 10:53 PM

Yep. A good script is the first thing a producer needs.

Aspiring Mogul · 02-19-2012, 10:58 PM

I'm looking at the LA Production resource, and some of the props seem pretty expensive - I mean, $500 a day for renting a spacesuit??? I might as well make my own.

Would this video let me provide a professional-quality spacesuit?

My business plan is slowly beginning to gel. Thanks, Rik, for being so patient all this time.

directorik · 02-20-2012, 12:09 AM

Does that suit in the video look professional-quality to you?

If it does, then $50 is your price point.

Aspiring Mogul · 02-20-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by directorik

Does that suit in the video look professional-quality to you?

Hard to say, because I have very poor eyesight - I can spend more than $50, and, let's face it, for $500 a day - charged to ULB non-commercial movies - I should be able to do a better job and get professional-quality suit. That's my point, and I'm wondering what your thoughts are on that.

directorik · 02-20-2012, 12:41 AM

My thoughts are that $50 spacesuit looks terrible. Fine for a
"fan film" - excellent for students making their first movie.
For a ULB feature that an aspiring mogul hopes to get picked
up for a profit...

Terrible. Laughable. Unusable.

Of course a good spacesuit can be made - maybe even for $50.
Maybe for $150. Maybe for no money at all.

Aspiring Mogul · 02-20-2012, 12:46 AM

How much to make a good spacesuit? $500? My goal would be something like that seen in Space: 1999.

ItDonnedOnMe · 02-20-2012, 10:25 AM

I agree the one in the video looks pretty bad, but it doesn't have too - I expect the final quality and appearance has more to do with the time and care you put into making it than anything else. However there are a lot of off the rack space suit costumes available for fairly cheap like these:

http://www.amazon.com/NASA-Astronaut...ref=pd_sbs_a_2
http://www.amazon.com/Underwraps-Adu.../dp/B003JDJG50

It doesn't necessarily look great, but it's already leagues better than the homemade one in the video. I'm guessing if you use one of those as your starting point, and put some care into customizing it, you could produce something that looks decent for a a few hundred dollars. You might also want to start with military surplus flight suits, they can be pretty cheap, something like this:

http://www.armysurplusworld.com/prod...roductID=45034

directorik · 02-20-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspiring Mogul

How much to make a good spacesuit? $500? My goal would be something like that seen in Space: 1999.

A good spacesuit can be made for $50. Maybe for $150.
Maybe for no money at all. Again we come back to the
labor issue. Most of the filmmakers here are DIY - they
literally do everything themselves. A producer making a
TV series for broadcast has different needs. Yes, you can
buy $50 or $150 or $250 in materials and build one suit
yourself. Or you can pay a skilled professional to build a
suit.

There are many dedicated amateurs out there who can
create amazing things (like models and spacesuits) for
little or no money at all.

Aspiring Mogul · 02-20-2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by directorik

A good spacesuit can be made for $50. Maybe for $150.
Maybe for no money at all. Again we come back to the
labor issue. Most of the filmmakers here are DIY - they
literally do everything themselves. A producer making a
TV series for broadcast has different needs. Yes, you can
buy $50 or $150 or $250 in materials and build one suit
yourself. Or you can pay a skilled professional to build a
suit.

There are many dedicated amateurs out there who can
create amazing things (like models and spacesuits) for
little or no money at all.

I was wondering about that. So, if I can get a team of volunteers with a professional or two supervising everyone, I should be able to cut costs and get something that looks really good.

wheatgrinder · 02-21-2012, 07:11 PM

to many maybes up there ^^^

You dont know what you want, you dont know how to do it, your eyes arent any good. Your plan sounds like a great way to waste a lot of money.

Commission the model at your local hobby store, $200 buck and I bet you get a masterpiece, might be a bit fragile, but good for you movie..

Have you ever SHOT with a model before, do you know anything about it?

Go buy some premade toys and try and film them in a convincing way.. again, your hobby store that specializes in model railroads is your best bet.

Must read for you..

http://www.scribd.com/doc/26981391/F...Cinematography

go try something today..

Aspiring Mogul · 02-21-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheatgrinder

to many maybes up there ^^^

You dont know what you want, you dont know how to do it, your eyes arent any good. Your plan sounds like a great way to waste a lot of money.

Commission the model at your local hobby store, $200 buck and I bet you get a masterpiece, might be a bit fragile, but good for you movie..

Have you ever SHOT with a model before, do you know anything about it?

Go buy some premade toys and try and film them in a convincing way.. again, your hobby store that specializes in model railroads is your best bet.

Must read for you..

http://www.scribd.com/doc/26981391/F...Cinematography

go try something today..

If only you knew ...

wheatgrinder · 02-22-2012, 12:07 AM

lol.. Sorry, I came off sounding like a know it all pompous a#$! Forgive me please.

Aspiring Mogul · 02-22-2012, 01:21 AM

Nothing to forgive, my friend. Rik and the others have been patient with me the last few years, and they've said the same think you have, namely, that I have to get off my rear end and do a movie.

It's late, but I have an idea in mind ... now, I have to convince Rik I mean it.