Shop/library visits and experiments

I have been out to look for materials and assets for the project. I have also been experimenting to see what would be the best way of making the background elements.

I first wanted to make trees as that would be a key background element at the beginning, something between fake yet giving the impression of a tree.

My first decision was to go to the St Peters house student library, it was around the 3rd floor where I was trying to find a book on making miniature sets.

I can't remember the book. And even worse, I forgot to photograph it. But it did mention a method of taking some sort of seaweed, tying it on top of a wire trunk and applying special dust like material to create a realistic tree. This seemed to be more for professional model trains and it would seem to realistic for the project I was aiming for so despite having no luck in the library I decided to look up internet tutorials and I think I have found a good technique which won’t take up as much time and budget.

https://youtu.be/zprSn9TCo-g

I really liked this method, as it works well in not creating a realistic tree but a impressionistic tree with semi realistic foliage. This is done with crepe paper.

I followed the tutorial as planned for an experiment to see how it would work, but the experiment didn't exactly go best considering the paper I used. A4 printer paper...

Regardless its still a good method. Cut strips from your paper to fold into two halves with scissors, then cut loads of little extra strips into the paper without cutting it in half. (Keep within the boundary to roll up later.)

Once you roll it up, tie or stick it and apply in centre. Rinse and repeat until all your rolls of paper are stuck in centre, you then spread out and fiddle with the strips to create the illusion of inter-changing leafy branches connecting with each other. It hasn't exactly worked in the experiment so I have given up on that but I do intend to try again with crepe paper next time.

As for the house in which the 3 children exit out of at the beginning, I have settled on a simple paper/cardboard front model with slight hand drawn elements.

The red background is there for colour keying in after effects. It was shot on a rostrum camera stand to get the perspective I wanted.

This screenshot is conceptual idea of what I want. Obviously some assets are not there, but I hope to add more soon.

Those green hill sections are cut outs from felt that I bought from The Works (Arts and Crafts shop) from Brighton Marina. I thought that felt would go nicely as a grass like texture to go in the film.