Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Laser Pointer Diorama 2

Props:

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Title: "If I stay still, they can't see me.."
Chuck felt so stupid as, for a moment, he seriously consider that would actually work.


Background story:

Simple as it is. On Tuesday night, a troop is being sent to a Zeon base, to sneak in n plant some time bomb.

A GM custom drop down, from the top. Just before he reaches the group, he's stunned; realising there r many laser pointers from machine guns on his body.

Yeah, this unfortunate GM's surrounded by a group of Zakus, pointing their guns n ready to shoot in case of any sudden movement.....

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The execution:

Basically this small dio/vignette has 2 main gimmick:

1. powering laser pointers to create real laser light onto the GM. Tried to make the laser points shake to simulate the natural movement of unstable hand of human beings. But failed.

2. The ceiling/roof of the hanger is being cut off. Use a transparent rod at the back n wall to hold the GM. To create a "floating" illusion.

The concept of execution can be found in the wip thread. http://forum.zerogunz.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=10792
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The lesson learn:

Ok, i m not sure how i m gonna make this simple n clear.

From the begining, i think this is a very brilliant idea; until the stage i start to plan the placement of all props: the mecha n the lights.

Due to the size limitation n wanting the dio to stay as tight as possible, there leaves not much space between the GM the the laser pointers.Since the position of the laser pointer is much lower than the GM, naturally it creates an angle where the laser pointer will shoot.

As a result, there r many parts of the GM where the laser point cannot reach. Worse, those crucial parts eg, chest. Even if I try to substitute the laser pointers with a big round torchlight, the supposed to be round shape light appears to be oval shape.

I should have scrapped the whole idea by that time. However, i didn't. Thinking of "maybe" i can find a solution later, I continue construction of the GM, the wall, the ground, n all the props.

In the end, I realise that limitation due to my initial planning, I have had reached a point of no return. I might move the position of the ramp, or building the base in another way where laser pointers can be hidden in a higher position. But everything's too late. I have less than 2 weeks for this.

The end result, yes, there r some pretty interesting red dots on the GM, but the story telling is so weak that i believe nobody can understand it in first glance. I have put a comic strip style title, yes, if the viewer spent more time reading the title n study the dio, he will understand, he might even catch the humor. IF only he has n willing to spend the time.

So this is the big lesson I learned: If u see something might be wrong, deal with itimmediately. At least simulate the whole thing in your brain n visualize it first. Dont believe the urban legend that things will be fine by its own when time comes. Miracle doesn't happen to lazy people.

Trouble the troubles, before they trouble you - quote Angel Kay =D

Another big lesson is: The difference between dream n reality, difference among different medium or matters of execution n expression. Certain ideas are best expressed in certain mediums n bad in others.

Take this laser pointer for example:

1. In drawing, usually what is used to present guns with laser pointers pointing at you is the faint red line going out from the gun n falls onto your body. NOT merely the red dots onto your body.

2. In movies, even if sometimes they do not show the red lines, movie has the luxury of bringing out the humor in many frames, or time. In other words, in movie, it has a series of movement, actions, sounds, lights, or even conversation to bring out the humor (I can amongst imagine stephen chow's movie, he would be saying, "Yiiiuuuuu.....") But in a static model kit dio, we dont have this luxury


The third big lesson:

If the idea cannot be executed, due to many reasons; painful as it as, when u need to scrap it, u gotta scrap it.
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No, i m not being too critical onto myself. In fact i m pretty proud of this project though it has so much flaws. Am just sharing what i've learned.


Last, but not least, thanks to all my brothers n sisters for giving all your love n supports, ideas n criticism. Specially to Kong, Guitarist, Phoon, Zero1st, n Entau for bringing in all the positive energy, motivation, n stupid jokes during the blood n sweat moments.

Laser Pointer Diorama 1

Ok, same thing, pictures first, talk later.

Think I ll be really long winded during sharing, pls be patient...

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Laser ON:

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

2 Spoons & a Toothpick!

Ok, this has nothing to do with the infamous 2 girls n a cup.

Was awfully bored, thrilled, n feel a bit stupid for not studying hard enough during school time.

This is basically a very simple science project that deals with centre of gravity, which I conviniently forgot. That explains my over-excitement when i saw this.

With the enthusiasm of professor Klay, we had a small science project n me excited like a fifth grade kid.

Here u go: balancing trick using 2 plastic spoon, some blue tag (for weight), n a toohpick.


This is how the whole thing looks like: (We didnt have any cup, hence we use the edge of a magnifying glass):


Now we actually manage to make the toothpick barely touching the edge of the magnifying glass....




Pls, do try it at home!:D

Monday, November 14, 2011

MG 1/100 Zeta ver2.0 (2007 Bakuc Entry)

This is the kit I used for joining Bakuc for the first time. Ok pictures first, talk later:





Modification & detailing was still very new to me back then. Generally, a lot of modification is heavily referenced Naoki's Zeta; except I didn't copy the stunning piston/hydraulic waist he did; which proof to be such a great design that influenced so many modelers later.

As fof paint, at that time I was still using Tamiya acrylic, which I personally think it's a little too dull to create the kind of bright tone of colorscommonly used in Gunpla.

Overall, there's nothing much to shout about, but personally, it serve as a milestone for myself.

This is great memory.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Aoshima 1/24 Daihatsu Copen

Finally, this little critter is considered done; after giving me hell loads of problem.

Ok, photo first, sharing later.

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Car Exterior
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Front Rim & Disc Brake System

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Belakang.... :p
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Front Light & Signal Light
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Car Interior (Light Grey color scheme)
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Metal Transfer Key Hole
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Some photos on a different color background setting..... (Click to view a 800x600 full size)







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Basically, there r a few mistakes n lessons learned from this build; pretty much most of them could be avoided.

The main thing caught me in surprise was the Tamiya primer; which seems to be reacting when there's a wet coat where thinner's strong. So far has never encounter this problem with Gunze's primer before.

Besides that, the fitting for this kit is not as perfect as the usual Tamiya car kit I build, especially the front windscreen. The problem, however could be easily countered by simply heat up the part n manually bend them.

Other than that, this is pretty much a very fun build, stress free n experience a few things I had never tried before.