Topic: Life in the Dorm - WIP

I'm working on a medium length film (5-10 minutes) for a school project, entitled "Life in the Dorm". I'm still in the set-building/script-writing stage, but I thought I'd share with you all how it's going.

Lighting test:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4113678219_f197138509.jpg

So far, that's the only room I have built. It's a 14x14 dorm room, containing a computer, Wii, TV, dresser, bookshelf, mini-fridge, nightstand, and bunk beds.

The picture was taken with a Canon Powershot G5 that I found on eBay for about $120. It is lit by a single lamp reflecting off of a piece of paper suspended over the set.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do plot wise, but I have a few ideas, such as a mockumentary of dorm life, of a short comedy about two completely opposite roomates.

Thoughts, suggestions?

-- bluejeansummer

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

When filming, make sure the chair is level to the ground. make sure each wall comes off seperately to give you better angles.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/minifig77/banners/logo.png
click me for my YouTube!

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

The walls are removable (if you click on the picture, there are some others that show the set from a different angle).

With the chairs, I am using a small 1x1 flat round piece stuck between four studs so that the chair can turn and spin. Is there a better way to do this, that will hold it more level?

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

You know, for a new member, you seem suprisingly better than most people that just started. If you're wondering how I could tell, all I needed was just one look at the picture.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/BGanimations/Signatures/final_400x100.png

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

BGanimations wrote:

You know, for a new member, you seem suprisingly better than most people that just started. If you're wondering how I could tell, all I needed was just one look at the picture.

Hrm.. Sorry, But he's not really new, at all.
He just haven't been around, as much as the other People, around here.

I Think the picture is very fine, I know it's a dorm room, But it's a little.. Small...
Just place a door or something, for making it look a little bigger.
Also, these 'Square' Building seems very popular at the moment.
Using the 'Trampetz' Form, as some other Brickfilmers, would make the room, Even better! mini/wink
-Jack.

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

If you noticed JackpodyDK, it says NEW MEMBER under his name, and it says joined...January 4th, 2009?!?! It's only Novenber 18th (2009, duh)!!! How is that possible unless...[suspicious] typo...it followed me again...[/suspicious]

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/BGanimations/Signatures/final_400x100.png

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

BGanimations wrote:

If you noticed JackpodyDK, it says NEW MEMBER under his name, and it says joined...January 4th, 2009?!?! It's only Novenber 18th (2009, duh)!!! How is that possible unless...[suspicious] typo...it followed me again...[/suspicious]

Register date doesn't matter. It all depends on amount of posts.

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

Oops. Well, I learned something new today. That's one bright thing about my idiocy in this situation.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/BGanimations/Signatures/final_400x100.png

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

Dorm rooms ARE small. Tiny, actually. It looks good to me.

I would add two things furniture-wise: a reading lamp or two (perhaps on the nightstand and computer table), and any sort of trash can is notably absent. I might also add a few things to set this particular room apart as a dorm room as opposed to any other small apartment... perhaps some movie posters on the walls, textbooks on the tables, empty... um... beverage containers lying around, and in general a bit more mess. College students are not neat people.

With all due respect Noodle, I don't want you here. - Ratboy Productions

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

@BGAnimations: I'm not new. I registered at Brickfilms.com on June 5, 2005. I haven't been very active, with only one (very low quality) film online.

@Noodle: I've been thinking about putting in a lamp or two, but I hadn't thought about the trash can. The posters sound like a good idea, as do the cans, but I don't have any Lego Books. Any ideas on how to make a mess that I can stick down and not bump?

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

Well, I didn't exactly know that you weren't new, becuase it said new member, and I was never on BrickFilms.com.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/BGanimations/Signatures/final_400x100.png

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

Update!

With a week left to film and not much filming done, I finally built my second (and last) set: the basement.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4219453173_97022c0451.jpg

It's a little lacking in the minor-details department, but I suppose a basement can be fairly empty. You can't really tell from this angle, but there's a workbench and a tool chest along the left wall. The lighting isn't how it will be in the final film. What you see there is just a room light, but the final film will use a desk lamp reflected/diffused from above.

And yes, they are playing ping-pong in the basement.

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

I personally like that shot very much. The camera quality is very clear and clean, and the set looks pretty good. The lighting is great too. mini/smile
What camera are you using, by the way? It looks sort of like Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000...

-JK

what could have been: jeffrey and the old man make some robots
                      art page -- tumblr --youtube
              bricksinmotion's #13th best curmudgeon

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

I'm using a Canon PowerShot G5. That particular shot was taken with a 2.0 aperture and 1/2 second exposure. I'm rather new to photography, but I think the small aperture is what made only part of the picture in focus.

Last edited by bluejeansummer (December 27, 2009 (03:21pm))

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

It look's quite realistic, But I do see one thing I can critique on:
The hands.
If you look, They're not placed, as a regular hand position. mini/wink
-Jackie.

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

I suppose you're right; for some reason, I thought the hands should be turned in like that. I'll have them turned forwards in the actual animation.

In chat, someone commented on the ping-pong table, so I snapped a picture of if from a clearer angle. Enjoy.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4220835820_0605b2caf7.jpg

EDIT: Added picture of ping-pong table.

Last edited by bluejeansummer (December 27, 2009 (06:58pm))

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

Love the ping-pong table design, but to me it seems too thin. I'd make it six studs wide. Perfect width for a beer pong table, though. mini/eh

Anyway, I think the room as a whole is a little too empty... there's just nothing to do down there. At the very least, I'd add some chairs (nothing complicated, just a few of the lego seats would be fine), maybe a mini-fridge, and maybe a crappy old CRT television. (Maybe put the TV on top of the fridge--nothing like good old college laziness-induced ingenuity.)

If you don't have time to change anything, it's certainly good enough. I definitely like what you've done; I just think that it would benefit from a few more small details if you have time.

With all due respect Noodle, I don't want you here. - Ratboy Productions

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

I like the ping pong rackets (dont know if that is the right word)

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

@Noodle: I wasn't sure what to put in the basement, so I'll take some of your suggestions.

@Stoppedmotion: They're called paddles, actually. For the pieces, I was torn between those and frying pans.

EDIT: Here's some junk:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2529/4221507780_248a81ac14.jpg

I added a snowboard, box of pizza, soda can, stereo, wooden chest, couch, and a TV. What do you think? Click on the picture for more detailed photos.

Last edited by bluejeansummer (December 27, 2009 (11:08pm))

she/her

It's been a long time…

Re: Life in the Dorm - WIP

Do you mind if I ask what your YouTube is?