Space Trash Men

Project Development Gallery

Film Premise - In the future where humanity has to send its rubbish into space. The story follows two characters that are confined to a small living quarter of a giant space ship that transports trash into space. The story is about the relationship between the two men and how they deal with the loneliness of space.

Costume and props

Interior of set on filming day

Space ship miniature

Costume and props

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Meeting and planning

Rough CAD

We designed the set to be disassembled so we had freedom to film from where ever the director pleased

Quick sketch

This was the beginnings of planning how the interior of the space ship would be lived in

Meeting and planning

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Project Introduction

This project involved creating the art department for a short film that will be made in collaboration with a group of film students in Wellington, NZ. We began with extensive research and planning to successfully produce the main components necessary for the film. These main components were the set, the miniature and the props and costumes for actors to interact with on film.

The art department was created through the efforts of a group project. My amazing teammates were,

Jack Taylor

http://www.coroflot.com/jacktaylor/portfolio

Ben de la Roche http://www.bendelaroche.com/

Research and Ideation

We spent large amounts of time and energy on researching how the set would have to function for filming. As well as the functional aspects, the set also had to look striking on camera as 90% of the film took place in the living quarters of the ship.

Video shows quick mock up using tables and chairs to make sure the dimensions of set are correct

Living space render

This was the master plan of the living space of the spaceship

Rhino model

We used CAD to develop the aesthetic and also as a plan for construction

Final spaceship CAD model

This detailed CAD model helped us greatly in the construction of the miniature

Living space render

This was the master plan of the living space of the spaceship

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Development

Once the functional elements of the designs were refined it was time to develop the aesthetic. The set, props and miniature all had to have a cohesive aesthetic. These elements all had to be striking and vibrant on screen; as this is the primary function of the art department in any film project.

Space Trash Men

Project Management and Construction

The set and miniature were complex projects to construct. We constructed the set and miniature to the best quality we could, given our restricted budget and limited time. The construction process is illustrated below:

Framework in CAD

We used CAD so we knew exactly how much material we needed and where it needed to go

Framework and MDF walls

This shows the set becoming an enclosed space, all the structural elements are coming together

Set Dressing

Rob who dressed the set to give it the necessary "personality" for the film

Framework in CAD

We used CAD so we knew exactly how much material we needed and where it needed to go

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Set

There were five main stages to the construction of the set:

1. Planning: Ensure it was completed on schedule and to budget

2. The Frame: Structural parts were constructed from housing timber

3. Seal: Walls were made from MDF and plywood

4. Fit Out: Made space look like interior of spaceship

5. Set Dress: Decorated set to look inhabited and used

Complete Miniature

Miniature ready for filming

Rhino Model

Like for the set, we modelled the miniature digitally then we could get all the vector work from the model for both CNC and laser cutting

Complete Miniature

Final adjustments on filming day

Complete Miniature

Miniature ready for filming

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Miniature

This was a complex, miniature spanning over 4 meters. As well as the miniature looking good it also had to stay straight and in one piece to appear convincing on camera. The whole miniature was constructed around a 5m steel pipe, with over 10,000 individual parts in the total construction.

Space Trash Men

Filming

We filmed the short over a period of 6 days. The short was directed by Ben Childs and the project was managed by Kayleighsha Wharton. They organized all the cast, crew and the creation of the film. This video shows the behind the scenes in the making of the film.

The film is still in the postproduction stage and should be completed soon. If you want to see more behind the scenes footage, visit “Space Trash Men” Facebook page.