The Imperial Shipyards
Imperial Bulletin => Conventions & Events => Topic started by: Tamer on July 16, 2013, 12:53:32 PM
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I was able to talk Remco into getting into the Hasbro Showroom at CE2 and interviewing this awesome customizer about some of his custom work. I think it will come as no surprise that I find his AT-AT Cutaway Diorama perhaps my favorite custom creation of all time. As you will see by the pics I list below each diorama he creates is just awe inspiring. He has agreed to answer some questions for us and I figured who better to come up with them than the artists here themselves. And remember, when forming your question, try to be descriptive and ultimately have something that needs to be answered. The more thought out and well written the questions the greater the likelihood we will get it on the docket for Remco to ask. I am also gonna link all these pics below to his Facebook Page:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/547016_405884636147964_1019147384_n_zps84e1e2a5.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/1010736_213523478798843_1559734592_n_zps3647da2f.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/971991_207256479425543_1575600551_n_zps7d769641.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/946244_219149361569588_1625288816_n_zpsa4f7f07a.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/251860_526171304081270_2114980184_n_zps31666dad.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/303227_110739632410562_261826820_n_zpse4987206.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/VALUEDCUSTOMER/1012753_211934292291095_1504656399_n_zps5bd70c3d.jpg) (https://www.facebook.com/starconstrux.dioramas?fref=ts)
Many of the dioramas you see pictured here will also be on display in the Hasbro area of CE2. Remco is taking a video camera too so I can't wait to see what he shows us. I know we are all gearing up for SDCC now, but I think Celebration Europe has me a bit more excited.
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Very excited about this and it'll be my pleasure to have a chat with Markus. He's been at it for quite some time now and honestly right from the bat he's been making some pretty impressive dioramas and figures. The same goes for the other contributors to StarConstrux.de.
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Thanks for doing this for us Remco. Of course I am gonna have a few questions about the AT-AT Diorama.
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that 12in snowtrooper display looks like it will be pretty awesome
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that 12in snowtrooper display looks like it will be pretty awesome
I agree. I would love to own that one.
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Folks does anyone have any questions for Remco for this awesome diorama maker.
I was thinking a bunch of custom folks would eat something like this up. Anyhow, you only have a bit more time to get your questions posed so we can get em to Remco as he is packing his bags!
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That being said I have a few.
1. I would like to hear the history of how SW affected him and how he got into building SW Dioramas. Kind of a summary of his customizing journey from when he first started until now.
2. I would love to hear about your planning process. Do you draw your dioramas out before making them or just envision them and start the job? I would love to hear you describe this process for that awesome cross section of the AT-AT.
2. Speaking of the AT-AT I would love to know about this whole build from start to finish including the recipe of materials used to make most of this? I am also extremely curious to know if you used any SW Blueprints for this design as it just looks spot on with one of my favorite books: SW Blueprints? I am also curious to see if you have any future cross section dioramas planned? Was this your largest build? Would you say that Hoth is perhaps your favorite environment on which to build for the SW Verse?
3. Do you only do three and three quarter dioramas? I was wondering if you had done anything in the 12 inch or even one to one scale? I could easily see you making some wonderful SW Props.
4. If someone was wanting to commission you to do a diorama or custom is that something you would be willing to entertain? If so, what would be the best way to contact you?
5. I also see you regularly use lighting in your dioramas. If you can give any tips or techniques to folks trying to get good components and then create the same lighting effects you have achieved that would be great!
I could ask way more, but want to save some space for you guys.
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What Kind Of lights do you use?
How did you texture your cantina?
HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT LAVA!?!? THAT IS SO EPIC!!!!
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As I'm writing this, I'm sitting sleepy eyed at the office. I managed to get a hold of Markus from StarConstrux. Really cool guy, very easy to talk to and my little interview went pretty smooth.
I bought a second hand JVC videocam especially for this (and for future use as well) and the sound on the recording turned out to be quite ok. Was afraid I'd get too much feedback from the convention, you know.
Anyway, I now need to find a simple video editing program that can do the following:
- adjust lighting/contrast
- superimpose still pictures, while the sound of the video keeps running (Windows Live Movie Maker does allow for pictures to be added, but the video will have to be cut at that point)
- remove background noise to improve the sounds of Markus' and my voice (optional, not that big a deal).
So, if anyone can offer some info/advice, that'd be great. I believe I have a Pinnacle movie software package somewhere, but if anyone knows a quick 'n dirty (and free) editing program, by all means, let me know, please.
Muchos graçias!
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Great to hear that Remco. I wondered how it went. For me I just generally use Windows Movie Maker, but I too have been looking into trying to find something a bit nicer. Can't wait to see the video!
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Alright, found a programm called AVS, which is free. It will have an AVS watermark in the video, but I'll see how that goes. I can always use the Dark Side of the Force, so to speak.
I think I'll have this up this weekend and am aiming for that, actually, since I'll be going on a vacation trip this Monday.
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Awesome news.
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Alrighty, video interview is up and running! Let's just hope YouTube/Facebook don't take down the intro and outro music due to copyright issues, but if they do, so be it.
You can see the interview on YouTube:
and on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=505496019537019
Again, special thanks to Markus Gerlach for his time and for answering my questions.
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Very cool! Great interview Remco! Isn't there more than one contributor to Starconstrux or is he the only artist? I found the site in the late 90's and the way everything was written there was a group of artist. I love seeing video like this, great editing too!
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Remco, I have posted on Facebook but wanted to say it here too. This was an awesome video interview. Putting those images with the dios he was talking about was awesome. I also appreciate you asking our questions and stating the member names. That was pretty cool. You did a great job. I couldn't have done better. Thank you so much for doing this for us.
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Guys, thanks for the great feedback, that means a lot to me.
Markus later explained to me he's not very comfortable customizing action figures, but his friend Harry Flügge is. His action figures are featured on Markus' site, as well as other people's contributions.
For editing I used AVS video editor, which allowed me to adjust the colour, contrast and lighting of the video, as well as superimpose those pictures on top of the video. For the titles I used Windows Live Movie Maker.
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If I may ask a question about that video editor. So, you did want you wanted to do in AVS and then plugged the whole thing into Live Movie Maker? I am familiar with movie maker, but am definitely gonna check out this AVS.