Project Overview
IN AN EERIE LAUNDROMAT, A PUNK TEEN TRIES TO RETRIEVE HER SOCK FROM A VENGEFUL WASHING MACHINE
From concept development thru fabrication onto animation and compositing our team of 8 produced a minute long short in just ten weeks. As the project was on such a tight timeline, I focused on set fabrication. Tasked with designing and bringing to life our villainous washing machine, as well as assisting in the construction of the rest of the laundromat. I gained valuable skills such as machining, wood working, taking a build from concept to set-ready, knowledge on proper build techniques, and an arsenal of stop-motion film making techniques.
BUILDING FLORENCE THE MACHINE
Original Concept
Original Concept
Original Concept
The machine's blueprints were done physically and when we found a general design that the team liked, I digitized it and worked on pushing the shape language and color palette.
Make it Evil...
Original Concept
Original Concept
I incorporated elements that could pass as ordinary but also had a nefarious vibe. The dials were designed to look like angry eyes and the triangles on the front to look like fangs.
Cardboard Mock Up
Cardboard Mock Up
Cardboard Mock Up
I whipped up a quick mockup in the general size and shape language and put it in context so we could make decisions on the build.
Laser cutting
Cardboard Mock Up
Cardboard Mock Up
SCAD offers laser cutting technology. These are my illustrator files, with aspects like engraving and stacked pieces of MDF and Acrylic.
Build Ideation
Once I finished working with the director on the art of the machine, I needed to build it from the outside in. This is my first drawing I did while I roughed out what materials I needed and how I imagined everything fitting together.
Full Laser Cut Fit Test
Almost every edge had to be cut at a very slight angle. I got to know the band saw very well for that week. This was the first successful fit test.
Front Fit Test
Front Fit Test
Front Fit Test
I wanted to hide the hinge and also sandwich the acrylic into the door so as it was animated nothing wiggled around. I also hand beveled the door and handle. This was the first fit test.
Final Build
Front Fit Test
Front Fit Test
The final machine put together. I added weathering and grime while it was lit and in camera. Here is what the finished initial build looked like!
Florence The Machine In Camera
More Set Fabrication
Responsible for back wall, doorway, ceiling fabrication
Crucial for these wide-angle shots of the laundromat, I was tasked with designing and creating laser cutting files. These were then hand painted and assembled on an uncomfortably tight deadline. Ended up great!
Responsible for "Dummy" washing machines.
In some shots we were able to get away with dropping the machines in the background out of focus, because of this we decided to create less beautiful and incomplete versions of our washing machines so we could have two active sets at a time. I brought these from concept to camera ready.
Responsible for bottoms of boots
Had we just stuck the puppet through the machine the bottoms of her boots would have been pretty unappealing to look at, just smooth silicone. These are the Doc Marten inspired sculpted soles out of pro-poxy.