the Blowing Elephant or Every Picture Tells a Story, don't it?

[southpier]

animation, even the suggestion of movement, can be a great diorama tool. it works best on 'open house' night or in still photography. but what happens after the crowd leaves or the page is turned?

maybe others had the classic Plasticville, USA model train villiage in the late 50s. remember the "running commuter"? he was a very Dan Draper-esque character with his Van Huesen hat and briefcase swinging from his arm. perched on his square plastic base, he looks like he might actually be able to catch the 7:05 barreling past the Union Station.

but as soon as the train passes the station and heads towards the Big City just on the other side of Styrofoam Tunnel, you were left with a pale yellow plastic figure balancing on one foot in mid stride. looked a bit odd for the 99% of the time the train was not whizzing (in the correct direction!) past the station, didn't it?

at six or seven, we would not have given this type of vignette a second thought. our energies were now directed to the automatic milk can loading car, or switchman emerging from his shack only to about face and go right back inside.

so when the elephant blows his spray, what will divert our attention from all the wet?

[misterNNL]

What?

[southpier]

you had to be there ....

somebody wanted a link to making water spray (youtube : spraying elephant - this board doesn't let me clip & paste). then I got to thinking about stuff from the model railroad corner of the hobby room and before you know - BAM - another thread destined to fade into oblivion ...

Edited October 9, 2014 by southpier

[GTMust]

Like you, I was there Joe...... I know exactly what you mean. The frustration of moving vehicles... but stationary figures.

Tony

[southpier]

a tenet of diorama building.

tell a story and make it believable