Under N/Z modeling, you will find my announcement of the beginning of The Pandorum Project, a fantasy layout based on a merger between Nikola Tesla and "Doc" Emmett Brown based loosely around 1900.

I have an idea the concept of fantasy modeling may lead to some discussion, so I have set two sites for it - discussion of the fantasy concept here, and the posted photos and progress summaries on the N/Z thread.

Before anyone asks, this has no connection to either the film Pandora or the Pandora mine in Colorado. The name is based on my feelings that I am opening a doorway into uncharted territory, a journey I look forward to with great anticipation.

You've alluded to this type of fantasy concept modeling for quite some time, and I for one am excited to finally see it come to fruition.....

Just a question....What is the difference between freelancing and "fantasy" modeling..?? For example...my own RR is based on the "fantasy" that UP agreed to interchange traffic with the LC&P. Consequently all traffic coming "on scene" from staging will be hauled by UP, as well as all traffic leaving the "scene" to staging. Would this qualify as "fantasy"..??

To me, as a former fantasy modeler, the difference is in who makes the rules. So long as you follow rules already in existence, it's not fantasy modeling. If, however, you first have to create the rules that you will follow, it's fantasy modeling. Thus, freelance modeling is simply an extension of regular modeling, a sort of "what if" extension, since the prototypical equipment, structures and so forth already existed in the real world. You don't have to decide what a locomotive looks like, or a depot or structure.

My final fantasy modeling diorama was a large one titled "Strangers In A Strange Land". I created five levels of alien civilization like the layers of an onion, each superimposed on the previous one, starting with an alien world, to all-terrain exploratory vehicles, one based on a reptilian lifeform but re-created mechanically and the other one based on a hamster's exercise ball, created two sets of aliens, and finished with a visual joke that tied it all together. There were two sets of aliens - one needed to look very human but not be, and the other I finally based on amphibians, but with four arms. Having done that, I had to create clothing, weapons and accoutrements appropriate for both pairs of life forms, make sure they were recognizable as being paired males and females - try visualizing how to make an alien loosely based on a frog look feminine - and design a complete interior and control panel for my four-armed couple, including dfeciding how the entry hatch and stairs/ladder/whatever would reasonably look. In each case I had first to decide what the rules were going to be, and then work within those rules while sticking to the theme portrayed by the title. True fantasy modeling involves a process I call "internal consistency", meaning that everything involved has to adhere to whatever set of rules the builder comes up with. For example, a Star Wars Imperial trooper riding some mythical beast cannot be camouflaged in an Earth-type NATO European Summer color and pattern that makes him stand out in jarring contrast to the 'native vegetation' colored purple and yellow - a true example submitted for a contest by another modeler. Not "internally consistent".

What I have planned is a hybrid of fantasy and what-if, keeping a few things such as track and some pieces of rolling stock from the real world and blending them in with the alternative reality I am constructing in such a way that 'internal consistency' is maintained while allowing me to exp-lore anty type of rail equipment or other structures I wish to within my designated framework, all of it part of a fully working layout that will operate just like anybody else's.

If you are interested or I am unclear, I will be happy to provide more detail of how I did it in the diorama I spoke of above, which illustrates the process quite well.

:needpics:

As they say...."A picture is worth a thousand words...."

MountainMan Wrote:Under N/Z modeling, you will find my announcement of the beginning of The Pandorum Project, a fantasy layout based on a merger between Nikola Tesla and "Doc" Emmett Brown based loosely around 1900.

I have an idea the concept of fantasy modeling may lead to some discussion, so I have set two sites for it - discussion of the fantasy concept here, and the posted photos and progress summaries on the N/Z thread.

Before anyone asks, this has no connection to either the film Pandora or the Pandora mine in Colorado. The name is based on my feelings that I am opening a doorway into uncharted territory, a journey I look forward to with great anticipation.

The "rules for pictures" is already posted.......(above?)
I'm looking forward to seeing how all this comes together........ I'll be watching...
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Steamtrains Wrote:

As they say...."A picture is worth a thousand words...."

None of the photos of my previous work survived my first marriage - my first wife dumped thousands of photos and slides of everything from my modeling work to my trips to castles, museums and fortifications throughout Europe. Sher also threw out all of my finished models and over 100 untouched kits awaiting construction. Top Ten Reasons I hate That Woman...

As for photos of the Pandorum Project, they will come as the project develops, starting with the gutting and fitting out of the layout's new home, as well as progress photos and reports on the equipment and structures being constructed as well.

Be advised, however, tghat the photos and progress reports and ewcriptions will most likely be posted elsewhere on this forum, as the Upper Berth not a layout presentation thread by design.

Sumpter250 Wrote:I'm looking forward to seeing how all this comes together........ I'll be watching...

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Now, Pete, that Inter-Stellar Vehicle reminds me of when I worked for NCR in Silicon Valley and often spent weekends visiting friends up in the Sausalito area and met a couple of guys who worked for Industrial Light and Magic. They built some awesome stuff... lots of fun ... because of those two guys, I actually got to interview there. I was told I was a good fit personality-wise, my model work was satisfactory, but they had no positions open at the time. I did get a letter asking me to "visit for a follow-up interview" for an open position about three months after I had gotten married, had a child, taken a new job and moved across the country to work for Sperry Corp. in Blue Bell, PA. I would have been a pretty fun job!