My first Post and first set design

This is fantastic:

GibsonSteve1 said:
...After that, I just have to plant my maize crop, haul the ton of river stone to the site for fire pits and lining the pathways, construct some hide stretchers, and cover the wigwams... ...I am pleased.
Click to expand...

Well, dammit, you should be! Have you seen Fitzcarraldo, or the documentary about it's making, Burden of Dreams? If not, I think you'll find some inspiration there. Given you can find the time of course...

Sean-
 
Curious about what you used to lash the saplings together, and what you plan on covering these with...

What's historical for covering a hut down in Carolina, reed mats?

Anyhow, looks fun, like a fulfilling way to spend some time.


-For that reverse master shot, you could probably blue screen the background with a couple rolls of felt or some damn thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a21_WMiTAVE
 
Sean I have seen Burden of Dreams. Though I am a bit obsessed with this project, dragging a ship over mountains through the jungle definitely takes the cake. However, it is definitely inspiring to watch.

No Handle,
Reed Mats are the usual Spring, Summer, and early fall covering. Once winter rolls around most were covered with either birch, poplar, or elm bark. For my purposes I have opted with pre-sewn grass mats which will be cut and layered in a large shingle/scale like fashion. A similar covering style (different material) can be seen in the Powhatan style lodging used in Terrence Malick's, The New World.

As far as lashing is concerned, traditionally the inner bark of a Basswood tree would have been used, but convenience and lack of Basswood trees sent me looking for a more accessible option. It was a toss up between jute and sisal twine. I tried the sisal on my smaller, shaman's 10 ft diameter wigwam, but found it hard to lash and make knots with. The jute was a lot easier to work with, and it became my go to material for lashing. I am sure the people at Lowe's wondered what I was doing with all the twine I ended up using for this project.
 
I've never run across basswood up here, but I've found cedar bark works pretty well for cordage (provided there's a down tree somewhere). I figured jute or hemp twine would've been your choice for a project this size... there's a time for realism, and there's a time for productivity, each in its place.

"I am sure the people at Lowe's wondered what I was doing with all the twine I ended up using for this project."

Next time you go in there, buy a bunch of duct tape, a hacksaw, some clamps, and make a big point of asking the cashier, hypothetically, how he/she would go about stopping massive bleeding. Then, as an afterthought, grab a tube of krazy glue from the checkout aisle and throw that in your cart for good measure. Might as well give them some excitement.
 
If I was closer I'd donate a few weekends to coming and helping build.... actually wait just a min. I'll be traveling around the country for 6 weeks with the Kavadba Roadtrip and one of the things on our bucket list is to do a day of volunteer work. You can find more information out at www.kavadba.com

I suppose most of the hard work is done but if you need 5 guys for a day we'd work for lemonade and maybe a small donation for gas. We leave the 28th of this month and will probably hit the south 3 1/2 weeks later.
 
This looks totally kickass. When are you planning on shooting? Will it impact your construction/design/materials? It reminds me of the way they built the Hobbit town a year in advance for LOTR so it looked overgrown and real.
 
Brickhouse... that is the whole reason for me building right now. I begin shooting in late Sept., but I don't plan on shooting any exteriors until Oct. So everything will become a tapestry of fall color. But yeah, it has been a balancing act between maintaining the site so it doesn't get too wild, and making sure it has time to grow up. It is honestly looking good right now, wildflowers are all over the site, and butterflies are everywhere... it would make for an interesting shoot right now honestly.

Zblock, Ill check out the site, and let you know asap. I am about to have to cut a trail through 100 acres of forest and any help would be good help for this task. It won't be glamorous, but if you are willing to lend a hand and are still available when you come through the south... feel free to come on by.
 
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