The Other Pink Palace North Elevation

OK, I think this would be the North Elevation of the Pink Palace. It's the back of the house that leads to garden. I cannot be sure as there is no official North, but if you use the Map on the official web site and assume that the top the the screen is North... Anyways, I used a behind the scenes photo of this side of the house to draw it up in Microstation to scale. I cannot recall if I finished, as it has been a long while since I last worked on this Elevation, but I believe it's done. My goal is to draw up the entire Pink Palace and build a miniature 'doll house' of it. It may be pipe dream, but it is a dream none the less. In previous posts I presented a rough layout of the first floor of the house. It wasn't accurate as far as dimensions, but it was a starting point. I will continue to refine the drawing little at a time when I have the time. Currently, I am pleased with how it is coming out.

Happy Anniversary Coraline

OK, it may not be official or anything, but it is the 3 year Anniversary of the release date of Coraline in theaters. I received the Collectors Edition box for Christmas this year. It is definitely something to add to the collection for the die-hard fan, but for the average fan, the normal Blu-Ray would suffice. What I liked about this gift set was the little book and the four post cards. The other little bonus was the new Disc images. But the thrills stop there. The discs are stored in cardboard sleeves, and with regular use can only mean wear and tear on your discs. There are no extra special features or added bonus discs that would have made this gift awesome. You just get a large box (which takes up too much room on my shelf), with a cool 3D image on front, a pull out drawer with your loose discs, four post cards (that will never be used as such) and a little booklet that covers everything that you learn from watching the special features. The 3D glasses is nothing special, as you get them with the regular set. So, a little disappointing in the end. I have thought about switching out these discs with the ones in my original set as I like the new images that much better.
The only disc set that I don't own is the new 3D version (not the one with the blue and red 3D glasses, the OTHER-3D Version). It would be worth getting a 3D TV and blu-ray just to watch this again in its original 3D.

Paranorman

I just came across a new Laika movie called ParaNorman on Vera Brosgol’s blog. Watching the teaser trailer I am excited to see it. I love the colors, textures, and great props (monster toothbrush). It is set to release August 2012 which is a long time from now, but I look forward to seeing more on this movie in the mean time.

Watching the trailer again and again, and reading the brief plot line provided by Laika, it sounds like a boy named Norman can see and speak to ghosts in his town. This probably lends towards is fascination with all things monster and zombie. I assume that a ghost (probably the one in the theater poster) tells Norman about a curse on the town, and then spends a good deal researching it and trying to uncover its mysteries. He comes upon seven victims (Pilgrims) who where killed by the curse, and locates their grave site. Upon arrival, the seven Pilgrims come back from the dead as zombies and scare the town. Norman must break the curse that has been on the town for generations. I had to look up the director and writer as I wasn't familiar with their names, Chris Butler, and Sam Fell. They have done some interesting stories before, so I look forward to see what they have done with this film.

Speaking of Vera Brosgol, she came out with a new book, Anya's Ghost. Looks like I have to pick myself up a copy.

Nightmare Before Christmas Salt and Pepper Shaker

Halloween is upon us once again and I needed a few more props around the house for decor. The trouble with Halloween decorations that you find in stores is that they are all garbage. Everytime I go shoping for Props for Halloween, I walk in the store, look at all their stuff, and walk out empty handed. Sometimes when you want something good you have to make it yourself. So, for inspiration, I popped in my Nightmare Before Christmas Blu-Ray and found a salt and pepper shakers that I have not yet done. I pulled out my sculpty clay, formed it around some foil, baked and painted. It was a quick and easy craft that looks great on the shelf.

Mel Jones Cell Phone Replica

Another little item to add to my Coraline collection, Mrs. Jone's cell phone! It is the cell phone that Coraline finds on the front seat of the VW Bug after her parents had been taken by the Beldam. I recognize the phone being T-Mobile, and started my search there. It didn't take long to find that the phone was based off Samsungs Stripe. I picked up a broken phone on ebay pretty cheap, which was fine as I didn't have any use for it, other than for it to just sit there. I bought some pink model paint and a small precision screw driver to make the transition to Mrs. Jones phone. I had to take the phone apart to properly paint it. It had 7 little screws to take out and was snapped together. Once I got the phone apart, I masked off the areas I didn't want to paint, then applied three coats of the pink. Once it had properly dried, I put the phone back together, and I was finished. I am not sure if I will take it apart again to add the blue flower image to the screen, only time will tell. All and all I am happy how it turned out.

Detroit Zoo Snow Globe Part 1

The Detroit Zoo Snow Globe has become a fan favorite. The Detroit Zoo had not previously released a snow globe similar to the one seen in Coraline, but due its popularity, they are now and they are available in either the gift shop or by phone (248) 541-5717 ext. 3274). Here is an interesting article about creating the snow globe.
The Detroit Zoo Snow Globe isn't identical to the screen used prop, so I think I am going to make one for myself. I will pick up a 'Make-your-own-snow-globe' kit, sculpt the bears and fountain, mold it, cast it, paint it, and slap it together. Should make for an interesting new project. The prop does appear
to have subtle differences between each scale the globe was made in. The larger globe has more detail then the smaller one obviously. So I will have to take some creative license in re-creating it. Progress pics as I go (Probably wont be soon). Maybe someday my wife and I will visit the Detroit Zoo and re-create the picture of Coraline and her family in front of the fountain.

Coraline at PDX

My wife and I where traveling this year to Mississippi for Thanksgiving to visit her grandparents for my first time. We flew out of Portland Airport. After passing through security, we grabbed a cup of coffee at the coffee shop there, and immediately to the right was a display about 3D innovation. It covered the beginnings of 3D, to how it is today. Included in the display were 3D photos and even 3D prototyping using 3D printers. It was pretty cool in of it self, but as I was about to walk away, I looked back and something caught my eye. I walked back to the display, and at the very end, hiding in the dark was a puppet and set from the Movie Coraline. In fact, it was Coraline in her 'shopping' outfit, the cat, and the ¼ scale of the Other Garden that I am sure was used in the scene where Coraline and the Other-Father are flying over the garden. I cannot believe that I almost missed it. It was honestly the highlight of my trip. I didn’t have my camera handy at the time, but I made sure to take pictures when we got back. I could have stood there for hours looking at it, but I could tell my wife wanted to leave. It was a real treat to see these in person.