Magnets

Magnets are really great.

When building the set I really wanted the floor to be plaster coated, this caused problems for the model and how to attach it to the set, ie what tie-downs to use. If I was to screw through the plaster at every spot where the models had to be attached the set would be totally ruined.

On a previous project I had put tiny but strong magnets in the models feet and a metal plate underneath the plaster but this caused problems, when the characters feet got too close to the ground they just snapped down wrecking the piece of animation.

In the above photo the magnet isn't even fully under the model and it is still holding the weight

So the new way is to have metal feet on the character and a really strong magnet on the underside of the set.

Sol

Here are a few pictures of the set contruction and couple of lighting tests.