sup players. well i need some help, because I plan on shooting an action western video movie and I want to do a bar scene... essentially, a gun fight in a bar. how would i go about doing this? i mean i want it to be a pretty hardcore gun battle, with exploding glasses, bullets all over the place, ricochetting. The idea that comes to mind which would make things a lot safer, easier, and cheaper would be to use digital FX with something like lightwave. What about actually gettin a bar to shoot at tho?? I mean i dont have a lot of $$$ to spend... What you all think?

Does the bar have to look old westerny? If not then I'd try and recruit the owner of some dive bar, let them act in your short, or trade services or something. 3D might be too involved for something like this, unless you're already good at it. You could blow up real glasses pretty easily, and if your worried about safety, could try your hand at sugar glass. You could add in bullets and maybe some basic damage later, but exploding glass and other particle type stuff requires all manner of fancy physics to make it look right (I think Alias MAYA software has some effects built in though, if you know someone that has it)

Man, I thought I was being original, too.

Thanx for the input. no it doesn't have to look westerny i think i will try bribin an owner by lettin him be in my movie. Don't you have to use expensive squibs to blow up glass though?

well, you could shoot the glass with BB guns, or use firecrackers or something, all of which is incredibly dangerous and you'll end up with glass shards everywhere. I would still go with the "physical" effect over CG though, just b/c I don't have the skills or knowhow to make a model explode realisticly. If you've got the skills, CG is a real option, just that physics are kind of advanced and hard to do...

I don't think many bars would like glass exploding in them. Maybe if you do a close-up shot (zoomed in of course) of the glasses exploding somewhere that it won't matter (maybe a backyard). Just put something the same color as the where they might be in the bar behind the glasses, so that there's not grass in the background.

Ok from experience with action films I can definatly make suggestions. I have done films where we actually throw people through walls, and do a lot of damage to things. My number one suggestion would be to find a space (I used a barn hayloft once) and build the bar set yourself... I constructed a complete office set for a little over $400 Canadian. Then you don't have to worry about damaging someone elses property and you can do what every you want. If you want I have some pictures on my company website so feel free to check them out at http://www.birdmedia.tk . It's just a suggestion, but it is awesome when you build your own set, and then when people see it on video they think it is actually real.

Bird:

Those are impressive sets. I have a little construction experience, but I had never really considered building my own sets. You inspire me; I am going to do it.

By the way, I don't suppose you know, are, or have anything to do with the painter Brandon Bird?

Dam Dirty Apes!

No unfortunaly I don't know the painter Brandon Bird.

However I'm glad I could inspire you to build your own film sets. You can build absolutly amazing sets for little money. All you need to do for furnishing is take things you already own or go to cheat discount stores... I bought some lamps from walmart that look like they are worth about $200 on camera, but really I only paid $15 for them and they look pretty cheap in person. Anyways if you have any questions or anything let me know b/c I'm glad to help in anyway possible.

Interesting, bird, I will definitely consider this. I'd like to see the pictures on your website but I can't gain access to the website for some reason. anybody kno why?? It says "the page cannot be displayed"

I have no idea why you can't get to the site, I've checked the link and it is working fine... If you still can't get on just give me your e-mail address and I can send you the pics.

ya i don't know why it's not workin either. here's my email : jackfury1934Z@hotmail.com thanx

Ok I sent you the pictures... Let me know if you don't get them so I can send them again.

It won't let me view the site either, kinda strange. I wouldn't mind seeing the pics, you think you could e-mail them to me too? kreg_c_2002@yahoo.com

No problem... I have also sent the pictures to you... Just let me know when you recieve them.

Sincerely,
Bird

This has nothing to do with the topic at hand (or with filmmaking, for that matter), but Brandon Bird (the painter) has some awesome stuff. Check it out if you please. Here's my personal favorite. Enjoy, and sorry for interrupting the conversation.

Ok I'm going off topic now too... The paintings were definatly awesome.

Ya that guys an amazing painter. I got those pics, Bird and those sets are awesome. I dono if I'd be able to do that tho especially since u gotta find the space to do build that stuff in. How many people did you have workin on the set? What materials did ya use?

On set building days I have had anywhere from 2-5 people building.

To create the wall frames I just used regular 2x4 studs and basically just built a wall as if I were building one for a house... The only thing is that if you are building inside an existing room you have to cut the studs shorter so that the wall frame doesn't hit the ceiling when you stand it up.

For the Distraction film set I just bought panneling from a local hardware store (it came is 4ftx8ft sections) and then I just got some nails and we put it up onto the walls.

For the APCSA Film set I bought a product called hardboard (pegboard without the hole). It is farily cheap, light, and easy to manouver. You just put it up the same way as the panelling, but then you have to treat it like drywall (you have to mud over all the screw or nails, aswell as all connecting joints). After you finish mudding and sanding it down you can just apply a primer paint and then you are able to paint the hardboard what ever colour you want. It is fairly cheap but can take a bit of work.

Also it helps (depending on the situation) if you buy molding to go around door openings and baseboard to go along the bottom of the wall.

I highly recomend that when you frame you walls that you use screws and not nails b/c after you can easily dissassemble the wall frame and you are able to reuse the wood again... However the hardboard and or panneling will most likely be garabage.

I had no building experience prior to the film sets, and now I am able to construct things on my own, so you end up learning a lot as you go.

I do not recommend that you have a large amount of people building at the same time (no more than 5) b/c too many people get in the way, and things get damaged.

Well I think I've answered most of your questions, but if not let me know and I'll be glad to help you out.... If I lived near you I would gladly help you out, or offer you some of my film studio space for construction.