Making a space bridge.

[Aspiring Mogul]

I've asked this elsewhere, and, while I'm getting some idea as to the answer, I'd like to pick the brains of others in this forum.

Space shows involve sets that are unique to that universe, so the bridge of Star Trek would not be used in other series, while the sets for, say a hotel scene can be. With this in mind, if I was to do a webseries, I'd like to do it cheap, but, assuming I use a real set, as opposed to a green screen, I would have to pay quite a bit.

I know some people convert their basements or their garages to making those sets, but I also hear something about people renting a soundstage for two weeks, put up the bridge or transporter room or whatever, and then take them down. But I'm not sure if that's really feasible, because that kind of construction can really take a lot of time and money.

With this in mind, I ask the question: if I was to do a SF webseries, what would I do about the sets? As in the spaceship bridge, the space station docking bay, and so on.

 

[Zensteve]

if I was to do a SF webseries, what would I do about the sets? As in the spaceship bridge, the space station docking bay, and so on.

1) How much money you workin' with?

2) How many people can you call in for favors, and what can they bring to the table?

3) ...and where is this? Costs cary wildly.

.

 

[Aspiring Mogul]

Well, I was thinking of buying a piece of property and converting it into a soundstage, which is what a Star Trek fan did. That property can also double as a real-estate investment, if it's in the right location. But others have suggested renting a professional soundstage and using it for the shoot only, which would make sense, because a webseries done part-time would only need a part-time soundstage.

The question then is how hard it would be to put up the space bridge (and other rooms), shoot the scene, and then take it down.

My budget can be open-ended, because if I can buy a property for investment purposes, that can be quite a bit. I don't know if I want to take a mortgage, especially since things are slow now, but we'll see.

 

[directorik]

You have two, very different questions here:

What would you do about a set.
Purchasing property as an investment.

Since this is not a commercial real estate forum I am going to
stick to the set building question.

You need a building with open floor space - a warehouse for example,
a standard two car garage, a large office. The larger the space the
more sets you can build. TV series shoot for 14 to 30 weeks a year
and sometimes for many years so standing sets are common. ST,
ST:TNG, ST:V, ST:E, Battlestar and the like all had several standing
sets as you point out like the bridge, engineering, medical; then on
other stages they would build sets as needed.

If you will be shooting for several years then you will need a space for
a long period of time (your real estate question). If you will be shooting
for a few weeks you do not need to own a large space. Renting is a
more financially reasonable option.

Once you have your script you can make the decision on how many
standing sets you need and that will determine how much square
footage you will need.

 

[Mannie Bothans]

Not to mention high ceilings, adequate power, and restrooms.

Depending on where you live, if you have the moola to rent an actual sound stage, then you have handy access to a lot of other perks as well-- places to meet with your cast and crew, loading bays, silent HVAC, easy access to equipment rental, ceiling supports for your lights, etc.

 

[Aspiring Mogul]

You see, Rik, I told you I admired your analysis, and the way you dissect things.

The location will be southern California, and, while prices are slowly rising, they're not rising that fast, and, of course, the Golden State is still insolvent, so there'll be opportunities.

Anyway, my scenario is to ask the following: suppose I take the leap and do a webseries. This would be a part-time job, and I'm looking at the other fan Star Trek as models. A couple of them have bought the real estate and constructed Captain Kirk's bridge as well as the other rooms, but, since they only film a few weeks a year, that space is left empty most of the time, which is a waste of money. One may be trying to rent the facilities out to other fan projects, which would help, but, if they're not doing so, then that real estate is dead space and money.

So my question is, can my film crew put up a bridge for two weeks, film the required shots, then take them down? If so, then I only have to rent, not buy, which would be cheaper.

If I have to buy, then I'd be choosy as to the location, for obvious reasons.

 

[directorik]

Owning a building is a real concern but has nothing at all to do
with building sets. As a mogul you need to look into the stage
rental market. There are several dozen spaces in the greater
Los Angeles area available to rent - from bare bones warehouses
to stages with everything Mannie mentions. Adding one more
may be something you can do to make money - become another
stage rental specializing in “fan” projects.

So my question is, can my film crew put up a bridge for two weeks, film the required shots, then take them down?

A construction crew can put up a set in days. A set can be taken down
in hours. You know the project triangle. fast, good, cheap; pick two.
In the case of set construction in a rental facility you want fast/good
- so it will be expensive. A crew can put up a full set in two or three
days.

A little aside: There is a building on the corner of Sunset and Vine in
Hollywood that once held a bank - huge space. I saw construction start
on a Monday. I went by on Wednesday and they were shooting. Five
full sets were built in there. They shoot for 9 days finishing on a Saturday.
I walked by on the following Monday and the entire place was empty.

I built a space station bridge set in a garage years ago:

[IMG}http://www.darkcrimes.com/images/set2.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Aspiring Mogul]

A construction crew can put up a set in days. A set can be taken down
in hours. You know the project triangle. fast, good, cheap; pick two. In the case of set construction in a rental facility you want fast/good - so it will be expensive. A crew can put up a full set in two or three days.

That was the answer I've been looking for - thanks, as always.

But, if we go with good and cheap, using volunteers, how long would that take? I'm asking because the web series will burn money, and I have to cut costs whenever.

I'm thinking of converting a garage and basement for the bridge and so on, actually. But where would I park my car, then?

A plan is gelling in my mind, but I'm hoping to get to LA or thereabouts soon.

 

[Aspiring Mogul]

All right, this is really my question:

If we do ONE shoot a year, for, say, two weeks, can we put up a space bridge in one week, shoot it in two weeks, then take it down? That's what I'm really asking.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

 

[directorik]

Yes, you can have a set put up in one week. Your example is
what happens in TV and film production every week, week in
and week out. That's why there are dozens of rental stages
here in Los Angeles and tens of thousands all over the country.
Producers rent for a short period, build sets, shoot and take
the sets down.

The amount of time it takes depends on the money being spent.
You other real question is "Can I reasonably expect an all volunteer
construction crew to build a set in one week?" You better be very
persuasive...

 

[Aspiring Mogul]

OK, I've got my answer.

That's why there are dozens of rental stages
here in Los Angeles and tens of thousands all over the country.
Producers rent for a short period, build sets, shoot and take
the sets down.

California is coming up, though three of its cities are bankrupt and many are insolvent. But the Golden State is here to stay, so there will be opportunities in real estate. I just wish it would be more fiscally responsible.

The amount of time it takes depends on the money being spent.
You other real question is "Can I reasonably expect an all volunteer
construction crew to build a set in one week?" You better be very
persuasive...

This is the issue with many fan projects. I've been doing research on this, and, as you said, cheap, fast, good, pick two. The problem with fan projects is that they cannot make money, and cheap means free, and no one wants to work for free, which means those projects die out, unless the production costs are low. That said, if they get some incentive, and they like the project, they may try.

But I've got the answers I need. I presume a web episode involving a Star ship can be done for $30 grand and under. Aaron Schoenke did his Batman fan episodes for less than that.