Set Design. Curves, Round Edges, Spaceship Interiors

[babeblincoln]

Hi.. my team is building a spaceship interior about 12'x 6' x 10' (aesthetic reference: Kow Yokoyama. pic below). The design incorporates a lot of curvy surfaces, and avoids corners and sharp angles. Every tutorial and thread I've seen thus far is for building sets that are much more straight and angled rather than the curvy aesthetic we're going for. What materials and techniques should we consider for a curvy, round-edged spaceship interior?

I was thinking maybe plywood. Though this is still limiting, since you can bend wood in a single direction, but it's hard/impossible to make parabolic shapings? Any tips for how to paint/treat plywood to make it look like a more high-tech metal or polymer surface (color: an off-white)?

Or cutting big chunks of styrofoam? What would I use to cut round shapes (or would i need to meticulously work at it with a knife like I'm sculpting marble)? How should I paint/treat it to look like a more high-tech metal or polymer surface (color: an off-white)?

Can I rule out using foamcore since it's not bendable?

Should I even try using thick sheets of poster-board paper? Is it possible to paint/treat poster-board paper to look like a more high-tech metal or polymer surface (color: an off-white)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Will Vincent]

I was thinking maybe plywood. Though this is still limiting, since you can bend wood in a single direction, but it's hard/impossible to make parabolic shapings? Any tips for how to paint/treat plywood to make it look like a more high-tech metal or polymer surface (color: an off-white)?

Or cutting big chunks of styrofoam? What would I use to cut round shapes (or would i need to meticulously work at it with a knife like I'm sculpting marble)? How should I paint/treat it to look like a more high-tech metal or polymer surface (color: an off-white)?

You ought to be able to get compound curves with something like luaun, since it's only 1/4" thick. But your thought of foam is probably more realistic. What you'd want for that is a hot wire foam cutter.

If you go with styrofoam, cut it into rough shape with the hot wire, then refine the shape with rasps and files. Prime it, probably a few times, sand, then paint.

 

[Lucky Hardwood]

Luaun will break before it gives you a compound curve. You can wet drywall and lay it over a mold to shape it. Leave it until it dries completely and you are set. For inside three wall rounded corners, cut a rubber ball to make the inside of the curve. Glue/staple/nail/screw the ball flat to the ceiling and walls. Rubber is difficult to get paint to stick to, so my suggestion is to either get balls in the color that you want (grey/silver/dull white) or use the ball as a form to make a mold that you can them cast using spray foam/plaster/fiberglass/etc. If you are going to mold things, don't forget that the surfaces need to be smooth and to use plenty of mold release (a kind of wax that facilitates opening the mold).

 

[Will Vincent]

Foam is probably the most inexpensive and workable option for large pieces.

 

[wheatgrinder]

Id start with story boards for this one. Design the fictional interior. You don't want to build set your not going to need. You may find that most your interiors are close up and you only ever show one or two walls in any shot.

 

[Will Vincent]

Id start with story boards for this one. Design the fictional interior. You don't want to build set your not going to need. You may find that most your interiors are close up and you only ever show one or two walls in any shot.

I would agree with that assessment.. The other reason to do so, it will help to inform the build from a logistical standpoint, ie: knowing where you'll need to be able to remove sections (holes or entire sections of wall) to get the camera and lighting in, etc.