[MOC] Approach to Jabba's Palace

[dimnico]

Hi guys, I have just finished another Star Wars MOC. This time I wanted to mess around with the idea of forced perspective and decided to recreate one of my favourite shots from Return of the Jedi. 

As with all my micro mocs I wanted to stick to the 16x16 base, which in this instance was quite a challenge but eventually I managed to find a way to fit everything I wanted into the scene. 

The colour palette choice for Jabba's Palace was partly based on the official lego sets of "Jabba's Palace' and 'Rancor Pit' especially the dark grey base for the Palace to sit atop but I decided to go with darker colours for the Palace itself similar to the actual scene from the film.

Finally I have recently got hold of the Boushh mini fig (one of my favourites) and so wanted to incorporate her somehow. I then had the idea that Chewie and Liea would have walked the same route to get to Jabba's Palace and so changed the sky to a sunset scene to reflect the time of day they arrived at the Palace. 

Which do you prefer? C3P0 and R2 or Boushh and Chewie?

Also I am thinking of doing some more scenes similar to this, incorporating micro builds and mini figs but wondered if people liked this style? Should I stick to the micro landscapes I have been building or do more scenes in this style?

[aw004g]

Looks great. Love the forced perspective. Too bad minifigs don't photograph that well from behind. Why don't you turn them around and use a macro lens so it looks like they're taking selfies?!?

[Ed Mack]

Very creative.

[Guest TabbyBoy]

Nice job - all we need now is a Star Wars "Architecture" theme ;-)

@Dimnico - Have you thought of selling these sets? People are making a killing on the non-LEGO-boxed Cathedral sets.

Edited October 6, 2016 by TabbyBoy
typo

[dimnico]

Looks great. Love the forced perspective. Too bad minifigs don't photograph that well from behind. Why don't you turn them around and use a macro lens so it looks like they're taking selfies?!?

Thanks! I absolutely love the idea of the selfies, just need to get a mini fig camera and I'll definitely do that!

[dimnico]

Nice job - all we need now is a Star Wars "Architecture" theme ;-)
@Dimnico - Have you thought of selling these sets? People are making a killing on the non-LEGO-boxed Cathedral sets.

Where would I sell? And would I sell as a complete model or a kit you build?

[BrickLegacy]

I would start by promoting your work on social media.  Check out Chris McVeigh (powerpig on Instagram).

Love your work, by the way.  These are fantastic!  I would buy this.

 

 

[mezzaluna]

Great job love your builds

[Zelgazra]

Yup I'll put another tick on the "would buy" tally. These are top notch MOCs, all of them. It's a fine blend of architecture, star wars, and Minecraft Micro. If Lego did a line like this, I'm sure it would be rather popular to the AFOL crowd, and could be provided at a reasonable price point (compared to some of the other AFOL oriented sets like Modulars). Certainly second the idea you should look into promoting yourself and your work, see what comes of it! 

 

This one is a nice augment to the previous ones, the forced perspective really works. Personally prefer the original scene with R2 and 3PO, I feel the colour contrast of the blue sky works better with the sand tones. Another job very well done. The rate you're cranking these out is awesome. Looking forward to your next creation, forced perspective or not! Keep it up! 

[TheOrcKing]

Perspective shots are a captivating style of diorama difficult to pull off their intended effect. Considering the base size limitation of the design, I think you did exceptionally well. On a different note in terms of photography, a shot from behind the characters using a camera's macro mode (or something to that effect) to focus clearly on the minifigures causing the background to blur out a little could help further the illusion of distance. However the background would need to be wider and possibly deeper for that type of shoot.
 

12 hours ago, dimnico said:

Which do you prefer? C3P0 and R2 or Boushh and Chewie?

With C-3PO & R2-D2 there is a frame of reference we all have seen while Boushh & Chewbacca there was none with the scene only implied. I like first one altogether yet still the palette and setup for the sunset in the latter is quite warm.
 

12 hours ago, dimnico said:

Also I am thinking of doing some more scenes similar to this, incorporating micro builds and mini figs but wondered if people liked this style? Should I stick to the micro landscapes I have been building or do more scenes in this style?

I would say do what you enjoy but also try other things. There is no questioning you have a knack for the micro builds and seems a talent for perspective dioramas as well. If you are up for creating more minifigure centered mini builds, there are these design styles generally called habitats.

[dimnico]

I would start by promoting your work on social media.  Check out Chris McVeigh (powerpig on Instagram).
Love your work, by the way.  These are fantastic!  I would buy this.
 
 

Thanks everyone for such encouraging feedback!

[dimnico]

Perspective shots are a captivating style of diorama difficult to pull off their intended effect. Considering the base size limitation of the design, I think you did exceptionally well. On a different note in terms of photography, a shot from behind the characters using a camera's macro mode (or something to that effect) to focus clearly on the minifigures causing the background to blur out a little could help further the illusion of distance. However the background would need to be wider and possibly deeper for that type of shoot.
 
I would say do what you enjoy but also try other things. There is no questioning you have a knack for the micro builds and seems a talent for perspective dioramas as well. If you are up for creating more minifigure centered mini builds, there are these design styles generally called habitats.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such detailed and helpful comments!

At the moment I am just using my phones camera but I think it's time to invest in a proper dslr. The trench run moc was shot on a 5D I was borrowing and it looks so good in comparison.

I've already started working on my next two so will post when they are finished!

[TheOrcKing]

14 hours ago, dimnico said:

I've already started working on my next two so will post when they are finished!