The last sets that I had to build were for the planet Sirius Prime.  I imagined Sirius Prime as having vast oceans and whose inhabitants were amphibious.  With that in mind, I wanted towering seashell structures to dot the seashore of the planet. 

(Test footage for the planet Sirius Prime)

The exterior of the seashell tower is made primarily of plaster of paris.  The miniature, when finally assembled, stood just shy of 8 feet tall and took over most of our living room (AKA: our workshop).

(Building giant seashells in our living room/workshop)

(The top half of the seashell tower)

(Left: I filmed the seashell against a black backdrop instead of green screen to prevent color spill.  Middle: My seashell almost touching the ceiling.  Right: Real shells are used for additional “buildings” in the exterior scenes.)

The tower has an entrance at the base and a long spiral walkway that leads to the top -- where the living quarters are located.

(Exposed walkway that leads to the top of the tower)

The walkway spiral comes out to an exposed balcony which has the entrance to the living quarters.

(Interior of the shell home. Blue poster board was set up outside -- this would later be replaced by sky)

(Another view of the main room with exterior sky added.) 

(Door leading to side room where bad things will be happening.)

(Side Room: The tapestry of Mothra vs King Ghidorah is from artwork by Raine Szramski.)

One of the hardest things about all these sets is what I’m forced to do with them once I’m finished.  Because we live in a two-bedroom apartment, there simply isn’t any place to store them.  So, after I make sure I’ve taken photos and videos from every possible angle, I have no choice but to toss them in the dumpster.  I’ve often wondered what our garbage man must think when he sees things like 8 foot tall seashells jutting skyward from the trash bin.

NEXT WEEK:  Who will be the Last of the Earthmen?