Making a Set

So I often get questions about my sets, and how I make them. So until I actually make a Behind the Scenes video, this will suffice for now.

In making the Windmill set, I first lay down some foam pieces to act as the hill, and then lay my grass mat on top of everything. I then place down the actual windmill, and finally lay and pin down the track.

After this is done, I quickly lay down some ballast all over the tracks, and then smooth it out with my fingers, and make sure things can roll on the tracks.
I think now would also be a good time to mention I don't use model railroad ballast. I actually use Kitty Litter. I can buy lots of it for cheap, and it has the same effect. When buying it though, you must be careful not to buy any with colored bits in it.

Now the fun part; adding bushes and trees. I just stick the trees on the sides of the set, and add lots of bushes here and there, using the smaller foliage to go closer to the tracks. Finally, put down a fence, and it's done!

More to come soon!

Me and you and you and you...

I remember when I used to only get about 6 comments on a video, and my subscriber count was under 500. I used to be so in touch with my audience, and while I try to respond to as many comments as I can these days, I feel like I've lost a certain connection with my viewers. I like to talk with them as if they were some friend stopping by to visit, and that they could feel they could ask for tips or anything if they needed. But nowadays many a time my replies will simply consist of 'Thank you' and some sort of smiley. Now I don't copy paste, but I feel like I'm doing so. But when I have to respond to about 60+ comments, I can't reply to them in the depth or detail that I'd like to. However, some comments are only 1-3 words, and while I am appreciative for them taking the time to leave a comment, there's not a whole lot I could say, reply-wise. I think what I feel the worst for, though, is when someone asks a question, and I may see it, but can't reply just that minute, and when I go back, I might just forget to answer it! I really should make a FAQ post on here...

Anyway, I'd really like to get to know more of you better, and so I'm wondering if a livestream of some sort would be in order. I think I should mention that I do get a lot of Skype and Facebook requests, and I used to accept them all, but I just can't talk to all of you on a daily basis! (Sorry!) Anyway perhaps I could try to comment more regularly. (Also, I should probably finish that Q&A, haha) Or maybe take fan requests for videos or something. For those of you that read this blog, what do you think the best way for me to get in touch with all of you would be?

Sodor & Its Railways

So...I'm thinking about taking an EnterprisingEngine93 approach and remastering the first 4 episodes of my series. In case you need a refresher, they would be

Fumbles and Funnels
Mudslide
Wheesh!
James' Triumph

When watching all of my episodes straight through the other day, I can see that it would be very polarizing. I'm personally proud of the scripts for the first 2, but feel that with footage, voice acting, and editing combined in all 4 episodes compared to the newest 3 (Scrapes and Scrap, Ice, Guaranteed Connection) comes across as very sloppy. While the latest 3 episodes are by no means perfect, they are better than what came before them, and I feel that I should do some sort of refilming with them, get some new lines from some of the newer VA's, and re-edit them, and they might come out half-decent.

That out of the way, I'll be moving on the the next topic; seasons. I simply cannot do a full 26 episode season. Because of the typical school, and work and life stuff, and because simply filming with models and such is a very long process, and episodes are not the only things I want to make. I've decided not to set a number of episodes per season-instead, I've got loads of episode scripts/concepts, and I'll cut off each season once I think the filming style begins to change too dramatically compared to the first episode of said season. Now I obviously won't make 2 episodes and call it good, but you can expect about 6-8 episodes before a season will end. Now a lot of time has passed between the making of Episode 7 and now. I've already got the next episode planned, and am already gathering things to make it. It's also the beginning of my CGI styled videos, and will thus be a season opener. However, Sodor in Peril will be coming out BEFORE this, because I simply cannot release something utilizing the skills I have now, only to release SIP which the majority was filmed in 2013. SIP will most likely be the next video uploaded on my channel, and I'm using this as a motivator. Anyway, this is probably longer than most of you would like to read, so I'll end this off with a nice little picture. Take care guys!