Welcome to the official DioramaWorkshop.Com Video Companion channel. Home to Frank Diorio's Action Figure diorama instructions + Official Crew Coverage from our Star Wars Celebration Diorama Builders booths.
My name is Frank Diorio, I spent 25 years as Compositor on some cool movies like TRANSFORMERS, TERMINATOR SALVATION at Industrial Light & Magic ( ILM ) 300, FANTASTIC 4 (Meteor Studios) EDGE OF TOMORROW, PADDINGTON (Framestore) to name a few and as cool as that was, I also have a HUGE LOVE for Action Figure Dioramas :) and Star Wars GEEK which led me to become LUCASFILM's Producer for EVERY USA Star Wars Celebration conventions Diorama Builders Workshop booths.
This channel will allow fans to revisit or discover for the first time what we have experienced at our Celebration Diorama booths since 2002 and combined with my website's FREE Decals + Blueprints recreate these dioramas in your own home.
Welcome to the world of Diorama building :)
Frank.
Пікірлер
Just a little thought for the doors if kid's wanted to use it as a play house the one side of the doors could be taped with something like "Gaffatape" onthe one side so the door could be opened & shut for play.
Yes that could work well. You could even cut a slot in the entry and slide the door open and close by placing the door decal on a wider piece of foamcore. I don't show play value in my videos due to time restraints with just showing how to make them, but modifications are certainly easy to adapt in many of the scenes I teach. Make sure to share with your friends and family :) Frank.
I really like your video, it's gonna be so great both for kid's & I'm sure for cash strapped parents that you show both basic simple tools & cheap or even free/findable materials. Plus I'm sure many kid's will find this fun too do & not too complicated & get a wonderful house for their figures & to play with. I'm sure there could easily be adapted a back side to show the interiour if one wanted to model a house interiour too. Thanks so much!
Thanks Alycia, the designs you see in my tutorials are my original designs I created for all of my Star Wars Celebration conventions Diorama Builders booths. We had parents and their kids and adults too :) come to build their section that would all fit together to form a giant diorama scene by the end of the show on Sundays. Even though I knew Lucasfilm was paying for the materials in order to allow me to offer a FREE experience at the convention, I also knew many would want to build this at home, either to continue their Celebration experience or those who could not attend, and therefore wanted the design to include art supplies and materials that were easily found and affordable for home use. You could for sure use this as a starting point and work on an interior for extra play value vs only display of your collection. If anyone has done so, I would LOVE to see the photos. Artists inspiring Artists :) Thank you for the kind words. Frank.
Well, we're waiting....
Hey Jay :) I know, I am terrible with schedules :) I am trying to complete all prototypes that create the red Falcon Bay Control Room so that I can film everything on same weekend then just have the editing done and upload one every 2-3 days. The power unit is done as is the closet, working on windows now. After that I will film. Hang in there. Thank you to everyone for being so patient. I wish I had a team to help me make the process go faster. Frank.
How would you clean cut an 8 foot 1.5” board length? It must be 90 degrees.
The only way to perfectly cut such a piece would be with a jig in a pro shop. You could create one with block of wood but it would never be as clean as metal.
How would you cut a straight perfect cut the length of an 8’ 1.5” thick foam board?
Hey Nole, without a jig, if it was me cutting, I would for sure start with a fresh new blade, extend it as long as you can, lower it close to the surface, concentrate to not wiggle it sideways as you go down your ruler. If you must go down twice. It will all depend how many cuts you made during your hobby and how comfy you feel with your hand, wrist co ordination. I never tried this but it just came to mind... what if you heated the blade with a lighter or lightbulb ? Then the blade would melt the foam while cutting thus not needing to push as much pressure. But staying too long in one spot could cause melted holes. I would like to try that one day, since we know hot wire cutters work well with thick foam, but you cant use that cutter with guided ruler. Hope that helps, let me know how it turns out. Frank.
You R the master... Keep up the great work my friend!
Thank you Palp, that's very kind of you to say. I shal try :) Spread the word and make sure to Subscribe and please send me photos of your build if you follow any of my instructions to build your own. Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop indeed my friend. Im waiting for you to do a star destroyer bridge with window panels. I'm sure it will be fantastic.
Hi Frank, newbie to all this, just subscribed. Great videos. I have a few star wars figures from when I was a kid. Now 53 and near to completion of my man cave (UK based). Always wanted to make some dioramas but not an artistic bone in my body! Following you just this last week I am so excited to start my first build next month. Basic hall way C. They really are incredible and I am so glad you are doing what you do. Keep em coming....👍
Hey Jason, thank you for the kind words, it's NEVER TOO LATE to start building :) And making Death Star is 2nd easiest (after Tatooine) for first time artists. Decals bring it to life and having a cool backdrop really shows just how cool the Hasbro imperial figures are. Please make sure to send me photos of your build, it really puts a smile on my face seeing my fans creations. Happy Building. Frank.
I think it's awesome we all have that "box" o random parts and how handy it comes in....awesome video
Indeed, never throw away small greeblies :) thanks for the kind words Kelly, spread the word, diorama building is the most fun :) Frank.
Red room is a favorite. 1st time I saw SW on a television set, I turned to PBS and they had it on during a telethon. That’s the scene I started on. Nostalgia flood every time I see it.
Frrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaank! Yay!
Are you excited not to wait 6 months for a new video ? Frank. LoL
@@dioramaworkshop Yes. Yes I am. Happy advance birthday.
Muchas gracias!
Bienvenue Hector
We meet again Obiwan. When I left you I was but a learner. Now I am the master.
indeed :)
Hi my friend. Absolutely fantastic diorama. Truly a master. I was hoping if u could do a star destroyer bridge diorama. I checked in your video archive and couldnt find it. Appreciate your hard work. Take care, may the force be with you! 👍
Thanks for the kind words my Emperor. This is only the PREVIEW, the real 3.75" scale is slowly coming together with Vader vs Kenobi and 2 weeks ago Trash Compactor. Working on the Red Control room now. Your request is a popular one. I really want to do it I just need to clone myself first. :) Stay tuned, it will appear one day. Frank
@@dioramaworkshop you have done well my apprentice and now I sense you wish to continue your work on the diorama. Patience my friend. In time, it will seek you out and when it does, you will bring it before me. Everything is proceeding as I have forseen.
You mean on angle but drop it down a little
Yes, sorry for the confusion, it's not angle side to side, you want try keep that 90 degrees as possible with table surface. You are correct in undersranding what I was trying to explain. Imagine the tip of your blade being the anchor point and your hand, or xActo handle at the other end, you want that to be lowered as close to the table, not high up to give your blade a 50-70 degree contact, you are trying to stay at about 5 degree max. Allow as much of the blade to touch your foamcore, not just the first sections tip. Frank.
So, another 8 months until the next video?
Hahahaha ok, i deserved that. Hell no, I have already started the prototypes for the next build. I am aiming for just before I leave for vacation march 3. So, end of feb if all goes well. Did you enjoy this one at least Jet ? Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop ya, but you forgot the trash chute they fell through, even though you don't see it from the trash compactor side, it's still there... plus, it'll hook up to the detention center diorama.
This is an amazing work in all respects. Really. I hate working with sticker paper but I may build the painted version. Thanks for sharing, Frank. P.S.= Those time-lapse clips are addictive. LOL.
Hey Sunset, thank you so much for the kind words. My smile of the day :) At the 2005 convention booth it was all done in paint except for the door, this year, I wanted to play with movie accurate decals and offer the builders like yourself the option of both. I can't wait when fans start sending me photos of how theirs turned out and what method they chose. You very welcome, I'm just sorry it took me 6 months to post from the past tutorial. I could remove all timelapses to shrink the time of the overall video but I like watching them as well :) Frank.
That was spectacular
Wow thank you Shakes, my smile of the day. :) thank you for the most wonderful compliment. Spread the word :) Frank.
❤
Than you Carlos
You have done well my apprentice
thank you palp, that means a lot to me :)
@@dioramaworkshop the master is you, not me.
@@palpatine1975 make me blush :)
@@dioramaworkshopI do hope u do a star destroyer bridge diorama. That would be cool especially for the scene between Darth vader and Grand Inquisitor in Kenobi.
@@palpatine1975 that is on the drawing board, i did a version decades ago, i need for sure to deluxify it. More movie accurate. Frank.
I'm assuming you're no longer making new videos...?
Hey Jet, I am far from done, I am curently been editing for past 10 days the next tutorial... Trash Compactor. I was hoping to have it up last week but I caught this damn flu that has wrecked me worse than covid for past 2 weeks. Stay tuned... I know it's been way too long. Promise to make it up in 2024 :) Frank.
I’ve been through the wringer with trying to make good sand ground without spending years of effort, you my friend are a genius thank you for the video!
Sawdust is the best, it looks the same but much lighter in texture. And doesn't get into every crevice ;) thank you for the kind words. Frank.
You’re the best! Believe it
Thanks!
You very welcome. Thank you SO much for the Super Thanks. Make sure to help spread the word to the coolest hobbies out there :) its gonna be a fun 2024. Frank.
Where do you get these items, I checked your store but it only has clothes etc.
Hey Sparroh, all my decals and blueprints, cricut files can be found at my etsy store.... dioriodioramas.etsy.com
I found them thank you so much, I bought 3 I think and I’m going to attempt some this weekend. I’ve been looking for these types of decals to complete my set thank you!
@@Sparroh awesome, thank you very much for your support. Please send me photos of how your diorama turns out. I love seeing my artwork put to creative use :) Frank.
No es gratuito 😢
Hey Sergio, the designs are made for you to build with basic arts and craft materials that you can buy at your local dollar store. If you refer to the decals, starting this year, after 20 years of giving away for free, I have made the decision to charge small price for them. When I was working in movies, I got paid a lot so that was one reason my art was free, now I am retired, money is tight, so the little extra I can make selling my art will help pay a small percent of my art supplies so Incan contunue make more dioramas and tutorials for you guys. If you join my Patreon, you get discount codes so art even less expensive. Frank.
How hard does that plaster get?
It dries solid hard, but if you hit it with a hammer it will shatter, it's not like cement when it dries, if you drop it on the ground it can break into pieces, but won't chip away if you touch it with your hands when say, moving it around. Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop Does plastering the inside of the box help reinforce the structure?
@@renderedinoperable Plaster bandages are relatively expensive, to cover the full inside cardboard surface would be a waste of money in my opinion and not really add to structural integrity because the outside and inside would not be touching. You will be surprised at how stronger it is than you think. Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop Thank you for your advice
1:08:57 what paint is that please
Hey Alex, it's basic latex paint. With added water to make it "cry" down the surfaces. You can use the small 2$ dollar store art paints or if making more buildings, can go to paint store and get any brand of latex paints in quart or gallon that you want. As long as it is NOT OIL based, you are good to go :) Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop thanks Frank, always good videos
Thank you sooo much! Blessings to you
You are so welcome. Glad I could help with your project Kevin
Can I buy s9me from you???
Yoshi, You can buy the decals or files in my etsy shop for you to make them yourself. If you dont have a cricut, I can maybe cut out the shapes and all you would need to do is assemble it at home. Frank
Can’t believe I came across this video… I’m in this building with my dad when I was 5 years old. I’m 27 now. I’m also the little girl who won at the end 🥲 now I make dioramas at work. Hahah, thanks for uploading ❤
Hey Anna, how awesome for you to discover and relive piece of your childhood. Was it someone who was at our booth that told you to come check it out ? My last convention workshop was 2019. And that was 20 years after this very first test that Lucasfilm allowed me to do with them. In these 20 years, many families have returned to us every celebration, after first decade, 2012+ many kids who were with you here were now adults with their own children, bringing them along now for the experience. Im so happy you discovered this 20 years later. Did you attend other celebrations ? You may have photos of yourself growing up doing other builds. This made my weekend :) Thank you so much for sharing . Frank. Visit dioramaworkshop.com conventions menu. Share the love :)
Anna, do you give me the OK to share this story on my facebook ? you should also go post that comment here in the FAN RECOLLECTIONS section of my website... dioramaworkshop.com/conventions-c2-post-production-mos-eisley-fan-recollections/
Yes that's totally fine!!@@dioramaworkshop I attended celebration III but haven't been to another since then. I would love to go back one day though!
This is amazing man
Thank you James, coming from you it means a lot. Cheers from Canada. Frank.
One of the most enjoyable diorama videos I ever watched. Very easy to follow by a beginner.
Thank you Nick, that is the kindest thing anyone has taken the time to write me and let me know. Glad you discovered the channel and spiked your interest in joining the hobby :) can't wait to see what you create. Frank.
I'm gonna use it for a scaled down Legion or Shatterpoint. Good videos.
that is cool, just scale and print at 40% my decals and it will work perfect for them. Post or email me a photo of your play table looks like after building. Frank.
So is there plans for 6in figures as well?
Hey Ray, I dont own, collect 6", too $$$$ in canada. The techniques are the same for all sizes which is good. Even smaller like for Lego or FFG. What I would do is make a door shape first to get the height and then design the rest of the walls, dome around that. Use movie stills for inspiration if you want accuracy. Best thing about Tatooine, great for all ages and abilities as the film set look is run down city. So perfection like say Death Star is not needed. Have fun, show us photo when you are done, love to see it. Frank.
Thank you so much... I was just hoping... I really appreciate what you do and I absolutely love your channel. Thank you
Naughty kitty!
Indeed Richard, lol :) Frank.
Respect the level of detail, a proper labour of love :D
Thank you Rob. That means a lot to me. Now all I have to do is make it from this Lego scale to 3.75 Hasbro figs :) only thing that sucks is I am 7 months past date I thought It would be completed :) but we will get there... Stay tuned for many more tutorials . Frank.
So awesome! I do want to attempt all the projects you put out. I wish I had an Uncle Frank like you growing up lol. Again thank you for all the content you put out Sir. Love your channel and history behind everything you touch or put out.
Jesse, thats so nice of you to take the time to write that. You are never too old to have a Uncle Frank help inspire you to start building :) I too wish I had what I do available to me when I was growing up myself. Of course internet didnt exist back in 1977 lol. You welcome and I hope to continue making fun tutorials for all of you to enjoy for years to come. I only wish I could get the videos out faster. Frank.
Love your channel Sir. The best part for me is when you go through each character and give a little history behind each figure. Thank you for the content you put out.
You very welcome Gonzo, thank you so much for the kind words, I try to make the videos instructional and fun. Frank.
Hi Frank! I just love this Build, you make it look so easy. Frank I want to do the scene with the Rebel Troopers fighting Storm troopers, Darth Vader standing at the door, C3PO/ R2 running away and Leiah off to the side. I now have three Rebel troopers now. Not sure what I am going to do with the faces being the same! I wan t to do the Hallway, for my Black series 1/12 like thats in the beginning of A New Hope. Is this possible? Maybe you could doa video? Thanks Frank
I don't collect the 6" TVG, too $$$$ in Canada. I will eventually make it in 3.75 and possibly easy to convert the decals for 6" after that. I just have such a long list to do. I wish i could clone myself.
Awesome mate! I just love your stuff!
Thank you TVG thats so nice to hear. I really appreciate it. Frank. Email me photos of your creations
But what about cutting circles? I’m getting ready to make Christmas ornaments and keep putting off trying to cut a ball shape! 😱
Check out this video Lizard, maybe it will help. Frank. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZaN-z86Sc83FmKg.htmlsi=C3jwm59cnEVRgVP9
See the link below, my separate how to cut circles tutorial. Frank.
This is amazing
Wasn't fun when it happened lol
Your videos are the best
Awe Scott, you made my weekend :) thank you for taking the time to say that. It really means a lot to me to see that the builds and tutorials are so appreciated. Post some photos in comments when you have built your own. I love to see what the fans come up with :) Frank.
Do you glue each generator together Adhering the Spout parts ?
You can, but the surfaces of each section is large and stable enough to remain in place. If you are gonna wiggle, transport your diorama from one area to another could be wise, but at the convention I think most just laid them next to each other. Frank.
So, no more Death Star dioramas, did you fall off the face of the earth?
Hey Jay, yes there are many many more important rooms to come. First summer without covid had more friends n family visiting than in past 3 years, so i put a hold on building. I am currently completing the trashcompactor skins and hope to film that and edit in the next week. After Trash compactor is uploaded then the others should appear one after the other rather quickly. Sorry for the wait, i know its been way too long a wait. Frank
What to do about foam board that has adhesive on one side? I didn't realize this when I bought it. Damn Joann's Fabrics...
Hey Erik, the technique will remain the same, however, the tacky glue will dull your blade more, faster, than plain foamcore. If I was cutting this, I would also cut with the tack adhesive side on the bottom, to limit just the sharp edges (tip) touching the glue as much as possible. You dont want the entire blade width (surface) to become sticky and start messing with the cuts. Does this make sense ? Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop Thanks, yes, that makes sense. Definitely cutting front-facing helped with precision and snagging. I'll be sure try out non-adhesive next time.
☑️ SUBSCRIBED!!! 🤩🤩🤩🪚🗜️🪛🔧🔨
Thank you FKF, that means a lot to me. Remember to send me photos of any builds, I love seeing how the fans use my tutorials, blueprints n decals. Frank.
I WATCHED VERY CLOSELY AND NEVER SAW YOU ANGLE THE BLADE. PLEASE SHOW AT A BETTER ANGLE SO I CAN SEE EXACTLY HOW MUCH IT'S ANGLED.
I missused the word angle, its NOT a side to side angle I am explaining (45 degree for ex) but the angle from the tip of the blade to the handle of the knife. Pretend the tip is glued to the surface, you want to lower the handle as close to the foamcore to allow maximum of the blade to cut through. Thus a low angle. Does that make more sense ? Sorry for the confusion Bella. Thanks for your question. Frank.
@@dioramaworkshop yes that’s better! I think I just have to keep practicing. I just started yesterday. I have that old Barbie doll house from 78 and I just watched the Barbie dream house challenge and why oh it’s not shaped anything like that house I’m trying to decorate it as close as I could. I can’t find a square shaped tub and I’m trying to make one out of foam board like this one KZread girl did but she doesn’t show how she cut out her foam board. It was already done so your video helped me I just have to practice more, thank you so much and thank you for getting back to me! I really appreciate it! So not angling my blade just lowering the handle instead of using so much of the tip. Using more of the blade.
@@dioramaworkshop are you on Facebook? If you are, may I friend you?
@@bellagabriella1 yes, search frank diorio diorama .
@@bellagabriella1 architects used foamcore all the time to build house models before computer models. Its a perfect material for your barbie project. Frank.
great info! Thanks for making this video!
You very welcome PVP, glad It could help you a little :) Frank.
Can this be scaled to 6" black series figures? You done an amazing job mate, truly epic work
hey Mark, Thanks for the kind words. Yes you can modify it for the Black 6" figures. All you need to do is multiply the image x1.6 or 160% - I have started to put them native on site for those like you who collect 6" check out the 6" Speed Index pull down menu on my site to see if what you want is available or not. dioramaworkshop.com/speed-index-6in-112-scale/ If it's not there yet - it should appear soon after I upload the videos and 3.75 decals and blueprints. heavy emphasis on SHOULD :P Frank. PS... if you build it, I sure would love to see the result and making of pics.