OK, so the color of the outside of Macy's is a light gray, like stone. I'll get around to painting my piece of foamboard soon, and then work on building the shadow-boxes which hold the Christmas window decorations. God I *hope* I find the will to get this done in time for Christmas, but if push comes to shove, I'll shoot for mid- to late-January.

EDIT: The New York Public Library bookstacks set has been constructed, and the Containment Unit set is under construction. The Sewer set is in the pipeline, as is the Macy's exterior.

EDIT, 6/28/09: The Containment Unit backdrop and floor are built. Next weekend, I intend to take a test picture of the Containment Unit set in full, shoot the Library sequence, and reshoot the Cinema Ghost setpiece…and maybe some firehouse stuff, if I feel like it.

The Sewer, I fear, will be the most difficult thing to do.

UPDATE, 8/2/09: The final battle set-piece is shot and finished!

Right, so I have a better silver screen for the Cinema Ghost set-piece finished, as well as the first basic exterior for the Macy's Christmas Windows.

Here is an extremely basic test shot for the Containment Unit/basement set, made possible by Action Figure Theatre.



Apologies for the dim lighting, but, like I said, it's just a test.

Here are the demo shots for the final battle sequence. I really need to learn how to use Photoshop/Image Broadway, since I can't have a ghostly dimension taking place against a white background with a vent sticking out for all to see.

And a few more:







And in that last one you can barely see the red laser-triangle which represents the Ghost Trap; I may have to reshoot that one in darker conditions so that it becomes more visible.

UPDATE, 10/12/09:

So, it seems that the construction of the “Macy's Christmas Windows” exterior flat has hit a snag, as I have no idea how to even begin constructing the awnings! :*[ (<–my tears turning into Christmas snowflakes)

So, to that end, what I will do instead is *draw* the scene, emulating the look of the action figures as best I can. (I just did a couple tests while I was bored in class. I think I know how I can pull this off!) It'll look much better than if I tried to superimpose them onto a photograph of Macy's; at least if I do it my way, I'll be able to do shadows and other neat effects.

UPDATE, 10/29/09:

The Macy's set is underway! I have a few good materials, courtesy of Hobby Lobby:

–2 4“ diameter styrofoam spheres for the awnings (I have a backup in case one goes wrong)

–1 sheet of cellophane (the windows)

–1 pack of styrofoam sheets (the flat, obviously)

And I'll probably simplify the construction with a cigar box as the base for the Christmas windows. I have a whole bunch of old, unused Christmas ornaments that will serve as the window-decorations. It won't look entirely accurate to real-life as I've never been to the NYC Macy's, but…suspension of disbelief.

Also, if I haven't said it before, the end credits will replace Bobby Brown's ”On Our Own“ with John Philip Sousa's ”Liberty Bell March" as that one extra touch.

The Library set is pretty much finished. All I need to do is “stack-up” the mini bookshelves, and I'll be well on the way.

Stay tuned to the Fan Projects section, fellow Ghostheads, because the story begins anew as November draws to a close and December begins…next week.

(TRANSLATION: I will put up a thread devoted solely to the unfolding narrative. This thread will remain open for questions, comments, or complaints, as well as random musings and updates from me.)

Well, my digital camera died over the weekend, but this does not mean the story is over. I'll use an ordinary disposable camera to continue shooting until I can get a new digital camera.

EDIT, 12/17/09: Moral of the day: Do not try to recharge a digital camera that runs on AA batteries with a cell-phone charger. That's exactly what my dad did, and the camera overheated as a result, ruining the complex circuitry and machinery inside. At least I can salvage the SD card.