Building the Bridge 9

Created: June 27, 2010

It's been two weeks since our last update. We've been very busy on the construction of our primary set, especially the viewscreen and the captain's chair.

Our biggest challenge lately has been the weather. It's rained most evenings lately, heavy rain, which means we can't saw outside, and if we were to saw inside on the bridge, we'd have a sawdust problem of unbelievable proportions. Sanding alone creates far too much dust for our liking as it is. We clean the set nightly of dust and debris.

Since it was raining, we devoted a lot of time on the captain's chair. We posted a photo of the chair on the TrekBBS with the intent of getting feedback on the color scheme (see top left). We had thought about using a solid color for the arms and back (see top right), but at the suggestion of lennier1, we decided to opt for a more colorful, multicolored scheme (see bottom left). While not following his awesomely cool design, we opted for one of our own (see bottom right).

The unretouched center seat.

A graphic simulation of gray sides with lights.

 

Lennier1's suggestion of a color scheme.

Definitely a unique looking design from lennier1!

The completed captain's chair with arm pads, rear arm speakers, and controls.

Designing the chair has been an interesting experience. (The arm rests were done by Randy's daughter, Kim.)

In addition to the center seat, we've been working on our mainviewer. Originally, we'd planned to have a rectangular mainviewer like in the original series, and we set about to make that happen. However, upon reviewing Star Trek: The Motion Picture, we decided to give the angled viewer a go. We even took some test footage of Kim looking up at the opening. As you can tell, it was too small. After consulting with Linda, Ricky and Kim, we agreed to go back to the rectangled approach.

On Saturday, 6/19, Ricky and Randy went shopping and returned with the lumber needed to frame the mainviewer.

Randy adjusted the viewscreen so that it was angled in.

On Sunday, 6/20, Randy applied the service board to the frame.

Monday, it rained heavily, and little was done.

On Tuesday, Randy added the angled frame which after consultation with Ricky, Kim and Linda, was abandoned.

On Wednesday, Randy patched in the service board side panels and painted the trim on the control panels madiera red.

Painting Underway -- Note the trim to the left of the mainviewer. Also, note the overhead ceiling pattern makes an interesting design as well.

Now that the weekend was spent painting, here are some of the results.

The view from the science station looking across the bridge.

The view from behind the captain.

Another cross view of the bridge. (Note the partition pieces already cut and ready to install.)

Here's the captain's chair in all its glory.

Note: We're planning on producing a short vignette as background for the upcoming episode. This vignette will basically be more or less a test of our equipment, our lighting, our set, but will hopefully be entertaining as well. Stay tuned for further announcements. Scroll down for the latest production information...

So what's left?

The construction schedule for the coming week:

Monday: Construction and Installation of "Working" Turbolift Partitions and Installation of Roll of Carpeting in front of Mainviewer
Tuesday: Hanging of the Working Turbolift Doors and Lighting inside the Partitions
Wednesday: Construction and Installation of "Back Door" Partitions
Thursday: Construction and Installation of "Back Door" Side Panels
Friday: Construction and Installation of "Back Door"
Saturday: Construction and Installation of Turbolift "Set"
Monday: Installation of Overhead "Ventilation" Panels (which fill the gap between the control panels and the ceiling)

Assuming all that goes well (and it most certainly won't, but we can all dream, can't we?), we've got the following:

Installation of Overhead Lighting
Installation of Carpeting continues
Installation of Control Panels

And if we get enough donations:

Installation of Window Unit Air-Conditioner
Installation of Vinyl Enclosure for Carport

Funding is still an issue, but recently, we've had more people donate to help cover our expenses. (Producer Ricky Thompson contributed mightily in that regard!) We're almost finished with the bridge, and we're this close to being ready to film. We realize that in today's economy everyone has their own priorities. Lord knows, even here at Project: Potemkin, we've got ours. Please keep us in mind. Even $5 or $10 would help. Click below to make a donation today! Rest assured, we're non-profit, and once our expenses are met, we'll not be making requests like these.


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