"Tremors' Town "Perfection, Nevada" For 15mm? (Part 2)" Topic

Well, if anyone is interested, I think that Chang's Markef (in the original 1990 film) is an ideal starting point for such a terrain project.

Well . . . I found out some useful information from the filmmakers' FAQ:

"Q. What are the dimensions of Chang's Market?
A. You guys¸ you know how long ago this was? Well, okay, S.S. Wilson contacted Production Designer Ivo Cristante, who fortunately has an amazing memory for practically every set he's ever designed and built. Ivo is pretty sure Chang's store was 60 feet (along the front) by 30 feet deep. The ceiling was 12 feet (because it had to be high enough to do the action where Rhonda climbs on the shelves). There was a two foot tall parapet ("railing") around the roof (so the top of the parapet is at 14 feet). On the front, the parapet is taller. It goes up in two steps to about 4½ feet (16½ total). You can get a sense of how tall the front parapet is when Val puts the radio on it to talk to Burt."
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As for a map of the town, this is all i was able to find a while back:

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Hope this helps whoever is attempting such a task.

Dan
PS. Part 1:
TMP link

The interior should be fun to make too:

Let's see. In 15mm-nese, the Chang's Market dimensions should end up being something like this (if 3mm represents 1 foot):

60 feet wide = 180mm
30 feet deep = 90mm
12 foot ceiling = 36mm
2 foot tall parapet ("railing") = 6mm
Top of the parapet is at 14 feet = 42mm
Front section of parapet 4½ feet (16½ total) = 13.5mm (49.5mm total)

How does that sound to you guys?

Dan

You guys are gonna love this!!!

vimeo.com/13621353

Dan

Glad you liked it.

The population of Perfection was just 14 (according to the sign on the road).

I agree with most of the items shown in the town map:

link

Aside from Walter Chang's Market, and the house where Nancy lived with her little daughter Mindy, it seems like everyone else lived in travel trailers or larger mobile homes. The large rusty Quonset and the dilapidated home behind Nancy and Mindy's house both seem uninhabited.

Some of those structures can be seen in the background of these pics:

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Melvin (the annoying teen) – lived across the street from Chang's Market, in a mobile home with an astroturf porch, right next to a rusted up Quonset. No idea where his parents were. Melvin had his own play shack across the street, between Chang's Market and Nester's trailer.

Val and Earl – each lived in a separate travel trailer, located across the street from Chang's Market, between the rusted Quonset and the junkyard. Melvin was on the other side of the Quonset.

Nestor – lived on same side of the street as Chang's Market, in a travel trailer, surrounded by a corrugated metal fence. There seems to be a gas pump and/or mailbox up front(?).

Walter Chang – no telling where he lived, though I suspect the most logical place would be the mobile home past the water tower. The mobile home had an awning. The trailer wasn't too large but, then again, there's no mention of him having a wife with him. It doesn't look like he lived at the store.

If we include Melvin's parents (not even mentioned in the film), that only accounts for 9 of the presumed 14 residents of the town. I believe that Burt and Heather lived too far to be within the town limits. But, if they are considered to have been within town limits, then the number is 11, with just 3 unaccounted for.

Also staying out of town limits were the doctor and his wife, the sheep rancher and the fella who got hypothermia while hanging up on a tower.

Not sure where Rhonda (the seismologist girl) was staying.

So, for the town itself I would need:

1 general store,
1 house (Nancy and Mindy)
3 small travel trailers (Nestor, Val, Earl)
2 larger trailers (Melvin with parents and one for Walter Chang?),
1 rusty Quonset (full of junk?)
1 dilapidated house
1 play shack
1 water tower
1 junkyard with various rusty machines scattered about, and with a corrugated fence perimeter
1 Catepillar tractor, in the trash field, close to an open trailer without tires

Am I missing anything important?

Thanks,

Dan

I made graboid head for Rebel Minis more than half year ago. Still waiting for it to be molded :(

That is a brilliant idea!!!

By the way … I watched the movie again this morning (can you believe that!) and there's no way that Val and Earl live across from the market. The only trailer close to the Quonset is the one Malvin's family lives in.

There's no other place for their two trailers except past the water tower and the trailer I call Chang's. There are two smaller trailers in the distance, right next to a large red one (abandoned-looking).

Dan

Guys,

What do you think of this initial basic layout?

link

Those building cutouts are resting on a 2' x 4' MDF gaming board, with 6" grids.

Dan
P.S. More images here:
link

nice research cc

I think this is just too funny. I was thinking the same thing:

"Q. Who was the adult guardian of Melvin in Tremors?

A. This is actually a question to which we gave considerable thought: "Why is there a lone teenage kid in Perfection?" Here's Melvin's Tremors 1 back story: he's the son of rather irresponsible parents who regularly leave him home alone to go gambling in Vegas. The townsfolk long ago got used to the situation, as people in small towns do. There was a line explaining this in the original Tremors 1 script. It was said by Val or Earl and was something like, "I wish his parents would just take him with them to Vegas." As a result, Melvin turned out sort of selfish and money-hungry in Tremors 3, but we understand him since he had to fend for himself from a young age."
link

Dan
PS. I need help finding these coordinates:
link

Dan

Try this link link

Somewhere near Death Valley Bnational Park

Andrew,

You are the best!!!

I went ahead and added that aerial view to the Flickr folder:

link

I guess that what I thought was an E to W center road was in fact running N to S:

"Q. Which way does Perfection Valley run?

A. Okay, some of you say it's north-south, and some of you say it's east-west. We think it's north-south. Here's why. First of all, that's the way the original town was built in the Lone Pine area. Chang's Market was on the west side of the street. North was toward Nestor's trailer (Nestor was the guy pulled through the spare tire.)"
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Wow. This research just keeps getting better and better!

Dan
BTW, in that Flickr set there are now 128 different maps and angles for you guys to look at and use in making your own Perfection gaming board!

Looks like I'll have plenty of time to sit and think about more details for this giant worm project (and many, many others too).

In the meantime, this is what I have to look forward to:

YouTube link

YouTube link

In about 6 hours I'll be having that exact same thing done to my left heel.

The actual surgery time should be about 30-45 minutes. And then I'll be sent home after anesthesia wears off. I think the hardest part will be having to walk on crutches for 4-6 weeks.

Wish me luck, guys!

Dan

Alrighty then . . .

Now that I'm done with that surgery and have had 3 weeks to recuperate a bit, I think I can walk (slowly) over to the garage and start pulling some of the materials I'll be needing for this project.

I guess one thing I'll need to depict on the board is the curved nature of the road that goes through town:

Here are some of the better screenshots I've been able to find online:

I just wish I was a little better at determining distances and relative positions on pics like that.

Here are some really good hints on how to make the mobile homes and travel trailers where most of the town's residents seem to live:

link

TMP link

Dan
link

Guys,

Check out this really cool behind-the-scenes clip:

YouTube link

And, of course, this making-of show:

YouTube link

Dan

Guys,

It looks like I may have to scratch-build most of the structures myself.

Here are some good suggestions I plan to use:

link

I like the fact that the gentleman is very specific as to what size materials he used for each bit. It may not be Perfection (Nevada), but I like his overall style.

Dan

I'll this project in 3 different stages:

A. Now that I know what size "clapboard siding" to use (1/16" spacing for HO. Almost 5 1/2 scale inches*), I'll start with Chang's Market:

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link

I guess I'll also need to use the same "clapboard siding" for Nancy's house:

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B. And, once those two structures are complete (Chang's Market and Nancy's house), I'll move on to making the 4 travel trailers (Nestor, Earl, Val and what could be Chang's, the one with the green awning):

link

TMP link

link

C. Finally, I'll do Melvin's mobile home, his little "play shack", the quonset building, junkyard and water tower:

link

Dan
* Size was provided by miniMo on this other thread:
TMP link

I've always loved that movie. If you build it, I may have to drive over to Katy and make you play the game with me.

How's the leg, by the way?

Believe me, you'll be one of the first people I invite over, if I ever finally get this project off the ground!!!

I had been making great strides (pardon the pun) with my left Achilles right up until this week. Now the back half of my left foot is about 50% bigger than it should be, it's hot to the touch, and I feel like there's something really wrong with circulation (below the inside facing ankle it's a bit purple, like when I first had the surgery 6 weeks ago). Maybe I've been overdoing it with the tendon exercises.

Either way, I'm going to be at the doctor's office first thing in the morning, unless I'm forced to head to the hospital before morning.

Wish me luck.

Dan

J,

The pain, swelling and discoloration really had us worried last night. But it turns out it is part of the healing process, despite it being over six weeks since the surgery.

Thanks for the concern though.

Dan

Ok, guys. From my list above, this is the latest update:

1 general store – will need to make it from scratch. Maybe cardstock(?);

1 house (Nancy and Mindy) – will need to make it from scratch. Maybe cardstock(?);

3 small travel trailers (Nestor, Val, Earl) – not sure how I'll get them done. Maybe cardstock(?);

2 larger trailers (Melvin with parents and one for Walter Chang?) – not sure how I'll get them done. Maybe cardstock(?);

1 rusty Quonset (full of junk?) – bought recently, Rix brand;

1 dilapidated house – bought recently as house under construction;

1 play shack – bought recently, it was actually a treehouse;

1 water tower – bought recently, unknown brand but excellent match;

1 junkyard with various rusty machines scattered about, and with a corrugated fence perimeter – have corrugated fence but will need more junk; and

1 Catepillar tractor, in the trash field, close to an open trailer without tires – bought matchbox tractors (one may be the right type). Still looking for the right trailer portion for it.

Looks like, little by little, this project is making some progress.

I prefer plastic buildings (already built or kits), but some of those aren't available or affordable right now. So, for the first time ever, I'm looking at printed cardstock as my only remaining solution for those.

Dan
TMP link

By the way, for HO scale, these two clapboard siding products are the same size (1/16" or .060"):

Evergreen Clapboard .060" Spacing EVG4061
ONE .040 12" x 6" Sheet Styrene with .060" Spaced Clapboard Siding Design
Length: 12" (305mm)
Width: 6" (152mm)
Thickness: .040" (1mm)

And . . .

Plastruct PS-47 Clapboard Siding, (2) PLS91550
TWO Sheets of Plastic Styrene Clapboard Siding
Board Size: 1/16" (1.6mm)
Width: 12" (300mm)
Height: 7" (175mm)

With that clapboard siding, I should be able to start on Chang's General Store AND Nancy's house.

Dan
TMP link

Dan,
I am a few months out from doing any large stuff, but I have designed and cut out about 15 outhouses on Sat.

New laser cutter, still learning and taking notes.

But if you need a few custom etched sheets let me know.
I will try and get them too you.

Your modeling has always been inspiring.

Lee
Abq. NM

Also, what used to be on Walter's store?
I think it says Corn and the second word is harder to see.

Thinking this may be an often used set.

Lee

Lee,

Are you sure it doesn't say "Company"?

Dan
PS. By the way, when you are ready to work with the equipment, will you be able to make things like sides, floors and roofs of 2 mobile homes (Melvin & parents, and one for Walter Chang) and 3 travel trailers (Nestor, Val and Earl's)?

Here's a new pic showing Nestor's trailer in more detail:

link

Shows a lot more detail than the other pic I had:

This video clip shows what happened (about a minute in):

link

Dan
TMP link

Found some cool info on all the vehicles used in the film:

link

Dan

Yep Company Market
Wonder what other movies used it

Just a fyi, there is thre models for the tremors monsters here:

achesoncreations.com

really cool

I found the running one in tremors two i think somewhere almost bought them on the spot. but sadly looking through my links cant find them :(

I'm glad you like it, and that that big worm of mine was finally produced.

I got 95% of it done before I my previous carpal and cubital tunnel problems reahed the point that it made any sculpting absolutely unbearable for at least a couple of years. They finished the rest of the worm and put it into production a little while back:

link

The spirit was willing.

All good now, for the most part.

Dan

And this 15mm graboid head I did a while back for Pole Bitwy:

link

Dan

Here's a list of the cars shown in the film:

link

I wish I could find something like that for the trailers and campers.

Dan

I have to go get this movie out now. I don't know id I've seen it.

You most definitely do!!!

Dan

I got out the first three. I watched number one straight away and realy enjoyed it thanks Dan!

Awesome!

The original is the best, in my opinion. All the main characters were well developed and the dynamics between all of them was fun to watch.

The first time I watched it I thought it would make a fantastic gaming set up. I still feel it could.

And I just love them graboids!

YouTube link

YouTube link

By the way, Stampede Entertainment did a FAQ you might find interesting:

link

And this is a neat Making Of documentary:

YouTube link

Dan

By the way, I've just found a comparison photo of the Graboid I made a couple of years ago, next to a 15mm and a 28mm figure:

link

TMP link

link

TMP link

What do you think?

Dan

I was thinking these little fellas, with a good paint job, could pass for the smaller ones from the second movie.

These a suposed to be 6mm bugs but I was using them with 15mm figures.

Wow. Who makes those?

Dan

I got them from GZG earlier this year but can't find them anywhere on their web site now.
Heres some other pictures.
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The closest I could find for what Nestor's trailer is supposed to be some sort of an Elcar Coach trailer from the 1950s:

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link

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I'll round it up to a 30-footer. At 3mm per foot, that means a unit 90mm long.

Dan
TMP link

Ha ha that caravan has had a hard life!

Yeah, looks that way.

I wish someone had a couple of the discontinued kit shown here, unopened, in the back of their store or closet:

link

Dan

ALERT!

The original Tremors (1990) is now on Netflix!!!

Dan

Guys,

Check out how easy this fella makes it look to build a general store:

link

Dan

Hows your progress with this Dan? Have you got any further along?

I did find some links for free paper model static/trailers somewhere that look suspiciously like the ones your after, not sure of the scale (but think it was HO)I'll have a look later for them, failing that I might even have the files downloaded so I'll check them too if your still in need of them!

link
just a little rescaling at printing and there you are

When I look at the satellite image of where the Perfection set was built, I can almost see straight lines where the land must have been cleared to put the buildings and trailer homes:

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36°12'33.43"N, 117°56'8.78"W
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Or am I imagining those lines in the dirt on either side of Main Street (which runs N to S)?

Here's Main Street, looking to the S:

Dan

Guys,

Check out these "Sand Worms" from Alternative Armies:

TMP link

Dan