Project in a Project - Star Wars Crate Intro & Brief

This in a way is a project in a project and is how this Star Wars Project really started, after the abandoned Projects.

The originals Brief had been to build a prop worthy of being on a Star Wars movie or TV show franchise scene and set, starting with a pine box 28cm x 19cm, x 6cm with the freedom to get creative.

As it had not been made clear in the course training at the point of the beginning of the project that by prop what was meant was prop defined as object that that is movable that a character interacts with and ideally can hold weeks were wasted looking at trying to create miniature spacecraft and droids as there were the main things seen in star wars other than weapons, with the weapons not being a workable project as not remotely box like.

I had been pushed into just making a star was crate due to being weeks behind to try and hit the original deadlines only when I started , having got inspiration from the Imperial N-S9 Starpath unit featured in the Star Wars Andor TV show prequel to the film Rogue One, decided to go for a working Box projects with light up buttons that evolved into the 3 part opening control system that could be used as various props, such as a weapons control, hacking tool, communication system etc.

This is now a very expensive, but fragile large prop to be taken to interviews which needs a protective crate on wheels which is in effect a large version of the original box project brief, thus a project in or in this case around the first project with plenty of padding.

Instead of just using the plain as is came from Wickes outer shell black plastic look, I thought why not paint it and make it look Star Wars too, only far simpler, just some minor kit bashing paint and distressing to look the part, but incorporating lessons learned during this project.

Specifications and Requirements

It will need to have a suitable size and shape to:

• Hold the prop with plenty of padding around
• Hold the dismantled accessories such as the come towers securely
• Incorporate any assembly tools such as an electric screwdriver
• Spare parts, glue and other repair kit.
• Hopefully also able to hold the fully assembled prop with aerials ready to show as well as dissembled for transit.
• Be able to fit into the attic hatch for storage
• Any kit bashing on the outside securely solid and fastened, not just stuck on as the outside will get bashed.
• Ideally screwed in not simply stuck and in recesses.
• Possibly some electrics and batteries to go with them.

Research

Research started with two requirements

1. Look at the style and decoration and dirtying down of crates in the Star Wars universe to emulate.
2. Find a suitable crate, ideally with wheels that was a suitable size and study, possibly a flight case or plastic trunk.

First to look at was the styling from Star Wars franchises movies, live and animated shows and artwork as well as other prop boxes, crates and droids people have made as well as possible panels that could be kit bashed on.

Real Crate Research

Flight Case options Ruled out

I initially looked on EBay for a second- hand flight case which seemed a good idea, especially worn looking as they would be purpose built, wheeled and strong but it was soon very apparent that:

Trying to find a suitable size and shape would be next to impossible and a massive waste of time and money and effort and be totally dependent on low chance luck.

I would really need to see and try it out for suitability, weight etc.

Being very big and likely fairly heavy, getting it posted would be a major issue and big cost and most would be listed as collection only thus would need to be local

They were also very expensive, even second hand on Ebay. This part of the project should be a cheap add on.

DIY Shop boxes and crates

The next avenue looked at were storage boxes and crates from DIY, and Tool shops which included the likes of

• Screwfix Direct
• Tool Station
• B&Q
• Wickes
• B&M Bargains

The cheaper storage boxes were ruled out as

• Wrong Size and Shape
• Too weak
• No wheels as the prop was heavy
• Poor quality handles not suited to regular movement and carrying

B&Q had larger wheeled trunks with wheels and looked promising but it was Wickes that had:

• The best size and shaped crate
• That seemed narrow enough to get in the attic
• I could get arms around to carry
• Had wheels
• Looked strong
• Had the capacity to hold what was needed and space for padding
• Had carry handles
• Looked good to paint

Which ticked the most boxes and a good price at £22

Kitbashing Development of the Crate / Trunk

To make the transport crate more star was like the research photos without damaging its structural integrity, kiboshing components were to be stuck on and this took a fair bit of ideation trials.

Firstly, I looked to increase the rage of parts I could add with some new moulds, and also factoring in that I only had 1 item of several parts I wanted to use.

Some existing parts like air grates will need stuffing with form to help them stick patter and gluing and screwing to Plastazote panels, which being stretchy may form a stronger bond with impact give. This also males the box look ore panelled, thus stronger and more military and hi future tech.

Ideation of the Crate / Trunk Ends

Here different patterns of potential kit bashing to provide a technological feel, were tried, startiing with the ends of the crate.

Ideation of the Crate / Trunk Sides

The sides were next being a wider area.