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Tram







	The TRAM model deserves to be written in capital letters. Measures for the model were determined by animatic 3D model, that I made in scale, having real sets in mind. The difference is that I didn't bother much about 3D model, but I did that extra step for the real thing. The problem is that I tend to be economic in ideas and contruction in planning phase, but I also have that tendency to make models that are rich in details. I simply can't let things simple, no matter how hard I try. And of course, there is that design - switch, because of which I had to make the Tram model more intersting than simple, flat surface, how it was layed out at first in the animatic renderings. That sketch on the left, above the projections of most distorted model, was my guide, but I settled eventually with more moderately distorted one, depicted on the projections above right, just below the generic, 3D model for animatic. Despite being mildly distorted, the Tram should be built from straight surfaces. Now, how hard can that be? So, I've decided to do it in, let's say, full size (puppet size). Yeah, right... Despite of use of lightweight materials, that model turned out heavy, and huge in size, bigger than it seems when reading numbers on projections. That demanded even more detailing, interior detailing, and also, when I got that far, I might just build the roof superstructure, as well. Did I mention, I'm a sticker to details?

















It's quite possible that it would be enough to get by with only the lower portion of the tram model. Side walls and undercarriage. O.K, front end, and the rear, that too. But, why building the whole damned thing, you may ask? The thing is, I'd have to build smaller (but not much smaller) tram model anyhow, or at least upper portion of it, for the shots from the inside of the store window. And then, those shots would have to be composite shots, with kids and toys shot in front of a green screen, than superimposed in front of the background, shot separately, but it have fo fit perfectly. Would it be possible to get realistic reflections in and through the store's window, or at least good match? I don't know, because I didn't have to find out. Lucky me, I decided to do that huge and bulky and heavy tram model, that allowed shooting all this scenes "in camera", thus avoiding later complications with CGI compositing.

	Tram's colors are borrowed from city of Zagreb's trams, and I've decorated the tram model with old Zagreb's markings for some shots, but it's barely noticeable in the film.





I've borrowed the passengers from the courtroom, and the driver from the factory / jail. It's easy to see on these pictures below how close were layers in the background. In this forced perspective, this car in the foreground is actually longer than the tram, but courtroom puppet bodies and heads from "Soldat" are a bit smaller scale than kids in front of the car, so they are in scale with the tram. "Soldat" statue, right next to the tram rails is about the same size, but pretends to be bigger and way further from the rails. The scooter actually can't pass the tram, it's on collision course with tram's port side.