How would you build Serenity? by pizmobeach

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

How would you build Serenity?

POSTED BY: PIZMOBEACH
UPDATED: Monday, May 8, 2006 04:00
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VIEWED: 2458
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Saturday, May 6, 2006 5:38 PM

... fully loaded, safety off...

Dream time. I know there’s probably not a single poster here that wouldn’t want to be able to walk out their back door and cross a field and, “fffzzzzzzrrr,” - hydraulic sound - open the cargo bay door to their own Serenity. So how would you actually build one? What would be the real world practical challenges to really building a version of Serenity? Money is not unlimited - it’s a real world challenge - but let’s just say that someone with big coin said they’d fund it if your ideas were reasonable and could actually be made, practically, for a certain amount of dollars with a budget. Any engineer fans or other buildery types who might have thought this through to some extent and already and have a start? There are a surprising number of enterprising souls thinking of continuing the series via fanfic and fanfilm, and there’s the thread about the ambulance from Ariel being found and saved, so why not? It's nice to imagine a replica being built somewhere that we all could visit.

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 5:57 PM

EMBERS

I would love to have this...'parked' somewhere near a lake or a beach...
set up so you could drive up the ramp and park in the cargo bay...
Each bedroom could (but I'll bet it would be expensive) set up with toilet & sink in drawers like those in Mal's cabin...
larger bathroom with showers and tubs (real water, not sonic showers because we are, after all, on earth) in a separate area....
I would have the cock pit be my office with computer equipment and filing cabnets built in to look as much as possible like that set we love so well.

I would have to cut in some extra windows...but I would want to find materials that blend.

I'm afraid it would NOT be cheap! And zoning would be a problem...

not that I'm a big geek who thinks about this all the time!
LOL

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:01 PM

KHYRON

Quote:
Originally posted by pizmobeach:
So how would you actually build one? What would be the real world practical challenges to really building a version of Serenity?

Sassalicious gave me some minions the other day, so I'd get them to do it for me while I take a nap. Problem solved.

Other people can occasionally be useful, especially as minions. I want lots of minions.

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:17 PM

VINTERDRAKEN

The biggest problem is money, You can build a lifesize (although not flyable) version of Serenity with the right materials and plans, you would however have to hide some water/electricity and air hookups, most likely have some undergroundpipes.

You can’t stop the Signal.
Keep spreading the word about Firefly!

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:17 PM

VINTERDRAKEN

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:17 PM

VINTERDRAKEN

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:17 PM

VINTERDRAKEN

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:17 PM

VINTERDRAKEN

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:17 PM

VINTERDRAKEN

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 6:33 PM

JOSSISAGOD

Structurally speaking, I'd build it like a real aircraft or space shuttle of today. Starting with a metal frame re-enforcing it somehow, then build the rest of the ship as acurately as the episodes of Firefly.

JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

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Saturday, May 6, 2006 8:24 PM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

I'd probably only build part of it, rather than trying to reconstruct the whole ship. Have it be the right shape on the outside, but maybe smaller; one level instead of two. I'd have the bridge and a couple bunks or dorms and the kitchen and maybe a lounge/living room and a bathroom (if that was doable) but I wouldn't try to make the infirmary or the engine room (actually, if I wanted to live there, which of course I would, so if I could live there I might have an engine room type space that held the furnace and water heater and the like) and probably not the ladders to the bunks and certainly not the cargo bay; not to the same scale, anyway. Since it would stay pretty firmly planted on Earth, it wouldn't need to have the same kind of space. In terms of materials, I would probably do a metal and wood frame, have it built up like a house, and then cover it with gray resin or the like to give it the right look since I'm betting metal would be a tad more difficult to work with. Of course people would have to be hired to do the building and wiring and plumbing and the like because I am not in the construction business, but it sure would be shiny!

*************************************************
One summer.
One mission.
One legion of Browncoats.

Starting June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 12:55 AM

LWAVES

Well I start with the engine room, find myself a cute, hot mechanic who dresses in a green jumpsuit with flowers on it.
After that I don't think much building would be done!!!

Seriously though if it was built in the right area imagine the view you could have from the cockpit.
Each bedroom would have a sklylight - as Embers said you'd need more light.

So -

Cockpit = Study
Bedrooms = Bedrooms
Dining Area/Kitchen = Dining Area/Kitchen
Engine Room = Bathroom (shower etc)
Cargo Bay = Garage/Workshop
Medical Area = ???
Medical Area Lounge = Rec Room/Lounge
Storage Area = Storage Area

So when I win the lottery.....

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 1:50 AM

AGATSU

Yeah, at first I was wondering why there were so few window, because windows is nice, but I guess all the green screen work required for the hwai outside would have been too pricey.
When I was a kid I always wanted the Millenium Falcon in my backyard.

BROWNCOATS UNITE!

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 2:01 AM

CALHOUN

Firstly you need to get yourself a primary buffer panel..

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 2:09 AM

CITIZEN

Do you want it too fly, because that'd cost more.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 5:38 AM

PENGUIN

Quote:
Originally posted by Agatsu:
Yeah, at first I was wondering why there were so few window, because windows is nice, but I guess all the green screen work required for the hwai outside would have been too pricey.

BROWNCOATS UNITE!

There's few windows for practical reasons...glass is difficult to reinforce against the pressures of space. It's necessary in the cockpit..and I think the only other windows (not including the shuttles) are the one in the mess hall and a couple of small ones by the front pressure door.

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 6:11 AM

MAGHAFFAR

Well y'know, the cost of building the ship IS a known value -- in a sense -- cuz Mutant Enemy built the set / ship for Firefly. While Joss' Co. is no more, whatever company got the contract to build the set would know how much it cost. And while a film set is not exactly a "working" home, I'm betting the overall costs would be darn similar. I'd suggest awnding a wave to the FX companies (Zoic, Rhthym & Hues, et al) not sure who actually built it.

===============================================================
Jonathan M.A.Ghaffar - Your Firefly/Serenity MP3 Ringtone Guru!
Free MP3 uploader program (PC) at: www.tonethis.com
Website for free ringtone downloading: http://mindfulmusings.net/cellupload/singleupload.php
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Sunday, May 7, 2006 6:18 AM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
Do you want it too fly, because that'd cost more.

No, at least not until gas comes down below $2 a gallon

Big props for thinking big though!

I've seen Trek apartments, Dr Who Tardis interiors, all built by fans. I even thought our unfinished basement would make a nice (scaled down) Serenity dining/kitchen/lounge room. So the idea was along those lines: if you were actually going to undertake building a replica in form only, a Serenity model you could actually walk into, play hoopball in, etc. You have $500,000 US and a contractor who's keen - how would you do it? $1,000,000? Like building the set only including the outside. Of course you would have to sacrifice some things, some details unless you had an unlimited budget.

PhoenixRose is on the track I was thinking of:

"I'd probably only build part of it, rather than trying to reconstruct the whole ship. Have it be the right shape on the outside, but maybe smaller; one level instead of two. I'd have the bridge and a couple bunks or dorms and the kitchen and maybe a lounge/living room and a bathroom (if that was doable) but I wouldn't try to make the infirmary or the engine room (actually, if I wanted to live there, which of course I would, so if I could live there I might have an engine room type space that held the furnace and water heater and the like) and probably not the ladders to the bunks and certainly not the cargo bay; not to the same scale, anyway. Since it would stay pretty firmly planted on Earth, it wouldn't need to have the same kind of space. In terms of materials, I would probably do a metal and wood frame, have it built up like a house, and then cover it with gray resin or the like to give it the right look since I'm betting metal would be a tad more difficult to work with. Of course people would have to be hired to do the building and wiring and plumbing and the like because I am not in the construction business, but it sure would be shiny!"

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 6:50 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Penguin:
Quote:
Originally posted by Agatsu:
Yeah, at first I was wondering why there were so few window, because windows is nice, but I guess all the green screen work required for the hwai outside would have been too pricey.

BROWNCOATS UNITE!

There's few windows for practical reasons...glass is difficult to reinforce against the pressures of space. It's necessary in the cockpit..and I think the only other windows (not including the shuttles) are the one in the mess hall and a couple of small ones by the front pressure door.

we have to remember this was a freighter/transport vessel... not really for passengers or sight seers... so the lack of windows always seemed normal to me.
even on the Enterprise they only had a few places where you really could see outside (crew cabins not being among them)

I would WAY rather live on board Serenity than the Enterprise...
but of course I've always wanted to take a freighter rather than a cruise

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Sunday, May 7, 2006 12:24 PM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by pizmobeach:
No, at least not until gas comes down below $2 a gallon

I live in Britain where petrol prices are nearing the $7 a gallon mark. Frankly $2 a gallon sounds like a beautiful dream...

And hey, what’s the fun if you can't fly you creation to the shops and give someone a shock by stepping out and saying: "take me to your leader!"?

But personally I think it would be entirely possible to build a full scale model if you had $1,000,000 and a sympathetic contractor.

My families been involved with amateur dramatics for years and some of the stuff people knock together with nothing but MDF, some scaffolding a glue gun and £100 just has to be seen to be believed!

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

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Monday, May 8, 2006 4:00 AM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
I live in Britain where petrol prices are nearing the $7 a gallon mark. Frankly $2 a gallon sounds like a beautiful dream...

At least you have those shorter miles over there, so you make up for the price with better performance in the end...

I did just see a piece about E85, Ethanol 85 (a fuel mix of 85% Ethanol and "regular" gas). $1.88 US a gallon, made from organic material (corn, etc). It's not new of course, and it will probably take a very long time (certainly a dif. prez) before it's more readily available, but it may be more than a dream. If only they could start making hybrids that didn't look like they were designed by the lowest bidder

Quote:
My families been involved with amateur dramatics for years and some of the stuff people knock together with nothing but MDF, some scaffolding a glue gun and £100 just has to be seen to be believed!

Ooo! Firefly, in 4 acts, a serial performance as presented live on stage by the Family Citizen...

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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