Here lie three pointless but visually stimulating tricks using strings and gravity!
About this creation
I've been on MOC pages awhile now, and it seemed like it was time to contribute. So here's my version of a "Tips and Tricks" page. Behold, I present: "Completely Impractical and Mostly Useless Tricks with Strings and Gravity." These tricks are presented without the aid of Photoshop or any hidden supports, as will be demonstrated later.

"Yo-Yo, Girl" is a fun vignette celebrating just how uncoordinated I am. I could never do a yo-yo trick like this.

"The Kite" is a perfect accompaniment to the first day of spring, which happens to be today. Note the sloping grass, meant to add to the illusion of wind.

"The Balloon Man" is a poignant reminder of more innocent times, when you could accept a gift from a stranger, and not make the 11:00 news.

All of these sets, obviously, were upside-down during shooting. Making this a completely useless trick for display, but handy for photography. The Balloon Man was the easiest and most natural to shoot. The Kite gave me endless trouble, because the kite kept, well, blowing. You can see the ugly device I threw together to hold it up. Since I had it, I just stuck Yo-Yo, Girl up there too. Originally, I was going to make a lamppost to hold it up, but I just never did.

Wait, I have one more trick up my sleeve! See, that's a pun. Putting strings up a minifigs sleeve can achieve several of the effects show here.
I thought up a few more applications for this technique: a swingset, a trapeze artist, or a tightrope walker. There are probably some non-vignette uses as well. But, the world may never see them. Or will it?

Lastly, a shameless self-plug. I finally have posted transforming pictures of my latest Lego Transformer, Fracture. Hooray for spring break!
Thanks for your time!
Comments
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November 16, 2010 |
Great effects by a simple trick...love it! Ciao, Jens |
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That LDD Guy May 16, 2010 |
This is pretty darn clever, although I would have tried to stabilize the mechanism, and made something punching/flying away too. Keep up the good work.
~TLG |
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April 13, 2010 |
Nice trick there. Glad you enjoyed my MOCs at the con. I had to work for a good portion of friday and saturday so I didn't get to mingle as much as I would have liked or...correctly fill out all my MOC cards hehe. Now if you will excuse me, I must view some of your other fine creations that I have shamefully missed. |
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April 1, 2010 |
very nice, and very cool idea! |
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March 31, 2010 |
I know I looked at it, but I guess I forgot to comment. Nice little tricks there. Lee. |
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Hey Wes, we're waiting for ya to make contact with us (the other mods and admins) in the MOCie awards gmail account so we can get things rolling. Email us at mocieawards@gmail.com and we'll get you set up! Welcome aboard! ~ Chris. |
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March 25, 2010 |
Nice. That's a nice effects. Awesome way of doing it. |
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I made it |
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March 25, 2010 |
Quoting Mister Bones
...the old Peppers Ghost trick...
You'll have to fill me in on that one sometime. |
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March 25, 2010 |
Nice idea, it really didn't need explaining :) |
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March 24, 2010 |
Wow, I'd never thought of doing anything like that. Great idea. |
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March 22, 2010 |
Great tips! Not useless at all if one is of a mind to create an illusion of gravity! I still use the old Peppers Ghost trick instead of photoshop sometimes. Cheers. |
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March 22, 2010 |
Very cool! |
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March 20, 2010 |
I may have to make a pointless vig based around this... |
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March 20, 2010 |
You know, I used that exact same "flip em over" technique for pictures of this one chick that I... never mind. Nice work! ~ Chris. |
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March 20, 2010 |
Haha cool idea! |
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March 20, 2010 |
Your antigravity trick gives you the 5 of 5 mark! |
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March 20, 2010 |
Now that's a great idea you had there! Well done. |
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March 20, 2010 |
I also guessed this before reading anything. :) Very clever, don't be suprised if this technique is used in a future MOC... :) Credit given of course! |
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March 20, 2010 |
I knew how this was achieved from the main pic. This is still pretty clever though! &^D |
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March 20, 2010 |
nice job! |
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I made it |
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March 20, 2010 |
Quoting Chuke Lapman
Should've lead with the balloon man...
Yes, I agree "Chuke" (Or should I say Luke?). I was thinking that this morning. Thanks for the reminder! |
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March 20, 2010 |
Should've lead with the balloon man, he is most striking! Nice sideways thinking (or should that be upside down...?) |
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March 20, 2010 |
At first, I thought this was photoshopped. Then again, turning the camera upside-down was completely genius. I love this a lot! ~Ryan
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March 20, 2010 |
Genius! So far one of the most interesting and clever techniques I've seen! The only thing that kinda gives away the yo-yo girl one(I don't know if someone already stated this) is the boy's shoulder bag. Otherwise it's completely convincing and extremely creative! |
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March 20, 2010 |
At first, I thought they were really up in the air. I was thinking: "Oh my god. How is that possible?" Neat way to keep them up. |
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March 20, 2010 |
Genius technique here! So simple, yet it works great :) |
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March 20, 2010 |
Awesome builds, I love the odd yet brilliant style! |
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March 20, 2010 |
Simply brilliant. |
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Cool trick, I might try it sometime. |
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March 20, 2010 |
I don't think I would have ever thought of that! Great job! |
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March 20, 2010 |
I feel smart for guessing it...
It's a brilliant idea though. I never really thought about building anything that way. Great idea! |
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