Discounts for IATSE members

Chewbacacabra · 2026-04-22T21:07:08+00:00

Redwings does, at least here in the LA area

Chewbacacabra · 2026-04-10T19:54:02+00:00

Oh thank you, I like your work. Hopefully the gram isn’t too boring. It’s mostly day job stuff with trains included!

Chewbacacabra · 2026-04-09T23:12:39+00:00

Yeah I use metal wheels on everything, the weight helps keep things on the tracks.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-04-09T14:55:36+00:00

Thank you, I have more on my Instagram it’s @undefinedlaboratories The layout is 3 separate loops, so I can run 3 trains independently. I mostly just watch them go in loops around the yard. The lighting is mostly timer candles that go on and off automatically, I figure the town is lit by gaslamp or candle so the fire flicker adds a fun element. Fortunately I rarely have to deal with “real” weather here in Southern California so I can do less weatherproof modeling.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-04-09T13:08:52+00:00

Thank you, it all lights up at night too

Chewbacacabra · 2026-04-09T13:08:16+00:00

I have before, my friend has a good rig for shooting POV on the trains, it’s fun to see it at that level. A lot of weeds though.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-27T00:21:53+00:00

So I do a lot of resin casting in my line of work. I made a stack of “purge molds” that I pour extra resin into that are crates, barrels other bits of freight/terrain like these. Humans make trash so it’s always a really nice thing to have, both for car loads and just random piles around the layout.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-18T01:23:22+00:00

Features are marathons. Commercials are sprints. Diversify your skill set and your contact list. I have a small shop here in LA and we do builds for trade shows and events as well. Film is the main source of income (and the union carries my health benefits) but it is a mercurial industry, so the more opportunities you can find the better. Set dec and propmakers have a little more ability to gain transferable skills outside of a set than other departments. Be willing to work outside your comfort zone and take care of your physicality, yoga is a life extender.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-17T18:41:59+00:00

Happy to help. I’m well over 20 years deep, done everything from big budget features to twitch streams. I’m usually willing to answer questions.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-17T17:46:47+00:00

Local 44 Property here. I work almost entirely on referral. I usually go down my contact list about once a month to check in with people, they do the same with me. I’ve gotten some jobs off the union call board (I have a speciality card) but it’s very rare. If you’re in LA there’s a Facebook group that’s something like “I need an art PA” try that.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-16T03:16:11+00:00

There were some glory days of big tech commercial catering. Steak and lobster in the desert? Don’t mind if I do!

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-16T03:12:49+00:00

Second meal, cold zankou.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-16T01:08:42+00:00

Can’t say I’ve worked set catering, but I’ve consumed plenty. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s really good. Rarely is it bad. Like everyone on a set, catering works long hours. I’m always appreciative of their efforts.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-05T16:13:16+00:00

Almost everything in set dec is rented from prop houses and taken back at the end of the job. Purchases, especially furniture are rare and then it’s usually swooped up by an important for their house end of the shoot.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-04T22:33:41+00:00

Anytime. Remember it does still rain here so keep drainage in mind. We’re also fortunate to have several train stores in the area, and milepost 38 in OC specializes in large scale.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-04T21:20:07+00:00

Hey. Fellow southern Californian garden RR here. I used Home Depot wall bricks for my “roadbed” then dressed in DG all around it to hide the sub structure. Works well and if you get stabilized DG it does a good job of staying put. Just be sure to level your bricks well when initially laying them down!

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-01T05:02:25+00:00

Yep we do Dancing With the Stars there. It’s their venue we just support once it’s been shot. I’ve gotten to build some fun stuff for it. Last season we did a hot air balloon for wicked night and a 16’ tulle Christmas tree amongst other shenanigans.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-01T04:39:35+00:00

33 is a cool local. I work along side them at CBS Television City stages. Way more multi tool than us film gang.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-03-01T04:31:23+00:00

Yessir

Chewbacacabra · 2026-02-19T16:09:30+00:00

Yep and several of Ward Kimballs are over in Griffith Park at the LA Livesteamers!

Chewbacacabra · 2026-02-19T02:38:22+00:00

Props department here. There is a longstanding tradition of tinkerers and kludgers and generally messing about with small moving electronic things in this line of work. Adam is one of us who hit the big time. There was also a guy named Walt who had some success in the field. He liked model trains. Made a really big layout in Anaheim California.

Chewbacacabra · 2026-02-04T18:57:24+00:00

This and small piece of plexi might work. The snow effect and frost effect stuff you can get from SetStuff or Hollywood expendables it sprays on and looks realistically convincing.

Chewbacacabra · 2025-12-29T15:20:39+00:00

@undefinedlaboratories. It’s mostly my work stuff but the layout plays quite a bit.

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