More Behind the Scenes

 The biggest, most challenging scene to put together for Miho and Dominic's back story was the Banquet scene.  I wanted a totally different 'great hall' so pushed the dining room table up against the china cabinet and used the background props from the 'cathedral' set. I have a long wooden board which extends the top of the table, as well as a table cloth specially made to fit on it. Then I placed three banners over the table cloth to help break up all the 'whiteness'.

I needed a large group of fantasy figures, but couldn't use any of my other fashion size dolls, except my newest lady, Serena, who wasn't a relation to anyone.  I also couldn't use my Wizard bjd since he was the Bishop performing the wedding ceremony later in the book. So, I gathered as many other fantasy MSD dolls, as well as several of my old OOAK art dolls. The art figures were all standing, attached to bases, and couldn't sit, so had to be positioned on boxes and crates behind the table to make them the right height and look like they were actually seated at the table.

Then to add some interest in front of the long table, I positioned two groups of smaller figures. The entire set up took me several hours.

I took some photos, and cropped in on the scene.

I was really happy with the photos, and emailed one to my sister. She was impressed and though it would make a great two-page spread in the book.  But then I'd have to reshoot it straight on with a bit of a space in the middle so Dominic wouldn't end up in the centre spine. So, I tried creating a wider space in the middle by moving the dolls a bit further apart towards both ends of the table. And while I was at it I gave Dominic a more prominent seat, since it was his castle after all.

 Then I took more photos....straight on as requested....

I sent the photo to my sister and she said Dominic was looking straight into the spine, so could I turn him and reshoot? Yes I could.

Then I realized that I'd forgotten to include the Raven, so perched him on Dominic's arm, and reshot AGAIN. Then I had to wait to hear if the photo was good enough before I could take the set down. And it was. Here's the final two-page spread... with a space and small overlap in the centre for the spine...

Once I heard that the final banquet scene was perfect, I could strip the set for the next scene ...

...which was the private dinner...

 That afternoon I needed to tackle the Gathering photos. It was hot and humid and I was tired, but it was only five days until we had to leave on our trip, and the next few days were going to be even hotter, with chance of showers, so there was no choice. Thankfully Jan offered to help me.

I didn't want the same old patio background as usual, so he moved the patio table onto the grass so the blooming bridal wreath spirea bush would be in the background. Then he brought out the old table top which I've used several times before for large outdoor gatherings. I laid the floor covering, positioned the styrofoam pillars and arches and the nicest baskets of million bells. Then brought out all the dolls and a laundry basket full of chairs, and positioned them in a circle with the smallest figures at the front.

One of the photos taken slightly elevated a bit above straight on so the figures in the foreground wouldn't obscure the ones at the back. 

One of my favourite photos ...

Then as we were taking everything down, I realized I'd forgotten to include the unicorn as well as the Raven.  But there was no way I was going to set the entire scene up again and reshoot. I was exhausted, and I was done.

In the end I'm glad I made the effort to photograph Miho and Dominic's back story when I did, and it makes a wonderful addition to the new book.