Notes:
This page contains WIP of a singular playground model as currently written.
I’ve put the model on a lazy-susan which can be rotated to camera. The model shown is a 1500mm wide circle, each Child is aprox 5cm tall.
The ability to spin allows for a smaller model overall, however if we’d rather a doll-house style model where each element faces the camera I can revisit the layout.
Another option would be a modular design, where as opposed to Urz revealing the full model, she adds each element as they talk about it, filling out the model, allowing for a full reveal at the end.
The visual style of the model could be a full-color Toy, a foam-board architectural model, balsa-wood concept model, or a handmade mock-up.
(implying Urz and John made it on their own time as form of rebellion vs the boring playground company)
*The images bellow are to show V1 of the model - not recommendations for camera coverage.
COUNCILLOR 1 discreetly shuts the door. URZILA pulls out a model covered in a white sheet.
URZILA
Councillors. Welcome… to Playground 1980!
The COUNCILLORS lean closer. We see the details of the model.
COUNCILLOR 1
This monkey bar is really high. And this see saw is...rusty??
URZILA
You bet. And this down here??
The hard stuff. Concrete. Bounce factor zero.
URZILA flicks a mini kid to the ground. It pops off an arm.
COUNCILLOR 2
(scoffing)
Ah, this slippery dip doesn’t look very dangerous!
URZILA
Touch it.
He touches the slippery dip.
SFX: SIZZLE. He screams in agony.
URZILA
Ha! Thick steel, no shade cloth and a brand new hole in the ozone layer. The perfect recipe for third degree bum burns.
She pushes a miniature child down the slide. It catches fire and melts before it reaches the bottom.
The slide could be a stand alone prop, or attached to a central structure.
I’ve opt’d to use a covered side as it gives us the option to hot-swap from a regular Toy-Child to a Melted-Toy-Child mid-take. We can use a remote to spark lighterfluid if we want real flames, or the Melted-Toy-Child can have prop-flames on them.
If we want an open slide, we’d likely not see a melted-toy-child unless we cut to an ECU of the toy (can we rent a snorkel lens DP Jack?)
Connected.
Stand-alone.
COUNCILLOR 2
That is unbelievably accurate. Talk me through the swings?
URZILA
Normal playground swings do this...
She pushes the toy-kid on a swing, it rocks gently.
URZILA
LAME!!! At Playground 1980, the swings do this!!
She flicks the swing – it spins full rotations – the miniature child flies off.
The swing that Urz flicks can be rigged to a drill to spin incredibly fast.
URZILA
Kids get to learn about centrifugal force. And first aid.
A toy kid administers CPR to another toy kid.
COUNCILLOR 2
I get it. It’s two birds, one stone?
JOHN
No, that’s over here.
He points to figurines of two kids throwing rocks at a bird.
COUNCILLOR 1
Oh my god. Are they killing it?
URZILA
Here’s the sandpit, the asbestos pit, the syringe pit, and the stray pitbull. Grrrrr. He’s got rabies.
COUNCILLOR 2
And who’s that guy?
Points to miniature man in a trenchcoat.
COUNCILLOR 2
This is just like I remember it! Have you got the totem tennis that’s a strangling hazard?
JOHN
Yes we do. We’ve also got the rocking horse on springs thing that can crush fingers. A balance beam that’s 80% splinters. And our masterpiece...
URZILA reveals a metal roundabout.
URZILA
The wheel of death.
She spins it – it spins crazy fast, all the model kids go flying off it.
The Wheel-of-Death can be rigged to a drill beneath the table to spin incredibly fast - swapping to foam-Kids to keep the stunt safe.