How To Make a STAR WARS DIORAMA

[@Nerdforge]

That turned out amazing, great job and great seeing you diving into this part of the maker world as well :D

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much for watching! You guys were a big inspiration for trying this out! Thank you for what you do!

[@Davedarko]

oh senpais noticed

[@BBMando69]

I was just about to send this to them. Lol

[@skanndelus]

Ily

[@antdanny]

"Sometimes remembering stuff is just painful" - I felt that

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL

[@toypolloi]

Really great work. Giving an old toy a new story.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@louismeyer6730]

I love your channel man, Colorado native, born and raised on Star Wars. Made stormtrooper armor out of a pickle bucket when I was 10. Thanks for the content. Please keep it coming.

[@blackmarketoutpost]

Brian Thompson this world is in a strange and some what uncomfortable place in the last few year. That said the one thing that I stumbled on to in that troubled time has made me a better person and also gotten me to get out of my comfort zone and get out there and make something out of Nothing and my friend. That is the smugglers room. You have a way of motivating and inspiring that can not be matched this build pulled at the hart strings and for this I thank you !

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much Dennis. Really appreciate you bro.

[@TheRebelsRefuge]

You , somehow have this ridiculous ability to make me, and others, want to try things that we've never done.. Thanks again for showing us the way

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you very much my friend!

[@onemansjunk01]

This is the way...

[@eugenb.8448]

You’d probably love Marklin of Sweden’s channel, too. He does HO train stuff but he shows so many ways of attaining different patinas inexpensively it’s always a joy to watch.

[@msricec]

This is a true story about the Impact your Channel had on me. So about 3 years ago I found your KZbin. It came at a time that I was in and out of mental hospitals and I had severe depression and I had no purpose. I found you KZbin and thought hey I could do that and so I did. Nonstop projects and I grew my skills. I beat depression and too this day I'm still creating costumes and projects. Then someone discovered me and I created a job for my self based on my projects. So thank you for everything Brian I hope your Channel soars to great heights.

[@deannaatkinson3004]

This is a great story. This hobby, sparked by Brian and others, has also helped me with my chronic depression. Doing ‘stuff’ keeps me ‘out of my head’ and focused on making things from nothing. Though, I’ll never make it a career. Keep on truckin’

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

WOW! We are truly humbled that we would have anything to do with helping you. Thank you so much for sharing your story. We are so happy to hear you are finding healing through making. Please share any links you have to your work, we would love to see it. Thank you Missy, all the best to you my friend!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

It is a great story Deanna, and i'm so glad you are able to use creativity to fight off depression. Life all too often deals out lemons, and we have to find ways to lift ourselves up and escape for the ugliness of reality. Keep on keeping on!

[@williamtufts3600]

A fullsize walker would be cool as a treehouse at the treehouse house build you are doing.

[@kylehoward688]

I know you build dioramas with toys. It looks Awesome!!!! I find it relaxing to build plastic scale models and building them along with a diorama for them to go into as well.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

I love the scale model plastic kits as well. It's all a lot of fun!

[@BrianJurkowski]

VERY NICE!!! Now, take that outside. Set it on a table so you have an actual nature-scene in the background and capture an image of it with the sky / mountains / trees / etc. Whatever you have near you for the background. That could make one EPIC photo!

[@fernandocotto8706]

I said it before and I'll say it again. Videos like this are very satisfying. Awesome details.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@jandrasco2498]

Wow, I’m gonna say after watching over 30 of your videos, I’m happy to see you are human and make mistakes. I love your videos

[@justinsaunders4068]

Nerdforge and Black Magic Craft make it look so easy, thanks for the delve into dioramas.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

They do don’t they??? Thank you for watching.

[@scottjenkins4280]

Recently came across your videos. Amazing stuff. Maybe my mid-life crisis, but just started back into my fascination of collecting Starwars and making my own space. Can't wait to try some of your ideas and concepts.

[@davedujour1]

I love that you keep trying new techniques and building things you've never done before. Keep exploring and learning and sharing it with us as you go!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That's the plan! Thank you!

[@XanBos]

When inspiration hits, you have to bow down to it and create! There is nothing wrong with working on other projects and with different mediums. As an artist, I mainly love painting on canvas. But I found out through the years, that my creativity was not limited to just the canvas, and I have created some pretty awesome projects that I immersed myself into, and the whole process was satisfying. You keep doing what you love, and don’t let us dictate how or what you create. This is your passion, and it should not be squelched by anyone. 😎

[@samuelbuscop1615]

Wow I'm really surprised how real it looks, it looks like you took a star wars scene and put it in your house. Impressive!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much 😀

[@kuikai100]

Beautiful and beautiful in every point of design.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@reviewswithdouglas]

OMFG THAT TURNED OUT FREAKING AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! Thank you!

[@CajunJedi66]

Glad you took us along on your adventure. Nice job on the diorama.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you

[@mephilesshadow1]

I've always wanted to turn a corner in a forest and see a tiger tank just sitting there. So I get the yearning to see something cool and see like a Gundam around a corner too. Love the diorama!

[@Tigrillo]

That is a beautiful way to preserve an old toy and give it a new life. Greetings

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@MeBeTheDB]

Well done-! Most of all, being a Maker is what defines the term, 'passionate.' BRAVO. D.A.

[@theoneleggedraven1940]

I'm from Texas and when I was about 8 and my brother was 6 our parents took us to California for a Disneyland trip. We camped that whole week on the way and we also stopped off at the Redwood National Forest aka Endor for the day after. Unbeknownst to us, Mom had made cloth hoods for our teddy bears that we brought for the 2 week long car ride and produced to us upon entering the woodland our very own Ewoks! Truly an epic experience for my brother and I and we both had a blast recreating our favorite scenes and looking for destroyed and abandoned Imperial walkers, speeders and shield bases. I'm 37 this month and it feels like yesterday. May the force be with you all!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Fantastic story! What a great adventure. Happy Birthday!

[@theoneleggedraven1940]

@@TheSmugglersRoom Thank you!

[@chrisclark4799]

Brian, dude, I don't care what others may say. Keep modifying whatever you want brother. This project is freaking awesome. Keep it going brother.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much!

[@appalachianunderground8474]

I’m on board 💯 brother, 😅 I’ve “F’up “ more than a few vintage Star Wars toys … painted a 1978 Death Star play set… drilled holes to light up a big ass Millennium Falcon lol it goes on and on . I love your channel and I’ve learned so much 👍🏻 thanks again ✝️🇺🇸🅰️🤙🏻

[@regularguyjedi9154]

Wow!! That came out awesome. Good job Brian.

[@RedHandedDaniel]

Yay! More mini stuff! This project turned out awesome!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

You enjoy the mini making? That's great to hear. We LOVE doing them.

[@theultimatesteelshooter8610]

Superb! I’ve seen so many makers that are narrowly focused in just one area that it’s great to watch a maker that really has no boundaries. You are an inspiration to me to continually get out of my comfort zone on projects. While my first love is somewhat large scale complex builds like my Operator on the inside fully electro mechanical Dalek and a Wall-E I recently started, I’ve now moved into small scale SCI-fi weapons out of Eva foam and 3D printed parts because it requires me to learn new skills

[@oculusangelicus8978]

My wish, when I was a kid, was to be able to build my own Light Sabre! Just being able to hold a weapon like that, that has the capability to cut through the bulkheads of ships to feel the handle with no other weight to in while off, but then to feel the slight gyroscopic-like resistance in the handle when the blade is active and humming....that's just the tip of the iceberg for my creative wishes! LOL

[@brianw94]

Have never thought about making anything like this, but this video may change that!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That is awesome to hear! Thank yoU!

[@davidbarnett3732]

As a kid I had 60 acres to roam around on and though it wasn't Star Wars I imagined, it was a great fantasy. Watching you, dug up memories I need to do something about. Thanks for sharing yours, and as always, it has been awesome.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That's the idea David! Sounds like you had an amazing place to be a kid! Can't wait to see what you do with those memories!

[@edburdo]

Static Grass: Use different colors AND different lengths. Gives a nice blend. Luke Towan has some awesome videos using static grass.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thanks for the tips!

[@bjw4859]

That video alone was worth subscribing, I look forward to watching more.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much!!

[@spicybecca4899]

I always wanted to find an astromech or a starfighter! this is really a lovely diorama. really captures that childhood imagination and wonder!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much!

[@MisfitOff-Road]

I am AMAZED! I’d love to have one of these for my own. As I too spent many a day gone by searching for things from a galaxy far, far away!

[@stormrodgers2613]

Funny thing. I never knew you were from Colorado like I am, and I've been watching your videos and been inspired by them for a few years now. That was until today when I asked one of my coworkers if he's heard of your channel, and he said he had and that he met your parents. Then here you are mentioning the rocks and mountains in Colorado. Wow. That is awesome!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That’s awesome! It’s a small world right??

[@stormrodgers2613]

Small world, man. I'm actually going to start a Nal Hutta battle arena build for my Star Wars Miniatures/Star Wars Tabletop RPG soon.

[@deanallenjones]

This was so worth the wait. I grew up in the countryside of Wales. We have castles, and not ones you pay to get into and have roped off sections, they're just there, in the countryside. My friends and I used to play "fighting Fantasy" books there (we hadn't upgraded to D and D yet) or read "the hobbit". We also had EPIC LIGHTSABER FIGHTS on the castle walls. I went back home a few months ago, and visited the spot with my nephew (with a couple of light sabers in my bag) and what did we find? A young Rey and a young Kylo Ren fighting for thier lives! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who still draws on amazing chilhood memories

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much for this comment. What a great story and a true adventure for you and your nephew! Such a fantastic memory!! You should build a diorama of that castle ruin with two small figures locked in a light saver battle!

[@josejaro3788]

Has an Iron Giant vibe to it. Very cool.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!!!

[@RynoDBones]

I really like your philosophy of toys/collectibles. I rarely leave a toy boxed, and I have lots of plans for future customs.

[@Serenityindailylife]

You may want to water your pva down a bit for the grass. When it's thick like that it doesn't allow the static to create the effect as well. Go thin and then spray a thin gloss pva mod over it after it dries, you can make a nice dew effect on the grass as well.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Cool 👍

[@matthewcook5017]

Never saw any of your videos before (first-timer here). Just wanted to Comment that I Liked this JUST from your intro - it was very well said, gave me background on who you are and why you do the things you do, and immediately hooked me. QUESTION: What's the material you're mixing up in the cup at the 5:19 mark? PRO TIP: Static grass looks really finished when you wait for your adhesive to fully dry then **wash** the base of the grass with a darker color. You can also then **dry brush** the tips of the grass with a lighter color. I do this with all my adhesive-backed clumps and it looks amazing - seems to like triple the visual depth/impact of the grass. Don't know, however, if YOUR Mod Podge-adhered grass would survive the drybrush phase, but you should have no problems washing the base part. You can definitely do the same thing with your 'clumps' and moss, too, introducing subtle reds and purples to subtly contrast the green/green/green and add visual interest. Keep it up! :D

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Yeah, as soon as you showed that vintage toy, my first thought was " oh god the collectors will cry out over this". I've had the same crap myself when I've modified my guitars. People saying "you've ruined its value" and "you'll never be able to sell that". All I can ever think or say is "Like I care, I don't want to sell it, its MINE!"

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL, totally agree!

[@EdBrentnall]

Brian, that was fantastic! You had me geeking out over rocks - they look amazing. Looking at the miniature, I can just imagine Teen Brian rounding the corner, seeing the feet of an AT-ST and then looking up, up, up in wide-eyed wonder. Brilliant work, my friend, as always 🙏 🤓

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much!

[@tonymarsh9282]

The idea is mint. Would love to see a very large HOTH scene created with crashed snow speeders, ton-tons, WAMPAS and imperial troops etc. would look awesome!!

[@jokeal3613]

This is my favorite thing I have seen you build!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

It’s one of mine too! Thank you

[@vincentverrault5347]

Amazing project. Total inspiration for my T-16 project and diorama.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Awesome

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Toy voilence!! I'm in! Looks terrific.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Lol, thanks

[@sketchyguynv]

Love watching this one over and over

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thanks bro!

[@R_Squared933]

This is absolutely unbelievably epic. My room building days are numbered, and this gives me SOOOOO many ideas. You made this old dude's day.....

[@mstruvmgc07]

This makes me want to go through some old toys and see what I can come up with. This turned out great!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Excellent! You should! I have an entire storage room full . . . none of them are safe!

[@schrikeiv]

I'm a collector and a creator and there's nothing about that AT-ST that's accurate anyway (never liked the closed viewports on that model)so..... I agree with you wholeheartedly it's yours do with it what you want ..... it looks way better than it did before.... Great job 👍 ...... btw the washes and the weathering you did brought out so much more detail

[@ireway1988]

I agree with you, you paid for them, it belongs to you. I'm an in box collector for my own gratification, I'm never going to sell, but I'm of an age when as a 10 year old, Star Wars came out along with everything, I just wanted to play with them. Now I like to look at them with these old eyes, and let my memories of yesteryear trickle back.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! I think there are collectors of all kinds, and they are all correct, as long as that brings joy.

[@chrisvanmill6020]

Aww man! I saw those Philips head screws on the joints in the beginning and i was hoping you would fix it!. So glad you covered them up! Never cease to amaze my friend!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL, I couldn't let those remain, easy fix. Thank you!

[@lucannorthemightyandcompan6953]

Badass miniature diorama

[@rknissel]

Loved this build, learned a few things, gathering my greebles and such, building a foam cutter, and getting ready for my first attempt, something Mech/Apocalyptic in nature.. Thanks again for all your videos....

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Great to hear! Can't wait to see what you build!

[@Sewcialitecrew]

♥️♥️♥️♥️ super cool! I enjoyed the warning segment 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Glad you liked it!!

[@jorgeldejesus8465]

This job turns out amazing, amazing, it was like a episode of Star Wars visions

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much!

[@davidreinders8357]

That is so amazing! Can you please talk through HOW you do the techniques and the tools you use. I love watching your channel, and I think I learn something new every time! Thank you!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you for watching. I will try to include more "how to" in the future.

[@leighsmith2361]

I love it when people modify vintage toys and make them look better, great video :-)

[@thenerdlabofficial]

Dude! This looks AMAZING! I'm a huge collector of toys, not just Star Wars, and this is stuff I want to get into doing. I'm not gonna be one of those guys that tells you to stick to room building even though I first found you when you were doing the Millennium Falcon bench, but it's your channel and this is your passion. It's what you love and that's what I like seeing! I plan on starting my own KZbin channel soon, and I run a 3D printing business making action figure accessories and diorama pieces. I was planning on doing a 3D printing channel, but we have so many of those and I don't want to be just another channel. I want to be an all around nerd channel covering so many things from dioramas, toys, cosplay, and prop making. The things that I love. So keep doing what you love dude! I'm still going to enjoy whatever you come up with!

[@alanrobbie4851]

So jealous of your talent. Looks amazing dude!

[@cerisekappes580]

Wow!!!! Beautiful diorama!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you very much!

[@cerisekappes580]

@@TheSmugglersRoom you are very welcome 😊

[@genereynolds2136]

Absolutely amazing looks fantastic toy to art

[@DHGamerMR]

Another great project video! Thanks for sharing another little view into your imagination.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@johnseidel1940]

That is beautiful.... great job

[@zeronormality]

Dude that turned our so awesome

[@thewarners3203]

Come on my guy… That came out so sick! Would love to see you do more of these. I watched it with my son and he asked if we could guy buys some foam. Outstanding job!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! Can't wait for you and your son to build together!

[@warlordmacilvernock1979]

Star Wars dioramas are just great! Now, if only you could create an Original Series Battlestar Galactica diorama, with Landrams vs Cylons.

[@KeithSmith-n8h]

Looks Fantastic you done a great job The holr thing is amazing

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@theultimatesteelshooter8610]

You are so right - an object is worth nothing unless you are actually going to sell it!

[@jamesbuckley6816]

I just got into modeling about two weeks ago. I needed a release from dealing with PTSD after my combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Anyway I've been watching youtube videos trying to learn all I can. I have to say, sir! This was amazing! Such great detail. Thank you so much for showing us this. It was great!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you James. Most importantly sir, thank you for your service. We wouldn’t have the freedoms we enjoy without the dedication from people like yourself. Be safe sir, hope you can use the creativity to help you heal.

[@markburgess4528]

Hi James, Here in the UK we have an organisation/charity called Models for Heros. Modellers donate kits they don't want and they go to ex servicemen with like you PTSD. They also organise workshops to help them improve their skills. I have donated several kits that were impulse buys and am glad they are being put to good use rather than sitting on my shelf. Hope you are still building and enjoying the hobby and that it is helping with the PTSD.

[@saulrodriguez5419]

I just did the same… and it was all worth it . Thanks to you and this video .. now I can’t wait to do another one . Isn’t that crazy how we can create things from isolation foam .

[@pancakestudio8854]

The diorama looks amazing, all that work definitely paired off. 👍

[@MigMonkey]

I never fail to smile watching one of your videos but something about dioramas just takes it over the top! I have never made one in my life (truly fighting a battle of lack of space here) but love to see them being built. For anyone else who really enjoys these, Nerdforge is an amazing source of inspiration and education on dioramas in general. I have some projects to clear off the bench but I think it's really time for me to jump into a diorama of some sort.. Mandos new N-1, my old '78 Falcon, Ecto-1 maybe?? Hmmmm

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! I hope you do try out some miniature building. It's so much fun!

[@sharkozym]

You always hit the ball out of the park on your builds!! I’m never at a loss for awe struck experiences watching your builds and I always look forward to your next build! Shark!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! That is so very kind of you to say.

[@offworldatom8850]

Wow! Your OffWorld Epicness!!!

[@Shodan99]

Excellent build. Keep up the variety!

[@MicaMakes]

Looks awesome! Really wish Disney had hired you to design the new Star Wars hotel. You would have made it look amazing and authentic. It looks nothing like Star Wars to me

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! So glad you liked the project!

[@That-Pig]

LETS GOOOOO!! We love Star Wars!!! Love ur videos

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@Doctordevey]

I love the diorama. I am working on my first.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

You can do it!

[@Necromi]

"I am not screen accurate, but i am awesome", great shirt and great build haha.

[@bennyb7369]

Looks freaking awesome to me

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you

[@pixydis]

This is really cool! Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@markemry7605]

That was incredible

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@aarons.]

Great job! You should do more of these! 👍

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! I am so thrilled to hear that. We weren't sure if people would enjoy it enough to make more. But you just convinced me!

[@RenaTamer1]

My young dream was to find a Y-Wing while playing in the woods behind my parents home in Alabama, I loved the old bomber, was my first big star wars toy growing up...

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

There you go!

[@NielsNL68]

wauw amazing, you found the first resin pour a disaster, i just found it just much more naturel the the second.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

The second pour looked much better to me, so im glad the first failed 😬

[@NielsNL68]

@@TheSmugglersRoom... and that is the most important thing.

[@YgorMaster]

Just WoW !

[@go.siah90]

Loved watching! The cutting of the foam was ear-piercing LOL! But this is really inspiring me to give it a try. Thank you for the amazing video!

[@nikonshooter71]

Yesssss 👊🏼 Toy violence you do you Brian. Great Video. Really loved the look around the room at the beginning.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you Jared! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@prof.maniak5925]

Those foam squeaks are THE reason why a hot wire is my primary foam cutting tool Even though it's a video it was still driving me nuts XD

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

you're welcome! LOL

[@blizatrex]

Pretty awesome diorama and repurposing of an old toy.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you Wayne!

[@theGrouch74]

amazing creation honestly, fantastic set of skills. very inspiring

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you very much!

[@JayhanLordofCats]

Truly amazing

[@NathanStoutStories]

I would want to stumble upon one too, as long as it’s quite un-operational!

[@HDBrown-wc9xt]

That looks amazing

[@basvanderwerff2725]

Despite i love collectables, like you said your toy you can do whatever the wootini you want with it! if anything this added value to it! also it not a waste of time if you fail when you learn something from what went wrong!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Agreed all around!

[@stevenjones2371]

i ve been watching allot of star wars diorama stuff really cool being builder most of my younger days it was war stuff world war 2 stuff a little walking dead and even Vietnam stuff got into 3d printing about 2 years ago totally stopped with the model building kits so far a a half size Wall-E Darth Vader helmet and 3 Pit Droids and working on life size R2 i have so much lego Star Wars stuff thought this could light a spark and do something with all the lego stuff just sharing a little of the love for Star Wars and a builder