[ENTRY] [SMALL] Shipwrecked Merchant Steve in need of Rescue and Pants

[LeChuck-MD]

I wanted to come up with a story on how Steve Went from being a Merchant to the Quartermaster of a pirate ship. Here is what I came up with:

 

At a young age, Steve secured a job on a Merchant ship. Over the next years he came to love the sea and rose through the ranks, through hard work and natural talent. He learned the sea, the business and made contacts throughout the Caribbean.

 Eventually Steve struck out on his own. Using his contacts to get loans and initial contracts. The “Steve ’n Sons: Merchant and Shipping Company” (people trust your company if you include “sons” in the name) had initial success. But Steve soon learned that the combination of predatory loans and government taxes and regulations made the chances of reaching true independence and freedom almost impossible.

 Pressured by one of his creditors, Steve set out on an ill advised voyage, with storms on the horizon. Despite his best efforts, the storms were too much and Steve found himself shipwrecked on a tiny island. Even with his desperate situation, having lost everything, Steve began to wonder if he was better off on his tiny island than returning to his life…

 

As fate would have it, at that very moment, Captain Redbeard was sailing past, looking for an island to maroon a mutinous crew member. Upon arrival at Steve’s island, Redbeard made Steve an offer he couldn’t refuse: rescue, a new life as a member of the crew, and pants, all in exchange for loyalty. And so the next chapter of Steve’s life had begun...  

 

 

 

This is my first time doing one of these. It’s a very simple build, I mostly just wanted a visual representation of the story that I came up with. Thanks, I hope you enjoy.

 

[Yperio_Bricks]

Great story and nice little moc! I like that Steve is only wearing a grass skirt at first The thick sail cloth makes for an formidable awning to protect Steve from the sun while he is enjoying his beverages

I only wish we could see Steve's departure and if the poor marooned sailor had to give his pants...

[LeChuck-MD]

6 minutes ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Great story and nice little moc! I like that Steve is only wearing a grass skirt at first The thick sail cloth makes for an formidable awning to protect Steve from the sun while he is enjoying his beverages

I only wish we could see Steve's departure and if the poor marooned sailor had to give his pants...

Thank you for the kind words. 
 
Haha maybe I will have to add the continuation.

[SevenDeadlyStreamers]

This was a lot of fun to read, and now I can’t get the image of Steve in a grass skirt out of my head, lol

I also like how Steve used the sail and kept his flags flying despite being in a tough situation.

My only critique would be to try some extra lighting when photographing, it is just a little dark in places, but I applaud you for making your MOC with physical bricks! 

[LeChuck-MD]

40 minutes ago, SevenDeadlyStreamers said:

This was a lot of fun to read, and now I can’t get the image of Steve in a grass skirt out of my head, lol

I also like how Steve used the sail and kept his flags flying despite being in a tough situation.

My only critique would be to try some extra lighting when photographing, it is just a little dark in places, but I applaud you for making your MOC with physical bricks! 

Thank you, I wanted everything on the island to be from the merchant ship, in the imperial trading post.
 

I appreciate the feedback, photographing sets is still new to me, so I have a lot to learn.

[Math Wizard]

Ahoy Matey!

They call me Captain Crit in these parts and I heard that polly wants a sandwich (They’re fed up with crackers apparently) - a criticism sandwich that is! (For you landlubbers, that’s 3 seas [Cs]- Compliment, Constructive Criticism, and another Compliment).

I really enjoyed the backstory of this build, it was well written and the aside about putting sons in the company name made me smile like pirate with a heap o’ booty and some grog! 

Me biggest issue wasn’t with the build itself, but with the photography. It was a little dark in places. and the forst photo cut off some of the build. While usually you want a plain background, I think the textured wall fit fairly well, but a slightly different angle and a desk lamp could have helped out a wee bit.

Me favorite part o’ this build is the way yer usin’ the sail for a canopy, and the minifig head that makes a perfect coconut. The grass skirt was a clever idea too- it adds something to the build that people will remember.

Fair Winds Matey!

[Mister Phes]

 

On 6/16/2024 at 3:47 AM, LeChuck-MD said:

Pressured by one of his creditors, Steve set out on an ill advised voyage, with storms on the horizon. Despite his best efforts, the storms were too much and Steve found himself shipwrecked on a tiny island.

Now this leaves a question for a follow up entry... After Steve get off the tiny island, what happened on board the Skulls Eye Schooner?

Congratulations on submitting an entry early - it qualifies for the Featured Threesome!

[LeChuck-MD]

10 hours ago, Math Wizard said:

I really enjoyed the backstory of this build, it was well written and the aside about putting sons in the company name made me smile like pirate with a heap o’ booty and some grog! 

Me biggest issue wasn’t with the build itself, but with the photography. It was a little dark in places. and the forst photo cut off some of the build. While usually you want a plain background, I think the textured wall fit fairly well, but a slightly different angle and a desk lamp could have helped out a wee bit.

Me favorite part o’ this build is the way yer usin’ the sail for a canopy, and the minifig head that makes a perfect coconut. The grass skirt was a clever idea too- it adds something to the build that people will remember.

Fair Winds Matey!

Thank you for the kind words and the critique. I will be experimenting with different lighting so I can take better pictures in the future. 

[Math Wizard]

3 hours ago, LeChuck-MD said:

Thank you for the kind words and the critique. I will be experimenting with different lighting so I can take better pictures in the future. 

When I be-a-lightin' me builds I like to try and use natural light, and then supplement it with a desk lamp and a flashlight focused on the darker areas. I usually put it on a sheet (stretched to avoid wrinkles) or a piece of posterboard to give it a clean background. There are other ways out there, like using a lightbox, but this can be done with just things found around the house.

[NOD]

A good story, especially the part about the pants is funny. I like the small island with the palm tree and the rock formation.

[LeChuck-MD]

On 6/16/2024 at 12:15 PM, NOD said:

A good story, especially the part about the pants is funny. I like the small island with the palm tree and the rock formation.

 

Thank you! I was thinking of ideas for the build and it really all came from the idea of putting Steve in a grass skirt.

On 6/16/2024 at 11:21 AM, Math Wizard said:

When I be-a-lightin' me builds I like to try and use natural light, and then supplement it with a desk lamp and a flashlight focused on the darker areas. I usually put it on a sheet (stretched to avoid wrinkles) or a piece of posterboard to give it a clean background. There are other ways out there, like using a lightbox, but this can be done with just things found around the house.

Thank you for the input, I am going to try to come back to it later this week and get a few more pictures. 
 When you say “natural light” do you try to photograph outside or just near a window?

[Garmadon]

Nice little build and fun story, mate!  As others have said, that sail as a canopy is great, and the rope tying it down to the barrel is a really nice touch!   As far as improvement goes, I see you've already got some good advice about lighting (I usually tend to take my pictures outside myself for vignettes like this - shade or a cloudy day works best for nice diffused lighting ) - also, I don't know how close to the limit you are piece-wise, but some transparent or transparent light blue pieces in the water work very nicely for a bit of motion or waves, and some more tiles or slopes in the sand would be lovely too.   Overall a neat little island and story though! 

[Math Wizard]

20 hours ago, LeChuck-MD said:

Thank you! I was thinking of ideas for the build and it really all came from the idea of putting Steve in a grass skirt.

Thank you for the input, I am going to try to come back to it later this week and get a few more pictures. 
 When you say “natural light” do you try to photograph outside or just near a window?

I usually do it by a window, since then I can set up posterboard behind it and plug in a desk lamp to help hit some of the shadows, but outdoors would work fine too!

[LeChuck-MD]

4 hours ago, Garmadon said:

Nice little build and fun story, mate!  As others have said, that sail as a canopy is great, and the rope tying it down to the barrel is a really nice touch!   As far as improvement goes, I see you've already got some good advice about lighting (I usually tend to take my pictures outside myself for vignettes like this - shade or a cloudy day works best for nice diffused lighting ) - also, I don't know how close to the limit you are piece-wise, but some transparent or transparent light blue pieces in the water work very nicely for a bit of motion or waves, and some more tiles or slopes in the sand would be lovely too.   Overall a neat little island and story though! 

Thanks for the advice! I don’t think I have any of the small transparent blue pieces, but next time I’m ordering parts I’ll have to get some. 

[Horation]

A good backstory, but as others have said, the lighting is not quite professional, a tip would be to but a sheet of paper behind for a uniform background and a "studio" look.

The details are well placed (for instance, the bottom rocks are dark grey, as expected), but one big flaw bothers above all else : Steve isn't bald, but he's got no hairpiece! Add a hat, please, or it'll look weird.

[Captain Pirate Man]

I really enjoyed your story here, one of the more creative ones I have read. As for the build, it's a nice little island MOC... Good job there. One possible suggestion, put different arms on Steve. He's already lost his pants, so his shirt shouldn't look so clean. Perhaps yellow arms might bring home the "shipwreck" feel.

[LeChuck-MD]

On 6/30/2024 at 1:20 AM, Horation said:

A good backstory, but as others have said, the lighting is not quite professional, a tip would be to but a sheet of paper behind for a uniform background and a "studio" look.

The details are well placed (for instance, the bottom rocks are dark grey, as expected), but one big flaw bothers above all else : Steve isn't bald, but he's got no hairpiece! Add a hat, please, or it'll look weird.

Thank you for the input, I am hoping to attempt more pictures soon, but life is getting away right now.

The lack of a hat was a conscious decision, his pants and hat having been lost in the shipwreck. You’ll note the pants and hat of the soon to be marooned pirate match the ones Steve has in Skulls Eye Schooner. The idea being to explain the change of outfit between that set and Imperial Trading Post. All that said, it would have been better to give him hair, but I couldn’t find any that matched his facial hair. If I am able to take more pictures, I will dig through the parts bin first, to see if I can find any.

Thanks for your input and insight,

3 hours ago, Captain Pirate Man said:

I really enjoyed your story here, one of the more creative ones I have read. As for the build, it's a nice little island MOC... Good job there. One possible suggestion, put different arms on Steve. He's already lost his pants, so his shirt shouldn't look so clean. Perhaps yellow arms might bring home the "shipwreck" feel.

Thanks for the input. I like the idea of yellow arms. I was trying to only change/remove items (pants and hat) that changed between Imperial Trading Post and Skulls Eye Schooner. So I agree it would look better, but might not fit what I was trying to do. Thanks again!

Edited July 2, 2024 by LeChuck-MD

[Mazin]

I'm kinda jelous of this about-to-be-marroned pirate, cause Steve prepared a nice living quaters for him! Such a lovely place, love the sail, and greenery, lots of sun and majestic views but with a lot of shadow if needed, and ethnic tough here and there. I mean, who wouldnt want to spend time in there?

The pants part cracked me up! :D Tho You didn't mention how did he lose them. I mean, he did retain some of his belongings, there even a chest in the back, so it's not that he lost absolutely all he had. So why pants? Or were the pants a reason of why he lost his ship? Perhaps those were the famously infamous golden pants of Sharamabimbramabambrala? Cursed pants that bring tragedy to all those who'll find them and wear them?

Yeah, i guess that solve's it. 

And loved the name of the company. I think i'll use the trick too! We all should. Hey, why not rename Eurobricks to Eurobricks'n'Sons, he? They would visit the place more often, wouldnt they? ;) 

BTW, i looked at photos first and i was wondering why the hell is that guy in the back of the boat holding a sticki like that, i thought that maybe he was steering this way, but then read You story and find out he was kinda handcuffed. Cool way to do that.

But the island itself is the coolest part. Very nicely done again. I'd totaly love that as a set, with the boat or not, just the way You did those plants, tribal spear as a flag pole and the way You used that sail is briliant!   

Should You improve it in any way?

Not sure if needs anything at all honestly. If anyone would complain, it might be colors. It's very earthy. The island and the boat, crew. I don't have a problem with that, but perhaps changing seats in the boat, from gret to red or pink should bring more vacation vibes. 

A parrot or a crab as a companion for Steve wouldnt be a bad choice too.

Oh, and change the sign on the sail from Lego to Lego'n'Sons... people like that in the name ;) 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by Mazin

[LeChuck-MD]

2 hours ago, Mazin said:

I'm kinda jelous of this about-to-be-marroned pirate, cause Steve prepared a nice living quaters for him! Such a lovely place, love the sail, and greenery, lots of sun and majestic views but with a lot of shadow if needed, and ethnic tough here and there. I mean, who wouldnt want to spend time in there?

The pants part cracked me up! :D Tho You didn't mention how did he lose them. I mean, he did retain some of his belongings, there even a chest in the back, so it's not that he lost absolutely all he had. So why pants? Or were the pants a reason of why he lost his ship? Perhaps those were the famously infamous golden pants of Sharamabimbramabambrala? Cursed pants that bring tragedy to all those who'll find them and wear them?

Yeah, i guess that solve's it. 

And loved the name of the company. I think i'll use the trick too! We all should. Hey, why not rename Eurobricks to Eurobricks'n'Sons, he? They would visit the place more often, wouldnt they? ;) 

BTW, i looked at photos first and i was wondering why the hell is that guy in the back of the boat holding a sticki like that, i thought that maybe he was steering this way, but then read You story and find out he was kinda handcuffed. Cool way to do that.

But the island itself is the coolest part. Very nicely done again. I'd totaly love that as a set, with the boat or not, just the way You did those plants, tribal spear as a flag pole and the way You used that sail is briliant!   

Should You improve it in any way?

Not sure if needs anything at all honestly. If anyone would complain, it might be colors. It's very earthy. The island and the boat, crew. I don't have a problem with that, but perhaps changing seats in the boat, from gret to red or pink should bring more vacation vibes. 

A parrot or a crab as a companion for Steve wouldnt be a bad choice too.

Oh, and change the sign on the sail from Lego to Lego'n'Sons... people like that in the name ;) 

 

Haha thank you for all the kind words and suggestions.

I should have put more detail in about how he lost his pants and hat. In my mind it was during the shipwreck, but now my mind is spinning with ideas for cursed pants and a potential Adventurers cross over.

Thanks again! 

[Mazin]

18 minutes ago, LeChuck-MD said:

Haha thank you for all the kind words and suggestions.

I should have put more detail in about how he lost his pants and hat. In my mind it was during the shipwreck, but now my mind is spinning with ideas for cursed pants and a potential Adventurers cross over.

Thanks again! 

Very happy I could help and that You liked them! :)

And... i won't forgive You if You won't make that idea come to life ;) Can't wait to see the results! 

[YellowFrog]

Nice island, a good use of the (original?) fabric sail. I also see the influence from the Barracuda Bay set. Great build! Only thing is, a fabric or posterboard background would've been more effective, but if it's not available, we all understand.

[Horation]

I believe the cloth piece is from 6277 or 10320, it is the merchant cutter's cloth. I believe this is a good way to tie the MOC to Steve.

 

[Autumn]

I like the stereotyped idea of him being stranded on the smallest possible desert island with a single palm tree! That's the kind of Lego humour I appreciate!

Most of the things I would have critiqued have been said already. The gap in the middle of the small island where there is water is a little strange to me, it would be better if you filled it in with sand or rock instead. Is it supposed to be a freshwater pond?

[YellowFrog]

17 hours ago, Autumn said:

The gap in the middle of the small island where there is water is a little strange to me, it would be better if you filled it in with sand or rock instead. Is it supposed to be a freshwater pond?

I've only just noticed that, but I do agree it looks a little strange. Also, it appears to be raised above the rest of the ocean, making it seem like an out-of-place puddle.

[Math Wizard]

Ahoy Matey @LeChuck-MD!

Looks like ye haven’t voted yet- just a reminder that voting ends soon. If ye vote for a critic ye gain +5 points on each entry you have submitted, and another +5 if ye vote for other builds. That’s an extra ten (10) votes that yer missing out on by not voting! Yer also gonna be entered in a raffle for a $25 set, just for voting! So raise the anchor, hoist yer sails, and go vote, before it’s too late! Fair Winds!