Hi guys,
This is going to be my first diorama and it's a biggy. The scene is from Blackhawk Down, it's where the Hummers & trucks have picked up their prisoners and are trying to get back to camp. I'm not sure how to do the civillians (skinnies as their called in the film) firing from the rooftops as I've never scratchbuilt or converted figures into civvies. My plan is to have buildings on one side and then the vehicles leaving it open to view, or should I do houses on both sides to show the cramped look like in the film? I'm open to any ideas and feedback or even change it if need be. I'm sure you can help me.
Cheers, Kenny.

Conversion of military figures into Somolian civilians will be quite a challenge. The ragged cloths and build of those that I have seen will be tough to convert from a full dress military figure.

As far as buildings on both sides be careful you do not close in your diorama and provide no viewing angles.
One good rule of thumb with dios is never put anything parallel to the eges of the base. Given that I would suggest a cross roads scene and that is in an X pattern with respect to a square base. Or an angled single road cutting at a low angle across a rectangle. Either way the edge closest to the viewer should be open somehow. Either leave out a building or make an empty lot or a lot that has a bunch of low stuff. On the back edge or the cross road cutting away from the viewer you can make those close to give the tight representation.
Leave a nice viewing channel for people to see down the street or alley, don't make them move around to see the action.
Another note, have low building in front and high ones in back or low close to the viewer and have them rise as they go away from the viewer.

Hope this helps, ask more questions

You may also consider having 'in-tact" buidlings on one side of the street, and demolished buildings on the other side of the street - this would allow a viewing perspective that give you a good field of view....

Hi Guys.
thanx for the input, i'll try to revise my plans and see how it goes.
Kenny.