John Harvey - Weta Senior Modelmaker - Q&A with the RPF

Art Andrews

The RPF has been given the opportunity to host a Q&A with Weta Senior Modelmaker, John Harvey.

John helped create props and/or weapons for:

• Avatar
• District 9
• Hellboy
• Halo shorts
• Lord of the Rings
• King Kong
• The Last Samurai
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Here is your opportunity to ask the original prop builder questions about his work. John will be here on Sept 7 to answer your questions, but we have been asked to have members post questions early so John has time to prepare answers for you.

Weta is also offering 7 prizes for questions that are used for the Q&A, with the #1 prize being a Dr Grordbort's Righteous Bison Replica Pistol! Other prizes include Weta shirts and District 9 patches!

So, how will this work?

Please submit your questions here. Anyone submitting a legitimate question will be entered to win one of the prizes from Weta. While you may ask more than one question, you will only be entered once for the drawing.

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Art Andrews

Here is a short bio from Weta's website:

John Harvey

patsmear

How often when you are given a design, do you think it won't work, and if you do, how far can you go your own direction with it before it becomes a problem with the studios?

Cibernite

Is there any way for a fan to send in a design or drawing that could be made into a future prop, Say like a new character or vehicle something of that nature?

sagelwwa

When making a prop for a specific film, what considerations go into the prop as far as the way the film is being shot? i.e. for District 9, Avatar, and Hellboy which all have drastically different levels of CGI, did the props have to be made or painted a certain way specific to the filming style? Also, what are your favorite props of those you've made and do you have a collection of your own?

bobatrek

Your "armory" covers a lot of territory. Where do you draw your inspirations for your more exotic weapons?

Mutant-Enemy

Can you walk us through your process of making a prop from concept to finish?

Kenobius

As a prop designer, when did you become interested in the art and how did that interest blossom into your career?

moffeaton

What do you think of the "garage kit industry" and do you think it helps or cannibalizes a property's intellectual property? Some defend the scene entirely by saying it keeps the IP alive in the hearts and minds of the fans, grows the fan base in certain circumstances, and offers niche items that would never be brought to market for any number of reasons. For the most part, Star Wars fans have carte blanche to make a wide range of things. Some studios aggressively defend any and all forays into the replica arena with their properties, whether it is for profit or just a "run between friends". Games Workshop comes to mind, as an example.

The spectrum runs the gamut from "I made this one-off because I wanted to own a ______ of my very own" to "a semi-professional group of guys are doing a large run of ________ kits, so place your orders now!". Where do you, as a professional prop maker, draw a line in this equation?

Also - what is your favorite food? (haha, couldn't resist a little kid question)

GiveMeSomeProps

How did you become so successful in the props business? what steps did you take to get you to where you are now?
Sean

PirateDude

Whats your favorite prop that you have designed?

Bilious

Two questions for you, Mr Harvey!

1- What materials do you usually make your masters from before going to mold? Is it wax? Foam? Clay? Plastics? All of the above? Anything and everything? My father worked in the Toy Industry for decades, I'm curious how their methods and Weta's methods compare.

2- What advice do you have for a young professional in Hollywood looking to find more freelance prop work?

Keep up the awesome work and I'll keep being inspired!

edit: Thought of a third question:

3- How common are women prop makers not only at Weta, but in your general experience in the industry? The professional friends I have made are all men, and I'm starting to wonder if female prop makers like me are a rare commodity!

berger

im sure it varies wildly from film to film, but how much leeway to you generally get with your designs? are you constantly pushing things as far as you can, knowing it will get rejected, or playing it safe knowing they will want more?

do you generally push it as far as you can and dial it back slowly, or work slowly up to the final design?

ArkRaider

Are there any skills or methods of making props that you haven't done before, but would like to try?

What is your favorite genre of film to work on (SciFi, Fantasy, Historical, Etc)?

berger

do you have any concepts that didnt make it, that you could share with us?

Kyle138

What was your first day like getting into the "business"? What are some tips for us newbs to prop making?

Forestmoonstudio

How often do you get to make a functional weapon for film?

neo2daz

Have you ever wondered , half way through a build, 'how the hell did I end up doing this'

Delmustator

John, With all the well-known movie props out there, do you every find yourself struggling to create something new and original?

Hotshot

Tell us a solid 'horror story(hopefully more funny than horrific)' anecdote. Something that you not only remember vividly, but something that also taught you something that you've been able to use throughout your carrer.

I'd also love to hear about a moment during your carrer where you, for lack of a better term, 'totally geeked out.'

Thanks!

**Very cool idea Mods, well done!

sctcarts

Mr. Harvey-
Given the success of both Weta and your own career, do you find that you still have time to indulge your own personal interests/artistry and create your own projects not associated with Weta?

rashielx

Do you sketch concepts out prior to beginning the modeling process or do you use a computer? Also, how much of the designing is done on computers, do you prefer using a computer or other means to design your models?

Art Andrews

Thanks for this all goes to Tim and the Weta team. You simply won't find a more awesome group of individuals!

smordant

Do you collect movie props yourself and do you have a house full of them?

rabbit4x

Given that some movies like Hellboy or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe have some kind of visual or literary description from the original artists, where did you draw inspirations from more unique projects such as Avatar, District 9, or Lord of the Rings?