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

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punisher

What advice can you give to us aspiring prop builders to achieve a career in the prop industry?

Or

What is your favorite prop out of all that you have made?

Hi punisher

Just keep going ... try, try, try. Meet or talk to people. Aim for the top but you will probably have to start from the bottom.

MY favourites are many, from Susan's bow and arrows and quiver, to Hellboy's gun, to Avatar guns, LOTR props, and some of the D9 guns that were not seen in the movie.

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kommissar

What is the best way to get into the industry that you are a part of?

Hi Kommissar

Just answered this question above. Good luck and keep going

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUPERprops

I double that, how can I go from making props for fun as a highschool student to making them for movies in/after college?

Hi superprops

As per Q136 above

Thanks

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volpin

I tend to only do this as a hobby, but its still pretty standard for me to put 40+ hours a week into making my replicas and props. Despite this essentially being a second job, I still step back after large steps are taken in my process and jump around like a 10 year old opening a shiny new toy. Its not uncommon for me, a 28 year old man, to walk around with a half-finished gun painted primer gray going "PEW PEW PEW" while pointing it at my confused cat.

I'd like to believe that the creators at WETA display this (well, similar) enthusiasm as well with their creations. Is this the case, or sometimes are you just happy to go home on Friday and not look at your work for a couple of days?

Hi Volpin

Yes, we do ... we all have a kid in us even at 38 years old. R&R is very important. Weekends are very important to me. So most of them are spent with family and friends.

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirk

I haven't read through all six pages, so forgive me is this question is redundant:

To what extent, if any, are professionals in your field aware of the prop replica community? And what is the general attitude toward it?

I assume it can't be grossly negative, or else Mr. Harvey wouldn't be joining us. Still, how do folks regard us? Do they find our activity flattering? Or is it something they tolerate as a goodwill gesture to fandom? Or do they pay us little to no mind at all?

Hi squirk

I know you all exist. I think it's great.

Who cares about the rest anyway ...

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juno

You've worked on films that cover everything from pure science fiction to Meiji Era Japan. Do you find there's a huge difference in working on props based in reality versus the fantasy world? Which do you prefer working on?

Hi juno

I really enjoy "real fiction" if that makes sense ... like LOTR we created a fictional place that was totally believable.

Thanks

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honus

Hi John,

I'd really be curious to know the lead times that you are given for prop production for a film and how budget constraints affect the design/fabrication process.

Cheers!

Jerome

Hi Jerome

They differ so much from job to job. Give me an example of a prop and I will get back to you.

Thanks

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by framed

Hello,

iam jeroen from the Netherlands my question is,how much creative freedom do you have,how did you get involved at weta? and is there any change to visit the weta workshop?

Good luck with your career!

jeroen geertman.
framedprops.com

Hi Jeroen

We do have freedom in the creation of props, some a lot more than others. But at the end of the day it is us who have to turn a drawing into a 3D object. I would say very difficult to visit Weta due to confidentiality of jobs on at the moment.

Thanks

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanguard1138

Making Props that look good is a difficult and tedious process (especially with little greebles and such)

So, that in mind. What inspires/inspired you to work on props?

That, and the classic, which has been your favourite prop that you've made?

Hi Vanguard

I enjoy it, always have, money helps

Susan's bow and quiver, Hellboy's gun, Navi weapons and guns, lots of guns and LOTR the whole thing

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithy

how did you get into the prop industrie and whats the best thing you have worked on?

Hi Smithy

It was a friend that asked me to fill in for two weeks (Xena was my first real job). My fav job was LOTR, it was 5 years of pure fun.

Thanks

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

I have noticed many props and models being constructed digitally then printed off on a 3D printer for molding/casting.

How much "hands on" craftsmanship still goes into model/prop making at the studio level.

Also,

As we continually see ever increasing digital props, is there a breaking point where constructing and filming a physical model/prop will still be more cost effective than a modeling team and render farm?

Hi RCB

Yes, 3D printing and modeling is here now and is just another tool ... and I don't think props will disappear

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyrie

Hi John - I just decided to join the hobby, and while I admire and envy your skills and those of many other skilled and talented prop makers here, I have not yet developed any true model-making skills of my own. As a child, I was pretty good at glueing molded plastic parts together and giving them decent paint jobs. Beyond that, the most I ever did was heat-bend styrene and use dremel tools to modify or scratch-build customized/accurized parts and solder together wires, metal plates, and tubes. I've never cast parts in resin or sculpted anything in clay, nor do I have machining or woodworking skills.

So here's my two-part question:

Would you be able to recommend a skill-building path for a novice like me? That is, what should I start with, and should I develop several skills concurrently, or focus on just one or two and build my skill to an expert level?
Based on your answer to the first part, what list of tools, instruments, equipment, and materials should I invest in?

Thanks!

Val

Hi Val

It sounds like you have a good base of skills already, other than the casting and sculpting that's all I do. It is probably a good idea to gain woodworking skills and if you know someone with a metal lathe get them to teach you how to use it. Base tools are; a craft knife, dremel, sculpting tools, sandpaper, files (small jewelers files) superglue, body filler, a drill

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiiangb

How often do props "disappear". Whats the craziest way someone has tried to walk away with a prop. Are there some props still out there "missing".

Hi Hawaiiangb,

I'm sure there are props out there that have been stolen, but the craziest wasn't a prop, but a quad bike on set that was found stashed in a bush

Cheers

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucko

What are some of your go to tools, and do you have any custom tools?
Where do you draw your inspiration from to keep concepts fresh?

Hi Chucko

My craft knife, powerfile and dremel

My inspiration ? to have fun

thanks

John

John Harvey · 10-05-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwerke

Hi John,

Who at Weta should I bribe (and how much?), in order to obtain good reference pics of the Prawn space helmet props?

thanks,
Martyn

Hi Nwerke

Keep hassling Tim Launder. He has that info (or can get it). But it will cost you a lot !!!!

even your soul.

Thanks

John

Honus · 10-08-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Harvey

Hi Jerome

They differ so much from job to job. Give me an example of a prop and I will get back to you.

Thanks

John

John,

Thanks for the response to all the questions. It's been extremely informative to get this kind of insight from a working professional.

For an example let's say something like the Hellboy Samaritan (just because I love that film so much) as compared to the Avatar guns.

I'm just curious as I work as a professional jeweler and we're always under the gun regarding time frame and production cost. I always prefer to use the absolute best method to produce a given product and even though we use advanced methods like stereolithography to produce patterns sometimes the old fashioned method of hand fabrication from raw materials produces a better quality end product, even though it often takes more time.

Back when I worked as a designer in the bicycle industry we often used the old saying "Fast, good, cheap- pick any two." Does that apply to your profession as well?

Another question I just thought of:
I've been working on animatronics a lot lately (specifically in costumes) and it seems that the standard in the film industry is to use R/C radio systems that are operated by a performer off screen. Are there ever any systems in use that are operated by the actor on screen?

Thanks again!

Jerome

darkimmitator · 10-26-2010, 07:00 PM

As a professional prop maker , what tips or advice ,would you give to someone interested in starting a career in that same profession ? Darn , I see that this question has already been asked and answered !! May I ask what you think was your biggest achievement in this profession ,and what was your first break in getting into this career ?

Oubliette · 12-15-2010, 12:21 AM

Would you like to go for a drink?

XxironwarriorxX · 12-16-2010, 01:22 AM

when your studio is called to do a large assortment of props ( ex: a sci-fi film ) what steps do you take or ways to come up with a design fitting enough for the films ?

XxironwarriorxX · 12-16-2010, 01:26 AM

one more i been drawing up alot of sketches based on imagination and i would like to learn the proper tech for learning how to cast a mold for something any ideas ?

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10-26-2010, 07:00 PM	#367
darkimmitator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nova Scotia,CANADA Posts: 1	Re: John Harvey - Weta Senior Modelmaker - Q&A with the RPF As a professional prop maker , what tips or advice ,would you give to someone interested in starting a career in that same profession ? Darn , I see that this question has already been asked and answered !! May I ask what you think was your biggest achievement in this profession ,and what was your first break in getting into this career ? Last edited by darkimmitator; 10-26-2010 at 07:10 PM.

12-15-2010, 12:21 AM	#368
Oubliette Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 21	Re: John Harvey - Weta Senior Modelmaker - Q&A with the RPF Would you like to go for a drink?

12-16-2010, 01:22 AM	#369
XxironwarriorxX Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	Re: John Harvey - Weta Senior Modelmaker - Q&A with the RPF when your studio is called to do a large assortment of props ( ex: a sci-fi film ) what steps do you take or ways to come up with a design fitting enough for the films ?

12-16-2010, 01:26 AM	#370
XxironwarriorxX Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	Re: John Harvey - Weta Senior Modelmaker - Q&A with the RPF one more i been drawing up alot of sketches based on imagination and i would like to learn the proper tech for learning how to cast a mold for something any ideas ?

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