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

Wakeem

Here's my question:

With the high budget of many films, do you make props (use materials) that will stand the test of time? Or just until the production is over. Thanks.

harleyx

John,

One of the best WETA props was the Goliathon 800 Moon Hater.
I was offer to purchase this item 1 of 3 for around $6500.00 almost two years ago.
Do you think WETA will ever come out with a limited edition of this model at a lower price ?
I almost bought this item, but was hesitant because of the economy.

Thank you,
Mike

IronWarrior777

When were first inspired to start creating props?

IronWarrior777

** When were you first inspired to start creating props?

hoverboy

Have you ever noticed yourself getting sucked into the business aspect of prop making and forgetting the reason you got into it in the first place? What do you do to bring that passion back?

The Dude

Since many have already asked the question I would ask...that leaves me only one question.....



John....why are you so angry in your pic? Does making props make you angry?

sharkhead7854

Hello Mr. Harvey!

It's obvious that many members here would do just about anything to be in the prop industry, because it means artistically going from something as simple as a drawing or an idea to a real object you can touch. But even as a supervisor, what are the limits on your creativity? Is there ever someone in the bigger movies who will trash an idea of yours and tell you it needs to be started over?

Also, I like cwabby's and The Dude's questions. ^__^

Zaphod

Mr. Harvey;
We prop builders/collectors love to show off what we've got. I've spoken too & met guys who carry around or wear some of their props(specially Whovians & their sonics).

My question is, is do you have a favourite prop that you carry around when you leave the house/shop?

Regards;
~Z

JesterOne

What is your most favorite pet project that you've worked on? Something you did for you, just for the sake of doing it?

Contec

Hello Mr Harvey
If you could pick any movie that you did not work on That you really wanted to make props for, Which movie would that be and what sort of props.
Thanks

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?

Kommissar

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

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?

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?

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?

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?

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

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

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?

smithy

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

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?

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:

1. 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?
2. Based on your answer to the first part, what list of tools, instruments, equipment, and materials should I invest in?

Thanks!

Val

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".

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?

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