kcpstudio
Sr Member
Cancelled Project
Greetings,
So, I have got a lot of requests from members here wanting to see my concept phaser I built for Into Darkness. Well, I'm finally getting around to it. I hope you guys like what you see.
I guess I'll start by saying how much I enjoyed what JJ did for the franchise. Yes, there was a couple minor things I wished were different but I think he really did a great job and I'm proud I got to be a part of it. When I saw JJ's 2009 version, I loved how he stayed true to a lot of things but with a modern up to date twist. The uniforms were great, the ships (IMHO) were cool, but most of all.... I loved how the actors "fit" their characters. The only real thing I thought should have been different was the phaser. Don't get me wrong.... I like it but considering how the uniforms were close to the TOS uniforms, I would have loved to see that in the weapon as well.
Anyway, before actual filming took place and everything was in pre production, I decided to come up with a really cool phaser and put it in JJ's hands. So, I enlisted the help of one of my Hollywood illustrator friends (Ray) to help come up with some ideas. I really only had my heart set on one concept but I also wanted to make sure we had enough ideas on the table for when that time came. Considering my illustrator bud Ray was a huge Trek fan, it was not hard to get him in on this. I had written down everything I wanted for my version of the phaser. I wanted this thing to do everything the TOS phaser did and more. After explaining everything to him about what I wanted for my concept, I asked him to draw it up in a professional illustration so that the art could also be put in front of JJ along with the built up version. Again, I already had my mind made up on how I would like the phaser to look so I left all the other concept ideas to Ray. Let me say, he came up with some amazing ideas. All of them better than the last.
So, after explaining to him what I wanted and all the details and functions, he went to work on the artwork. It wasn't soon after when he emailed me the first draft of my concept. Ray nailed it! Everything.... every detail I explained.... he got it right on the first try. I then went to work on what you see below. Ray began working on other ideas..... several weeks worth of ideas.
I began to CAD the concept in Solidworks. Now, for those of you that don't know me.... I tend to favor going overboard. I love props with tons of **** on them and all functioning.... even knowing most of it would never be used or seen on screen. Here's one example of how I look at things. Say you have to build a prop... a gadget. This gadget has access panels and screws etc. This prop (even if its the hero) would be build as a single solid piece and then the panels and screws painted to make it look like individual parts. I don't like that. I build my parts with a mechanical engineering frame of mind. All the panels and screws etc are all individual pieces and assembled to give the final look.... which looks extremely real. Now, some of you may say.... Kenney.... you're fool of ****. LOL Well, some of you have seen real hero props up close and know what I'm talking about. On screen, they may look good. They get "the shot". However, up close.... not so much. I have always tried to do more with my builds.... even if it meant more work. I have been told by friends of mine, in the business, that I do way too much. That's just me.
After completing the CAD model and double checking to make sure all the individual parts actually moved and worked in the CAD model, I 3d printed all the parts. I used my SLA machines for these parts. I have since started moving to polyjet after purchasing a Objet printer.
Look at this first pic of the concept phaser..... then look at the second pic of all the individual parts. Now you know how I like to design and build. The hero Enterprise phasers I made for the film are just as crazy. I love being creative and I love to challenge myself every time.
Enjoy!
Cancelled Project
Greetings,
So, I have got a lot of requests from members here wanting to see my concept phaser I built for Into Darkness. Well, I'm finally getting around to it. I hope you guys like what you see.
I guess I'll start by saying how much I enjoyed what JJ did for the franchise. Yes, there was a couple minor things I wished were different but I think he really did a great job and I'm proud I got to be a part of it. When I saw JJ's 2009 version, I loved how he stayed true to a lot of things but with a modern up to date twist. The uniforms were great, the ships (IMHO) were cool, but most of all.... I loved how the actors "fit" their characters. The only real thing I thought should have been different was the phaser. Don't get me wrong.... I like it but considering how the uniforms were close to the TOS uniforms, I would have loved to see that in the weapon as well.
Anyway, before actual filming took place and everything was in pre production, I decided to come up with a really cool phaser and put it in JJ's hands. So, I enlisted the help of one of my Hollywood illustrator friends (Ray) to help come up with some ideas. I really only had my heart set on one concept but I also wanted to make sure we had enough ideas on the table for when that time came. Considering my illustrator bud Ray was a huge Trek fan, it was not hard to get him in on this. I had written down everything I wanted for my version of the phaser. I wanted this thing to do everything the TOS phaser did and more. After explaining everything to him about what I wanted for my concept, I asked him to draw it up in a professional illustration so that the art could also be put in front of JJ along with the built up version. Again, I already had my mind made up on how I would like the phaser to look so I left all the other concept ideas to Ray. Let me say, he came up with some amazing ideas. All of them better than the last.
So, after explaining to him what I wanted and all the details and functions, he went to work on the artwork. It wasn't soon after when he emailed me the first draft of my concept. Ray nailed it! Everything.... every detail I explained.... he got it right on the first try. I then went to work on what you see below. Ray began working on other ideas..... several weeks worth of ideas.
I began to CAD the concept in Solidworks. Now, for those of you that don't know me.... I tend to favor going overboard. I love props with tons of **** on them and all functioning.... even knowing most of it would never be used or seen on screen. Here's one example of how I look at things. Say you have to build a prop... a gadget. This gadget has access panels and screws etc. This prop (even if its the hero) would be build as a single solid piece and then the panels and screws painted to make it look like individual parts. I don't like that. I build my parts with a mechanical engineering frame of mind. All the panels and screws etc are all individual pieces and assembled to give the final look.... which looks extremely real. Now, some of you may say.... Kenney.... you're fool of ****. LOL Well, some of you have seen real hero props up close and know what I'm talking about. On screen, they may look good. They get "the shot". However, up close.... not so much. I have always tried to do more with my builds.... even if it meant more work. I have been told by friends of mine, in the business, that I do way too much. That's just me.
After completing the CAD model and double checking to make sure all the individual parts actually moved and worked in the CAD model, I 3d printed all the parts. I used my SLA machines for these parts. I have since started moving to polyjet after purchasing a Objet printer.
Look at this first pic of the concept phaser..... then look at the second pic of all the individual parts. Now you know how I like to design and build. The hero Enterprise phasers I made for the film are just as crazy. I love being creative and I love to challenge myself every time.
Enjoy!
Cancelled Project
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