Blade Runner Vid Phon build, help needed.

[Compo]

Hey folks!!
Doing my first build and I need help identifying a part. I’m building a full size street Vid Phon from Blade Runner, I’ve got 90% of it in my head but I can’t find the camera lens, not got to be exact but if anyone could point me in the right direction, there’s a lens and what looks like a microphone above where it says Transmitting.

thanks

Rich

 

[teslabe]

Hey folks!!
Doing my first build and I need help identifying a part. I’m building a full size street Vid Phon from Blade Runner, I’ve got 90% of it in my head but I can’t find the camera lens, not got to be exact but if anyone could point me in the right direction, there’s a lens and what looks like a microphone above where it says Transmitting.

thanks

Rich

Well, here's the "microphone", I remember it as the trade name "Sonar - alert" by Mallory, this one is a piezo transducer, but you just care about the front grill. Look on ebay and you might find one used at a better price since you just need the grill, I can't look at ebay at work, sooooo.

https://www.newark.com/mallory/sc628/transducer-piezo-2-9khz-80dba/dp/64F300

 

[EKF5]

The "lens" looks a lot like a fish-eye mirror. You may want to look for a small automotive paste on mirrors for trucks.

 

[Compo]

Thanks for the help, great call on the transducer!! How did you know that?

 

[laellee]

For the lens insert, I would just use a glass cabochon. Back it with a small piece of mylar or foil and you'll get a nice reflection through it too. you can find cabochons on Ebay/etc, you'd need around 1 1/4" diameter or 30mm.

 

[smgcreations1]

Hey folks!!
Doing my first build and I need help identifying a part. I’m building a full size street Vid Phon from Blade Runner, I’ve got 90% of it in my head but I can’t find the camera lens, not got to be exact but if anyone could point me in the right direction, there’s a lens and what looks like a microphone above where it says Transmitting.

thanks

Rich

 

[smgcreations1]

Yeah I know, a bit late.. You have likely long since solved the issue with the camera and microphone looking thingys.
The pics I have posted are from a screen used VID-PHON, that I am repairing/restoring. This version is basically just a light box. Although, I would think the parts in most or all movie versions are the same.

 

[Compo]

Yeah I know, a bit late.. You have likely long since solved the issue with the camera and microphone looking thingys.
The pics I have posted are from a screen used VID-PHON, that I am repairing/restoring. This version is basically just a light box. Although, I would think the parts in most or all movie versions are the same.

Holy hell!!! This has made my day!! Which one are you restoring, think there were 4 plus the hero, does it have the flat keypad?
Thanks again!!!

 

[smgcreations1]

Holy hell!!! This has made my day!! Which one are you restoring, think there were 4 plus the hero, does it have the flat keypad?
Thanks again!!!

You may be familiar with the photo of the 4 VID-PHONs, where there is a question mark over the second one.. That's the one I have.
The entire faceplate, which includes the Keypad, is flat. It is 1/8th inch thick (nominal) piece of clear acrylic that appears be painted with a flat black finish. It was either masked with numbers, letters, and Japanese (?) characters or somehow printed on the plexiglass. If it was masked, once letters, numbers, and characters were removed, they revealed clear unpainted areas where light can shine through. The faceplate is quite impressive, in my opinion.
Another little fun fact, is that we had at least 3 screen used VID-PHONs, but I think it may have been 4. I will ask the owner, to find out for sure.
I remember moving a bunch of them, years ago.
The reason we had these in the first place, was that other props were rented from us, for Bladerunner, and they were damaged. Instead of paying us for the damages, they agreed to give us the bunch of VID-PHONs. Not the hero one, though. I hope that I am relying this correctly, because that is my intention. If for some reason I am mistaken about something, I will do my best to post a correction.
I'm happy to see that others have an interest in this.

 

[smgcreations1]

Something else I noticed about the "camera lens".. I don't think you can really tell much about the glass in the lens, from the photo I sent to you... but I noticed this after my first reply.. The lens is thick and convex on both sides. I think it is a jeweler's lupe. It definitely works like one. So, there you go. I hope this helps.

 

[Ramjet]

@smgcreations - could I trouble you for the dimension across the face of the vid-phon?

 

[Ramjet]

I'm happy to help with graphics if you need a hand.

 

[Compo]

You may be familiar with the photo of the 4 VID-PHONs, where there is a question mark over the second one.. That's the one I have.
The entire faceplate, which includes the Keypad, is flat. It is 1/8th inch thick (nominal) piece of clear acrylic that appears be painted with a flat black finish. It was either masked with numbers, letters, and Japanese (?) characters or somehow printed on the plexiglass. If it was masked, once letters, numbers, and characters were removed, they revealed clear unpainted areas where light can shine through. The faceplate is quite impressive, in my opinion.
Another little fun fact, is that we had at least 3 screen used VID-PHONs, but I think it may have been 4. I will ask the owner, to find out for sure.
I remember moving a bunch of them, years ago.
The reason we had these in the first place, was that other props were rented from us, for Bladerunner, and they were damaged. Instead of paying us for the damages, they agreed to give us the bunch of VID-PHONs. Not the hero one, though. I hope that I am relying this correctly, because that is my intention. If for some reason I am mistaken about something, I will do my best to post a correction.
I'm happy to see that others have an interest in this.

Honestly I’m blown away, thank you so much for the pictures. Mine looks pretty close but I had to guess the back measurements.
I think the faceplate is screen printed in multiple layers to stop light bleeding through the black sections, really was an outstanding job for something that had little screen time. I’d love to know how they did the keypad on the hero, I’m guessing the took it out of something and based the plate around it.
I keep meaning to make a new one but out of aluminium like the original Mead concept.
What does the top look like out of curiosity?
Thanks again, really appreciate you taking the time.

Rick

 

[Compo]

That’s mine

 

[Ramjet]

I was able to use the photo from smgcreations1 to recreate the Mike surround as an STL for resin printing.

 

[smgcreations1]

Honestly I’m blown away, thank you so much for the pictures. Mine looks pretty close but I had to guess the back measurements.
I think the faceplate is screen printed in multiple layers to stop light bleeding through the black sections, really was an outstanding job for something that had little screen time. I’d love to know how they did the keypad on the hero, I’m guessing the took it out of something and based the plate around it.
I keep meaning to make a new one but out of aluminium like the original Mead concept.
What does the top look like out of curiosity?
Thanks again, really appreciate you taking the time.

Rick

The back measurements are 31" L × 7 1/8" W.
I will get a top pic (and more). If not tonight, soon.

 

[Ramjet]

What fonts did you use for your panels?

 

[smgcreations1]

The back measurements are 31" L × 7 1/8" W.
I will get a top pic (and more). If not tonight, soon.

 

[Ramjet]

Camera/mike panel. STLs attached.

 

[Compo]

What fonts did you use for your panels?

I’m not sure but I still have the vector if you want it?