Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION

[BrianM]

Is this the Dystra shot?

No, but WOW! :eek

 

[PHArchivist]

I know that the small strips along the edge seems to be on the domes instead of the dish. But since Im located in Denmark and the prop was already at the museum, it was a bit difficult for me to add those details to the dome. Therefore they are added to the dish.

Exactly as I'd anticipated! I hope my previous verbiage reflects my respect for your work - it is "reference quality".

 

[PHArchivist]

My dish is not dome shaped but conical and the center piece is flat.
Notice the small pieces of Plastruc U-beams, they are on the original as well.

With mine, I (as I think I've shown) was heat formed over a buck taken from a spare 6" dome the fabricator made, so it is more dished than conical. My smallest center piece was taken from a spare heat-formed dish I made so it to is slightly dished.

I DID notice the U-beams! Wow! I'd never noticed that before. Incredible attention to detail, Moe! :thumbsup What reference photograph did you pick those up from? Frankly, I don't think I'll b doing those, though - too lazy!

 

[PHArchivist]

This shot was previously published in "Star Wars: From Concept To Collectible".

Its an awesome shot. Its interesting in that there is something to the upper right of the dish, behind the model. No idea what it is. Used to think it was part of the support structre, but the support is under the model.

Is this the Dystra shot?

 

[moes1]

I DID notice the U-beams! Wow! I'd never noticed that before. Incredible attention to detail, Moe! :thumbsup What reference photograph did you pick those up from? Frankly, I don't think I'll b doing those, though - too lazy!

I did not have any other pics than those in the books beside a scan I got from a magazine or book, on which the U-beams were noticeable. but do not have that pic anymore. They can be spotted in some of the other books, from SW to Indy, I thin it is, or the Lorne book. Been a while since Ive looked.

Guz did give me the measures in an email, but that I do not have anymore unfortunately and I just can't remember the diameter either. At that time, I didn't think I would be needing it in the future.

 

[Jayn]

Really enjoying this thread..makes me want to pull apart my old Pepsi DS & rebuild it..
You know, once you're done with this, you'll have to do the 'cutaway view' :lol

 

[PHArchivist]

What's the Pepsi DS?

 

[Jayn]

It's just a 2 part styrene display model like the one in this pic:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/starwars/bs_cooler_DeathStar.jpg

I got it from a friend whose dad managed a grocery store..It's hardly accurate, but it does still have the motor that turns it! I always wanted to put fiber optics in it..

Question for you.. could you use those smaller CF lights in your dome for temp. control? or do you have to use incandesents for enough light output?

 

[PHArchivist]

Cool! I've never seen that display before!

On the lights, the original clearly has a yellow hue to the lights, but my incandescents are just temporary. I'll need to experiment to get the right lighting effect.

 

[Stormy320]

Probably not the right thread to ask this on, but how do you guys cut out all the styrene pieces so perfect that it looks laser cut?

You are cutting circles out...amazing!

And the guy building the shuttle tydirium - how does he do this?

 

[CTF]

At C4 there was an art print company selling an increadible shot by Dystra of the DS with just it's internal lights. I was shot on a 4X5 neg. Stunning, but $300 ea.

Worth every cent. It ain't no normal print -- it is a giclée with some amazing detail. Signed by the man, himself. :cool

I don't have the shot, unfortunately. I'm hoping somebody here can point me/us at one.

As for surface detail, no the whole model was in frame. but it was good for light patterns.

Here ya go:

http://reelcollectibles.co.nz/images/acme/star_wars/empire_weapon_death_star_acme_giclee.jpg

http://reelcollectibles.co.nz/acme_star_wars_film.htm

A little plug for some friends.

There must have been a fill light too as you could see the surface. I'm guessing sometime during the filming D covered up the blue-screen and shot some large format pics to test exposers.

It's breathtaking

From what I hear, it was taken in between passes. The key was not lit, of course.

But yes, it is an amazing shot. One I always associate with being a kid and watching STAR WARS.

No, but WOW! :eek

It is not the Dykstra shot -- as seen above -- but it still is one.

And, Brian, I am NOT stalking you.

 

[Darkside]

 

[PHArchivist]

how do you guys cut out all the styrene a pieces so perfect that it looks laser cut.

You are cutting circles out...amazing!

Thanks for the compliment! It was needed, as I fear my own work doesn't look that precise!

In answer to your question, mine is probably not as good as it looks! :lol

I cut the main circle with scissors along a circle drawn with a compass. Then I sanded the circumference of the circle until it appeared perfectly round. I've also used a compass cutter, as suggested earlier in the thread.

 

[stonky]

I think Muren only owned one shirt back then.

Love your progress so far, looking forward to seeing more!

 

[PHArchivist]

It ain't no normal print -- it is a giclée with some amazing detail.

Giclee

 

[PHArchivist]

http://reelcollectibles.co.nz/images/acme/star_wars/empire_weapon_death_star_acme_giclee.jpg

http://reelcollectibles.co.nz/acme_star_wars_film.htm

That's a fantastic shot. Its the one published in The Art Of Star Wars: ANH.

Even in the smaller format, you can see the fine detail in the open equatorial band (what appear to be mechanical pencil markings). Regrettably, with the model in its current state, it is very difficult to makle out these markings due to age and wear, and the fact that the model is behind a display case.

 

[PHArchivist]

Thank you for sharing that image - I've never seen it before.

Coincidence as it may be, the camera set up looks like it was done for this shot:

 

[PHArchivist]

Here's the latest progress on my dish. I successfully lowered the center disc by about 1.5mm, drilled out the center hole, and added the geometric shapes onto the center disc. Will start the radials today.

 

[Stormy320]

Well - Thank you for the response. Your cirles look darn good. I get the outside, but then you have to cut the inside.

Does the guy making the Tydirium ship have access to some super tools that allow him to make that ship so precise?

BTW - the shot of Muren and the death star you can see a Star Wars poster in the background. Funny they had these printed up before the film came out, or is it an original?

 

[PHArchivist]

Started the radial details today. It was surprisingly fun, and rewarding, as it is really taking shape. Pics tomorrow.