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

[John Harvey]

What do you think of the "garage kit industry" and do you think it helps or cannibalizes a property's intellectual property? Some defend the scene entirely by saying it keeps the IP alive in the hearts and minds of the fans, grows the fan base in certain circumstances, and offers niche items that would never be brought to market for any number of reasons. For the most part, Star Wars fans have carte blanche to make a wide range of things. Some studios aggressively defend any and all forays into the replica arena with their properties, whether it is for profit or just a "run between friends". Games Workshop comes to mind, as an example.

The spectrum runs the gamut from "I made this one-off because I wanted to own a ______ of my very own" to "a semi-professional group of guys are doing a large run of ________ kits, so place your orders now!". Where do you, as a professional prop maker, draw a line in this equation?

Also - what is your favorite food? (haha, couldn't resist a little kid question)

Hi moffeaton,

It's nice to know you all have such passion, copyright is a problem for us, but we make props every day. Keep up your passion and enjoy yourself. I think that's all that matters.

Seafood and duck and venison. Oh and coffee.

cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

Whats your favorite prop that you have designed?

Hi PirateDude

I had fun with the Navi weapons. They are all one offs, that I got to design as I went. My favourite props I have made have been Susan's bow and quiver, Hellboy gun, and Legolas bow (lothlorian).

Thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

How did you become so successful in the props business? what steps did you take to get you to where you are now?
Sean

Hi GMSP

Talent ...... I think.

Oh, and good looks :lol

Cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

Two questions for you, Mr Harvey!

1- What materials do you usually make your masters from before going to mold? Is it wax? Foam? Clay? Plastics? All of the above? Anything and everything? My father worked in the Toy Industry for decades, I'm curious how their methods and Weta's methods compare.

2- What advice do you have for a young professional in Hollywood looking to find more freelance prop work?

Keep up the awesome work and I'll keep being inspired!

edit: Thought of a third question:

3- How common are women prop makers not only at Weta, but in your general experience in the industry? The professional friends I have made are all men, and I'm starting to wonder if female prop makers like me are a rare commodity!

Hi Bilious,

1. All of the above + lead, wood, urethane and a bit of glue

2. Keep asking people, show dedication and a good C.V.

Cheers for your support !

3. We have a few. Here it is slightly rare, but not uncommon.

Cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

im sure it varies wildly from film to film, but how much leeway to you generally get with your designs? are you constantly pushing things as far as you can, knowing it will get rejected, or playing it safe knowing they will want more?

do you generally push it as far as you can and dial it back slowly, or work slowly up to the final design?

Hi berger

I don't do it to get rejected, but I do push.

It makes it more fun

thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

Are there any skills or methods of making props that you haven't done before, but would like to try?

What is your favorite genre of film to work on (SciFi, Fantasy, Historical, Etc)?

Hi GB DAN

I would like to get to know the computer side of things more intimately, but over the last 20 years I have pretty much covered all aspects.

My fave has to be historical, fantasies and old westerns

cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

do you have any concepts that didnt make it, that you could share with us?

Hi again !

Lots, I have blocked them out !

John

 

[John Harvey]

What was your first day like getting into the "business"? What are some tips for us newbs to prop making?

Hi Kyle,

My first day. Nervous, scary and lots of hard work.

Keep trying new things, and don' be scared to try new things.

Thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

How often do you get to make a functional weapon for film?

Hi park vader

All the time, all our bows and arrows work. the guns from Avatar had real guns in them, Mr Tumnus's pipe worked (LWW)

thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

Have you ever wondered , half way through a build, 'how the hell did I end up doing this'

Hey neo2daz,

As I pull my hair out ..... yes, all the time

Cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

John, With all the well-known movie props out there, do you every find yourself struggling to create something new and original?

Hi Delmustator,

No, there is a hell of a lot going on inside this skull of mine !

Cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

Tell us a solid 'horror story(hopefully more funny than horrific)' anecdote. Something that you not only remember vividly, but something that also taught you something that you've been able to use throughout your carrer.

I'd also love to hear about a moment during your carrer where you, for lack of a better term, 'totally geeked out.'

Thanks!

**Very cool idea Mods, well done!

Hi Hotshot

Don't shoot staff with arrows, they don't like it.

Yes, okay, here goes, when I met Cher. And shut up she is cool !

John

 

[John Harvey]

Mr. Harvey-
Given the success of both Weta and your own career, do you find that you still have time to indulge your own personal interests/artistry and create your own projects not associated with Weta?

Hi sctcarts

I try, I do draw and sculptat home when the kids aren't in the way

thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

Do you sketch concepts out prior to beginning the modeling process or do you use a computer? Also, how much of the designing is done on computers, do you prefer using a computer or other means to design your models?

Hi rashielx

I like my hands, they work real well

thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

Do you collect movie props yourself and do you have a house full of them?

Thanks smordant

No, it's nice seeing all the stuff at work, home is somewhere to escape to

cheers

John

 

[John Harvey]

Given that some movies like Hellboy or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe have some kind of visual or literary description from the original artists, where did you draw inspirations from more unique projects such as Avatar, District 9, or Lord of the Rings?

Hi rabbit4x

Mainly from the Production Designers and Art Directors. Then I get to play and interpret their designs

THanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

Did a lot of the design/props that were created for the Halo shorts find their way into District 9 (Such as the sniper riffle, battle riffle, warthog, etc.)?

Many builders of all things Halo are using a program called pepakura, that takes the 3D design file from the game and allows you to print out the object to be created in 3D. Is this a similar method that was done when making the props/costumes for the Halo shorts, or was there a more traditional method used, like hand sculpting and casting?

Thanks for your time

Hey seven,

None at all. D9 was completely original

We built most of the props by hand, as we had to put so much more detail into them, but the base shape was computer generated and 3D milled.

And thank you for your time

John

 

[John Harvey]

Of the movie props that you didn't make yourself, which would be your favourite weapon, and your favourite non-weapon?
And why

Hi Rev

I always liked WonderWoman's invisible plane .... cause you could see it ?

John

 

[John Harvey]

What was your best 'AAAA-HAH!' moment? That elusive prop idea that kept you coming back again and again to the drawing board before the epiphany came? Were you falling asleep, in a dream, riding the bus or watching reruns of some episode of Twilight Zone? Tell us all ab out it.

Hey Yellowjacket

I have them all the time, in bed, asleep, in the shower, in the car, on the ...?

I even have them at work !! it's always in the back of my mind

thanks

John

 

[John Harvey]

Hi, John,

Any plans in the future to offer a table-top display for the Arc Generator? If not, would there be an issue with someone on the RPF creating and selling them?

Hi Funky Jedi

That's a question I can't answer.

John