Maltese Falcon

[GeordieIndy]

Nick, you could very well be correct!! I guess the more I look and zoom the pictures as much as I can, you can see the dark areas that could be the remainder of the paint...

Andy

 

[Patattack]

Frankly, my favorite coloration so far is asavage's blackened bronze version. It's dark enough that it matches the perceived on-screen color, but the subtle variations in darkness and the little bronze highlights make it much more visually interesting than a uniform black. Best of both worlds, I say!

 

[Ozymandius]

I have to agree, based on my research and work thusfar, that the discolored falcon is the result of weathering from being handled and poorly stored. The falcon in the film is clearly coated in all black with none of the highlights showing at all.

And for my money, I'm going to second Patattack's preference for the blackened bronze version. I think that it will lend the bird a bit more gravitas.

 

[Kerr Avon]

Definately raw, I think I can get it plated in bronze and weather it chemically.

 

[Ozymandius]

Okay, I changed my mind. Since there is so much interest in this project, I'd thought I'd give you guys some idea of how I'm going about this.

This is my main reference layout, reduced in size for the sake of forum bandwidth. As you can see I've got all four views straight-on with all pics sized to match and with vertical and horizontal rulers. In addition I've got vertical and horizontal red lines that can be moved about to give me the measurements on any given spot and to determine the centerline. In short, what this allows me to do is to find and place the exact postion of every single feather and detail by determining the X and Y positions of the wingtips, edges, intersections, etc.

Even with this method there are going to be inconsistencies. If you look closely at the profile and front view of the bird, you will see that the height of the beaks don't line up. This, I belive, is due to lense distortion, which is greatest around the head. As a result I am having to double and triple check every detail over and over.

This is also the reason I am hesitant to post progress pics, as I am having to frequently rework areas that I thought were correct and I am afraid that work-in-progress pics could give a false impression.

The next step involves comparing the bird in the round to the isometric views taken from screen captures. The one I've posted here is a low rez compilation, but I'm using the same shots individually in full screen, taken directly from the DVD by me. This allows me to double check the depth of the feathers and other details and to insure that their individual contours are correct.

One last note to give you an idea of the scale of this project. Normally, if a client had given me these pictures and said "make me this", I could bang it out in three days, no problem. But due to the exacting standard I've set for this, it is going to take all of three weeks to sculpt.

Cheers.

 

[Ozymandius]

Oh yeah, I'm thinking about doing a few as the weathered resin bird if anyone is interested.

And I don't think bronze plating would be a good idea. It would obscure a lot of detail and could be prone to delaminating and chipping. The cold cast bronze is made from real ground bronze and can be chemically patinad the same way.

 

[MooMooEgg]

One last note to give you an idea of the scale of this project. Normally, if a client had given me these pictures and said "make me this", I could bang it out in three days, no problem. But due to the exacting standard I've set for this, it is going to take all of three weeks to sculpt.

Cheers.

thumbsup:thumbsup

Glad you're taking the time and effort to get this project as perfect as possible. A lot of us have been looking for a definitive falcon to add to our collection, and I'm sure you're going to do a fantastic job on it.

Can't wait to see the finished product and jump on line when the run is opened!

 

[Kennyd]

Didn't Kasper Gutman say it had acquired a coat of black enamel ? So shouldn't it be...black :confused

 

[Ozymandius]

Didn't Kasper Gutman say it had acquired a coat of black enamel ? So shouldn't it be...black :confused

Wow, amazing how after 126 posts no one ever thought of that. You would imagine that, in a thread full of Maltese Falcon fans, at least one of us would have actually watched the movie. Now I feel so silly. Thank you Captain Obvious, you saved the day again.


On a more serious note, you misundertand the difference between seeing the falcon as a replica movie prop (which by definition must be black), and in seeing it as an object d'art. The bronze, weathered and other versions are all variations that allow you to appreciate the art in a new and fresh light.

 

[GeordieIndy]

Thanks for the update Ozymandius!!

It's great to see how you are going about this!

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Zombie_61]

On a more serious note, you misundertand the difference between seeing the falcon as a replica movie prop (which by definition must be black), and in seeing it as an object d'art. The bronze, weathered and other versions are all variations that allow you to appreciate the art in a new and fresh light.

I couldn't agree more. Obviously, purists would want the finish to be as close to the original prop as possible, but there are those of us who appreciate the sculpt for what it is (apart from being a film prop) who wouldn't mind seeing a bit of artistic license taken with the finish (though I think hot pink or neon green would be pushing it). For example, I love the look of the Falcon in the first photo GeordieIndy included in post #114--IMO it gives the statuette additional character and makes it look like something that's actually seen a bit of the world as it passed from hand to hand.

And, in case I haven't made it clear, I'm definitely interested in a resin copy--unpainted, painted, weathered, whatever.

 

[whoever]

MK Falcon owner checking in here as well. Besides Adam Savage's versions (done from laser scans), the MK is the next-most accurate one.

 

[Ozymandius]

"Besides Adam Savage's versions (done from laser scans), the MK is the next-most accurate one."

Actually, that is not entirely true. The laser scan Mr Savage did was of his own sculpt (which, in truth, isn't that accurate) to correct for the size lost during molding and casting. At the end of his TED talk, he mentions wanting to laser scan an original, but as far as I know he never did.

The MK bird on the other hand is extremely accurate. In fact, as I progress on my sculpt, I'm finding that my measurments are lining up to be almost identical to the MK.

So, if anything, it's looking like I'm replicating the same methods used to make the MK bird.

 

[whoever]

"Besides Adam Savage's versions (done from laser scans), the MK is the next-most accurate one."

Actually, that is not entirely true. The laser scan Mr Savage did was of his own sculpt (which, in truth, isn't that accurate) to correct for the size lost during molding and casting. At the end of his TED talk, he mentions wanting to laser scan an original, but as far as I know he never did.

The MK bird on the other hand is extremely accurate. In fact, as I progress on my sculpt, I'm finding that my measurments are lining up to be almost identical to the MK.

So, if anything, it's looking like I'm replicating the same methods used to make the MK bird.

Ah, I could have sworn he got to scan one of the originals. At any rate, if you are following the same process MK did, then you are certainly going in the right direction.

The attention this thing garners if ever taken out in public (I used it as an accompanyment to the Big Read) is astounding.

 

[GeordieIndy]

Ah, I could have sworn he got to scan one of the originals. At any rate, if you are following the same process MK did, then you are certainly going in the right direction.

Ozymandius is correct, Adam did a scan of his own Falcon after realising the mistake he had made with regard to the shrinkage, with this scan he was able to adjust the size for if he made another one. As far I know Adam has not managed to Scan an original yet, or if he has he is keeping it quiet!!

whoever - I would love to see a couple of pics of your MK Falcon if you don't mind sharing!!

GeordieIndy

 

[whoever]

Ozymandius is correct, Adam did a scan of his own Falcon after realising the mistake he had made with regard to the shrinkage, with this scan he was able to adjust the size for if he made another one. As far I know Adam has not managed to Scan an original yet, or if he has he is keeping it quiet!!

whoever - I would love to see a couple of pics of your MK Falcon if you don't mind sharing!!

GeordieIndy

Only one I have online presently, next to the Old man's bowling trophy from 'A Christmas Story' (I know, my interests are widely varied). I can try to take some additional pics over the next couple of days if you would like to see more, or from a different perspective.

 

[GeordieIndy]

Thanks for sharing, very kind of you!! I would love to see more pics of your MK from all angles to compare it to the original. I have seen a few pics of the MK but nothing close up showing too much detail.

Thanks again!!

GeordieIndy

 

[whoever]

Thanks for sharing, very kind of you!! I would love to see more pics of your MK from all angles to compare it to the original. I have seen a few pics of the MK but nothing close up showing too much detail.

Thanks again!!

GeordieIndy

I found two more floating around my website.

How it arrived:

Closeup, with a VERY sort DOF (think I used a 50mm 1.4 when I was taking the pics).

 

[TheNickFox]

As far I know Adam has not managed to Scan an original yet, or if he has he is keeping it quiet!!

I swear I remember him saying he had some time with an original Falcon in a video interview he did for Fora/NPR.

I seem to remember him being vague on the details though...let me see if I can find it.

EDIT: Can't seem to find it. Anyone else remember it? I remember it being Adam and Jamie being interviewed by a woman.

-Nick

 

[MacGyverSG10]

Just got done reading thru this very informative thread on the Dingus; you guys have a real passion for this prop. I must admit I am also intriqued by it all and look forward to seeing a final version(s) from the various members working on one here.

-Mac