The Fly telepod, scaled replica

[miniatua]

“I've been working alone too long. I have a strong urge to talk about what I'm doing."​

I have been working on this project for a few months now and I wanted to share my progress. It’s a 1:16 scale replica of the Fly telepods made as accurately as I could using mostly resin printing, casting, laser cutting. Used all my tricks on this one really. I don't see a lot of love for props from the Fly and it is one of my favorite 80s movie, always wanted to have a miniature telepod so i decided to make it my next project.


I couldn’t find a whole lot of information about the telepods, my most important source was the 4k version of the movie. I found a few production pictures here and there, but no real data about the dimensions or how it was made, so a lot of it had to be guessed.


So I made a 3D model and without any real dimension available I scaled everything based on Jeff Goldblum height and this scene as a reference:

Apparently, Jeff is 6'4" (193cm). From rough visual extrapolation this would make the telepods about 233.6cm. At 1:16 scale that would makes it around 146mm. For a few reasons, printer size, optimizing print time, scaling and all while working on the model, I ended up with a final height of 132mm for the telepod. Close enough to 1:16 scale for me.

The model is made of different parts that are printed separately, designed to fit together as to simplify assembly. Also optimized to make the part castable, designing vents directly in the printed part in some case, or attachments that are later glued on.

In the movie there are two main telepod + the prototype. The pods have a few differences. To help me match which pod from the movie belongs to which and to make sure there was no movie magic shenanigans I mapped the whole set to figure out which pod is which and where they are spatially to one another. I was surprised how coherent the set was and props don’t move a whole lot during the entirety of the movie, except a few shots to make better framing I imagine. For clarity I will call them Pod A, Pod B and Pod C. I’m mostly working on Pod A but I did model Pod B as well.

Differences I noted: mainly, Pod A and B, have they “viewport” at different place. Facing the pods, A has is on the front right, B is on the back left.

From the picture (podB) other notable difference is 1: this tube connector thing , 2: these cables, 3: the number of what I call donuts on the hinge shaft is 10, compared to 8 on the podA.

I have a lot more to share, Ill post more about it when I can, just need to find the time I didnt realise it would take so long just making this one post. I do this stuff in my spare time and I don’t have a lot of it at the moment.

 

[Gregatron]

Gorgeous. I’m a superfan of the film, and have done lots of research on the Telepods, over the years. This is one of the best replicas I’ve seen, if not THE best.

The film’s press kit describes the pods as 7 feet tall, which sounds about right. You did your homework, and spotted the subtle differences between them, just as I did, years ago. Excellent work. Your build clearly replicates Telepod 1–the sending pod which survives to the end of the film. Fun fact: the movie’s theatrical one-sheet poster correctly depicts Brundle’s arm and fly leg coming out of Telepod 2…although there’s the glaring error of the door not being open. People never seem to point out that obvious error, perhaps simply because it’s such an iconic image, regardless.

That plan view of the set is also really impressive, and matches my own findings on its layout.

Four pods were built for the film: The two main pods, the prototype, and the damaged version of Telepod 2, with the door missing. The surviving original Telepod 1 was refurbished, and has appeared in exhibitions of props from Cronenberg’s films. The pods seen in THE FLY II (at least one of which also survived to the present day) were built-from-scratch reconstructions whose details don’t entirely match the originals (since there were no blueprints, and so they had to work from stills). The bright orange interiors (as opposed to the golden color from the first film, which was mostly washed out by the interior lighting) is the most obvious difference.

Also, the film isn’t available in 4K, as far as I know. Just Blu-Ray resolution. It’s a solid transfer, but the film is begging for a 4K release scanned from the negative. That same old transfer which was made for the FLY/FLY II double feature disc in 2000 has been the only one available on DVD/Blu/streaming for a whopping 25(!) years, now.

The DVD/Blu-Ray extras also have a lot of useful outtakes and whatnot for reference, but there isn’t a whole lot of material or measurements out there, which makes this project quite impressive.


The proper finishing touch to this model would be a teensy little fly sitting inside that viewport.


Now, we just need full-scale versions, with working lights and motors for the door latches and doors…

 

[miniatua]

Also, the film isn’t available in 4K, as far as I know. Just Blu-Ray resolution. It’s a solid transfer, but the film is begging for a 4K release scanned from the negative. That same old transfer which was made for the FLY/FLY II double feature disc in 2000 has been the only one available on DVD/Blu/streaming for a whopping 25(!) years, now.

Oh yeah you are right, all I have is the 1080p from the blu-ray, its really crisp tho, or my eyes are not what they once were.

Thanks for all the info, learned a few things. I should have posted way back when I started, might have spared me a few nights of research. Glad I'm not the only one who love this prop

The door:
I do have a working door, but not motorized. One of the early problems I had with the model was making the door mechanism work. It took me a little while figuring out with some trial and error because of print and cast shrinkage, the dimensions must be very accurate and there is not a lot of room for error here. I used a steel rod that I blued and bent as the main shaft for the door.

https://imgur.com/yx395M8

First version of the working door.

This is early tests with laser cut hinges. The acrylic hinges where way to brittle at that size, ended up resin printing and casting as well.

 

[Jamesfett]

When is the run?

Can you make it in 1/6 scale?

 

[miniatua]

When is the run?

Can you make it in 1/6 scale?

I don't think I'm allowed to talk about runs, aren't I? This is my first post on the forum, I don't want to overstep. Just want to share my behind the scene stuff with people for now at least.

1:6 would be pretty big, almost 14inches tall! I don't really have a way of doing that, unless the parts were FDM printed. I'm not a fan of FDM and all the post process involved to make it smooth

 

[Gregatron]

By the way, while it's the FLY II version, and not from the first film, the auction page from a few years back does list its dimensions. I presume it's reasonably close in size to the originals.

https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/teleportation-pod-from-the-fly-ii/a/997059-1625.s

 

[Gregatron]

The restored version of Telepod 1 (as seen in the Cronenberg exhibition) can be seen here. Looks like the top cap has been replaced, at the very least.

David Cronenberg 'The Exhibition' - 200percentmag

In my research for this article on ‘The Exhibition’ by David Cronenberg, which is hosted by the EYE film museum in Amsterdam, I surfed the Internet to find out which of the Canadian Director’s film characters would feature on a best list of Character Transformations. I googled...

200-percent.com

Meanwhile, here’s a reference image of Telepod 2, shot on the set, with a neutral backdrop placed behind it. It’s likely that this image (or a very similar one from the same session) was used as reference for the iconic poster painting.

 

[Gregatron]

Coincidentally, I picked up this nice resin replica from Serial Resin Company, last year. It’s about 3” tall, splattered with resin “slime”, and came with a bonus Brundlefly head magnet. A cool little piece, although some of the pod proportions are a bit off.

Considering all the work you’ve already done, you really should consider modeling all the variants—Telepod 1, Telepod 2, the prototype, and the damaged Telepod 2. Maybe offer them in a few scales. I’d definitely be excited to get the full set.

And, if you wanted to get really ambitious, you could model some goodies to display inside them, like Veronica’s stocking, the inside-out baboon, the piece steak sitting on the plate, the monkey-cat (from the infamous deleted scene), and/or the final Brundlefly/Telepod fusion creature,

I’d also love to give your design a once-over to see if accuracy can be improved in any areas. Even as it is now, it’s really excellent. I don’t have the display room, but it would be great to put this (in-scale) next to my 1/6 Brundlefly statue from Sideshow, or my 1/12 McFarlane Toys figure.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Pod looks great, really sharp. Is 1/16 in scale to use a Jeff Goldblum ‘Jurassic Park’ action figure?

 

[miniatua]

The restored version of Telepod 1 (as seen in the Cronenberg exhibition) can be seen here. Looks like the top cap has been replaced, at the very least.

it's a strange pod, because the port is on the back right, in the movie it should be front right, or back left. It resemble the one from the fly 2 in that aspect, but the front and door hinge is clearly from the first movie. Also its missing the pipes.

Coincidentally, I picked up this nice resin replica from Serial Resin Company, last year. It’s about 3” tall, splattered with resin “slime”, and came with a bonus Brundlefly head magnet. A cool little piece, although some of the pod proportions are a bit off.

The goo makes it really weird to me, wonder why they made it this way

I did plan on making the telepod 2, I modeled the different parts already. Its one of the reason I modeled it in section, so I could swap out the parts that are different easily. I was planning on making a diorama of pod 1 and 2 with the computer between them at some point. I am also planning on making a few props, but creatures I'm not sure. never done creatures don't think I would be comfortable. Brundlefly final form would be really cool tho.

Making different size would be interesting, but maybe too much work for me. I guess I could print custom size but I spend so much time cleaning the prints to make them as perfect as i can, not sure I want to embark in that project. Its why I made molds for this one, I didn't want to have to spend hours sending parts. Also these mold were not cheap and there is a lot of them.

Pod looks great, really sharp. Is 1/16 in scale to use a Jeff Goldblum ‘Jurassic Park’ action figure?

Thanks! 1:16 is just what I'm use to model the most. I usually work at 1:12, 1:16. Also it doesn't take too much space on a shelf.

 

[Gregatron]

it's a strange pod, because the port is on the back right, in the movie it should be front right, or back left. It resemble the one from the fly 2 in that aspect, but the front and door hinge is clearly from the first movie. Also its missing the pipes.


The goo makes it really weird to me, wonder why they made it this way

I did plan on making the telepod 2, I modeled the different parts already. Its one of the reason I modeled it in section, so I could swap out the parts that are different easily. I was planning on making a diorama of pod 1 and 2 with the computer between them at some point. I am also planning on making a few props, but creatures I'm not sure. never done creatures don't think I would be comfortable. Brundlefly final form would be really cool tho.

Making different size would be interesting, but maybe too much work for me. I guess I could print custom size but I spend so much time cleaning the prints to make them as perfect as i can, not sure I want to embark in that project. Its why I made molds for this one, I didn't want to have to spend hours sending parts. Also these mold were not cheap and there is a lot of them.

View attachment 1899928



Thanks! 1:16 is just what I'm use to model the most. I usually work at 1:12, 1:16. Also it doesn't take too much space on a shelf.

The FLY II design, as noted, was based on what scarce reference was handy from the first film. The rear of the pod (as seen in the film) is also completely wrong, and greatly simplified from the original version.

As for my Serial Resin replica, their products are more about capturing the vibe of a film than anything else. Thus, GOO!


Y’know, instead of molding and casting your parts, 3D printing in resin would probably be much easier. Some online printings services print in resin very cleanly, with very little flashing/print lines. Maybe a bit of sanding for flashing and some filler primer would be needed for cleaning the parts up. Mind you, I’m not trying to be critical or tell you how to do things. Just floating possible options, because there’s a lot of potential with this project. I’m just really impressed.

 

[joberg]

Great work miniatua (Une job fantastique, comme on dit à Québec). While I can appreciate the work involved (molds, printing, etc..) I think that a run would be small (I do think it's a niche movie) and, at 1/6th scale would be expensive also. But, you do you and, maybe with enough orders, it could be feasible with 3-D printing instead of molds.

 

[miniatua]

The reason I am making cast instead of printing is manly durability. Ive done SLA printing using all sort of resins and its always very brittle, hard to drill, tap or machine. I've shipped pieces that I made that shattered in the mail and they were very well padded. Also making functional parts like the door hinge with resin print just didst work. 1mm, 1.5mm arms that are functional just cant survive very long being manipulated. The resins used in SLA print, which ever flavor, have very short strands of polymer. Mostly because the strands cant be longer than your layer in the Z axis. it just doesn't come close to the durability of cast resin whish has very long strands in every directions. in my opinion and experience at least, maybe others have better experience with SLA and durable resin, but I find the most durable SLA resin doesnt touch the worst cast resin. I only do resin print final object if I only make 2 or 3 of them. If i have to make 10 or more, id rather cast.

Great work miniatua (Une job fantastique, comme on dit à Québec). While I can appreciate the work involved (molds, printing, etc..) I think that a run would be small (I do think it's a niche movie) and, at 1/6th scale would be expensive also. But, you do you and, maybe with enough orders, it could be feasible with 3-D printing instead of molds.

Merci! I realize that this is very niche. I just love niche stuff. I love making objects that have not been made a lot. I like the challenge of making something unique and not often seen in miniature form. I really don't think i'll make a 1/6 version of this, I dont think I would enjoy making it. I like tiny things.

 

[joberg]

The reason I am making cast instead of printing is manly durability. Ive done SLA printing using all sort of resins and its always very brittle, hard to drill, tap or machine. I've shipped pieces that I made that shattered in the mail and they were very well padded. Also making functional parts like the door hinge with resin print just didst work. 1mm, 1.5mm arms that are functional just cant survive very long being manipulated. The resins used in SLA print, which ever flavor, have very short strands of polymer. Mostly because the strands cant be longer than your layer in the Z axis. it just doesn't come close to the durability of cast resin whish has very long strands in every directions. in my opinion and experience at least, maybe others have better experience with SLA and durable resin, but I find the most durable SLA resin doesnt touch the worst cast resin. I only do resin print final object if I only make 2 or 3 of them. If i have to make 10 or more, id rather cast.




Merci! I realize that this is very niche. I just love niche stuff. I love making objects that have not been made a lot. I like the challenge of making something unique and not often seen in miniature form. I really don't think i'll make a 1/6 version of this, I dont think I would enjoy making it. I like tiny things.

Well, tiny models are easily displayed and don't take much room I, on the other hand love Bigatures, instead of miniatures

 

[joelgoodson]

So weird, I woke up thinking I wanted a replica and then I find this thread. Interested in a run!

 

[joberg]

So weird, I woke up thinking I wanted a replica and then I find this thread. Interested in a run!

Next time think Lottery win

 

[Carson Dyle]

What a great project! One of my all-time favorite props. I'm surprised more people haven't modeled this -- but yours looks fantastic!

 

[Gregatron]

What a great project! One of my all-time favorite props. I'm surprised more people haven't modeled this -- but yours looks fantastic!

Point of order!

I don't think they're technically props! More likely they were under the jurisdiction of the set decorating team and the art department, in collaboration with the special effects team for the lights and moving parts.

 

[E=MC2]

I made this one in 2023 with the fly figure to go with the pod.

 

[Gregatron]

I made this one in 2023 with the fly figure to go with the pod.

View attachment 1901216

What's the story? Hand-sculpted?