Question Who are you and what do you do?

[Danofrench]

Hi

I'm new on this forum and I must say, I wish I found it before. To read and look through the forum is a jaw-dropping experience! So much inspiration and talent.

The reason I found this forum were because I was looking for a props and scale miniature forum for people in the industry working with films. Sadly, this part of the the business is rather "closed" compared to digital vfx which have huge and several forums. Of course, digital visual effects is a larger business.

The replica society is quite new to me. I had no idea this society was so big. The talent and the quality is just amazing!

I have a few questions. They might sound dumb.

There seems to be a LOT of replica-making of space ships, miniatures and props from famous movies. Is it because original creations are boring?

There seems to be two kinds of people on this forum. Those who makes kits and those who buy them. Am i right? And for those of you that makes the originals, especially space ships. How on earth are you able to create models and details that perfect?! We are talking about geometric shapes and details that looks like they were 3D-printed or machine-made! How?! What materials do you use?! (I'm deeply fascinated!)

Are there anyone on the forum with film-model experience? That are working for or have worked for places like kerner, ILM, weta, new deal studios or similar places?

Have a great day/evening wherever you are.

 

[exoray]

There seems to be a LOT of replica-making of space ships, miniatures and props from famous movies. Is it because original creations are boring?

That is because it is a 'replica' prop forum Honestly there are plenty of original creations but it's no the focus of the forum...

There seems to be two kinds of people on this forum. Those who makes kits and those who buy them. Am i right?

No, there are all walks of life here, some make pretty drawings, some buy, some build, some BS in the OT forum, some gripe about everything, some admire and complain about not having any money, and some fit into all the in between slots...

And for those of you that makes the originals, especially space ships. How on earth are you able to create models and details that perfect?!

They are skilled model makers, CNC equipment, rapid prototyping, lot of trial an error to name a few...

We are talking about geometric shapes and details that looks like they were 3D-printed or machine-made!

Some are but remember, models and fine details existed before machines nad computers, it's an art...

What materials do you use?! (I'm deeply fascinated!)

Different mediums for different purposes... Polystyrene is a popular choice among modelers, as is several other products like epoxy sculpting mediums and metals or wood...

Are there anyone on the forum with film-model experience? That are working for or have worked for places like kerner, ILM, weta, new deal studios or similar places?

More than you would believe, many members here have professional backgrounds or are currently employed in related fields... Many silent readers, many vocal and active contributors, and many that can't discuss details or give specifics due to contractual obligations and tend to keep a low profile...

 

[Alan Castillo]

No, there are all walks of life here, some make pretty drawings, some buy, some build, some BS in the OT forum, some gripe about everything, some admire and complain about not having any money, and some fit into all the in between slots...

:lol

 

[Ttaskmaster]

There seems to be a LOT of replica-making of space ships, miniatures and props from famous movies. Is it because original creations are boring?

More often it's for one (or more) of several reasons:

- Famous ships are more iconic and sought after, so people make those. I could show you several models, but unless you knew what they were from, they're not that impressive.

- Models of famous ships aren't always available. Star Trek and Star Wars, yes in many different scales, but how many times and in how many different scales have you seen a Red Dwarf, Space Ghost's ship, the Company vessel from Alien³, the Predator ships, The Last Starfighter and so on?

- Sometimes people just like to do it themselves, usually from scratch. You can buy a ready-made meal from the shop, but isn't a home-made meal from a skilled chef always better? Same thing here.

- Replicas are commonly not just empty plastic kits, but precise replicas made in teh exact same way with the exact same materials as the original models... and the originals are usually one-of-a-kind, so it's not like you can just go buy one!!

- The makers of the legendary original models are skilled artisans. As hobbyists, industry professionals and semi-professionals, many of us judge our own skills by the same standards, so we do this as a sort of test... and sometimes just because we like to show off what we can do!!


Does that help?