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You’ll Probably Never Look At Movies The Same Once You See These Miniature Film Sets Used For Blade Runner 2049
Anybody who’s seen Blade Runner 2049 will know how stunning this classic movie is. Even if you didn’t like the movie itself, it’s almost impossible not to gaze in awe at the incredible visuals on offer in Denis Villeneuve’s incredible follow-up to the 1982 classic. What’s even more impressive is that instead of solely relying on CGI for everything in the movie sets, the filmmakers actually used miniature models for many of the movie scenes. Well, we say “miniature” but as you can see, there’s really nothing miniature about them!
“They’re really bigatures – they’re not miniatures. They’re massive buildings,” says Pamela Harvey-White, the on-set production manager, in the video below. And few people could disagree when they see the 14.8ft (4.5m) high L.A.P.D building, the pyramid-shaped Wallace Towers that could only be lifted by crane, and the Trash Mesa that nearly filled the whole floor of the studio. “They’re just stellar pieces of art,” she states with pride.
The miniature worlds were made by Weta Workshop, a special effects and prop company from New Zealand (co-founded by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson) which has also worked on such famous movies as Thor: Ragnarok and Ghost in the Shell. Around 38 models were made in total for this sci-fi movie, and “each building would probably take about a week to make,” said Ben Milsom, the miniature unit’s senior art director, emphasizing that they were “mega high detailed.” Scroll down to see the incredible results.
More info: Weta Workshop (h/t: demilked)
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Many of the Blade Runner 2049 sets were actually made from miniatures
Well, we say “miniature” but as you can see, there’s really nothing miniature about them!
With the biggest one being the L.A.P.D. miniature skyscraper, which was 14.8 feet (4.5 meters) high
“They’re really bigatures – they’re not miniatures. They’re massive buildings,” says Pamela Harvey-White, the on-set production manager
In total, around 38 “miniature” buildings were constructed
Some were so big that they could only be moved by crane
They were crafted by Weta Workshop, a special effects and prop company from New Zealand
The company was co-founded by Peter Jackson, who directed the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies
“Each building would probably take about a week to make,” said Ben Milsom, the miniature unit’s senior art director
And it comes as no surprise, seeing how much detail the artists pack into a single miniature
Check out the video for more info:
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What do you think ?
Misterscooter 7 years ago
CGI can do some cool things but there is nothing like a really good practical effect. If done well, looks great on the big screen and on a huge, modern HD TV. CGI doesn't always come across as realistic on the TVs.
J. Philip vanHeijkoop 7 years ago
I find that you get 'used' to CGI after a while and you start to see it's fake-ness. Practical effects don't have that (for me). Like when I watch the original Jurassic Park, to me the CGI no longer holds up, but the practical effects do.
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Paul K. Johnson 7 years ago
I love this comment: “Each building would probably take about a week to make,” said Ben Milsom, the miniature unit’s senior art director And it comes as no surprise, seeing how much detail the artists pack into a single miniature. -------------------------------- I'm a life-long model-builder and any of these building would take me months to build. A week it pretty darn fast even with their resources and talent. This is a very impressive set.
Mark Fergel 7 years ago
I agree. Maybe by a week they mean with more than one person working on it at a time.
Load More Replies...
Mixedupste 7 years ago
now that is quality! So much detail and to be done by hand and in a week!!! that is insane!!
Misterscooter 7 years ago
CGI can do some cool things but there is nothing like a really good practical effect. If done well, looks great on the big screen and on a huge, modern HD TV. CGI doesn't always come across as realistic on the TVs.
J. Philip vanHeijkoop 7 years ago
I find that you get 'used' to CGI after a while and you start to see it's fake-ness. Practical effects don't have that (for me). Like when I watch the original Jurassic Park, to me the CGI no longer holds up, but the practical effects do.
Load More Replies... Paul K. Johnson 7 years ago
I love this comment: “Each building would probably take about a week to make,” said Ben Milsom, the miniature unit’s senior art director And it comes as no surprise, seeing how much detail the artists pack into a single miniature. -------------------------------- I'm a life-long model-builder and any of these building would take me months to build. A week it pretty darn fast even with their resources and talent. This is a very impressive set.
Mark Fergel 7 years ago
I agree. Maybe by a week they mean with more than one person working on it at a time.
Load More Replies... Mixedupste 7 years ago
now that is quality! So much detail and to be done by hand and in a week!!! that is insane!!
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