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)

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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