Miniature effect: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Special effect created for motion pictures and television programs using scale models}} |
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{{For|making large things look small|Miniature faking}} |
{{For|making large things look small|Miniature faking}} |
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{{external links|date=May 2013}} |
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[[Image:Le Voyage dans la lune.jpg|thumb|right|Early model use from "[[A Trip to the Moon]]"]] |
[[Image:Le Voyage dans la lune.jpg|thumb|right|Early model use from "[[A Trip to the Moon]]"]] |
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A '''miniature effect''' is a [[special effect]] created for motion pictures and television programs using [[scale model]]s. Scale models are often combined with [[high speed photography]] or [[Matte (filmmaking)|matte shots]] to make gravitational and other effects appear convincing to the viewer. The use of miniatures has largely been superseded by [[computer-generated imagery]] in |
A '''miniature effect''' is a [[special effect]] created for motion pictures and television programs using [[scale model]]s. Scale models are often combined with [[high speed photography]] or [[Matte (filmmaking)|matte shots]] to make gravitational and other effects appear convincing to the viewer. The use of miniatures has largely been superseded by [[computer-generated imagery]] in contemporary cinema. |
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Where a miniature appears in the foreground of a shot, this is often very close to the camera lens — for example when matte |
Where a miniature appears in the foreground of a shot, this is often very close to the camera lens — for example when matte-painted backgrounds are used. Since the exposure is set to the object being filmed so the actors appear well-lit, the miniature must be over-lit in order to balance the exposure and eliminate any [[depth of field]] differences that would otherwise be visible. This foreground miniature usage is referred to as [[forced perspective]]. Another form of miniature effect uses [[stop motion]] [[animation]]. |
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The use of scale models in the creation of visual effects by the entertainment industry dates back to the earliest days of cinema. Models and miniatures are copies of people, animals, buildings, settings, and objects. Miniatures or models are used to represent things that do not really exist, or that are too expensive or difficult to film in reality, such as explosions, floods, or fires.<ref>[http://www.oscars.org/teachersguide/visualeffects/activity1.html Visual Effects | Activity 1 | Teacher's Resource Guide | YMI, Ltd./AMPAS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905085905/http://www.oscars.org/teachersguide/visualeffects/activity1.html |date=September 5, 2008 }}</ref> |
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== From 1900 to the mid-1960s == |
== From 1900 to the mid-1960s == |
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French director [[Georges Méliès]] incorporated special effects in his 1902 film ''[[A Trip to the Moon|Le Voyage dans la Lune]]'' (''A Trip to the Moon'') — including double-exposure, split screens, miniatures and stop-action.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn|title=A medium in motion|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/cl-ca-125filmtech21may21,0,6395197.story|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 21, 2006}}</ref> |
French director [[Georges Méliès]] incorporated special effects in his 1902 film ''[[A Trip to the Moon|Le Voyage dans la Lune]]'' (''A Trip to the Moon'') — including double-exposure, split screens, miniatures and stop-action.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn|title=A medium in motion|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/cl-ca-125filmtech21may21,0,6395197.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818123422/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/cl-ca-125filmtech21may21,0,6395197.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2006|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 21, 2006}}</ref> |
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Some of the most influential visual effects films of these early years such as ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' (1927), ''[[Citizen Kane]]'' (1941), ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954) ''[[The Ten Commandments (1956 film)|The Ten Commandments]]'' (1956).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm/bookshelf/10_cbd_4.htm|title=Motion Picture Directing<!-- Bot generated title --> |
Some of the most influential visual effects films of these early years such as ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' (1927), ''[[Citizen Kane]]'' (1941), ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954) ''[[The Ten Commandments (1956 film)|The Ten Commandments]]'' (1956).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm/bookshelf/10_cbd_4.htm|title=Motion Picture Directing<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> The 1933 film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' made extensive use of miniature effects including scale models and stop-motion animation of miniature elements. |
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== From the mid-1960s == |
== From the mid-1960s == |
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[[File:Discovery One from trailer of 2001 A Space Odyssey (1968).png|thumb|right|Miniature-based special effects shot from ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'': USSC ''[[Discovery One]]'' deploys an EVA Pod.]] |
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⚫ | The use of miniatures in ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''<ref>[http://www.animated-news.com/2007/ves-unveils-“50-most-influential-visual-effects-films-of-all-time” VES Unveils “50 Most Influential Visual Effects Films of All Time”]</ref> was a major development. In production for three years, the film was a significant advancement in creating convincing models. |
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The resurgence of the science fiction genre in film in the late 1970s saw miniature fabrication rise to new heights in such films as ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'', (1977), ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (also 1977), ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' (1979), ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'' (1979) and ''[[Blade Runner]]'' (1982). Iconic film sequences such as the tanker truck explosion from ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984) and the bridge destruction in ''[[True Lies]]'' (1994) were achieved through the use of large-scale miniatures. |
The resurgence of the science fiction genre in film in the late 1970s saw miniature fabrication rise to new heights in such films as ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'', (1977), ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (also 1977), ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' (1979), ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'' (1979) and ''[[Blade Runner]]'' (1982). Iconic film sequences such as the tanker truck explosion from ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984) and the bridge destruction in ''[[True Lies]]'' (1994) were achieved through the use of large-scale miniatures. |
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The release of ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'' (1993) was a turning point in the use of computers to create effects for which physical miniatures would have previously been employed. |
The release of ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'' (1993) was a turning point in the use of computers to create effects for which physical miniatures would have previously been employed. |
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While the use of computer |
While the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) has largely overtaken their use since then, they are still often employed, especially for projects requiring physical interaction with fire, explosions, or water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitalcontentproducer.com/mag/video_miniatures_digital_world/ |title=Miniatures In a Digital World |publisher=Digitalcontentproducer.com |access-date=2013-02-03}}</ref> |
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<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Mummy10.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Miniature building Explosion from The Mummy]] --> |
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Mummy10.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Miniature building Explosion from The Mummy]] --> |
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''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' (1996), ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' (1997), ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1998), |
''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' (1996), ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' (1997), ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1998), the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-prequels-miniatures/|title=The Incredible Invisible Star Wars Prequels Miniatures|date=2 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.theforce.net/threads/practical-effects-in-the-prequels-sets-pictures-models-etc.50017310/|title=PT - Practical Effects in the Prequels- Sets, Pictures, Models, etc.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kastrenakes|first=Jacob|date=2014-06-03|title=See the intricate miniatures that brought the 'Star Wars' prequels to life|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/6/3/5775976/star-wars-prequels-miniatures-photos|access-date=2021-10-24|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> (1999–2005), [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy]] (2001–2003), ''[[Casino Royale (2006 film)|Casino Royale]]'' (2006), ''[[The Dark Knight]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vfxplanet.vox.com/library/post/miniature-dark-knight-physics-50-coraline-boxes-the-digital-pitts.html |title=Miniature Dark Knight Physics, 50 Coraline Boxes, & The Digital Pitts... |publisher=Vfxplanet.vox.com |access-date=2013-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206134824/http://vfxplanet.vox.com/library/post/miniature-dark-knight-physics-50-coraline-boxes-the-digital-pitts.html |archive-date=2010-02-06 }}</ref> (2008), ''[[Inception]]'' (2010), and ''[[Interstellar (film)|Interstellar]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/interstellar-miniature-models/|title=See the Incredible Interstellar Miniature Models - /Film|date=12 December 2014}}</ref> (2014) are examples of highly successful films that have utilized miniatures for a significant component of their visual effects work. |
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== Techniques == |
== Techniques == |
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* Acid-etching metal |
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* [[Carpentry]] |
* [[Carpentry]] |
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* [[Plastic Fabrication]] |
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* [[Molding (process)|Mold Making]] and [[Casting]] |
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* [[Fiberglass]] |
* [[Fiberglass]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Kit-bash]]ing |
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* [[Acid Etching Metal]] |
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* [[Machining]] |
* [[Machining]] |
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* Miniature lighting and electronics |
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* [[Kit-bash|Kit-Bashing]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Molding (process)|Mold Making]] and [[Casting]] |
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* [[Painting]] |
* [[Painting]] |
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* Plastic fabrication |
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* [[Welding]] |
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== Notable model-makers == |
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"Slurpasaur" is a nickname given to optically enlarged [[reptile]]s (and occasionally other animals) that are presented as [[dinosaur]]s in motion pictures. |
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Concurrently with [[Willis O'Brien]] and others in making [[stop-motion]] animated dinosaurs since the early days of cinema, producers have used optically enlarged lizards, often with horns and fins glued on, to represent dinosaurs, to cut costs, and to present a living analog to dinosaurs, despite huge morphological differences between dinosaurs and reptiles. The first film that used reptiles dressed as dinosaurs was [[D.W. Griffith]]'s [[Brute Force (1914 film)|''Brute Force'']]. Various slurpasaurs appeared in the [[The Mysterious Island (1929 film)|1929 film version of ''The Mysterious Island'']], the 1933 British film ''Secret of the Loch'', and the 1936 ''Flash Gordon'' serial. The first major use of the slurpasaur was in ''[[One Million B.C.]]'' (1940), which included a pig dressed as a triceratops, with the [[special effects]] in this film re-used often, such as in the 1955 movie ''[[King Dinosaur]]''. |
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Other notable films with slurpasaurs include ''[[Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959 film)|Journey to the Center of the Earth]]'' (1959) and ''[[The Lost World (1960 film)|The Lost World]]'' (1960). The former featured reptiles with attached tall spinal fans, simulating [[Dimetrodon]]s and looked superficially similar to those creatures, as Dimetrodons had a low slung body structure more reminiscent of lizards. The latter is notable for a dinosaur battle wherein a [[monitor lizard]] and a young [[American alligator|alligator]] engage in an unsimulated, fierce battle. On the 1960 ''Lost World'', O'Brien, who did the stop-motion dinosaurs for the original, was hired as the effects technician, but was disappointed that producer Irwin Allen opted for live animals. |
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== Notable model-makers == |
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⚫ | * [[Steve Gawley]] ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url= |
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* [[Greg Jein]]: ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'', ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' |
* [[Greg Jein]]: ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'', ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' |
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* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0431573/ Michael Joyce]: ''[[The Terminator]]'', ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' |
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⚫ | * [[Lorne Peterson]]: ''[[Star Wars]]'' Episodes 1 - 6,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/bio/lornepeterson.html |title=Biography | Lorne Peterson |publisher=Star Wars |access-date=2013-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605005118/http://www.starwars.com/bio/lornepeterson.html |archive-date=2008-06-05 }}</ref> ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'', ''[[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]'', ''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'' |
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* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565957/ Patrick McClung]: ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'', ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'', ''[[The Abyss]]'', ''[[True Lies]]'' |
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* [[Mark Stetson]]: ''[[Blade Runner]]'', ''[[Die Hard]]'', ''[[The Fifth Element]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' |
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* Michael Joyce: ''[[The Terminator]]'', ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' |
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* [ |
* [[Patrick McClung]]: ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'', ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'', ''[[The Abyss]]'', ''[[True Lies]]'' |
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* [[ |
* [[Richard Taylor (filmmaker)|Richard Taylor]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]'' |
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⚫ | * [[Steve Gawley]]: ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/bio/stevegawley.html |title=Biography | Steve Gawley |publisher=Star Wars |access-date=2013-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620100249/http://www.starwars.com/bio/stevegawley.html |archive-date=2008-06-20 }}</ref> ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' |
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* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4179673/ Silas Puls] |
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* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3521513/ Daniel French] |
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== Miniature effects companies == |
== Miniature effects companies == |
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* [http://www.cpsfx.com/ Cinema Production Services] |
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* [http://www.surpreeze.dk Surpreeze] |
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* [http://www.fantasy2filmeffects.com Fantasy II Film Effects] |
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* [http://www.gmdfx.com/ Grant McCune Design] |
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* [http://www.newdealstudios.com/ New Deal Studios] |
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* [[Vision Crew Unlimited]] |
* [[Vision Crew Unlimited]] |
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* [[Weta Workshop]] |
* [[Weta Workshop]] |
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* [ |
* [[WonderWorks]] |
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* [http://www.magicon.de/ Magicon GmbH] |
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* [http://www.mattesandminiatures.co.uk/ Mattes & Miniatures Visual Effects (UK)] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Special Effects}} |
{{Special Effects}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Miniature Effect}} |
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[[Category:Scientific modeling]] |
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[[Category:Scale modeling]] |
[[Category:Scale modeling]] |
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[[Category:Visual effects]] |
[[Category:Visual effects]] |
Latest revision as of 00:34, 27 December 2024
A miniature effect is a special effect created for motion pictures and television programs using scale models. Scale models are often combined with high speed photography or matte shots to make gravitational and other effects appear convincing to the viewer. The use of miniatures has largely been superseded by computer-generated imagery in contemporary cinema.
Where a miniature appears in the foreground of a shot, this is often very close to the camera lens — for example when matte-painted backgrounds are used. Since the exposure is set to the object being filmed so the actors appear well-lit, the miniature must be over-lit in order to balance the exposure and eliminate any depth of field differences that would otherwise be visible. This foreground miniature usage is referred to as forced perspective. Another form of miniature effect uses stop motion animation.
The use of scale models in the creation of visual effects by the entertainment industry dates back to the earliest days of cinema. Models and miniatures are copies of people, animals, buildings, settings, and objects. Miniatures or models are used to represent things that do not really exist, or that are too expensive or difficult to film in reality, such as explosions, floods, or fires.[1]
From 1900 to the mid-1960s
[edit]French director Georges Méliès incorporated special effects in his 1902 film Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon) — including double-exposure, split screens, miniatures and stop-action.[2]
Some of the most influential visual effects films of these early years such as Metropolis (1927), Citizen Kane (1941), Godzilla (1954) The Ten Commandments (1956).[3] The 1933 film King Kong made extensive use of miniature effects including scale models and stop-motion animation of miniature elements.
From the mid-1960s
[edit]The use of miniatures in 2001: A Space Odyssey[4] was a major development. In production for three years, the film was a significant advancement in creating convincing models.
In the early 1970s, miniatures were often used to depict disasters in such films as The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Earthquake (1974) and The Towering Inferno (1974).
The resurgence of the science fiction genre in film in the late 1970s saw miniature fabrication rise to new heights in such films as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, (1977), Star Wars (also 1977), Alien (1979), Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Blade Runner (1982). Iconic film sequences such as the tanker truck explosion from The Terminator (1984) and the bridge destruction in True Lies (1994) were achieved through the use of large-scale miniatures.
Largely replaced by CGI
[edit]The release of Jurassic Park (1993) was a turning point in the use of computers to create effects for which physical miniatures would have previously been employed.
While the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) has largely overtaken their use since then, they are still often employed, especially for projects requiring physical interaction with fire, explosions, or water.[5]
Independence Day (1996), Titanic (1997), Godzilla (1998), the Star Wars prequel trilogy[6][7][8] (1999–2005), The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), Casino Royale (2006), The Dark Knight[9] (2008), Inception (2010), and Interstellar[10] (2014) are examples of highly successful films that have utilized miniatures for a significant component of their visual effects work.
Techniques
[edit]- Acid-etching metal
- Carpentry
- Fiberglass
- Kit-bashing
- Laser cutting
- Machining
- Miniature lighting and electronics
- Mold Making and Casting
- Motion control photography
- Painting
- Plastic fabrication
- Rapid prototyping
- Vacuum forming
- Welding
Notable model-makers
[edit]- Brick Price: The Abyss
- David Jones: Star Wars, The Hunt for Red October
- Grant McCune: Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
- Greg Jein: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Ian Hunter: The Dark Knight, Live Free or Die Hard, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Leigh Took: The Da Vinci Code, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
- Lorne Peterson: Star Wars Episodes 1 - 6,[11] Raiders of the Lost Ark, Battlestar Galactica, War of the Worlds
- Mark Stetson: Blade Runner, Die Hard, The Fifth Element, The Lord of the Rings
- Matthew Gratzner: The Aviator, The Good Shepherd, Pitch Black, Alien Resurrection.
- Michael Joyce: The Terminator, Independence Day
- Patrick McClung: The Empire Strikes Back, Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies
- Richard Taylor: The Lord of the Rings, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
- Steve Gawley: Star Wars,[12] Raiders of the Lost Ark
Miniature effects companies
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Visual Effects | Activity 1 | Teacher's Resource Guide | YMI, Ltd./AMPAS Archived September 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Chmielewski, Dawn (May 21, 2006). "A medium in motion". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006.
- ^ "Motion Picture Directing".
- ^ VES Unveils “50 Most Influential Visual Effects Films of All Time”
- ^ "Miniatures In a Digital World". Digitalcontentproducer.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
- ^ "The Incredible Invisible Star Wars Prequels Miniatures". 2 June 2014.
- ^ "PT - Practical Effects in the Prequels- Sets, Pictures, Models, etc".
- ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (2014-06-03). "See the intricate miniatures that brought the 'Star Wars' prequels to life". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
- ^ "Miniature Dark Knight Physics, 50 Coraline Boxes, & The Digital Pitts..." Vfxplanet.vox.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
- ^ "See the Incredible Interstellar Miniature Models - /Film". 12 December 2014.
- ^ "Biography | Lorne Peterson". Star Wars. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
- ^ "Biography | Steve Gawley". Star Wars. Archived from the original on 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2013-02-03.