Looking 4 CGI and miniature artists. sci-fi project.

abalex

abalex

Well-known member
I´m working on a sci-fi script, can´t tell what´s about, but is going to requiere CG work and miniatures of space ships and space stations.

Does anyone knows someone that does this kind of work? CGI and miniature makers? Someone that is interested in expanding his/her resume?

I´m interested in working with dvxuser people.

My latest work won the best short at spyfest, NO MIDDLE GROUND. I´m looking to move into the sci-fi genre in a year or two. This is going to be a ultra low budget production.

The style of the movie runs in the veins of DANY boyle´s SUNSHINE.

would love to see samples of your work.

thanks
gv.
 
While I am no expert in miniatures, I have some experience doing them from one of the first films I ever produced. I plan on learning how to do achieve believable miniature effects over the course of the next six months to a year. The reasons I am doing this:

1. I happen to really like miniatures and practical effects in films. Personally I feel that digital effects are overdone a bit in todays films. I guess that's what happens to people like me who grew up on sci-fi and action films of the 80's (Terminator, Aliens, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, etc.).

2. I plan on doing some sci-fi projects as well. I don't know anyone who does miniatures, so I figure I might as well learn the process.

So, if I get good enough by the time you need someone, then I would love to help. If you need someone now, then obviously you would find someone else who has experience.

Also -- loved Sunshine. I also saw your Spyfest entry. Very nicely done.

I see you're in Utah. I've been there once. Kinda reminds me of Mars with some sparse vegetation, and of course oxygen. Not a bad area to be in for a sci-fi flick.
 
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Thanks for your reply Nektonic.

Sounds like a great idea taking some time to learn how to do miniatures. Keep me updated on that please.

Yes, Utah is a great place to shoot films, and like you said, it looks a lot like another planet´s surface, that´s one of the reasons why I´m doing this movie, hehehe

anyway, keep me posted brother.
gv.
 
abalex said:
Thanks for your reply Nektonic.

Sounds like a great idea taking some time to learn how to do miniatures. Keep me updated on that please.

Yes, Utah is a great place to shoot films, and like you said, it looks a lot like another planet´s surface, that´s one of the reasons why I´m doing this movie, hehehe

anyway, keep me posted brother.
gv.
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I have always admired miniatures and practical effects. I hope that I can learn some of those kinds of techniques so that I can do some good effects for my films. Of course, I have no idea how long it will take to get good. Another difficulty with learning miniatures is that there really are no direct paths to learning it like with 2-D and 3-D digital effects.

I figure that I can always find someone who is good at 3D stuff if needed.

When I get around to creating some miniatures I am going to try to document my work with photos and maybe some kind of production journal. I may decide to post this info in the user films or special effects sections on DVXUSER.

Good luck with the sci-fi project. Keep me posted as well.
 
Abalex, check your inbox as I'm sending you a PM.

There are advantages and disadvantages for shooting both CG and miniatures. See the excellent PDF article by Oliver Zeller HERE. Though 10 years old, most of it is still quite applicable and worth reading.

For the subject at hand (spacecraft) you can get identical quality shots with either technique in theory. In practice, you need to have an idea of what resources are at your disposal. Even if you have great miniatures, you are going to be faced with having to composite on a starfield or planet background so that shooting controlled greenscreen will most likely be necessary. You'll also have to have either appropriate camera motion control or model motion to sell the shot. Almost all big-time miniature work uses motion control cameras - especially if you are going to sweep close to the model. For us peons, it means getting your hands on a truly heavy-weight dolly to do smooth slow moves. Obviously, you'll have to solidly mount your miniatures and take into account having someone able to do rig removal. The days of hanging spaceships by threads are long gone with Ed Wood (may he forever rest in peace).

For shooting miniatures watch out that you don't betray the shot with your lens performance. If you aren't careful when you do a very close shot the depth of field will cue the viewer "this is a toy model."

Frankly, it seems to me that the factors heavily favor shooting spaceships as CG elements for small indy productions. The gear, studio and skill necessary to pull off a miniature shoot are daunting in comparison to getting a REALLY GOOD 3D artist. (please note that there are LOTS of really crappy 3D guys and a whole bunch more of basically average guys. To really pull off a sci-fi spaceship scene requires using someone who truly knows modeling and texture mapping. They are out there all over the place - you just have to look and be willing to be critical of the prospect's reel.).
 
Interesting info, Mark.

What about a robot? I need a menacing, intimidating robot for a scene in a scifi I'm planning. It needs to stand or hover in front of a group of people -- people in foreground, robot in background. Is a miniature the way to go with this? Or would CGI be as effective?

I might have the ability to setup and shoot a miniature, but I'd be completely lost with CGI.

Thanks for your input!

And good luck on your project, gv!
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
Interesting info, Mark.

What about a robot? I need a menacing, intimidating robot for a scene in a scifi I'm planning. It needs to stand or hover in front of a group of people -- people in foreground, robot in background. Is a miniature the way to go with this? Or would CGI be as effective?

I might have the ability to setup and shoot a miniature, but I'd be completely lost with CGI.

Thanks for your input!

And good luck on your project, gv!
Click to expand...

I think most definitely CG is the way to go. I actually have a hovering robot in my archives that may work for you. Send me a PM if you wish for me to dig it up. I can give you some suggestions as to how to shoot your crowd to key them in front of the robot.

Ciao!
 
Mark Johnson said:
I think most definitely CG is the way to go. I actually have a hovering robot in my archives that may work for you. Send me a PM if you wish for me to dig it up. I can give you some suggestions as to how to shoot your crowd to key them in front of the robot.

Ciao!
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Mark,

Sent you a PM. Would love to see your CG hovering robot. That might be ideal for our needs!

David
 
Mark,

I was just wondering if you could recommend any good books or some more links to articles or sites about miniature building. I have found some info on the web. There don't seem to be any comprehensive books out there on miniatures either. I found some books on model building on Amazon. I guess thats a start. And of course DVD bts and fx commentary tracks.

Thanks for the link. I'll give that PDF a read through.
 
I've got some references. Let me pull them together. Also, we are working with the propmaster for Babylon 5, who has done a lot of miniature shooting. I'll check with him about some books and references as well and will post in this thread for you guys.
 
With minitures, depending on the shot, you may not always need a motion control rig, because if its just a starfield, you could easliy do a 3d camera track, and create a very simple 3d startfield (well basically an shpere with the camera inside etc).

I love my 3d, but I've found one thing rings true, if it can be done without CG try that first! :D

//edit:

thanks for the PDF link :thumbsup:
 
Buy this book. It has a chapter devoted to miniatures vs. CG that should be of immense help to you (not to mention other VFX how-tos that are useful):

cover2.jpg
 
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