+- Forums (https://www.studioscalemodelers.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Index (https://www.studioscalemodelers.com/forums/forum-623.html)
+--- Forum: Studio Scale Replica Builds In Progress (https://www.studioscalemodelers.com/forums/forum-678.html)
+--- Thread: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model (/thread-1723.html)
"C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 07-26-2012
This story is about an actual effects miniature rather than a replica.
In April I responded to a post looking for help building a model spaceship for a short film. Since the project was in New York, I referred this to my friend Rick Ingalsbe who lives in that state. After some discussion, we decided I would build the model and he would paint it. A budget was set and design work commenced.
We treated this project as special because in this era of computer effects spaceships are nearly always built as CG models. It seemed the days of starship miniatures in the film industry were long gone. After this project is done, who knows when we might get to see another physical model being filmed flying through space.
The producers were really easy to work with and the design process took about 6 weeks. In that time, I made a detailed computer mockup to help me prepare precise patterns for constructing the model.
There were some serious design challenges for this spaceship. Four of the main engines (there are seven of them in total) are positioned at 12 O'Clock, 3 O'Clock, 6 O'Clock, and 9 O'Clock on a large ring structure. This meant any mounting points (called "pick points") aft of these engines would get illuminated by their lights. Mounting the model for filming would be difficult.
As if that was not enough, during the film the ship was to separate into different stages. This meant they needed three separate sections that could be filmed either separately or together. As a result, I would not be able to make one continuous armature to support the entire model. Wiring for each stage would also have to be separate.
The final challenge was the overall size of the miniature. Because they had limited space available for filming, they wanted a model no longer than about four feet. For a design this complex, that proved to be the most serious challenge. There were numerous lighting effects and all kinds of wires and fiber optics that needed to be crammed inside a very small space. In the end, we felt more like surgeons than model builders!
Construction commenced June 8. I enlisted the help of two good friends who volunteered to work with me on the project. Little did we know what we were getting ourselves into. If this model had been ten feet long, it would have been much easier to build!
More than six weeks later, we have most of it completed and we are now in the final detailing stage. My crew stuck with me through the entire process, frustrations and all. The model would never have reached this stage of completion so quickly had it not been for their extreme dedication and tireless effort.
I'm very pleased with how the model has turned out. It's taken a lot more time than originally anticipated. But, in the end, it looks like we may have something very special. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, and I look forward to getting this ship in its crate and on the way to New York for final painting very soon.
Once again, I must give my sincere thanks to my faithful crew, Richard Lindstrom (aka "Richard_2001") and Preston Kabinoff for all their hard work on this project.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - JAWS - 07-26-2012
Wow very interesting project you guys have been working on.
No wonder youve been quiet.
Can't wait to see what Rick does with the paint.
Nice stuff.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Apophis - 07-26-2012
Thanks for sharing Charles!
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - darkimmitator - 07-26-2012
Wow what a beautiful design . Really like it . Well done charles and thanks for sharing !
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - t2sides - 07-27-2012
Talk about knocking one out of the ball park!!! That is simply amazing Charles. What a rewarding project, and creative at the same time. There is no doubt this is going to look incredibly cool on film! So cool they chose to go this route instead of CGI!! Can't wait to see the treatment Rick gives it for paint. Kudo's for the engineering and construction though, a true original and cool design!!
-Sean
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 07-27-2012
Thanks, Sean!
BTW, those are just a few of the pics we've taken so far. 
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - LeeS - 07-27-2012
Really great stuff there! Always good to build something new and real!
I watch Moon about once every two months, mostly to see the models :-)
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - LastBattlestar - 07-27-2012
Very cool project Charles. I'll take a better look when I can get my cranky old laptop working at home. So, will those reference pics be cloak and dagger stuff in 20 years?
Awesome to see you here Sean. Drop in often and let's get the ball rolling again!
Mike
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 07-27-2012
Finally some pic's..
Awesome job, Charles!
Thats a pretty cool looking design you scratched up and congratulations with it all there.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 08-01-2012
As we enter the final stage of the project, we're spending more time on smaller details. We got the ring module primed and it will be the "anchor" for final assembly of the model on the armature.
Richard spent an entire week detailing the open hex module. This has become a showpiece, competing for attention with the ring and main engines. Because of all the work that went into this section, I decided it needs to have its own integrated lighting. We found a way to hide 8 individual fiber optic spotlights in the structure that make it self illuminate in the dark. The effect is amazing.
It took about 3 days to build the "basket" for the turbine module. This removable assembly is not only one of the most intricately detailed parts of the ship, it also contains three separate built-in lighting effects. We tested one of those effects -- the red turbine glow -- and it looked incredible.
The original design was to have the heatsink sticking out of a large tube. I found that mounting it inside the tube makes for a much more dramatic effect. It now appears to glow red like an oven heating element.
I also spent time this weekend cleaning up and detailing the bow module. It's nearly complete and ready to be mounted on the armature.
The last remaining details to be attended to involve the cooling modules. Since they are the main mounting points, these must be complete before we can assemble the model on its armature. I have run fiber optics in one of the modules and there is still some more work to be done before they can be detailed.
We also have to finish detailing the three engines that go on the very back of the ship. Those are assembled, LEDs are installed, and they are ready for final finishing.
Charles
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - JAWS - 08-01-2012
Sensational work.
Really looking great fellas.
Love the details.
The lighting ices the cake.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 08-01-2012
Here are the results of a lighting test on the open hex module. Keep in mind how small this section is. . .
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - JAWS - 08-02-2012
Too kool Charles & associates.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 08-03-2012
That turbine glow is just kick arse!! Really bloody impressive look you got there!
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 08-08-2012
This week we reached a major milestone in the project -- final assembly of the modules on the main armature. The front half of the ship has now been permanently mounted on the frame and the front wire harness (umbilical) has been installed.
Work continued on the final three rear engines in the very back of the ship. The mounting structure (shown) was built and detailed. The engines themselves (not shown yet) have been built, lights installed, and they are undergoing final detailing.
We also completed the lighting effects for the ring section and main engines 1 and 2. In addition, custom miniature "can" lights were fabricated and installed in the front cooling module. These face aft and light up the hex cargo module. As far as I know, this is the first time such lighting effects have been created in miniature using fiber optics. The overall look is very similar to what you might see on a building at night.
The open hex module (shown in the lighting test last week) is next to be installed. After that, we'll button up the rear mount and install the turbine module with engines 3 and 4.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - LastBattlestar - 08-08-2012
Great progress fellas, she's coming together nicely now.
Nice to put a face to the name Richard. I was wondering if you'd ever break cover. Sexy beast.
Mike
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 08-08-2012
Good stuff guy's, looking really cool there!
Richard as Mike said good to put a face to the name and i guess voice more so. To me though you look deep in thought there something like, do i want that donut or lamington? LOL
Thats great news you guys are nearly done with your side of it all, well done!
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Richard_2001 - 08-09-2012
Guys,
Thanks!
It has been a lot of hard work but also loads of fun and a real workout of my modeling chops for sure.
Hopefully there are bigger things on the horizon that will really push us to the limit of a 2 man shop
Actually Phil it was I hope there was still some brownies and ice cream left at craft services
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - ShowCraft - 08-09-2012
Sweet jeeze! The lighting looks so cool. Love all the detail - especially the spiraling tank treads.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 08-09-2012
Thanks, Jim!! That means a LOT coming from you.
I told you I thought I might have a way to make a miniature spotlight effect using fiber optics. It worked brilliantly. Now I'm going to do a bit of rewiring to put each section of the ship on its own circuit so the brightness can be adjusted independently to balance out the effects.
The tank treads were done on the fly. I had cut a bunch of plastic parts to serve as "vanes" but they disappeared on me right when I needed them. I was trying to figure out what to do when Richard reminded me we had a bunch of useless flexible track lengths left over. The only thing that would stick to them was epoxy and they were a huge PITA to install. But, once they were primed, they stiffened up and behaved nicely.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 08-09-2012
(08-09-2012, 05:08 AM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Actually Phil it was I hope there was still some brownies and ice cream left at craft services
ROTFL
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 08-09-2012
(08-09-2012, 05:08 AM)Richard_2001 Wrote: Actually Phil it was I hope there was still some brownies and ice cream left at craft services
And was there??
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Richard_2001 - 08-10-2012
Phil
yes there was
craft services does a super job on keeping us well fed
Richard
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - LastBattlestar - 08-10-2012
You need more ashtrays and beer bottles around to complete the model shop look fellas!
Mike
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 08-17-2012
Richard was here for another marathon building session starting Saturday. We are in the home stretch in our push toward final delivery. The more we get done, however, the more it seems there is still left to do! This is one complicated model. . .
We installed the rear cooling module spotlights for a lighting test. All spotlights are now on individually controlled circuits so the lighting for each section of the ship can be adjusted independently to balance out the effects.
Because the open hex module creates a "choke point" inside the model, there was too little room to run all the wires and fibers through that area. This forced us to improvise some solutions. I added a rear wire harness/umbilical to the aft cooling module that exits the left side of the model. I also had to redesign the electronics and wiring inside the turbine module in order to get everything connected. We now have a new circuit board in there and everything is ready for final hookup and testing.
To reduce heat buildup inside the model, I am stepping down the supply voltage from 12V to as low as 5V. This means further lighting tests will have to wait until the control box has been completed. Fortunately, the wiring design is well laid out and modular so this did not require any rewiring inside the ship. All I needed to do was swap out some resistors on the internal circuit boards. We also added some improvised air circulation vents to the hex cargo module.
Before wrapping up work yesterday, we moved the model from its work stand to the crate base in preparation for final delivery. We are expecting triple digit temperatures in our area starting today and lasting through the weekend. Since the shop is not air conditioned, further progress will be slow until things cool down a bit.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - ringa - 01-05-2013
Back in October I finished the construction on this model that Charles started and then I painted it, then turned it over to the producers.
After a few months of filming, the model shots were inserted into the finished film.
It has been a while since anything has been posted about this, that's because they asked me not to post any photos of the completed model until the movie is released.
And now a little about the filmmakers... It is a short movie called "C - 299792 Kilometers / Second." It is the dream project of young filmmakers, Derek Van Gorder and Otto Stockmeier.
Created on a shoestring budget raised on the Kickstarter website, the fascinating thing about this movie is that they were able to achieve stunning visuals using all traditional SFX, and absolutely no CGI.
This decision has peeked the interest of some very impressive names such as the legendary Douglas Trumbull, who graciously invited the young filmmakers on a tour of his personal studio.
The "C" movie is an internet film to be released on the movie website soon, January 28, 2013. For more information, visit: C The Movie
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - ringa - 01-05-2013
When I received the model from Charles, there was still a fair amount of construction to do before I could paint it. The parts that needed the most work were the nose, the inside of the large ring and the rear engine block especially, also all the fiber optics needed to be trimmed and secured in place. I also did a lot of kit bashing where it needed it. I spent the first of two weeks finishing the model...
![[Image: P1000589_zps86c7e1ea.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000589_zps86c7e1ea.jpg)
![[Image: P1000590_zpsc4257468.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000590_zpsc4257468.jpg)
![[Image: P1000591_zpsc4e80bdc.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000591_zpsc4e80bdc.jpg)
![[Image: P1000592_zpsc98f292c.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000592_zpsc98f292c.jpg)
Then on the second week, I began the painting process. Here are some photos of it near completion...
![[Image: P1000609_zpsac147451.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000609_zpsac147451.jpg)
![[Image: P1000709_zpsf1b68951.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000709_zpsf1b68951.jpg)
![[Image: P1000665_zps1f30fd83.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000665_zps1f30fd83.jpg)
![[Image: P1000697_zps10907362.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000697_zps10907362.jpg)
![[Image: P1000698_zps73630870.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000698_zps73630870.jpg)
![[Image: P1000699_zpsd70920ad.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000699_zpsd70920ad.jpg)
![[Image: P1000700_zps84af9c8f.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000700_zps84af9c8f.jpg)
![[Image: P1000701_zps2ce0638b.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000701_zps2ce0638b.jpg)
![[Image: P1000703_zps56d8b106.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000703_zps56d8b106.jpg)
![[Image: P1000651_zps56132b41.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000651_zps56132b41.jpg)
![[Image: P1000650_zps32562f2f.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000650_zps32562f2f.jpg)
![[Image: P1000708_zps17e79a48.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000708_zps17e79a48.jpg)
The ship had to look like its stages were blasted apart. Because this is supposed to be a new ship on its maiden voyage, I was not able to do a lot of weathering, so I especially enjoyed this part. Also, all these openings were empty and needed to be kit bashed. This was going to get a close up, so it needed detail...
![[Image: P1000741_zpsda16f72a.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000741_zpsda16f72a.jpg)
![[Image: P1000743_zpsabf255cd.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/P1000743_zpsabf255cd.jpg)
Finally, The producer, Otto Stockmeier (left) and director, Derek Van Gorder (right) came to pick up the model. They were very pleased with our collective efforts! Immediately they were walking around it, saying how they couldn't wait to film it from this angle and that. I set the ship up as you see it here with a black backdrop and lighting. I demonstrated the lighting system and how each of the modules fit together. We then packed it in the crate and they took it away to film it.
![[Image: IMG_70362_zps247ccc4a.jpg]](http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z382/ringa52577/IMG_70362_zps247ccc4a.jpg)
It was a very successful job. Charles, Richard, Preston and I are very proud of the final model. It looks great on screen. Great job, gentlemen!
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - dbhs - 01-06-2013
Wow. Beautiful work with the whole project. The weathering you did, while light, should give it just that bit of extra texture and life on the screen. I can't wait to see the movie.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 01-06-2013
What an incredible miniature.. Fantastic job by all!
Well done guys!!
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - LastBattlestar - 01-06-2013
What Wombly said, fantastic job guys! Rick, the paint and extra detailing looks great, especially the little blast marks and tiling. Very nice. Man, I would love to go nuts freestyle-detailing something like that.
So, what happens to the model once filming is done? Are you leasing it out Charles?
Mike
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 01-07-2013
The producers own it. I hope we can convince them to bring it to WonderFest 2013.
BTW, more pics and info can be seen in the RPF thread. I haven't had time to keep up with updating all the different threads we have going on.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 01-07-2013
The camera in motion..
http://vimeo.com/56660860
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - JAWS - 01-08-2013
Oh shit that was fkn awsome!!!
Congratulations fellas.
Splendid work.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - t2sides - 01-13-2013
Speechless! Wow. Great job Rick, Charles, Richard and Preston! Wonderful to see a practical model in use! You guys knocked this out of the park!
-Sean
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - ringa - 01-28-2013
This film will be released tomorrow, January 28.
See it online...
C The Movie
http://rickingalsbestudio.com/pages/C-movie.html
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - star-art - 01-29-2013
The movie was supposed to be released today (1/28) but it looks like the upload is taking far longer than expected. It is uploading rather slowly but will be available as soon as that process is complete.
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - ringa - 01-30-2013
It's ready!
https://vimeo.com/58429056
RE: "C" Movie Starship Miniature Effects Model - Wombat - 01-30-2013
Just watched it and thought it was ok.
Very true about mankind being very vulnerable as we are and a very good reason why mankind should be looking for other alternatives.
The ship looked great what we seen of it!
Congrats again fellas and good to see all names in the credits.