what does the future hold for scale models in big movies?

[Teddz]

I personally feel that CGI has it's place, but I really think at some point there's going to be a resurgence in the use of models in movies. Reason I say this is because after some time of nothing but CGI, it's going to become a tired effect that people will get bored of watching and someone will have the idea to use actual models and props in a movie. It'll be something new to the generations at that time. Will it happen anytime soon, no, probably not. Will it be as big as it was early on, who knows, maybe yes, maybe no. Only time will tell.

No matter what the direction is, there's always going to be a place for people like us who can take the CGI images and make a real-world model or prop for someone's collection or suit of armor.

 

[joberg]

It seems that our society has a tendency not to "own" anything tangible. Music? Downloads! No actual CD that you can touch. Books? Downloads! Models in a movie? CGI!You catch my drift? I like to "own" things...

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

Models will end up like stop motion is now. Used on low budget films that cant afford to spend money on expensive CG. But hey. That doesnt stop us from building anything

 

[NumberNine]

CGI is only good if it doesn't register in your brain as CGI when you see it. Otherwise, it's just an overpriced cartoon IMO. The original Star Wars is still more realistic than a lot of the CGI-riddled garbage movies I see today I hope Modeling is here to stay or at least until CGI stops looking like a cartoon mixed with reality.

 

[fritzthefox]

The writing is on the wall, but I am concerned that the younger generation seems to increasingly prefer intangibles to real goods. The tools we use and the media we consume increasingly belong to corporations running server farms, not ourselves. There is a centuries old word to describe people who work on someone else's farm. They're called 'serfs'.

Anyway, I think models will always have an aura of magic about them that CGI lacks, because people can relate to the craftmanship required to make a convincing model. Nobody is impressed when somebody does something with a computer, even if it was really hard to accomplish. It is not remarkable to take an amazing tool and use it to do something amazing. The sense of wonder comes from using an unremarkable tool and using it to do something amazing. The amazing part has to come from you.

 

[faustus100]

The writing is on the wall, but I am concerned that the younger generation seems to increasingly prefer intangibles to real goods. The tools we use and the media we consume increasingly belong to corporations running server farms, not ourselves. There is a centuries old word to describe people who work on someone else's farm. They're called 'serfs'.

Anyway, I think models will always have an aura of magic about them that CGI lacks, because people can relate to the craftmanship required to make a convincing model. Nobody is impressed when somebody does something with a computer, even if it was really hard to accomplish. It is not remarkable to take an amazing tool and use it to do something amazing. The sense of wonder comes from using an unremarkable tool and using it to do something amazing. The amazing part has to come from you.

Couldnt have said it better!

 

[star-art]

Well said!!!

I was saddened recently to learn that two great model shops in Hollywood are closing down. It is the end of an era. . .

 

[gonk27]

The writing is on the wall, but I am concerned that the younger generation seems to increasingly prefer intangibles to real goods. The tools we use and the media we consume increasingly belong to corporations running server farms, not ourselves. There is a centuries old word to describe people who work on someone else's farm. They're called 'serfs'.

Anyway, I think models will always have an aura of magic about them that CGI lacks, because people can relate to the craftmanship required to make a convincing model. Nobody is impressed when somebody does something with a computer, even if it was really hard to accomplish. It is not remarkable to take an amazing tool and use it to do something amazing. The sense of wonder comes from using an unremarkable tool and using it to do something amazing. The amazing part has to come from you.

Absolutely right!

 

[joberg]

That's exactly what I said in my previous post: intangible! But I agree with your last line for sure!

 

[adinelt]

Hmmm... Can you imagine a Hollywood auction where the item is an original Lightwave or 3DS Max file of a model used in a huge movie? How are they going to authenticate a file that can be copied over and over. And where will the value be?

 

[breen2057]

just putting in some thing about selling model files. a company is selling the Dredd 3D lawgiver 3D printer files that the production used to make the films props. so you can buy movie production files and print your own replicas kind of cool way to get replicas.

 

[mash3d]

Hmmm... Can you imagine a Hollywood auction where the item is an original Lightwave or 3DS Max file of a model used in a huge movie? How are they going to authenticate a file that can be copied over and over. And where will the value be?

The value of the files is zero since production files are rarely built with printing in mind. It can be done but they usually need a lot of clean up. A lot of times CG models are just slapped together with intersecting geometry. On a feature films they usually have more time to build it correctly. The files would be useful for research purposes though if you wanted to build a real world version.
And I did go to a Hollywood auction and watched the servers containing the contents of "Babylon 5" walk out the door.
Problem was I know they forgot to ask for the server password. They new buyer said they were going to just wipe it anyway.
So much for digital history.

 

[batguy]

NASA claims they accidentally taped over the original hi-res versions of the Moon landings.

And I've got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.