Crimson Tide Filming Miniatures

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  • redboat219
    Admiral

    • Dec 2008
    • 3425

    #1

    Crimson Tide Filming Miniatures

    David weren't you involved in the production of the subs?
    Make it simple, make strong, make it work!
  • He Who Shall Not Be Named
    Moderator

    • Aug 2008
    • 13570

    #2
    Yeah. Torpedo design. Some choreography consultation. And all of the propellers -- some marathon building sessions in the shop to meet a ridiculous dead-line... the kind of **** that will test any marriage.

    Me thinks some of the video's narrative was bull-**** and heavy on the spite. That 'painter' obviously had some scores to settle with the senior behind-the-camera people.


    Who is John Galt?

    Comment

    • JHapprich
      Captain

      • Oct 2017
      • 947

      #3
      Sooo...didn't they break the cardinal rule on painting?
      Last edited by JHapprich; 01-05-2026, 06:57 PM.

      Comment

      • He Who Shall Not Be Named
        Moderator

        • Aug 2008
        • 13570

        #4
        Originally posted by JHapprich
        Sooo...didn't they breake the cardinal rule on painting?
        During our brief job-hunting effort in Burbank oh, those so many years ago, Ellie and I were told one very important and lasting thing from one of the effects masters of the time, Bob Skotak: "Can't work with you guys, your standard is to please the eye, not the less critical lens of the camera... sorry". Effects guys (most of them, some are indeed masters of the Craft) are good Carpenters but only fair exhibit builders.

        To your question (if I'm guess your intention correctly): Painters over-state their work by necessity. If they don't the camera may not pick out the time consuming detailed work, and that's production money down a useless hole.

        Ellie and I over the years have restored effects miniatures. We've seen a lot of quick, so-so work. And we've been treated to the very rare example of an effects miniature produced with loving care, by true Artists of the Craft. I'll sum it up here: 'Museum quality' and 'effects miniature' are mutually exclusive terms.
        Who is John Galt?

        Comment

        • JHapprich
          Captain

          • Oct 2017
          • 947

          #5
          Understood, Sir!

          Thank you, David!

          Jörg

          Comment

          • SubSteve
            Lieutenant Commander

            • Apr 2022
            • 125

            #6
            A great quote: "I'll sum it up here: 'Museum quality' and 'effects miniature' are mutually exclusive terms."

            Comment

            • Das Boot
              Vice Admiral

              • Dec 2019
              • 1531

              #7
              Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named

              During our brief job-hunting effort in Burbank oh, those so many years ago, Ellie and I were told one very important and lasting thing from one of the effects masters of the time, Bob Skotak: "Can't work with you guys, your standard is to please the eye, not the less critical lens of the camera... sorry". Effects guys (most of them, some are indeed masters of the Craft) are good Carpenters but only fair exhibit builders.

              To your question (if I'm guess your intention correctly): Painters over-state their work by necessity. If they don't the camera may not pick out the time consuming detailed work, and that's production money down a useless hole.

              Ellie and I over the years have restored effects miniatures. We've seen a lot of quick, so-so work. And we've been treated to the very rare example of an effects miniature produced with loving care, by true Artists of the Craft. I'll sum it up here: 'Museum quality' and 'effects miniature' are mutually exclusive terms .
              The exception was the refit Enterprise in STTMP.
              • The Aztec Pattern: The surface was covered in a complex geometric grid. Individual panels were sprayed with interference paints—transparent pigments that shift color depending on the viewing angle.
              • Interference Colors: Four specific shimmering shades were used for these panels: Blue, Green, Gold, and Red.
              The paint was supposed to dazzle the fan, but unfortunately, the complex paint scheme was lost in most of the beauty shots. Instead of getting by, they went out of their way to try to dazzle the enterprise, but it really didn’t work.
              Of the approximately 40,000 men who served on U-boats in WWII, it is estimated that around 28,000 to 30,000 lost their lives.

              Comment

              • Das Boot
                Vice Admiral

                • Dec 2019
                • 1531

                #8
                No rebuttal? Amazing.
                Of the approximately 40,000 men who served on U-boats in WWII, it is estimated that around 28,000 to 30,000 lost their lives.

                Comment

                • He Who Shall Not Be Named
                  Moderator

                  • Aug 2008
                  • 13570

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Das Boot
                  No rebuttal? Amazing.
                  Paint colors and finishes are a subjective thing -- I prefer not to joust at Windmills.
                  Who is John Galt?

                  Comment

                  • Das Boot
                    Vice Admiral

                    • Dec 2019
                    • 1531

                    #10
                    Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named

                    Paint colors and finishes are a subjective thing -- I prefer not to joust at Windmills.
                    I was passing judgement on the fool who told you that he couldn’t work with you guys, and that your standard was to please the eye. The model makers of STTMP were doing just that.
                    Of the approximately 40,000 men who served on U-boats in WWII, it is estimated that around 28,000 to 30,000 lost their lives.

                    Comment

                    • He Who Shall Not Be Named
                      Moderator

                      • Aug 2008
                      • 13570

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Das Boot

                      I was passing judgement on the fool who told you that he couldn’t work with you guys, and that your standard was to please the eye. The model makers of STTMP were doing just that.
                      That 'fool' was the most grounded, thoughtful, talented, straightforward, and honest guy we ever encountered in the game.

                      He gave it to us straight! I was crushed; Ellie could hardly contain a squeal of glee (she wanted the security of a Navy retirement check, not the hectic nomadic life of a free-lance effects miniature maker).

                      That 'fool' spent an hour leafing through our portfolio and grilling us on our experience and expectations. We got the best hearing of any of the effects houses we pitched our services during our one-week trek up and down Burbank and Venus Blvd.

                      As Lead Man in the Effects Department at New World Pictures, it was Mr. Skotak's job to hire the best hands who could work fast and work cheap. Ellie and I never worked fast, or cheap. Our brand of quality was more than required by the effects houses, and our participation would have cost any employer too much for work that would never present as built, when seen through the gauze of grainy film emulsion. We were square pigs for round holes.

                      Bob Skotak is nobody's fool. He cut through the bull-**** and gave it to us straight! I like that. Not the answer. I liked the CLARITY!

                      On the long, three-day drive home, Ellie did her best to mask her relief, and comfort me with words of understanding. Yeah... she was a keeper. A real Trooper.

                      David
                      Who is John Galt?

                      Comment

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