Latest news with #modelmaking
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Film and TV model maker warns skill may disappear
A visual effects designer who worked on award-winning films and TV shows has warned the art of model-making is at risk of vanishing in the coming decades. Mike Tucker has worked with Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury on an exhibition of original models and props from British science fiction shows, such as Doctor Who. The artist, in his 60s, said he hoped the displays could inspire a future generation of visual effects artists. "A lot of the companies, like myself, have either stopped because they've not been able to compete with the CGI guys, or just retired out of the business." "The number of us who know how to do it is getting smaller and smaller with every passing year," he added. The Beyond the Stars exhibition includes models and props the Oxfordshire resident has worked on, including 1980s' Daleks, Marvin the Paranoid Android and a model of Starbug from Red Dwarf. Originally from Swansea, Mr Tucker entered the industry via the BBC's in-house visual effects department in the 1980s, which closed in 2005. He recalled: "It had over 100 members of staff when I joined. By the time we closed down we were down to 14 people, because the numbers of shows that required our particular expertise was getting smaller and smaller. "It's not dead completely yet. If left unchecked there is going to be a gap in about 10, 15, 20 years' time of just finding people who know how to do it." His company, The Model Unit, won a Bafta for its work on the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special in 2013. But his models have not just been used in sci-fi - they have also appeared in natural disaster documentaries and historical dramas, like The Crown. The 2007 Oscar-winning film Atonement featured scenes where the London Underground flooded, shot using a model-sized recreation of the location. Mr Tucker said a producer on the film told him they had "never seen a convincing model shot", to which he countered: "No, you've never spotted the convincing ones." "When our work is done well, it's invisible," he said. He explained the future of the art would require a blend of practical effects with computer generated imagery. Speaking of the exhibition, he added: "We've also got a few bits and pieces in there that were used in conjunction with digital effects. "I'm hoping we will sort of show people how two disciplines can work side by side. "Both techniques have got their plusses and minuses, and in an ideal world the two should work hand in hand." However, John Lee, head of model making at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, argued that although he understood Mr Tucker's concerns, he was "not worried" about the future of the skill. He said in the last year the applicants for his course had increased by 20%. "If my application numbers were dropping each year I would be worried," he said. The lecturer, who has worked on recent Paddington and Star Wars films, said large studios come to work with him and his students. "People said to me in 1990 that model making would be dead once we started using CGI on TV commercials. "You can't do everything with technology - you need artists that are able to visualise and make things practically, often quicker and cheaper than CGI." The exhibition at Discover Bucks Museum runs until 5 October. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Students design figures for oldest model village Star Wars weapon used by Chewbacca sells for £471k Doctor Who monster creator thrilled by new episode Discover Bucks Museum About the National Film and Television School
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Doctor Who and Red Dwarf model maker warns skill may disappear
A visual effects designer who worked on award-winning films and TV shows has warned the art of model-making is at risk of vanishing in the coming Tucker has worked with Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury on an exhibition of original models and props from British science fiction shows, such as Doctor artist, in his 60s, said he hoped the displays could inspire a future generation of visual effects artists."A lot of the companies, like myself, have either stopped because they've not been able to compete with the CGI guys, or just retired out of the business." "The number of us who know how to do it is getting smaller and smaller with every passing year," he added. The Beyond the Stars exhibition includes models and props the Oxfordshire resident has worked on, including 1980s' Daleks, Marvin the Paranoid Android and a model of Starbug from Red from Swansea, Mr Tucker entered the industry via the BBC's in-house visual effects department in the 1980s, which closed in recalled: "It had over 100 members of staff when I joined. By the time we closed down we were down to 14 people, because the numbers of shows that required our particular expertise was getting smaller and smaller."It's not dead completely yet. If left unchecked there is going to be a gap in about 10, 15, 20 years' time of just finding people who know how to do it." His company, The Model Unit, won a Bafta for its work on the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special in his models have not just been used in sci-fi - they have also appeared in natural disaster documentaries and historical dramas, like The 2007 Oscar-winning film Atonement featured scenes where the London Underground flooded, shot using a model-sized recreation of the Tucker said a producer on the film told him they had "never seen a convincing model shot", to which he countered: "No, you've never spotted the convincing ones.""When our work is done well, it's invisible," he said. He explained the future of the art would require a blend of practical effects with computer generated of the exhibition, he added: "We've also got a few bits and pieces in there that were used in conjunction with digital effects."I'm hoping we will sort of show people how two disciplines can work side by side."Both techniques have got their plusses and minuses, and in an ideal world the two should work hand in hand." However, John Lee, head of model making at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, argued that although he understood Mr Tucker's concerns, he was "not worried" about the future of the said in the last year the applicants for his course had increased by 20%."If my application numbers were dropping each year I would be worried," he said. The lecturer, who has worked on recent Paddington and Star Wars films, said large studios come to work with him and his students."People said to me in 1990 that model making would be dead once we started using CGI on TV commercials."You can't do everything with technology - you need artists that are able to visualise and make things practically, often quicker and cheaper than CGI."The exhibition at Discover Bucks Museum runs until 5 October. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop (w/t) hosted by Sara Cox has been commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer
BBC Daytime has commissioned eight episodes of its new series, The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop (w/t) made by MGM Alternative and presented by TV presenter, author, podcaster and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox. Professional model makers will bring places, people and iconic moments in time back to life via miniature models. These special, one-off models, will not only celebrate cherished and emotional family stories, but also tap into our collective cultural heritage around events, design and fashions, or common themes. Whether it is a life event, a snap-shot of mid-century design or a memory tied to trends of the past, these models will serve as tiny yet powerful windows into the way things were. To ensure the models are as authentic as possible, the miniaturists must embark on an investigative journey to uncover the personal stories behind each request, as well as dig into historical and cultural references to craft them as true and realistic as possible. MGM Alternative will use the latest technology and microscopic cameras to get up close and personal, capturing the minute details and craft that goes into creating these special models. Audiences will be taken on an emotional journey from start to finish, from meeting the people who want to capture their special moment, their background on why it's so important to them, to the research that goes into getting every detail correct. There will be challenges along the way, from identifying accurate furnishing colours and materials from over half a century ago, to recreating interiors and buildings that have long since been derelict. At the end of each episode is the big reveal; Have our Miniaturists faithfully re-created the place of so many memories for our contributors? And how will they react when they see their childhood memories brought back to life? Rachel Platt Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime comments, 'Many of us will remember our first set of building blocks, train set, or dolls house, so what a thrill to have one of those miniature worlds created around your own special memory. Combining the nation's love of model-making with stories that are at once deeply personal and wonderfully relatable, each episode of this genuinely delightful series will be full of emotion, nostalgia - and exceptional skill.' Sara Cox comments; 'We all have life events that hold a special place in our heart, so I'm absolutely thrilled we are going to be recreating cherished memories and moments in time using the astonishing skills of our miniaturists. This show taps into our fascination with the tiny, from fantasy film to classic literature and as a naturally very nosey person, I personally can't wait to find out the beautiful backstory that inspires each creation. Dom Bird SVP, MGM Alternative UK comments, 'MGM is delighted to be growing our slate of BBC programmes in 2025, with this original new series combining deeply personal stories and incredible craftsmanship with joyous surprises and reveals. These perfect replicas will bring back to life those locations that changed and shaped people's lives, while the models will be small, the heart and joy in this series promises to be huge.' The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop (w/t) has been commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer by Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, Rob Unsworth. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime is Rachel Platt. The programme is made by MGM Alternative UK, the Series Producer is Nicki Stoker. HD3
