Avengers Sets part 1

If there ever was such a thing as a dream job, it would be a lifelong Marvel comic book fan getting to work on The Avengers live action film. Well, that's me.
I was one of a crew of sculptors sent to Albuquerque, NM to be part of set construction.

First bit of business was making polystyrene parts to be molded and cast (parts in above photo were only used in one spot so these were the final pieces) for use on the Helicarrier bridge. The Helicarrier, how cool is that? Very cool.

Parts installed on the bridge.

Next build was for the Thor / Loki confrontation on a rocky cliff dubbed The Promontory. The following are progress photos from start to finish. It also is an example of many big budget movie sets these days that are a small section of real surface that get extended digitally.

Jamie Miller's scale model.

Block up.

Blocking and carving.

Almost done.

Just knowing that this was going to lead to epic battle between Thor, Iron Man and Captain America was enough for me to know that this was a movie I already couldn't wait to see.

Avengers Sets part 2

S  P  O  I  L  E  R       W  A  R  N  I  N  G

After filming the Thor / Loki confrontation on the promontory set, a change-over began. Another set was designed to use the same basic layout. When they told me who the set was for, my comic-nerd excitement was pushed completely over the edge. This set was proof that Wheden was going to give a very special nod to the hardcore comic fans. Thanos. When James, the Production Designer spoke that name, my spastic outburst left him shaking his head and commenting that he was going to have give me any further information on a drip-feed so my head wouldn't explode.
And I needed more info. Mistress Death? ... Hovering throne!??  No more questioned answered for me.

 In progress shot of floating asteroid set seen at the beginning and during the credits scene.

 The Thanos Throne.

Then on to Cleveland which going to stand in for the destruction of New York City. We had to make rubble to match buildings in downtown Cleveland. 

Taking a break amid the rubble.

Skulboy Strikes The Avengers!

Couldn't help put the old Skulboy mark on this relief panel I sculpted for the obelisk we made for the Loki museum scene. This was one of the final pieces we did as the show came to a close.

An incredible experience, but not perfect.

Pro: A Marvel comic book fan's dream to get to work on the greatest of all superhero movies.

Easily the coolest thing I've had the privilege to work on in my 12 years in the industry.

Con: I had to spend almost 6 months away from my wife and home while on location. It's just a shame they no longer make many movies in Los Angeles.

Ender's Orleans

Wow, long time, no post.
About to start month 5 here on location in New Orleans sculpting for sets on Ender's Game. Per the rules, I can't discuss what I'm working on, but will say that I'm now fluent in Formic.

Here's the latest from Skulboy Designs to help pump up the Year of the Dragon with this Disc Golf tournament stamp.

End of 2011

Been couple of months since last post so here's a end of the year update before I start work on Ender's Game at the beginning of 2012.

After finishing sculpting duties on The Avengers, I jumped back into my illustration alter ego, Skulboy.
Skulboy Designs is combination of 2 of my passions, drawing and Disc Golf.

Skulscape t-shirt design.

The latest plastic, my custom stamp on the Legacy Cannon driver and my mini-art book.

Disc Golf meets the Mayan calendar for this 2012 event.

And it's not all Disc Golf, here is a custom beer label done for SPP.

The Townhouse

Akiko and I finally became homeowners this year.

First on the list was the bathroom renovation.
After ripping out the vanity, removing the toilet and pulling up the floor, we put down tile.


















These are the reclaimed wood tables Akiko and I built.

 

The Monrovia sunset from our balcony.

Gizmo spreading out.

Took the cats some adjustments, but it's now home.

New York

In between locations of New Mexico and Cleveland, Akiko and I headed back to NY for a family emergency (happy to report that brother David is doing much better,) my 30th High School Reunion and getting together with Akiko's family in New York City. Good to be back home to visit family and friends.

Mike, Jim and I (yes, I'm the super white one) meet up for some Disc Golf in Greece, NY.

 

Mt Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

 

Hikida and Hughes family at Intrepid Battleship docked in NYC.

New Mexico

We are finally settled down somewhat so I'm ready to catch up on my lack of posts.
I spent the first half of the year working on Location for The Avengers. Several months in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As locations go, Albuquerque was not so bad. A short flight back to LA, hot, but dry (very dry) climate, spicy food and plenty of Disc Golf courses to check out on weekends.
Akiko came out to visit and we took in some sites.

Santa Fe

Sandia Peak

Tent Rocks

Soda Dam

Latest Disc Golf Graphics

Few new designs I did for Disc Golf.

 Latitude 64 RIVER driver.

Disc Golf Review.com fundraiser MVP Ion putter.

You can see these and my Disc Golf course photos over at Skulboy Designs.

Super 8

S P O I L E R A L E R T!
If you haven't seen SUPER 8, you may want to avert your eyes from the following photos.

This cave and tunnel set was to look as if the alien had dug it out with his claws. Our sculpting team employed some innovative foam cutting techniques with great results.

In progress shot with the dark section of the foam having been sealed with plaster.

The finished set.

Green Lantern

During the first few months of 2010, I worked on Green Lantern in New Orleans.
The following are in-progress photos of Abin Sur's escape pod.

The ship was designed in the computer and was extremely complicated as it was facets on top of facets. Our sculpting team made section through templates and found the planes.

The sections were glued together and worked as a whole.

The Shop Hands then created a massive mold, flipped it on it's side and we then carved the inside.

A mold was then made of the interior and parts were cast for a top and bottom shell for the ship.

Side note part 2. I have no idea who picks who for the list, but I got screen credit on this film. That makes 3 films this summer (Thor, Pirates 4 and GL) that my name appeared on the credits after 10 years of none. Weird and exciting at the same time.

THOR Reigns!

Knowing the comic book and even working on a few of the sets for the film, I had no idea how anyone could successfully make Asgard, Earth and Gods work in a live action movie. Well, I'm very happy to say that Kenneth Branagh pulled it off. A almost perfect blend of character, conflict, humor and action grabs you and doesn't let go. And tears of joy for comic fans like me who get to behold THOR brought to life. The spinning hammer, bringing down the lightning and battling beside Lady Sif and The Warriors Three to name a few. Wow.
Marvel hits another home run. For me, THOR places right up there with the best of the best in comic book movies right next to Spider-Man 2 and Iron Man. Can't give Marvel enough credit for crafting excellent movies with their stable of characters all leading up to what may be the coolest movie of all time, The Avengers.

As a side note, THOR marks my first screen credit after 11 years in the movie industry. Look for Duncan Crawford under "Sculptors" while you wait for the scene after the credits.

Couple of pics of the Frost Giant set in the making.

Skulboy Designs Rides Again!

My Disc Golf world has some very exciting news for Skulboy Designs.
I did two designs for Discovering The World to be hot stamped onto discs for the red hot Disc Golf manufacturer, Latitude 64. Here they are.

The discs are stamped and available now over at DTWorld.

Where's The Movie Stuff?!

You may have wondered where all the photos of what I've worked on in the Movie World have been recently.
I'm currently sculpting away on the Marvel Fanboy Geek Dream film, The Avengers and last year was a very busy one. Because I won't post any set pictures until after the film has been theatrically released, I sometimes sit on them for over a year. Stayed tuned as 2011 will bring some behind the scenes peeks of sets from Thor, Green Lantern, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Butter and Super 8.

Podcast!

If your interested in listening to Akiko's and my Art History, here is a link to a podcast interview we did with awesome artist Chris Oatley for his blog.

ArtCast #54

Drawing Table Getting a Little Crowded

Gizmo and Phantom making sure I get my work done.

Paso Robles

Akiko and I got out of the big city last week and drove up to Paso Robles. Half way between LA and San Fransisco and vineyards as far as the eye can see.

Chanticleer Vineyard

We stayed at the excellent Chanticleer Vineyard Bed & Breakfast which had beautiful views and the strawberry bread pudding Carolyn served on our second day was beyond words amazing.

After a long drive and a nice dinner in downtown, we rested up for a big day of Wine Tasting.

Being post-holidays, we were the only ones signed up for the Wine Wrangler that day and got to hit 6 wineries for plenty of tasting and lots of wine making tidbits.

Niners impressive tasting room and Heart Hill.

View of the ocean from Hwy 46 traveling West to Cambria.

Fun trip, nice to get out of town for a few days and we're very much enjoying the bottles we brought back.