Have you ever wondered how Hollywood and creative studios made movie props in 2016?
Did they handcraft those realistic gadgets and swords?
What's the hottest technology for creating complex and astonishing models quickly and cost-effectively?
Concept designer and art director Michael van Kesteren is here to reveal some behind-the-scenes secrets and share his experience and insights on how 3D printing is changing the film and
television industries.
Traditional Prop Making Gets an Upgrade
Traditionally, props were made using sculpting methods. Clay or foam was used to sculpt molds. From these molds, replicas would be cast, and artists would add parts made of metal, plastic, or wood as needed.
Concept Designer and Art Director Michael van Kesteren
Michael started 3D printing in 2010 when he was creating props for the South African film "Dredd".
"3D printing has become increasingly accessible and widely used. We used this process to create the main bodies of the guns we designed.
We established a good relationship with a local 3D printing company and used various different processes depending on the part we were making."
When he arrived in the UK, it took some time to convince those he worked with that 3D printers offered many benefits rather than threats. Eventually, he bought one himself. Once it became clear that it was a very useful tool, things started to take off from there.
3D Printing Enhances Craftsmanship
His peers and artists found that 3D printing does not replace traditional techniques, but rather serves as another tool in the process.
Traditional model makers were initially skeptical. 3D printing was a threat, as it created many possibilities.
But now they find that 3D printing actually enhances and complements their traditional methods, helping them create better models, avoiding tedious and repetitive tasks, and allowing them more time for creativity.
Now that 3D printing is part of the process, the workflow is more efficient. Work begins when the art department receives technical drawings and references.
The object is modeled and printed using the most suitable process and materials.
Michael's goal is to do all the modeling during the day and then print at night.
By the next morning, the printed parts are sent to the model makers for cleaning and assembly. Often, all that is needed is a small, detailed part that can be incorporated into a larger object.
After cleaning and assembly, it is handed over to the painting department, and then to the photography crew.
If multiple replicas are needed, the printed object is molded and cast.
Desktop 3D printers are revolutionizing filmmaking. They allow filmmakers to unleash their creativity, creating highly detailed custom models, just like this mini-gun!
Michael's 3D printing journey began with the Ultimaker 2, and he recently upgraded to the Ultimaker 2+, and is a loyal fan of its reliability for ultra-fine layer thickness.
The biggest advantage of the Ultimaker 2 is its printing precision. I print with layer thicknesses of 0.06 or 0.04mm, using a 0.25mm nozzle, and we get the best results with the simplest cleanup.
Top Five Advantages of 3D Printing
3D printing technology enables prop makers to use their time more efficiently and work more effectively.
Michael found that 3D printing benefits his craft in many ways.
● Speed. Even before 3D printing, he used 3D modeling and rendering to design concepts. 3D printing allows him to produce a model or prototype within 24 hours.
This is very convenient when meeting deadlines and making decisions.
Model makers can now focus on projects that require their skills, instead of making small, tedious adjustments to the same part over and over again.
● Scalability. Utilizing 3D printing to scale the same model up or down requires minimal adjustments. In the past, especially when time was limited, scaling a hand model could lead to poor results.
Sculptors had to work under pressure and might not be able to complete the project correctly without sufficient working time.
● Accuracy and reproduction. If scaled down, you can create parts that fit perfectly the first time. If they don't, it doesn't take long to fix.
If you need a part again, 3D printing can repeatedly create the same part without the need for molding and casting.
● Reduced material costs. PLA filament is much cheaper than many other sculpting materials. If you only need a few replicas, 3D printing is more cost-effective than creating molds and casting parts.
● Intricate details. Some props, such as ornate Renaissance and medieval weapons, have very intricate details on their surfaces.
If the object is smooth, that part can be sculpted. But if the part has high detail and a complex shape, then sculpting would be a nightmare.
3D printing can recreate details on parts, which can then be cast and molded into any material.
3D Printing in Movie Magic
Next time you're enchanted by your favorite fantasy movie, don't forget that the magic is created by highly skilled and talented model makers, sculptors, and 3D printers working together. While the main prop production methods may remain the same, the tools have begun to change. Can you imagine what you could create with a 3D printer?
Original link: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/22401-the-future-of-filmmaking-3d-printed-props