Galaxy Class Main Shuttlebay miniature

[TheTrekBack]

It isn't easy to give specific numbers from memory. However, it is true that initially a relatively limited amount of stock footage was shot. They were based on a catalog of similar assets from TOS. The exact number of 30 mentioned here can't be that far-fetched. That was simply the result of the fact that the first 6-foot model was too big and unwieldy and the 2-foot model was too small and undetailed for closer shots. In consequence, the first two seasons show a very limited variation of model shots - very noticeable. That's why the 4-foot model was introduced in season 3, which was a compromise between the level of detail and handling. From then on, the use became more flexible and frequent. The original set of stock assets was supplemented by the 4-foot model with specific requirements for the episodes but also these shots were reused many times. Nevertheless, in all 7 seasons, you will find the same initial stock shots again and again set in a different environment, mirrored, scaled, etc.

Apropos stock footage... how many times has the footage of the exploding Bird of Prey been reused? 3 times in the movies and once in DS9, right? LOL

 

[Tallguy]

The Undiscovered County and Generations. When else?

 

[Richard S. Ta]

@OP

You’re never too old to build and paint models. It’s a great hobby. :-)

 

[TheTrekBack]

The Undiscovered County and Generations. When else?

True. The internal shots were used again in DS9 but I could swear somewhere else too...

 

[David cgc]

I for one thought it was thrilling to see one of them in Generations on the big screen. It wasn't "cheap". It was legendary!

The cheap part was after the first few times they used that shot in TNG, they stopped tracking the background to match the angle of the camera, so it looks like the ship is diving in then leveling off, rather than passing overhead.

 

[publiusr]

They at least could have flipped the image...

 

[Mage]

The cheap part was after the first few times they used that shot in TNG, they stopped tracking the background to match the angle of the camera, so it looks like the ship is diving in then leveling off, rather than passing overhead.

Now I'm really curious which shot people are talking about?

 

[David cgc]

Now I'm really curious which shot people are talking about?

The one that begins this scene in Generations. The first few times it was used in TNG (including the very first time, at the beginning of this scene), the background moved in sync with the ship, but eventually, they just used a version with a static starfield.

It was a recreation of ILM's favorite shot they did in TWOK (1:47 here), which they also redid in TSFS (I can't find a clip with it on YouTube, but it's right after the Enterprise gets to Genesis and is flying towards the planet).

 

[Mage]

The one that begins this scene in Generations. The first few times it was used in TNG (including the very first time, at the beginning of this scene), the background moved in sync with the ship, but eventually, they just used a version with a static starfield.

It was a recreation of ILM's favorite shot they did in TWOK (1:47 here), which they also redid in TSFS (I can't find a clip with it on YouTube, but it's right after the Enterprise gets to Genesis and is flying towards the planet).

Thanks for sharing. Yeah, I remember now. There indeed that odd movement you mentioned. Still a great shot though!

 

[Tallguy]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah, I remember now. There indeed that odd movement you mentioned. Still a great shot though!

Other than the Q effect I don't recall it ever matching the background. It was used a lot in the first season with approaching planets which (if I recall from 37 years ago) were usually (always?) static.

 

[David cgc]

Other than the Q effect I don't recall it ever matching the background. It was used a lot in the first season with approaching planets which (if I recall from 37 years ago) were usually (always?) static.

I feel like there were at least some first season episodes with a moving starfield background (possibly including a planet), but I also haven't watched a first-season episode of TNG in a while, so I could just have been misremembering based on its use with the Q-wall.

 

[TheTrekBack]

I realized that larger surfaces require more detailed texturing for a more convincing impression and dimension. In reality, they are simply not so flat. So here are a few images of a closer shot of the opening door with a digitally added more detailed tiling structure to the hull. A detail that I think makes a huge difference. This will be more difficult to achieve with the wider shot with shuttle and camera movement - but doable.

The door is raised by means of a threaded rod that is powered by a stepper motor. I only later discovered private photos of the original model, which showed that they did it the same way back then.

BAY_EXT_SHOT-01 (0-00-04-09) by Alan Smithee, auf Flickr

BAY_EXT_SHOT-01 (0-00-10-20) by Alan Smithee, auf Flickr

It's a little empty inside the bay. I think I will add a type-15 shuttle that is hovering around and a few crew members. I just received the EL-BAZ XL Eglemoss version. Crew will require additional bluescreen photography in the right perspective to compose.

And by the way, does anyone know any of the former developers of Stage 9? The backdrop screenshot comes from there and I would probably have to ask for permission to use it.

 

[scragnog]

And by the way, does anyone know any of the former developers of Stage 9? The backdrop screenshot comes from there and I would probably have to ask for permission to use it.

Both myself and @Rekkert here were developers on Stage 9. I was the lead developer and worked a ton on the main shuttlebay.

Love the work you're doing here, can't wait to see the final shot, and yes, please feel free to use the Stage 9 shot for the backdrop. I'm really impressed at how well you've got it to match up in there!
Thanks for asking permission!

 

[TheTrekBack]

@scragnog @Rekkert It's a pleasure to e-meet you. I don't need to tell you what you already know, which is that Stage 9 was a damn awesome project and although it's not complete, it is still a tremendous experience. Thanks for that and the permission. These special effects are part of a short film project. I'll get back to you when the time comes... because that screams for a mention in the credits as a digital matte artist!

 

[SCE2Aux]

Continues to be some gorgeous work, here! I noticed that your camera viewpoint is a little closer in on these new images, is the animation going to feature a slow zoom-in, or some other type of movement?

 

[TheTrekBack]

Continues to be some gorgeous work, here! I noticed that your camera viewpoint is a little closer in on these new images, is the animation going to feature a slow zoom-in, or some other type of movement?

Indeed - a closer shot that will catch and emphasize the moment when the massive roller door will open. I assume you already have the sound in your ear. Maybe I will also use it for a closer shot of the shuttle breaking through the forcefield. But it depends on my final decision about the shot list and order. - In contrast to the wider shot it's a static one camera-wise. Instead moon and starfield BG is slightly moving to give the impression the viewer's eyes are in a fixed position on a moving vessel.

 

[ashleytinger]

Bravo. This looks fantastic.

 

[TheTrekBack]

Who said it wouldn't fit?


[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qVmmdf]IMG_0588EDITED_2 by Alan Smithee, auf Flickr[/URL]

IMG_0597EDITED_Letterboxed by Alan Smithee, auf Flickr

IMG_0595EDITED_Letterboxed by Alan Smithee, auf Flickr

IMG_0590EDITED_1 by Alan Smithee, auf Flickr