The Magic Behind the Biggest Movie Miniature Models
If you think movies used to look a lot better back in the day, you're not crazy at all. There are way too many factors for that to happen, but one that's usually overlooked is the use of miniature models in big blockbusters.
Today, computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the default solution for most problems in a movie. The actor has a problematic schedule and can't be on set for today's shoot? We can add them in post with CGI. We can't find an actor to play a younger version of the character? Let's de-age the protagonist with CGI. You want to include a huge space castle in your movie? Let's make it with CGI.
But that wasn't an option when Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were making their biggest hits in the ‘70s and ’80s, and miniature models were a craft that's almost completely lost today.
So, here is the magic behind the biggest movie miniature models to feed your nostalgia.
The Titanic
The model sunken in a pool inside a stage for the James Cameron movie.
Superman
Miniature model of Christopher Reeve used for some flying scenes.
Star Trek
The Enterprise hanging from the ceiling.
Second Death Star
George Lucas examining the deadly weapon for what he thought was his last Star Wars movie.
Saving Private Ryan
Even movies like this one used models for many different scenes. Sadly, everything is done with CGI today.
Bad Taste
Peter Jackson built different-sized models for his debut.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The mothership from the movie's climax isn't that big now, huh?
Millennium Falcon
Mark Hamill checking the ship in the hangar.
Minas Tirith
The Lord of the Rings team hard at work at one of the many miniature models.
The White House
This one is from Independence Day, and it was blown up. Fun!
GoldenEye
Even James Bond movies used miniature models for many different scenes.
Ghostbusters
Everyone learned something from Kaiju movies.
Escape from New York
The futuristic computer graphics were actually miniature models filmed with precision.
Dune
David Lynch spent a lot of money on his version of Dune.
Blade Runner
The dystopian city landscape was tiny.
Back to the Future III
The third movie used the most miniature models in the franchise.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Steven Spielberg making sure everything is perfect.
Metropolis
The Metropolis itself like you've never seen before.
Falkor
The NeverEnding Story created models for many different scenes in the movie.
The Fifth Element
The futuristic landscapes with flying cars had to be miniature models.