MAKING THE MOON
01
SCULPTING A MOON
The Moon set was divided into two parts: a model for close-up landing sequences and interactions, and a 2D painting for background elements in distant shots. Constructing the physical section of the Moon involved several stages.
02
SHOOTING ON THE MOON
This project was incredibly enjoyable to shoot, despite its challenges. The Moon's construction was delicate, making it prone to damage, and the thin layer of moon dust could easily become murky if not handled carefully, requiring frequent use of the airbrush.
Rigging the miniatures above the Moon, connecting them to rotating pre-programmed motors, and fine-tuning speed and timing were crucial for achieving the desired effect. While motorization was essential for miniature animation, not all elements could be motorized.
The matte painting also posed difficulties in setting up the correct framing and avoiding reflections. This required flagging lights and making multiple adjustments to the shot setup.
03
PAINTING THE DISTANT MOON
Holding up a cement-covered slab of MDF and rotating it into frame was not a feasible option, the Moon model would likely have fallen apart on the first take, and this was an outcome we couldn’t afford.
Instead, we opted for a 2D painting of the Moon for background use in distant shots. Similar to the miniatures, forced perspective was crucial in making everything appear accurate.
