How Wes Anderson uses miniatures

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 22. 06. 2023
  • In order to go big, sometimes filmmakers go small.
    Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos: goo.gl/0bsAjO
    Miniatures in movies are way more common than you may realize, and one of the most stylish filmmakers keeping them alive is Wes Anderson. In this video we spoke to Simon Weisse, prop maker and model marker for some of Wes Anderson’s recent projects, like The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City.
    Older movies, like 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, had no choice but to use miniatures to make their worlds feel real. But even in the modern day of CGI, filmmakers are still using minis - just look at projects like The Mandalorian, Blade Runner 2049, Harry Potter, and The Dark Knight series. In those movies, miniatures are used for expansive sets that establish the world of a film, otherworldly vehicles like spaceships, and more.
    But fully fabricating a 1/18th scale hotel is just the beginning. Then filmmakers have to film it in a way where it looks huge, or, at least, life-size - using the movie magic of cameras, lighting, and forced perspective.
    Vox is an explanatory newsroom on a mission to help everyone understand our weird, wonderful, complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. Part of that mission is keeping our work free. You can help us do that by making a gift: www.vox.com/contribute-now
    Watch our full video catalog: goo.gl/IZONyE
    Follow Vox on TikTok: / voxdotcom
    Check out our articles: www.vox.com/
    Listen to our podcasts: www.vox.com/podcasts
  • Krátké a kreslené filmy

Komentáře • 403

  • @charlieg2262
    @charlieg2262 Před 10 měsíci +2521

    Weird that everyone in the comments is only complimenting Wes Anderson. Simon Weisse is clearly a master at what he does!

    • @granturismoKL
      @granturismoKL Před 10 měsíci +46

      Same here! Scrolling through the comments, hardly anyone mentioned him

    • @unworthy.potato
      @unworthy.potato Před 10 měsíci +45

      Well, the topic of the video is Wes Anderson, so it’s gonna make sense for all the comments to be on Wes anderson

    • @SPNMEDIA
      @SPNMEDIA Před 10 měsíci +8

      Agree, I was fortunate enough to see the french dispatch minature set with Simon and his whole team are true artists

    • @blindedeathh
      @blindedeathh Před 10 měsíci +8

      the video should have just been about simon

    • @iflick7235
      @iflick7235 Před 10 měsíci +3

      Frankly, I watched about forty minutes of this and it bombed. Characters attempting to be eccentric appeared simply dull. I happened to have been born in the 50's. Even with poetic license, people didn't behave that way. I was bored with it and shut it down.

  • @ICharlyl
    @ICharlyl Před 10 měsíci +1265

    Ive always felt like wes Anderson's movies are just pure passion, movies filmed, acted and edited with pure joy and love for cinema.

    • @petschitt2252
      @petschitt2252 Před 9 měsíci +1

      That is the very reason I love his films. ❤🎥

    • @sweetbabyrodney
      @sweetbabyrodney Před 5 měsíci +1

      Like you know that he put his absolute best in his movies!

  • @ohshamelessgravity
    @ohshamelessgravity Před 10 měsíci +720

    Simon Weisse is a genius and a master at what he does. Wes Anderson on the other hand is equally smart for actually wanting people to recognize that he's using miniatures for his films and at the same time they're conveying a sense of realism. I salute them both!

    • @linksauce_1
      @linksauce_1 Před 10 měsíci +5

      I always can spot the miniatures in his films, but I’m never bothered by it like I am with most other movies. It’s that Wes Anderson Magic™

    • @jamesmcinnis208
      @jamesmcinnis208 Před 10 měsíci

      "actually"

  • @las1147
    @las1147 Před 10 měsíci +726

    These miniatures and practical effects is what makes the Lord of the Rings movies hold up so well 20 years later

    • @elizabethpatitsas565
      @elizabethpatitsas565 Před 10 měsíci +93

      Also why 2001: A Space Odyssey still holds up 55 years later

    • @LizziesLukas
      @LizziesLukas Před 10 měsíci +38

      but the Hobbit series are gonna feel outdated much sooner

    • @gasdive
      @gasdive Před 10 měsíci +33

      I was surprised that you could make a film about large scale miniatures and not mention Weta.

    • @alexpotiomkin
      @alexpotiomkin Před 10 měsíci +16

      I was waiting for this commentary. LOTR was groundbreaking in every special and visual effect technique available, including miniatures. The camera movements are fantastic!

    • @TreeStump-and-CheeseKetchupIT
      @TreeStump-and-CheeseKetchupIT Před 10 měsíci +13

      There's the opposite effect in LOTR too! Some shots used an oversized ring to bring out the details.

  • @5MadMovieMakers
    @5MadMovieMakers Před 9 měsíci +105

    Great video about the pros and cons of a unique filming method!

  • @mareecuree
    @mareecuree Před 10 měsíci +31

    i love love miniatures. it excites me to see the whole process on how these artists put all those tiny little details to make every piece look and feel realistic.

  • @wxlurker
    @wxlurker Před 10 měsíci +56

    I absolutely love the craftsmanship that goes into making miniatures and props.

  • @nigelcarren
    @nigelcarren Před 10 měsíci +38

    My name is Nigel Carren and I am a professional miniature medieval armour maker. I typically working in 1/6th and 1/12th scale and each hand-forged steel knight is typically comprised of 73 separate parts. WE enjoyed this video immensely thank you!
    Best wishes from me and all the mice in the workshop. ⚒️🐭🐁🐭🐁

    • @christinaapplegate5281
      @christinaapplegate5281 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yes it’s so wonderful to see a resurgence in the art form overall. And your hobby and passion can truly become a career if that’s your goal. I just enjoy making my Miniature houses, rooms, and all the things that go inside. And now that I’m no longer working I enjoy the company and knowledge of fellow miniaturists at my local miniature society. ❤

  • @nerd26373
    @nerd26373 Před 10 měsíci +343

    We Anderson is a brilliant filmmaker with a vast color palette. His films are willing to go the extra mile. The cinematographies and stories all work together seamlessly to create masterpieces onscreen.

  • @mikesouthworth
    @mikesouthworth Před 10 měsíci +155

    This video was really well done. Great job of showing the process in layman's terms while still making it exciting and interesting.

  • @RapidActionAnimations
    @RapidActionAnimations Před 10 měsíci +34

    It’s unfortunate that miniatures aren’t used as often as they once were as they are an amazing art form. Practical effects just made films so much better.

  • @andybearchan
    @andybearchan Před 10 měsíci +48

    Can you do a video on matte paintings? So many movies from the 80s and 90s had amazing detailed paintings. Do they still exist? Do people collect them?

  • @theawesomer
    @theawesomer Před 10 měsíci +44

    So happy to see that miniatures and practical effects are being preserved by masters like Simon!

  • @ojtheaviator1795
    @ojtheaviator1795 Před 10 měsíci +21

    Miniatures feel real not because they fully authentic to our world but because they are fully authentic to their own. They are a 'real miniature'. And there's a charm to that which can't be understated.

  • @artlovepeace42
    @artlovepeace42 Před 10 měsíci +31

    Thank you so much for showing this! These artists are the epitome of talent! Would be an incredible video to go to a model shop and show all the departments and artists working through a large scale model, start to finish.

  • @Aloddff
    @Aloddff Před 10 měsíci +37

    Physical effects are really captivating

  • @rohitmishra670
    @rohitmishra670 Před 10 měsíci +2

    its amazing to hear from Simon Weisse . I can feel the enthusiasm he has and emotion of fun he has doing the work.

  • @joiedevivre9861
    @joiedevivre9861 Před 9 měsíci +3

    makes me respect directors like wes anderson & christopher nolan all the more for how much they know about & show their love for filmmaking :') loved this insightful vid!

  • @zaneverovati
    @zaneverovati Před 10 měsíci +4

    The thing that had me fall in love with Wes Anderson's filmmaking is the fact that I feel like I'm constantly pulled in through the screen onto the set, most of the time by the miniatures but also by the feeling that the film sets, and then I get into this sort of swaying back and forth, back onto the seat in the movies as a spectator watching a film, and then back inside of the set, and so back and forth, it makes me enjoy his films on a whole another level. And the miniatures themselves make a part of that feeling, being made in such a glorious way that they don't interrupt that feeling, yet still making themselves apparent - I know they're miniatures, but they're made so good that it doesn't matter, the momentous "okay, it's a miniature, but it's a part of the story so it's just another way for Anderson to convey his storytelling" is there for a second and it just makes the miniature blend in and feel as a natural part of the story. It's apparent that it's a miniature, but it's not tacky, B-movie style, but rather gloriously made sculpture, put there to help with telling the story.

  • @milonso650
    @milonso650 Před 10 měsíci +3

    i was lucky and got to see the grand budapest model in weisses workshop before it was even used. such stunning work done by these guys... feels surreal somehow.

  • @mastermavrick
    @mastermavrick Před 10 měsíci +41

    Great video, miniatures like stop motion are rare but amazing artistic works and this goes over why you get that feeling from it.

  • @rickfazzini22
    @rickfazzini22 Před 10 měsíci +6

    I’ve always been in love with the art that is miniature model making. Thanks for sharing this great little film, what’s a treat!

  • @Harleylover14
    @Harleylover14 Před 10 měsíci +5

    I have the greatest respect for any director who can and will still use practical effects. It's truly an art.

  • @chas4life
    @chas4life Před 10 měsíci +6

    Asteroid City is a photographic masterpiece. The details in the sets are genius.

    • @TheFatblob25
      @TheFatblob25 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Absolutely beautiful filmmaking for a relentlessly boring & confusing plot.

  • @thewillsfamilyaccount6486
    @thewillsfamilyaccount6486 Před 10 měsíci +2

    I glad I found this rediscovered this channel! Did not realize how good it is and how vast the subjects are.. Nicely done!

  • @DippedInInk
    @DippedInInk Před 8 měsíci

    The world of miniatures and dioramas are amazing. As an artist to be able to capture realistic things in a small scale is truly a talent.

  • @davidcashin1894
    @davidcashin1894 Před 9 měsíci +7

    Always love to hear about model building for movies and set building in general. There are a lot of us tabletop wargamers who work in scale models all the time and it is fascinating to see what other model builders do. Especially people who have limitless budgets ;-) compared to a game that is.

  • @tomwatts703
    @tomwatts703 Před 10 měsíci +2

    Having grown up on Thunderbirds and other Gerry Anderson shows, I've always had an appreciation for miniatures and practical effects like this

  • @JJadx
    @JJadx Před 10 měsíci +4

    just delightful to look at these, i wish scale models where more commonly used as an art form the way paintings on a wall are.

  • @YanceyLu
    @YanceyLu Před 10 měsíci

    Really love to see more stories of amazing people with amazing craftsmanship.

  • @Noumm
    @Noumm Před 10 měsíci +2

    Asteroid city was excellent and all the projects this amazing Simon Weisse worked on Anderson's movies !!! Love his way to talk about his work you can feel the passion !

  • @Sabotage_Labs
    @Sabotage_Labs Před 20 dny

    His work with Wes Anderson is just amazing. It has to be I suppose with Anderson's incredible attention to detail. He tells such great stories on so many levels.

  • @bigsam653
    @bigsam653 Před 10 měsíci +9

    Using miniatures for Blade Runner made all the difference. The buildings with real fog looked super good

  • @user-rr7vq4xk1b
    @user-rr7vq4xk1b Před 10 měsíci +2

    Wes Anderson films are the romance of Film making, just beautiful.. So much respect for these artist .

  • @pocketrocket6494
    @pocketrocket6494 Před 10 měsíci +3

    As someone who is into the hobby of large scale rc cars everything here is literally flipping awesome

  • @Thebreakdownshow1
    @Thebreakdownshow1 Před 10 měsíci +71

    Wes Anderson films are the romance of Film making, just beautiful.

  • @harrazmasri2805
    @harrazmasri2805 Před 25 dny

    man this doubles the work, it's amazing just how much effort they spend for such movies

  • @RafaelBernatto
    @RafaelBernatto Před 10 měsíci +7

    Disclaimer: Just because tightening the 'aperture' 5:38 "decreases how much light you let into the camera" does not mean that by "reducing the light" you'll end up with a wider depth of field ("every part of the model" in focus). There are a bunch ways for you to decrease light: ND filters, faster shutter speed, light absorbers/black flags and so on...
    It's not about decreasing light. It's about the >aperture< and the way it filters and shapes the light passing through the lens.
    Also, the bigger the sensor or film format, more shallow the depth of field.
    Aperture doesn't (just) mean less light.
    🇧🇷

    • @drlong08
      @drlong08 Před 10 měsíci +1

      I can't show this to my photog/ film major son because his comment will go on for at least an entire 15K words on this one...yes, he's on the scale.

  • @BobJillJackZorroKhoshekZuko
    @BobJillJackZorroKhoshekZuko Před 9 měsíci +2

    I love miniatures, I hope they make more movies using them. My favorite is stop motion, the pink house in Coraline is so good,

  • @nazru8
    @nazru8 Před 9 měsíci +2

    still remembering nolan did the plans crash in TENET,
    where he completely avoided miniatures.

  • @freds3265
    @freds3265 Před 10 měsíci +5

    The clip you used of the Millennium Falcon taking off at 3:18 isn’t actually a miniature. That scene was added in the special editions of a new hope so the Falcon is actually a digital model in that shot. Nice video, just a funny mistake.

  • @JAVTROOPER
    @JAVTROOPER Před 10 měsíci +2

    Finally I understand how they create those spectacular scene in box office movies in the era of early computer

  • @OxburgerStudios
    @OxburgerStudios Před 10 měsíci +2

    Long live miniatures, stop-motion, and other traditional visual effects techniques! This was a great watch, thanks for putting it together VOX.

  • @sabersight908
    @sabersight908 Před 10 měsíci +5

    with a video all about bigatures im surprised it has not been mentioned ones that they are not miniatures but bigatures xD great video about the mini world in the film industry i already knew quite a lot but i keep learning some new things.

  • @passtheparcel2007
    @passtheparcel2007 Před 10 měsíci +2

    Quite amazing!
    All together now, "It's a small world after all"...

  • @heckensteiner4713
    @heckensteiner4713 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Miniatures are my absolute favorite form of film trickery!

  • @AAWagner
    @AAWagner Před 5 měsíci

    I’ve always been fascinated by miniatures and how they are used in all ways including cinematography.

  • @xaviconde
    @xaviconde Před 10 měsíci +2

    The Millennium Falcon bit in the video is actually CGId, not the model. That scene was added in the Special Edition of Episode IV.

  • @ALIBIMusicLibrary
    @ALIBIMusicLibrary Před 4 dny

    Something about this style emits so much happiness. Even if its intended to be creepy its always endearing

  • @adamzimmerman9459
    @adamzimmerman9459 Před 9 měsíci

    Love this thanks for posting

  • @Deecosta
    @Deecosta Před 5 měsíci

    Thought I was just going to watch something entertaining - but ended up learning a good few things I can apply to my miniature making endeavours! Well done on a great video. 🎉🙌

  • @pushbikeman
    @pushbikeman Před 10 měsíci +2

    This video was simply fascinating I loved Asteroid City funny amusing and visually abstract looking like a model railway table.

  • @michaelhollinger7034
    @michaelhollinger7034 Před 10 měsíci +2

    Weirdly brought up Game Night and I worked on that film. I drove through that neighborhood that you referenced as use of models. I’m pretty sure we used Tilt Shift to create that look and not models. Don’t remember ever seeing models in our Art Department.

  • @-Alberto-Bolanos-
    @-Alberto-Bolanos- Před 10 měsíci +1

    again this is a introduction of a master class filming....... merci beaucoup

  • @alastairbattson5123
    @alastairbattson5123 Před 10 měsíci +4

    I am glad that people like Simon Weisse are still around and doing the work allowing the likes of Wes Anderson to make the movies in the style and techniques he would wish, especially as a movie every 2 years from Wes probably doesn't offer Simon enough work to live off.

  • @jucaropis
    @jucaropis Před 6 měsíci

    Magnificent video, a talent on the part of the team of layout designers as well as the filming team. They are cinema geniuses!

  • @WrvrUgoThrUR
    @WrvrUgoThrUR Před 3 měsíci

    Fascinating! Thx. This kinda stuff got me into media production some 50 years ago as a 10 year old who had just seen Star Wars in the theater.

  • @EdBabb
    @EdBabb Před 10 měsíci +2

    VFX Artist here -- that shot of the millenium faclon you used was CG, not a model, from the reissue Lucas did in the 90's.

  • @WLANDFILMS
    @WLANDFILMS Před 9 měsíci

    increíble gracias por este video!!!

  • @withconfettiinmyhair
    @withconfettiinmyhair Před 10 měsíci

    Been really enjoying every Edward Vega essay I've seen so far!

  • @DCDSG
    @DCDSG Před 10 měsíci

    I love that a lot of the old stuff is not dying yet and maybe still has a bright future ahead. Like vinyls. Thrifting. Etc. Might not be super commercial / popular but will keep an important place.

  • @dathorndike4908
    @dathorndike4908 Před 10 měsíci +4

    I remember the original Star Wars trilogy and how they used mostly miniatures for alot of the ships. It was a great example of making more out of less in film.

  • @Oisin2
    @Oisin2 Před 10 měsíci +4

    Great video! So entertaining and informative :)

  • @MattWinchell
    @MattWinchell Před 10 měsíci

    You guys somewhat touched on this, but I'd love to see a video on motion-control/go-motion.

  • @thecasualfly
    @thecasualfly Před 10 měsíci +4

    I love practical effects and all the artisans who are involved with it.. miniatures are so rad too.. great stuff

  • @DrawnInk1
    @DrawnInk1 Před 10 měsíci +2

    Fascinating upload thanks.

  • @bySterling
    @bySterling Před 10 měsíci

    So much respect for these artist 💯👏🏻🎉👍🏻

  • @bitspacemusic
    @bitspacemusic Před 10 měsíci +2

    4:54 Long lenses only crop more. Perspective (compression) is the same for all lenses when shot from the same position.

  • @theraphman
    @theraphman Před 10 měsíci +8

    This magic is the reason why I enjoy watching movies 🎥…

  • @Durmomo0
    @Durmomo0 Před 10 měsíci +1

    It was a beautiful spaceship, glad they went with the green...

  • @cedricklyon
    @cedricklyon Před 10 měsíci +2

    Don't forget to visit the miniature and cinema museum in the old town of Lyon, France !

  • @passtheparcel2007
    @passtheparcel2007 Před 10 měsíci +2

    I remember being suitably impressed, when that space ship (Star Wars) passed overhead, it was huge!
    I had never seen anything so big an it took so long to pass...

  • @guy_incognito
    @guy_incognito Před 10 měsíci

    Nice essay! The "miniature: battleships for In Harms Way were up to 40 feet long.

  • @StrawberryFeildsforNever
    @StrawberryFeildsforNever Před 10 měsíci +26

    I pray that they sell these. There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do to get my hands on the grand Budapest hotel

  • @kazpaapzak8637
    @kazpaapzak8637 Před 10 měsíci +3

    The novelty of computers and perfection is wearing off and we are now moving towards a place where the character and artistic style of a film is once more the most applauded aspect. It’s the same with camera lenses, cinematographers want hand built anamorphic lenses over the ‘perfect’ new lenses because they have more character and add to style of the film

  • @WShawn
    @WShawn Před 10 měsíci

    Very nice video and explanation. Something funky going on with your credit list, though, at 9:19. Two slightly-different versions of the same screen. Oh, well.

  • @Blasharga
    @Blasharga Před 10 měsíci +10

    feels wrong not to mention Lord of the Rings in this context. Minas Tirith especially.

  • @RealSalica
    @RealSalica Před 10 měsíci

    Wow 🤩 Thank you for this video ! So interesting .

  • @sjbechet1111
    @sjbechet1111 Před 10 měsíci +2

    The size of the APERTURE defines the depth of field - not how much light you let in. The amount of light can be less or more with aperture but this can also be controlled with cutters/screens, ND filters and shutter speed.

  • @bazza5699
    @bazza5699 Před 10 měsíci +2

    wow i'd love to have the skills to be able to build models like that

  • @DOI_ARTS
    @DOI_ARTS Před 10 měsíci +2

    There is this old show in Discovery Channel Movie Magic, I love it so much they explain the movie techniques and made me understand how movies were shot.

  • @elyornoyovanna5482
    @elyornoyovanna5482 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Creí que hablarían del estilo pausado y caricaturesco tan característico que tienen sus películas Stop motion
    Al presentar el ambiente no satura la pantalla de tantos elementos, ésa simpleza es increíble

  • @andrews.
    @andrews. Před 10 měsíci +3

    Is Lord of the Rings considered old now? They used HUGE miniature sets to bring the story to life. The Rivendell Model is amazing if you have seen it.

  • @ajo510
    @ajo510 Před 10 měsíci +1

    This is fascinating

  • @dathorndike4908
    @dathorndike4908 Před 10 měsíci +1

    I hope they save alot of these. Is there a movie miniature museum somewhere?

  • @ThePCDealer
    @ThePCDealer Před 10 měsíci

    Thanks for such amazing video. The real hero here is Weisse.

  • @martinstent5339
    @martinstent5339 Před 10 měsíci +7

    It's a shame they didn't mention the ultimate model in terms of looking real: The 2001 spaceship. At F22 every frame over 1 minute!!

  • @markboyle2539
    @markboyle2539 Před 16 dny

    Great video although weird to hear miniatures discussed with no mention of Eiji Tsuburaya, he was the goat even considering budget

  • @jozetkrekel7625
    @jozetkrekel7625 Před 10 měsíci

    Loved the item!

  • @zakariajaiathe
    @zakariajaiathe Před 7 dny

    Was great to film with Wes Anderson and see how he works closely.

  • @Byrolandito
    @Byrolandito Před 10 měsíci

    This is amazing 😮

  • @AlbertaRose94
    @AlbertaRose94 Před 6 měsíci

    The use of miniatures in Asteroid City added to the old time vibe.

  • @MacGuyver85
    @MacGuyver85 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Great video, thank you!

  • @iamharnad
    @iamharnad Před 10 měsíci

    this is a great video, thank you

  • @precioustraveler
    @precioustraveler Před 10 měsíci

    Love seeing all of this craft.

  • @3RDEYELOVE
    @3RDEYELOVE Před 9 měsíci

    I wonder if miniatures VFX can be used on a virtual set with digital assets to save polycounts?

  • @killerdinamo08
    @killerdinamo08 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Knew that E-type was a Bburago model from the first moment due to the widespread 265 WK license plate 😅.

  • @CleverAccountName303
    @CleverAccountName303 Před 10 měsíci +1

    How much do some of these cost? Very curious. It would have been nice if that information was included.

  • @toddjones1480
    @toddjones1480 Před 9 měsíci +2

    It's actually possible to make extremely convincing miniature bricks and concrete, but maybe not at 1/18. At 1/12 any defect will give away the game so you'll need to scrap about half of what you make. Bigger scales are more forgiving.

  • @protorhinocerator142
    @protorhinocerator142 Před 4 měsíci

    In Asteroid City, I could absolutely tell that the mountains in the background were mini. At first they looked good, but then those sideways crawl shots allowed me to parallax the distance better. They weren't miles away like the movie implied. They were very close.
    If they had instead done a spin shot or a pan up, it would have hidden the real distance much better.