Film Work
After my time at the BBC, I was quickly snapped up by Special Effects departments at many UK based studios, most notably at Pinewood and Jim Hensons during the late eighties and through the nineties. During this time I worked with many clients and became an integral part of effects houses and creature shops. The work then was mainly in the Science fiction domain, later on however I contributed eclectic work across various mediums and genres that ranged from designing space guns for films like the Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy (2005) and general props in Millions (2004) and The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992), to sculpting armatures and building and painting full models of space ships and their alien pilots used prominently in Event Horizon (1997) and The Fifth Element (1997).
The Fifth Element (1997)
Credited as a sculptor and model maker, I worked on the Luc Besson sci-fi blockbuster “The Fifth Element” creating the “Mondos” featured prominently in the opening sequence. I was responsible for building out the armature, as well as clay modelling and fibre glass detailing. Creating these required lighting and bespoke detailing built into the models also.
Early Mondo, the fibreglass is being layered onto the foam and clay armature
Later version of the same model, with added appendages
Final painted Mondo as seen in the film
Event Horizon (1997)
Sculpted and painted the titular ship, as part of the effects team, an enormous twenty foot model. The prop was used extensively in the film and held the record for largest British miniature model for many years
Record holder for the largest British miniature model in film
Lost in Space (1998)
Prop maker, costume designer and costume fabricator. The costumes are worn by the main characters in the film, and as such appear very prominently, as seen in this promotional poster.
The costumes are ‘flight suits’ that the actors wear throughout the film
I designed, sculpted and fitted the costumes, based on patterns of acupuncture lifeline charts
(Above: The full cast in their costumes on set. Below: Taking life cast moulds for costume fitting with Mimi Rogers and Heather Graham)
The costumes as seen in the film worn by Lacey Chabert and Mimi Rogers
Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
I had many responsibilities across creative disciplines for Disney’s film adaptation of Douglas Adams’ classic sci-fi adventure. These included; designing props such as weapons and space ships, sculpting clay models and making latex props, as well as many other jobs in the effects team.
As well as designing the Point Of View Gun and Sculpting Vogon heads (See below) perhaps my biggest contribution was the sculpting and moulding of Marvin the paranoid android, voiced by Alan Rick man and Piloted by Warwick Davis. He serves as a sardonic fan favourite character, who features in much of the advertising surrounding the film. Sculpting this particular piece posed unique challenges to make a costume with bespoke fit for Warwick Davis.
Marvin as seen in the film with Martin Freeman
Zooey Deschannel holding the Point Of View gun
Promotional Poster Featuring Marvin
Clay model for Marvin built around Warwick Davis Life cast
Sinister looking Vogon
But wait, there's more!
Additional film credits…
Prop Maker - Effects Department (1992)
Prop Maker - Effects Department (2004)
Costume Designer/Fabricator - Costume and Wardrobe Department (1998)
Sculptor, Modeller - Effects Department (1997)
Designer, Sculptor, Modeller - Effects Department (2005)