As people who know me will no doubt confirm, I am seldom at a loss for words. But this morning, I got another package of images from our sculptor and the sound of my jaw hitting the floor could be heard two counties away. Seriously, it sounded like a gunshot.
I have always been in awe of the work of Serenity’s sculptor, but in this case he has truly outdone himself. Seriously, as shiny as everything about this design has been, it’s the images of the final engine design that’s making me positively giddy.
I really am at a loss for words here, so I’m just going to give you guys the gallery and stand aside as the river of drool rolls by. Just two notes – First, I understand a couple of folks didn’t realize exactly how these galleries work, and because I don’t want you to miss a single detail, let me explain: Clicking on A thumbnail below will bring up a medium-sized version of the image, along with other thumbnails below you can click through. However, if you click on the image a second time, it will bring up the full-resolution image on a new page – about 800 pixels wide (too big to display in the website template).
Second item is, after many months of servitude to the Serenity cause, our sculptor has come up for air and may be dropping by the FFSW. He may even reply to your comments. No guarantees, mind you, but if you have a specific question or two for him, post them here.
Being new to owning shiny ships such as this I do have a couple of questions:
Are their specs available on he features of the finished product? (materials, functionality, motion, lights, solidly welded or will disassemble potential exists, etc)
Is Serenity still on budget or will it, as many things as they reach completion, end up over budget and therefore cost more than expected?
For that matter is the expected cost known at this time so potential purchasers will be able to plan ahead and if need be either borrow from their children or cut back on allowances?
Having this assembled into a FAQ of sorts would be helpful to all who visit this shipyard’s facilities.
OMG, the detail is astounding! When I have a bit more time, I plan to pore over each picture and savor the craftsmanship. Well done! Sigh.
Only one question for the sculptor. How in the,,,,,,,,? Absolutely beautiful! There is so much detail and depth on the main engine that it looks like there are several layers of details stacked up, but at the same time it looks to be a solid piece. Painting this will be fun for sure!
Thanks for the update Andy.
jim
Christim – that’s an excellent suggestion. I’m going to put that on the list of “to-dos” for the next couple of weeks and, when done, I can add it the “about” section as a permanent article.
A few of your questions I can answer quickly:
The final replica will consist primarily of a cast-resin kit that will be assembled by the special effects team at The FX Company (they are a professional, movie model company) and painted in auto-grade, multilayer paint. It will have a lighting system, although the specifics aren’t finalized yet. First priority is to make the kit and then see what type of lighting will bring out the best in it. We have some ideas, of course, but I couldn’t commit to specifics until the EL team has had a chance to finish the prototype lighting system.
In terms of ruddedness – all our Artisan replicas are built to meet the same standard demanded by studios for filming miniatures, which is why we sometimes refer to them as “film quality”. They are not overly-fragile, although they should be handled with care and respect, as you would with any object of value.
As for cost, the sculpt has stayed right on budget, and as that’s almost done, I can say we’re on target. Of course, there’s still much work left to finish, but what I can commit to is we will make sure it’s worth every penny.
OMFG, is that a removeable engine cowling?
That’s good news. Seriously, the bottom of the engines are way more detailed than I thought.
Just beautiful.
Buh…
*drool*
A Question for the sculptor:
When looking at the engine cowling, you can see a layering affect in the material. Is some type of “Rapid Prototyping” being used to fabricate some of these masters?
Thanks and we are all very impressed with your work!
jim
That detail is… Yeah…
One question though. You had said something about a clear cast in the exhaust, and it looks like the gimble can move pretty much anywhere you want it to go. How will the electrical connections work in there?
Andy
I love the photos and the amount of detail. My question is about the lighting and other stuff.
This is a breakdown of the lighting I think you said you will be providing
Cockpit
Gravity Rotator
Engines
Formation lights
Reactor
Now for some more detailed questions
For the reactor area will you be having the movable panels movable or will they be fixed in the open or closed position? If they are movable would this be fragile?
If they are movable will these be poseable by hand or will they be controlled by motors?
Similarly will the side engines be poseable by hand or will they be controlled by servos/motors?
For the main body will the skylight as well as the other windows be lit?
Will this be permanently mounted onto a base or can it be removed and flown around the room?
If it is permanently mounted to a base I would think the lighting controls will be in the base. If the electronics are in the base can you include a sound chip so that when you press a button it can quote some of the lines from the movie?
It may sound silly but I seriously think about being able to push a button and then seeing Serenity do the opening sequence to the movie and hearing the music.
Ok, I didn’t want to post until I had more
done but since this is nearing completion I
figured I would chime in. I’ll let Andy answer most of
the questions as he knows ” what will be what ” with
the finished model. But, to answer a few in the time I
have today.
The COWLING will NOT be removable ! In the
CGI model there is nothing ” under ” it at all, and honestly
I saw no point in scratching parts for something you will
never ever see !
{{ It may look a little funny in the pictures since it’s
not glued on and just ” resting ” on the top of the Engine! }}
As to the questions of the Engines, the Control Reactor
Flaps will be in the ” OPEN ” postion for the display piece.
It is honestly way to tiny to do any kind of mechanical
open and close hinging on this!
The Main Engines will come in a FIXED position as well.
This is for 2 reasons, one, STRENGTH ! If they were made
movable they would be VERY fragile and probably break
just by ” playing ” with them over time ! And the second
reason is since wiring has to be routed to the Engines
for lighting they will have to go THRU the resin parts and
that means drilling. So, you add MANY,MANY problems if
you want a rotating part that has wiring running thru it !
I’ll try and pop on from time to time to answer questions when
time permits. This has been allot of fun, but also a small
NIGHTMARE at the same time because of the level of detailing
that is incorporated in the MOVIE version of the Serenity !
BELIEVE ME, the TV version would have been easier !
Ok, no questions just a THANK-YOU!!!! For the amount of care and thought you have put into this project. It looks AMAZING and I bet it will be downright out of this world once it’s finished. Can’t wait to see the final product.
Well, the reactor flaps technically can’t open. They have two hinges on a curved surface and the flaps would break in half if you wanted to open them.
Hey there Alex – thanks for the compliment on the sculpt! Just to be clear, those are all things we’d *like* to do (and, I expect we will do most if not all); however, the EL team will kill me if I say “for sure” right now until they’ve completed their work. I know the sculptor is designing the kit with all those lighting elements in mind, so we’ll see how it turns out.
And speaking of the sculptor – welcome, Wolvster! I think he did a much more thorough and authoritative job answering your questions than I ever could
And ten points to DV for hitting the nail on the head about the “movability” of the radiation shutters!
Welcome Wolvster and thanks for all of your hard work and for talking with us here at FFSW.
About the compound curvature of the shutters,,,,,, there are a lot of examples in the aviation industry today where curved surfaces hinge. You just need to configure the hinge pins so they are in-line. The F-15 speed break could double as a radiation shutter on Serenity.
http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/f15cspeedbrake/F-15_SpeedBrake.htm
jim
Hi Jim – okay, I know you *really* know your stuff when it comes to aviation parts, but to Wolvster’s point the part’s so tiny that even if we could hinge it, it would likely break off in shipping. That’s another thing we need to considering building the final model.
Way back when this project first kicked off, Wolvster and I had many conversations on the tradeoffs between size and cost. I think we hit a pretty good medium here between detail and keeping the final price, while not cheap, at least a good value for what you get. Mechanical design at this level drives costs up *really* quickly, even more so than lighting systems do. And a lighting system can account for up to half the cost of parts.
Wolvster, I love the phrase “nearing completion.”
I can certainly understand why these would be fixed. That was why I was asking. Thanks. And keep up the good work. Looks awesome.
I’m not sure if this has been asked before some where else or even if this is the right place to ask it, but will shipping to the UK be possible?
Everything looks great so far!
Hi Soupdog and welcome to the Ship Works! This is an absolutely fine place to ask your question, and the answer is “yes”. We will be shipping these anywhere in the world where there’s a Browncoat who wants one
I want one now. What a wonderful piece of art, and movie history.
Will there be an advance notice and possible pre-sale? For serious collectors, that is always a question. I know everyone will want one, but, as always, money can drive people away.
And the cost of gas doesn’t help……
Great Work
Hi Harold – yes, as a Core-Tech (or QMx Insider), you’ll have plenty of advanced notice. We also want to give folks a chance to save up, sell kidneys, what have you, so as soon as we have a bead on the price, we’ll be announcing that here, as well.
I have know Wolvster for many years and have quite a few of his models. They are ALL number one class acts. I wish I had the modeling skills that he has in his pinky! Put me on the list for notification please. OH! Please notify us ahead of time so the poor among us can start setting aside the purchase price. That would definitely be shiny.
Thanks for the reassurance!
I figure that If I save a small amount of money each day (ie have a smaller lunch) I might just be able to afford one in time.
Soupdog – you should have some time. With the kit just finishing, we still need to do the build, electronics and paint master!
Leelan – Wolvster is absolutely the best! We all consider ourselves lucky to be working with an artist of his skill and integrity!!
i keep hearing the word “kit” now i know it is just generic but have you ever thought about making a kit so those who don’t have the income for a finished boat could “build” one themselves?
When the ship is ready…..or maybe before…………can $500 hold one? or two??? Hint, Hint,
The work is wonderful…..great job….can’t wait….
When do you want my credit card number to hold one………$500-$1,000.??
Hi there Harold! I really appreciate the offer, but it just wouldn’t be right for us to take your money right now. I mean, we don’t have a final launch date or price yet.
However, just keep an eye here and also make sure you subscribe to the QMx Insider newsletter (http://insider.qmxonline.com); we’ll make sure you get your Serenity when they’re ready!
Meanwhile, hope you’ll stick around here and contribute to the dialog. Always good to hear from fellow Serenity fans.
Outstanding! I completely agree with the decision to keep the parts fixed & sturdy as opposed to posable & fragile. Mines got a long trip to the UK ahead of it so the sturdier the better. Of all the suggestions I’d have to say I’d love to see it with an illuminated skylight. And maybe a teeny tiny kitchen & dining room with barely visable roses painted on the doorframe. I’m kidding, please don’t hit me! The only thing I’m not sure about is the idea of having one of the shuttles detatched. I’d rather have the option of detatched or docked.The sculpt looks absolutely perfect. Can’t wait to see her fully assembled. Excellent work Wolvster!