The Shoot

One of the key features that needed to be factored into the design of the model was a knock-down wall. The knock-down wall (located on the camera-right side of the rear museum wall), was engineered so that minimal impact would cause it to fold out of the way of the moving camera platform. We photographed a full-size diorama set and mounted a photo print of that diorama on the knock-down wall. At the point of impact, the photo print would fill frame and the knock-down wall would fold away from the camera, allowing for a smooth transition from our miniature world back into the full-scale live action.

We designed the camera platform to carry the camera into the model with a 14 foot reach. This would allow us to have a seamless, solid floor and ceiling in the model. This also meant that the camera platform would need to be completely free of flex, since it would be entering into the model at close to ten miles an hour and would be clearing the floor of the model by less than 1/2 inch.

After each take was complete, the model would be cleaned and reset with new dinosaurs for the next take, with 4 takes completed in the single pre-light/shoot/strike day.