Bio-Diversity Department – The “Shroomies” With John Teska

The appearance of the Shroomies was an eerie moment on “Enterprise”. With their crab-like eye-stalks and bubble helmets, they had a wonderful 1950’s feeling that I would have like to have seen more of. Alas, we never found out what they were up to.

John Teska is known far and wide as being one of the top CG wizards in this and all known parallel dimensions. One day Dan Curry came in with a special project for him…. a departure for Star Trek… an alien-alien sporting a tad more than a bumpy forehead! You couldn’t pick a better guy for the job… in fact, John was responsible for Species 8472 and the Borg Queen assembly sequence on Voyager.

(Above) Species 8472 – Another startling Teska creation from Star Trek:Voyager.

Calling Dick Tracy! 51

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Suliban Helix

The Suliban Helix: Remarkable.

The more I dig through my Enterprise files, the more I realize that some of the most far out and science-fictiony stuff was created for this series. Enterprise was the first Trek series to have all the power of CG imagery available to it, and it was used to wild advantage. Keep in mind that these images do not illustrate the structure with it’s full complement of cell ships attached. With it’s enormous assemblage of cells in place, it would have been an impossibility to construct as a physical model, and we would have ended up with a design much more conventional.You’ll see what I mean when you get to Jörg’s screen caps at the end of the entry. The final build is a fragile, multitudinous assemblage of bubbles that defy gravity, possible only within the CG realm. John, how many dozens of drawings did you do before a final design was approved?

I’m awaiting more info on who actually built this model, and will post that here as soon as I have it.

Correction!

 

I had reported that the Romulan Bird of Prey from Enterprise was built by Pierre. It was actually that mad genius Koji Kuramura! Hi buddy, and Banzai!

Countdown to 2010 SOTL! 04

SOTL 2008 – Ambush! –  by  Koji Kuramura

  Coming soon: The 2010 Ships of the Line Calendar! Let the countdown begin!

From Pocket Books, where all eras of Star Trek live!

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Extra! Tracy B-Day Special For Dea! Ep 50

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Yep! Today is Dea’s birthday! Being one of our biggest Tracy fans, she has requested an extra installment! Dea! Your wish is my command! Extra Tracy tech on the next page!

Calling Dick Tracy! 49

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Virtuality VFX and the Good Ship Phaeton – UPDATED!

(Above) A test render of the Phaeton. On “Virtuality” the ship is self illuminated with starlight fill only, making for very moody and mysterious imagery.

We’re proud of how Virtuality turned out, and  most people seem to have enjoyed it. In fact, James Poniewozik of Time magazine said, “…it’s better than any network drama pilot I’ve seen so far for next fall.” You can read it here – http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2009/06/26/virtualitys-bold-lonely-mission/

I just did a Q&A with John Folden of  http://virtuality-tv.info/  You can read it below in it’s entirety with some new images to boot, so Enjoy…

Romulan Bird of Prey – Enterprise

Bird is the word – The updated classic made the episode “Minefield” a special event  for fans and the art department.

Unquestionably one of my favorite Enterprise ships, the iconic Wah Chang design as it was restyled by John Eaves. John embued the Praetor’s pride with a candy coat of elegance, it’s updating complimenting the restyled NX-01 Enterprise. The one missing element we all let out a collective sigh over, was the predatory bird painted on the bottom. How does THAT get left off?! Well, that order came from on high, and all we could do was scratch our heads and go about our business.

Usual brilliant modeling job by the internationally revered Koji Kuramura, who also happens to be my hero.

Watch “Virtuality” Here

http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=virtuality

http://www.hulu.com/watch/80030/virtuality

Chewed Out! Another 1950’s EC Great!

(Above) A fantastic Wally Wood cover for this issue, and on the inside, a fun-tastic Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein masterpiece,  illustrated by Joe Orlando… and one I would never forget! Read “Chewed Out!”

Malon Tanker

Brandon is akin to a sci fi Santa! You never know when the sound of the sleigh is going to thump on the roof, and a shiny new toy is going to  will drop down through the chimney! For the first time ever, we get a really good luck at the Malon shuttle, hinted at about a week ago here : http://drexfiles.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/toxic-tanker-voyager/ where the rascals can be seen escorting Toxie. This ship was designed by Brandon and Dan Curry. Let’s see what B has to say about it -

I remember that I came up with the design for the Malon shuttle directly in the 3D application, and Dan Curry approved it in house.. we needed something quick.  My thinking was an industrial looking steel hull construction meant to shield the crew from toxic gasses and radiation.

Dan was always fun to work with!  His understanding of art always had a positive impact on the show.  To be frank, some some of the Foundation Imaging supervisors where intimated, but for me it was like working with a old friend from day one. He would come by Foundation once or twice a week to check up on shots, then spend the rest of his time going over details with me…  that is when he was not telling a joke or two… and he was funny!