Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1109293
Another area of the visual story that expanded was the science fiction technology of world jumping. The "Die Nebenwelt" tunnel set complex was created for the scripted action of the Nazis attempting, through evil science…to travel between the worlds of the multiverse. The arrogance and violence of their machine was key to the intent behind the design. The massive concrete mega-tunnel cutting through the earth into a natural anomaly was the result of numerous discussions about what it should look like to mechanically force characters from one world to another. For the actual moment of transition, a deliberately non-digital effects- based idea was selected. Concerned that a "CGI effect" would feel somehow cheap, it was decided to use in-camera lighting and exposure to tell the story. The big concrete tunnel is one hundred four feet long and it features a massive backlight rig to produce the intensity required to blow out the tunnel. All the cave walls are sculpted foam and every console and control desk is custom made with period playback graphics. What I like most about this set is how mid-century it is, its minimalism, it's an early Bond film kind-of-thing, with much respect owed to Ken Adam's amazing work. ADG A. & B. DIE NEBENWELT DEVICE. SET SKETCHES. 3D CLAY AND WHITE MODEL WITH IPAD DRAW OVER BY DREW BOUGHTON. C. & D. DIE NEBENWELT DEVICE. PHOTO SHOWING THE CUSTOM-BUILT CONSOLES, PLAYBACK SCREENS AND TAPE DRIVE. E. PHOTO OF THE TUNNEL STRUCTURE. F. PHOTO SHOWING DIE NEBENWELT SET AND STAGE LIGHTING ABOVE. G. DIE NEBENWELT DEVICE. PRODUCTION STILL. SET PHOTOS BY JAY KENT A B C