Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/765720
P E R S P E C T I V E | J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 7 47 THE AIR LOCK by Dean Wolcott, Set Designer Essentially a transitional space, the air lock was fit into the ship's framework rather than the more open, internal areas. It sounded like a form-follows-function industrial space to me, something right up my alley. I tried to make the space feel snug and efficient, with large shapes creating interesting intersections. I brought the ceiling down pretty low, which sparked an idea for how the inner and outer chambers might intersect with it. I modeled it, and that's when I got the feeling that we were really onto something. The space just felt right. THE UTILITY BUGGY by Gary Warshaw, Assistant Art Director Creating the on-ship vehicle, referred to in the script as the cart and buggy, was an exemplary display of interdepartmental collaboration between special effects, the Art Department, set decoration, construction, paint, stunts and video assist. Working together, two complete vehicles were put together in about sixteen days. The original intent was to outsource the fabrication of these to a shop, but at the last minute it was decided to do it in-house in Dan Sudick's special effects shop. The vehicle started with the chasis from a Kawasaki Teryx, and everything else was built from scratch. The original concept design was done by Ed Natividad and then refined by C. Scott Baker. The parts were made utilizing CNC machines, laser cutters and 3D printers, along with traditional hands-on machine work. The Art Department also sourced many off-the-shelf parts to repurpose into the final product. There were two different vehicles made: one was the vehicle in its entirety, the second was a stripped-down buggy version. Left: The air lock antechamber was designed as an area for spacesuit maintenance and exterior equipment storage. Its design was supervised by Art Director Greg Hooper with Set Designer Dean Wolcott. The air lock tube became an emotional low point for Jim. Its austere appearance suggests no sympathy. It's the moment where Jim completely breaks down, overwhelmed by his helplessness as he faces a button that could eject him into space and end it all. Below, top to bottom: The best date ever? Jim encourages Aurora to slip out of her dress and into a spacesuit to experience the vastness of space for the first time. The utility vehicle was a joint project between the Art Department and the special effects team lead by Dan Sudick. The chassis was a golf cart with the body stripped away and rebuilt. The vehicle functioned rather like a tugboat does, hauling or pushing huge containers around the storage areas.