Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1514626
5 4 P E R S P E C T I V E | J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 shapes, and we produced highly detailed models that were 3D scanned. Down the road as we were facing schedule pressure, these scans were used to CNC cut the rough shapes of the mountains— allowing us to use our sculptors for fine-finishing each formation. Meanwhile, Concept Illustrator Alexios Chrysikos built a 3D model of the town's main elements. We started visualizing all of the storyboard shots. Asteroid City was a bit unusual in terms of the shot- building process. Each set—the luncheonette, motel, gas station, etc.—was meticulously planned. That's normal. New here though was that the town of Asteroid City was an actual place and had to function like a location where everything is seen. Each of the sets became the backgrounds for one another. Shots for the bus-arrival sequence would require moving the luncheonette, which would impact the phone booth sequence, throwing the motel layout into disarray, etc., etc., etc. It took a long time and a lot of modeling to arrive at just the right placement for each piece of our town. One huge challenge in developing Asteroid City was simply that we weren't able to go there. Because of the COVID-19 lockdowns, we had to do all of this modeling and design work remotely. It was nerve- racking to say the least! My first visit in January 2021 turned out to be during a historic blizzard, with an extremely rare two feet of snow blanketing the site. A. LARGE ROCK FORMATION IN PROCESS. FORM STRUCTURE BEING HARD-COATED. B. LUNCHEONETTE ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXIOS CHRYSIKOS WITH GRAPHICS BY ERICA DORN. CREATED IN 3D STUDIO MAX WITH PHOTOSHOP. C. SET PHOTO OF THE LUNCHEONETTE. D. IN-PROGRESS PHOTO OF ONE OF THE ROCK FORMATIONS BEING BUILT. PHOTO BY STÉPHANE CRESSEND. E. SIDE VIEW OF ONE OF THE ROLLING ROCK FORMATIONS. PHOTO BY VALERIE SADOUN. A C B