Images

L1

A clip from 'It Can Be Done' showing Reich's Cloud buster in the background. This was based on the original 50's machine and still exists in America at his old lab.

L2

The laboratory raiding and burning scene from the true 50's story 'It Can Be Done' about the scientist Wilhelm Reich. The infamous 'accumulators' are seen here being destroyed. These were made using the original drawings and included health warnings about the dangers of orgone energy.

M1

A still from 'Time Bandits' showing the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness created entirely at our studio in Battersea. This was made flat and in perspective to allow the dry ice to float across it realistically from the sky (me with a kettle).

R1

A still from the film 'Alien'. It shows a painted leg of the mother space ship on the alien planet. Only one of the legs was actually built leaving the other two as realistic artist cutouts. I assisted my father Ken during much of this film and spent about three weeks painting bones on H stage only to have most of it obscured by smoke on the shoot!

R2

A movie clip again from Alien. The whole ship interior needed ageing down. Coloured French enamel varnishes were used for this, which unfortunately created some unpleasant fumes. As a result it was done late in the evening after the construction crew had gone home.

R3

The set from the Pink Floyd film 'The Wall'. A large night scene of Los Angeles was painted on the Pinewood cyclorama. When the set was finished with the wrap party was held there.

R4

'Top Dog'. A film about a fanatic dog trainer who suffers the ultimate fate. This was shot entirely at Wimbledon Stadium and although not big on scenery it still required dressing, special effects and propping with my small art department crew of one.

R5

'The Cask of Amontillado'. A few nights here spent in the vaults at Somerset house. I took this on prior to reading the script and realising it was night shoots. These were followed directly by a week of day shoots on another job for a different client.

R6

'Bus Life'. I had to design and prepare this specially converted bus here. This was to allow the crew and cast to film the series almost entirely on the top deck of this bus. The gantries were made to allow for the lights and camera and windows rigged for speedy removal. The lower deck was racked for video playback, sound, and production. It was towed around a test track for three weeks during filming!

R7

Here is the actual bus. Bickers Action were responsible for the bus rigging following my design and they had the interesting job of towing it around a test track for three weeks in the summer. We also arranged for a 'stopping station' to reload kit direct onto the upper deck, this provided valuable weather cover and protection. The towing truck was equipped with a generator for the lights and the buses gearbox was disconnected to avoid wear and reduce sound whilst being towed.