Today we continue to explore the magic of movie making with these five miniature production models used to bring the worlds of comedy, fantasy, action and horror to life on the big screen.
The Grand Budapest Hotel miniature production model
First up is this spectacular production model of The Grand Budapest Hotel used in Wes Anderson's 2014 comedy about an aging high-class hotel and the working relationship between the concierge and the lobby boy.
The movie was nominated for nine Oscars and took home four, including for Production Design for Adam Stockhausen (with Anna Pinnock for Set Decoration) and Best Costume Design for Milena Canonero.
This screen-used model was photographed on display at the sadly now defunct ArcLight Hollywood cinema in March 2014, so make sure you take a closer look at this miniature model and costumes from The Grand Budapest Hotel on display.
S.S. Venture tramp steamer and Skull Island miniature
from King Kong
Next up is miniature S.S. Venture boat model from 2005's King Kong movie remake directed by Peter Jackson. This tramp steamer sailed to Skull Island, the home of the legendary giant ape.
This model was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on the theme park tour in April 2009.
Mansion miniature model from Downsizing
This next mansion miniature model is from Alexander Payne's 2017 comedy Downsizing. To deal with overpopulation, scientist have started to shrink people down to four inches tall and Matt Damon finds himself starting his life anew in a downsized community.
Be sure to take a closer look at this miniature model from Downsizing that was on display in ArcLight Hollywood's foyer in December 2017.
Miniature WW11 Belgian village
from Welcome to Marwen
The next miniatures are of a slightly different kind. In 2018's Welcome to Marwen based a true story, Steve Carell plays the victim of a vicious hate crime who builds a miniature Belgian World War II town to aid his recovery and help him remember, filling it with G.I. Joes and Barbie dolls which he photographs for therapy.
Be sure to take a closer look at these miniature Marwen buildings that were on display at ArcLight Hollywood in December 2018.
Castle miniature from Bram Stoker's Dracula
And the final dramatic example is from Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 gothic horror movie, Bram Stoker's Dracula.
This miniature castle and home of the vampire lord was created for the film by Matte World.
Take a closer look at this production model and Gary Oldman's bat-form prosthetic makeup from Bram Stoker's Dracula that were photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.
With people getting vaccinated and things slowly starting to get back to normal, I can't wait to see what screen-used costumes and props I can discover in the future on display at movie theatres, theme parks and museums.
