Sculpting Hyperrealistic Giant Heads at Wētā Workshop!

Adam Savage visits Wētā Workshop's sculpting room where he learns how artists sculpt hyperrealistic giant heads for exhibitions like the one in Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Richard Taylor and sculptor Jane Wenley show Adam how details like skin texture and pores are carefully carved into a portrait of art director Johnny Fraser-Allen in 8X scale!
Wētā Workshop Unleashed: tours.wetaworkshop.com/unleas...
See photos from the exhibition at / wetaworkshopunleashed
The Production Design of Wētā Workshop Unleashed: • Adam Savage Behind the...
Creating a Bigature for Wētā Workshop Unleashed: • Worldbuilding a "Bigat...
Inside Wētā Workshop's Animatronics Lab: • Inside Wētā Workshop's...
Grass Flocking at Wētā Workshop: • Adam Savage Learns Gra...
Prop Dagger Build at Wētā Workshop: • Adam Savage Speed Buil...
Painting a Horror Prop at Wētā Workshop: • Adam Savage Paints a H...
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#wetaworkshop #adamsavage #sculpture

[@tested]

Wētā Workshop Unleashed: tours.wetaworkshop.com/unleashed/ See photos from the exhibition at instagram.com/wetaworkshopunleashed The Production Design of Wētā Workshop Unleashed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omrNh513is6ll9k Creating a Bigature for Wētā Workshop Unleashed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqOYe3V_nr18bpo Inside Wētā Workshop's Animatronics Lab: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4u8gKidqZh1o9k Grass Flocking at Wētā Workshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJS9k6tumsmEhq8 Prop Dagger Build at Wētā Workshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnbYkH6GbL1lfZo Painting a Horror Prop at Wētā Workshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJOXpH2fed2kkKM

[@davepitts4479]

I've always wondered what Buster did after Mythbusters. See the 18:16 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoDHgYtvrMR7Y6s

[@Nueztoy]

The clue for a good director is good comunication skills. I love how Richard can communicate complex processes so efficiently

[@jamesparker1557]

I agree, however, I don’t think he quite understands how much of a legend Adam is lol it’s good for the viewers tho

[@halfvader8015]

@@jamesparker1557 I think he does and knows Adam's history being in the film business/both doing props. And also explaining for the viewers as well.

[@EriksPlace]

I love that at 7:14 we can only assume Richard has been holding a giant foot in one hand since the start of the video

[@funforall9741]

I watched Adam scrape a nose for 30 minutes... and i truly enjoyed every second!

[@Numenorean921]

that was one itchy nose

[@leinadreign3510]

Seeing the boss of the company doing such work is just amazing. He also has good charisma and seems very friendly, good to work with. It must be amazing to work at this company!

[@jacobbalensiefer3846]

The choice in doing a non symmetrical face pose is a total flex and I love it. This is the most interesting non building thing I've seen from Tested. I'm sure Adam had to be dragged out of that warehouse.

[@sacredgeometry]

It always would have to be. Noone has a symmetrical face. If they tried to mirror it it would look really strange.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

The asymmetry makes it so much more lifelike.

[@spbalance]

@@sacredgeometry We all have roughly symmetrical faces. You know exactly what he is saying.

[@sacredgeometry]

@@spbalance No we dont. We have broad symmetry in one axis but in real terms most people are pretty asymmetrical at least in respect to our sensitivity to facial recognition. Yes I know what he's saying and I am saying that it doesnt make it any harder. Tracking the nuance of two sides of a face is harder if the symmetry is more subtle ... not easier.

[@DaddyDoom]

Richard is a friggin master of his craft, and like Adam, has the soul of tireless teacher. Would love to have the chance of visiting Weta but from where I stand its pretty much as trying to get to Saturn. The amount of talent on this place is just mind blowing.

[@MultiTravellingman]

I believe that you can visit Weta some day Pedro. Especially with their new theme park opening. Look into costs, plan, budget, you got this.

[@DaddyDoom]

@@MultiTravellingman kind words dude. thanks :) nothing is impossible, of course, but being able to actually visit the workshop and spend a few days lurking around and watch those artists work while being toured around by Richard Taylor is not easy or accessible to the average Joe, eh.

[@One--chance]

If you in New Zealand need to check out both there work shops. I'm lucky enough to live up the road from the auckland work shop gonna go this Sunday. Can't wait!

[@picklesmakes9104]

Just causally drop the fact that you have repurposed a robotic arm as a gigantic CNC! Where is that video?

[@mf--]

That's one of the best uses of a robot arm.

[@jono6379]

Doesn't really seem safe does it

[@abramcollette]

It’s actually pretty common in my experience. You can also put the arm on a track and give even more mobility

[@Luka1180]

@@jono6379 Why not….???????

[@jono6379]

@@Luka1180 Maybe I've watched too many horror movies but the idea of a spinning drill bit waving around wildly if the arm gets out out of control scares me

[@acidhermit]

The fact that they can make skin so realistic at that scale, where you can see every detail it's insane. I love the way these people work.

[@jorisev]

I was fortunate enough to visit the Te Papa museum in Wellington a couple of years ago, where I saw the exhibition "Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War", which includes huge sculptures of soldiers made by Weta Workshop. Truly amazing work - and still on display so I'd highly recommend visiting if you're ever in that area.

[@justingould2020]

I was similarly lucky to be there for the Gallipoli exhibit a couple years back, as well as visiting Weta Workshop. Absolutely blown away by the talent of these artists.

[@martinmccarthy704]

I too have visited the 'Gallipoli' exhibition. It was the most moving experience of my life. The tableau, and the larger than life-size sculptures of the soldiers and nurses set in them, were so striking and poignant they made me, and many other visitors, weep.

[@kiwigaming09]

Yea they were awesome!

[@mikejones-go8vz]

It’s an exhibition that could travel the world, any country could relate to it, not just NZ and Australia

[@smaakjeks]

So lovely to see Richard being hands-on. I still remember watching his videos from the LOTR extra materials on DVD (later updated to bluray of course)

[@NikkiDoesStufff]

Best bts on any movie ever. Watched them so many times. Richard is a genius

[@brendanhall6097]

this barely even felt like 10 minutes! it's so incredible just hearing masters talk with such a genuine love and passion for their craft. I also love the respect they all have for each other's art. just amazing!

[@DeanMcFarland]

I absolutely love this. Richard Taylor and Adam Savage hanging out in Weta Workshop talking shop is like content from an extended LOTR disc that never happened.

[@Evaisa]

That skin texture is so incredibly realistic, that's crazy

[@carikaoschman2464]

I'm a kiwi and was lucky enough to see this exhibition when it came out. It was so beyond anything you could imagine. Just like the Gallipoli exhibition: The Scale of Our War, the hyper realism that they were able to capture is breathtaking. Not to mention the movements that they were able to re create with the animetronics... 👁👄👁

[@Millicente]

I’ve never seen this visit before and I’m so glad it’s full of Adam’s signature enthusiasm and visible love for this stuff. I’m still looking for the thing that I can love just as much so I really love this kind of video

[@EmmaBGames]

So lovely of them to allow Adam to work on this piece with them

[@jamiesalmonsculpture8599]

What a wonderful video this is (and not just because because you so kindly mention my name!). It's such a generous sharing of some very important and deep sculpting concepts, done in such a relaxing and entertaining way. Bravo. Miss you all!

[@Brodc]

Hey! I took my cousin with schizophrenia to come see this exhibit! He loved it so much he couldn't stop screaming and he was shaking with excitement! Thank you to the talented artists

[@keithgilbert9240]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this. As a frustrated sculptor it was totally fascinating to watch the team at Weta explaining their process, along with the tips & tricks they use.

[@BearyWizard]

The skill found at Wētā is truly astounding. Always amazing to see how far these sculptors have honed their skills. Also Richards expertise is just something else.

[@sargstacker5579]

Just don’t ask about their pay or staff abuse.

[@jalalal8056]

Something we should know?

[@poopfartlord9695]

@@sargstacker5579 well I will ask...? They all seem pretty happy and able to have a lot of creative freedom. What's the problem?

[@tthomas184]

@@poopfartlord9695 I wrote a serious answer, then saw your name, and thought not worth a serious reply. So I deleted that and this is what you get.

[@paws27]

@@tthomas184 Ironic how that makes you seem more immature than them.

[@stumcconnel]

@11:21 I love that the units of time in NZ are like '8 weeks and three people' and also that Adam was able to instantaneously compute that as "half of a person year" lol

[@andysmith1996]

Well, it's pretty simple: 8 x 3 = 24 weeks' work, or about half of a year for one person.

[@mischieffactory]

Adam reacting to creativity is my favorite Adam. He is always giddy to look and to help and I love that about him!

[@spinjules]

This video is absolutely fascinating. I think as someone who sculpts or illustrates is incredibly informative and really springs some great ideas.

[@veneficusvex914]

Can't wait for him to visit and finally see the entire exhibition put together! I love seeing everyday, so I know it's going to blow his, and the Tested teams collective minds!

[@vix86]

Seeing this video finally made it click in my head how many of the Renaissance era artists probably worked. The "big names" were working on lots of huge pieces for the Church and probably other buyers at the period, so they probably had a number of helpers/assistants/apprentices. Just like with this face, you don't need a master sculptor for every portion of the work; people of different skill levels can easily help with the process. This makes me really wonder if the "Workshop" in Weta Workshop was chosen as a nod to the workshops of yore. Always incredible to see Weta's artistry.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I really liked Richard's point about how working together doesn't make you lose any individuality. So many of the Renaissance (and, even more, Baroque) masters had so many people working for them whose names we don't know but whose art we cherish. A modern workshop like this gives everyone involved a chance to be a someone.

[@TheAlternati0n]

I felt like I was able to get a lot of great insight and technique through this interview. Amazing!

[@lklmmedia4715]

AAARRGGHHHHH - I SCREAMED when ADAM mentioned the Microfibre cloth catching...I Was Completely convinced for so long I must be developing Spiderman like barbs such that whenever I touch microfibre clothes (for cleaning lenses.) - I can basically pick them up by just touching them and they stick to my hand... I AM SO HAPPY ADAM has that problem too!

[@joelface]

they definitely catch on my hands as well.

[@LizzardGirl713]

do you have that problem with nylon as well? I can when my skin gets too dry.

[@brianespinoza2034]

HYPER-REALISTS are the most amazing artists! can't wait to see the final piece!

[@foxylovelace2679]

He said something profound about conventionally beautiful people that I've started to notice. There have been a few actors whose faces I just can't remember or I end up getting them mixed up. They're so symmetrical, so perfect that my brain has no defining landmarks to remember them by.

[@TheK4man]

adam is adorable the way he gets all giddy over things

[@darbymori350]

I got to go to WetaWorks Unleashed last week at the end of our NZ trip. It wasn't planned, but I'm so glad we went. Highly recommend the experience!

[@MultiTravellingman]

How expensive was "it(flight,hotel/park fee)"? What stood out the most to you during your visit? Anything you wish you could of spent more time doing?/looking at while being there? @DaddyDoom This guy is the first part of your puzzle solving, the costs.

[@skateboardingjesus4006]

Being a sculptor myself, this was a pure pleasure to watch. If I had a fraction of the tools, equipment and resources that Weta has, I'd almost cream myself (yes, I just said that).

[@2bvud]

Watching Savage geek out makes me geek out. He is my spirit animal. Wētā Workshop are top tier with their work and it's their experience and knowledge and practice that amazes even someone as skilled as Adam. That exhibit would be a bucket list event for anybody, creative or not.

[@rhonemeyer4277]

Wow I'd love to see that one day!

[@Account1746]

They overpowered 🔥

[@scottcates]

I love the way the surface builds and evolves into the finished texture. Gorgeous work.

[@Mell0wY3ll0w]

Such a rich presentation and delivered with ease. So natural

[@deathxsharpee2260]

“Felling like a borrower” looks f-ing fun as anything! I want a giant clay tool in my kitchen. Why not?

[@glennmorganfan9411]

OK, The second they brought out those three tiny heads I had to pause the video and just stare at them. I was always taught that making small sculptures was MUCH harder.....and I am absolutely SHOCKED by these. I laughed SO hard at the part where they started using their nails instead of the tools. My sculpture teacher tried SO hard to get me to use my tools and stop using my fingers for everything. Watching people like them is at the same time inspiring and saddening. It's inspiring because I learn so much and I see that familiar spark and love for making.....but it's so frustrating because I'm 41 years old and feel like I've lef my potential on the shelf to rot. I feel like even if I started with what I have now I would be a gristled old shell before I even got off the ground.

[@13panda13]

Cry baby

[@poopfartlord9695]

@@13panda13 what?

[@JoshuaAlexander138]

You should do it!

[@tthomas184]

Don't be too sad. Notice how young the sculptors are? By 40, all of them will be unemployed, with low paid 20-somethings taking their place. Plus they have zero creative freedom. It's basically craftwork. If you want to be an artist, and express yourself, just start. It's not too late. BTW, your sculptor teacher was right. Every tool has a purpose. That's why sculptors have so many.

[@ooooneeee]

@@tthomas184 imagine pretending Weta artists have no creative freedom.

[@christopherjunkins]

OMG, I'm almost in tears here... there is something so...W.E.D. or Imaginineering (early days) in this. I' reminded of how every single hair in the leg of the pirate animatronic that you go under in one of the Pirate of the Caribbean scenes (DisneyLand version) was punched in by a woman doing the hard work of detailing that pirate... and how they are detailing this exhibition's pieces... one in the same. There's a history there.

[@SuperSteveez]

They are on another level. Just imagen the brainpower just to come up with the tool

[@tested]

That is the best emoji ever.

[@dexter_vane]

One of my favourite videos in a while!

[@pigsandapples]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for bringing this to us.

[@BottleOfCoke]

I could listen to these guys for days!.. Great video!

[@JPGuay]

Simply amazing !

[@dbp192000]

Love hearing about their process

[@sacredgeometry]

There is so much talent in that room its unimaginable. What a dream place to work.

[@UncleManuel]

The level of detail in the sculpture and the explainations why they have to do certain things is just mindblowing. As also the tiiiiiiiiiny miniature heads. Just wow! 😲😎🤟

[@Onestringpuppet]

Great episode. Love these kind of videos, really interesting to watch up close and hear an inside perspective of the craft! 👍

[@wayfairing_soul]

How much content did the team film at Wētā Workshop?! I love that we are still getting content 2-3yrs later.

[@MrEladren]

What a marvelous bunch of people.

[@KillerTacos54]

Absolutely amazing!

[@lightsight7754]

Having sculpted many portraits I've always been surprised how important it is to capture the columella correctly... that's the bridge-like area that connects the tip of the nose to the top of the upper lip. And yes I stare/study way to long at people's faces all the time. 🤨

[@shubinternet]

The thing that strikes me about this series is that Richard is a true Renaissance man and can do all of the jobs of the people that he leads. And he's probably almost as good at each of those jobs as the specialist masters. And his advantage is that he can see things from a more distant mental perspective. I have a whole new level of respect for this man.

[@martymaker]

Excellent video. I've been dealing with guitar polishing with sandpapers from a 1000 to 7000 grids. Its exactly like explained here. Same principles apply to nitrocellulose lacker. Beautiful finishes can be achieved with a lot of love and time.🙏 I can see this love and affection at Weta. Incredible company

[@benell7762]

Amazingly educational video session!

[@TheQueenOfStupidity]

This has ignited a tiny flame in me again for a hope of working with stuff like this ❤ thank you

[@onedeadsaint]

i loved everything about this video!

[@BubbleNova1991]

Always love seeing Richard

[@user-yw7jf7jw9e]

Beautiful sculpture.

[@Ruinari]

I have never wanted to be involved in art more than watching this group of people work on a GIANT face. This was wonderful.

[@serijas737]

There is something very relaxing about scultping together and just chatting.

[@destinycantwait]

can't believe how often Adam visits Weta! Love it

[@catbraunwell6450]

This was awesome. Thanks so much

[@SBkid112]

I just went to weta unleashed a couple of weeks ago and it was AWESOME! Didn’t realise how new it was!

[@TreyMcDonaldAnimator]

WETA is... next level. This is the Industrial Lights and Magic's true sister. Just captivating and awe inspiring work.

[@allluckyseven]

This is just absolutely fantastic and a master class in sculpting.

[@rosiesemple4686]

simply wonderful

[@Fray-Bentos]

I worked as a prototype modeller that made toilets and urinals directly from the the designers drawings at a young age. and the kidney pallet brings me back to that so much... I also had to go onto the shop floor and sculpturally fix any flaws in the slip casting process on the fly.. it was a wild time and I loved every minute of it

[@baconmecrazy8128]

Amazing!

[@Garganzuul]

Working in a team like that is the dream. And you keep it alive!

[@BrandonWorkshop]

Boy, I just learnt a number of tips. Thank you!

[@914Rocky]

Amazing.

[@lyleabrahams]

So much knowledge in this episode.

[@longfinger]

Fantastic. Those are some really smart and cool people!

[@stephenlitten1789]

I went to this exhibition in Auckland - absolutely fantastic!

[@heaslyben]

What a fascinating joy!

[@DistortionsUnlimited]

Very interesting video! Thanks!

[@robadams1645]

I'll never understand how a sculptor's mind works. I'm not artistic in any way, but I think I could draw something passable, or make music that is tolerable to listen to. But taking clay (or any material) and making it look like something is not an operation that my brain knows how to do. I'm always impressed by sculpture.

[@poopfartlord9695]

Like anything it takes a lot of practice. My personal barrier to entry is that the materials required are so much more than drawing or playing an instrument 😢

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

There's this idea that sculptors can look at a block of material and just envision the final product immediately. I just can't imagine having that mindset.

[@thomasolsen7108]

loved this video!

[@lian2780]

The giant soldiers at Te Papa museum in Wellington are beautifully detailed

[@ShugPhD]

This is incredible

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great video sir thanks

[@TJRohyans]

If only I had the time and money to travel to see this in person! And is it just me, or does anybody else want to see Richard break out in a good ole belly laugh about something? I think you can tell he's got a sense of humor, but he keeps it professionally constrained.

[@SammeLagom]

Very interesting and good video!! What an amazing place to work at!

[@Simonisms]

My figurative sculpture lecturer at art school always worked on the 3rd bigger equation. He said the sculpture would 'lose life' if it was scaled 1:1 and showed us how life casts look much smaller than life.

[@Galactic-Jack1978]

Hi Tested Crew, just saying a huge hello from Cape Town South Africa - Adam I find your channel inspirational. You are very much like me and I like seeing how you work. I see myself doing the stuff you do if I had the resources. Thanx for a great channel. I'm a definite fan and will join soon. Regards.

[@ToXiCxMadness2]

Thanks Adam I’m not the only one who absolutely hates microfiber towels. I did work construction for a number of years so it now makes sense.

[@R0bobb1e]

This is making me home sick. I lived in NZ for long enough that it is one of two places I want to be, Canada and New Zealand. It's not just the natural beauty of the landscapes, what I miss most is the people.

[@TeddyLeppard]

Best in the world at their craft. Amazing.

[@itsbayside6802]

man , i love this channel.Such a cool video,interesting.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

Lots of interesting details about sculpting in this video! Pretty much all the stuff is applicable to sculpting in 3D modeling software, too.

[@Broadshore]

Sooooo cool.

[@brianreddeman951]

Absolutely fascinated by the dinosaur sculpts on the top shelf towards the end of the video.

[@eronGreco]

awesome place

[@danblair8606]

Reminds me of the 8-foot baby doll's head I encountered at the National Gallery Of Canada years ago. One big, creepy doll's head, hidden around a corner from the Impressionist gallery.

[@D0S81]

I love that Ron Mueck was inside puppeteering Ludo from Labyrinth, and does the most amazing hyper realistic sculptures ive ever seen.

[@DefNotDemon]

I went to the Weta workshop unleashed a couple months ago, so much fun, would recommend :)

[@Zedja]

I've been fortunate enough to have visited the Weta Workshop and got a guided tour, meeting Richard and a few others. They had just finished filming one of the Narnia movies. I also got to hold one of the Oscars that they won for their special effects in Lord of the Rings. What's remarkable about those is that they remove the names that was on the statues because they considered the entire studio the winners and not just the people who's names was on the statues.