How Wētā Workshop Creates "Bigature" Landscapes Out of Foam!

Wētā Workshop's Richard Taylor demonstrates techniques that his team of artists use to create the rocky landscapes of scale model bigatures like the one on display at Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Adam tries his hand at some foam polystyrene carving and marvels at the castings of real rock that Wētā Workshop has long used since the fabrication of bigatures for Lord of the Rings!
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...
Stay tuned for more videos from Adam's visit behind the scenes of Wētā Workshop Unleashed!
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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 Stay tuned for more videos from Adam's visit behind the scenes of Wētā Workshop Unleashed!

[@maluse227]

Given the stress his job entails, it blows me away that Richard Taylor seems to have not aged a day since they filmed the behind-the-scenes for ROTK.

[@leedobson]

Crazy right....that was more than 20 damn years ago

[@deanvennard6925]

Every newzealander Iv ever met is just like him

[@maqywhaq]

I suspect it's a bit of a different sort of stress though... Creative deadlines are more fulfilling, even if they tend to be more of a reach a lot of the time...

[@harbl99]

Healthy diet of polystrene foam and plaster does wonders for a man's health.

[@shokojimhollingsworth3940]

He’s like Christopher Reeves’ geekier brother 😃 in the best possible way

[@Padre186]

When Adam started in with the chainsaw on the foam I swear I watched his face de-age back to when he was a 9 year old. Just pure joy on his face.

[@Dfarrey]

Adam always has a childlike enthusiasm. I think that's what made mythbusters so fun to watch, and why I still enjoy the content he puts up here

[@notbutter6476]

That part out of context just makes me laugh so much with Richard in the background just watching

[@snubbebubbe]

Love the technique Adam displayed in this video, turning a facemask into a shoulder pad. Absolutely marvelous.

[@Zharkan16]

he must protect himself from their employees

[@shokojimhollingsworth3940]

I love Richard’s dry NZ humour, like the deadpan delivery of “the trick here is to not plunge it into your own body...” 😂😂😂

[@cleverusername9369]

Just watched 20 minutes of two grown ass men playing with foam and I would happily watch hours. These Wētā videos have been such a delight, New Zealanders seem like such a lovely people.

[@stuartgardiner3161]

we are but problems like others

[@e9x.pyroooh]

just the sound alone of the foam screeching would make me go insane lol

[@deanospimoniful]

I remember seeing Richard Taylor on dvd extras for Lord of The Rings. It's amazing how far these guys have come to be such a powerful presence in the film industry.

[@rootieboy]

When I saw Adam put his left hand on the foam while using the utility knife with his right hand my heart skipped a beat. I cut off my middle finger, tendon and bone, at the top knuckle with a utility knife. They were able to reattach it with some clever surgery.

[@commandrogyne]

God i cannot stand the squeak of foam being cut, what a tragedy given how cool this topic is!

[@wayneking9997]

Me neither I had to keep fast forwarding because of the noise

[@phila8234]

Working for weta = dream job 🙏

[@sng2225]

This is the 3rd WETA related post and it must be a sign to go home and visit my family. Admittedly it's making me a bit home sick. When LOTR was filmed I had friends and aquatiantances working on making the framework for an orc sitting atop the theatre in Wellington, a knife maker producing daggers for the movie and I met one of the extras in the gym

[@ThatGameGuyy]

I always love how insane Adam looks while working. Just really going at it full force. It's inspiring.

[@scotttrapp2512]

I love how much Weta is focused on showing the younger generation that with their own imagination and some cheap materials/tools they can create their own worlds just like the pros do!

[@killaloekittens2834]

I remember back my day when we were sculpting a 15 foot diameter brain. Funny enough, it was for the movie Brain Candy. While we were busy sanding the contours of the cortex, I decided used mine (cortex) and glued sand paper, which i cut out in the shape of a hand to a pair of gloves. I did this because our hands were cramping up while gripping the paper. Upon seeing what I did, my supervisor then sent me out to get ten pairs of gloves and a bunch of 60 grit sandpaper.... Dude the sanding gloves worked like a charm. However it was a little weird to see a bunch of guys "fondling" a giant Styrofoam brain. None of the techniques you have shown are new. But they are still cool, and there is always a new class of students wanting to learn. Meet the Feebles!

[@hazonku]

I worked at Storyland Studios and they have literally one of the largest hot wire cutters in the world. It's about a 15'x15' working area with linear rail systems. It's basically like those hot wire table saws modelers use but scaled up into a giant box that works like some amalgamation of a 3D printer, a CNC, and a wire cutting table. They can rough out absolutely enormous blocks of foam that make this one look like a packing peanut. Foam carving is super fun stuff, especially at larger scale but it gets messy fast.

[@andyheffling5000]

A boss willing to get his hands dirty is a good boss

[@rexus72]

Adam with a sharp cutting tool always makes me nervous🩹

[@stevestogsdill5791]

This is also the same process used to make a Sawfish Kyak! I found the Great Stuff Foam works as well as Gorilla Glue as a foam adhesive. Also, a Japanese pull-saw is a fantastic tool for shaping with it's smooth and coarse cutting and it's semi-flexible blade.

[@K0SSI]

I love how Adam becomes giddy with excitement at the end along with Richard about young makers learning techniques from them!

[@ace5combo]

I went to the exhibit last week thanks to your last video!!!! 100% recommend. Weta workshops is now my dream job

[@mully006]

As soon as I heard Richards voice I was pulled back to when I was a kid watching LoTR behind the scenes.

[@christaylor3951]

Since I first saw Lord of The Rings I was astonished at the work they did, absolutely Incredible. It's a dream of mine to work with them, definitely my favourite practical effects workshop.

[@washinthewind]

Richard: Don't plunge it into your body. Adam, 5 seconds later: Yeah, absolutely!

[@Road_Rash]

Well that just tears it...I have just about everything here, now I must make a rock wall in my house somewhere...🤔🤔🤔 Maybe Mona can come give me a hand...

[@Lethgar_Smith]

Nice to see Richard has learned to talk on camera better than his appearances in the LOTR Appendixes. 20 years ago he was shouting at the cameras like a locally produced used car lot TV commercial as if the microphone was 30 yards away from him.

[@joshccarter17]

So true

[@fx4d]

XD

[@philipbasarir6829]

I love everything weta. They have some of the best artists in the industry and this exhibition shows just that.

[@nerdingforfunprops4487]

Fantastic video. I love working with styrene blocks. I've used it for all sorts, walls, gargoyles and more recently an over sized Christmas turkey (with all the trimmings. 😁

[@youdroidsgetoffmylawn]

I've always liked the electric carving knife for foam carving.The dual reciprocating blades alow deep cuts and carves with less effort. A little Teflon spray helps relieve the stiction.

[@shokojimhollingsworth3940]

Those electric roast carving knives are great for memory foam carving as well. They can often be found at goodwill or other second hand stores for very cheap.

[@19TheChaosWarrior79]

My dad has just used expanding foam and wall filler to make the cliff faces in the model railway we are building. Looks ace once painted

[@timwhite4301]

I'm definitely going to use this technique tomorrow for my model railway

[@alls0p69]

This is what we love... Adam in his natural habitat. Tongue out and all. :) Great series.

[@jpotter2086]

An excellent candidate for Smell-O-Vision!

[@pilgrimgrey4191]

This video was a pure joy Adam looks like a kid at Christmas so cool. I would dearly love to spend an afternoon with Richard Taylor and pick his brains on all of this. I have some styrene on the way so it’s inspired me cheers guys.

[@zacharyseales3775]

Weta makes me so proud to be from NZ.

[@hariseldon1977]

Richard Taylor… great guy

[@ShinobiShane]

The editing they did to put some of the vocals over the demonstrations is very good

[@Theexplorographer]

11:05 I love that Adam immediately demonstrates the wrong way to use the knife as Richard talks about it. Never, EVER cut a material towards your support hand! Trust me on how I know this. Notice Richard uses 1 hand only...

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

I repeat that myself every 6 years least I forget. Did it 3 months ago, so I'm good for a while.

[@maqywhaq]

As a miniature hobbyist, this is remarkably familiar... What I'd really be interested in though is their detailed texturing techniques(with railway modelling, there's a lot of texturing with plaster castings, curious how much can be done for styrene foam)

[@poopfartlord9695]

It must be hard being a miniature hobbyist, you could literally get lost in your work.

[@googiegress7459]

@@poopfartlord9695 Luckily it's very low-stress, you never encounter any really big problems, only several very small ones.

[@maqywhaq]

@@poopfartlord9695 The emersion factor is absolutely amazing though~

[@jms_d0]

@@poopfartlord9695 u beat me to it. This comment deserves a million likes

[@MJRLHobbyStuff]

You guys ROCK!

[@billwilson9056]

awesome! wish the white foam didnt have such a tendency to blow out the video from time to time, hard to see the detail you guys were incorporating at some points

[@TheAndrian463]

Wow! Found a new use for my Lidl (Parkside) electric chainsaw. Have to try that out on my mountain scenery for my model railway layout. Great video topic.

[@WMfin]

So joyous to watch this!

[@xGaLoSx]

Richard Taylor is such a legend!

[@MrFreddie5150]

Great Swedish invention that expanded polystyren or Frigolit as it called here. :)

[@securityrobot]

That’s one person that understands the correct definition of the material.

[@rookzey1425]

Being a Kiwi myself, studying in the Creative Industry with ambitions to do prop/ miniature work like Adam and Weta, its a treat seeing how these props and terrain set pieces are made behind the scenes and Adam is someone I would very much like to one day meet or chat with (despite the low chances), about different techniques and his history/ experiences in the Industry and someone I strive to be like creatively. Great Video

[@lamsmiley1944]

Good luck, it would be an incredible place to work.

[@mikeparker3865]

The ouiji board method of rock carving. Love it.

[@JoeyPeligro69]

This and the other weta video were SO cool

[@MarcoNoPolo]

4:55 that noise messes with my dental work.

[@mikeuk666]

Keep up the great work

[@gibbonwarrior]

I love the way how Richard is thinking about weather/erosion. With more than 10 years in movies as a set sculptor I made so many rock walls, but it was very frustrating that many "old master" does not really care about the" logic" behind how weather and time shaping the forms, just making easy boring cracks. It would be a pleasure to share the same mentality one day on a set together.

[@Midnorme]

Can you share any knowledge/tips on making rock walls?

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Cool technique, but man, it made my lungs hurt watching them spay acetone on styrene without a respirator.

[@Malfensthor]

Wonderful

[@F-Los]

What a fun date

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@LangeXander]

well time to rewatch th Weta workshop scences from LotR

[@itzame_ari]

Gosh, I love to create 3D art like this someday! All these techniques are so astonishing and, while time consuming and stressful, is such a unique art form and way of storytelling.

[@SuperPress23]

Awsome!

[@102ndsmirnov7]

Very cool

[@lacanidjion]

Awesome 😎👍

[@xTechDecayx]

"Don't plunge it into your body." Adam IMMEDIATELY starts cutting toward his hand...

[@DavidDM59]

amazing

[@MrMJJFAN1]

Weta can you just upload, plenty of strangely satisfactory videos, it's just amazing no matter what it is, no matter how simple its just amazing haha.

[@danielkearney1815]

Adam is having such a good time with that chainsaw.

[@Tongomongo_1]

“The trick here, is to not plunge it into your own body “ Let me write that down in my notes.

[@reality_bites7887]

Great respirator use! The key is less is more

[@custos3249]

Cool part is those cut-offs can be reused as underwater or wind-swept geological formations

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks.

[@donedwards5301]

2 big kids! I wish I was there

[@SkogKniv]

More, give me more with weta.

[@yvonneburns2786]

Can't wait until you do fjords!😏😁😌

[@roryoutdoors5431]

There is a fell voice on the wind! It's Savagemon, he's trying to bring down the ... extruded polystyrene sculpture! There's foam bits everywhere!

[@KyzerGB]

Also using a bbq grill cleaner can be used to make rough surfaces on rock faces 😉.

[@rupertthecatandfamily]

I can already smell that burning polystyrene smell. It is burnt into my memory.

[@cameron5802]

Both of them talking about how dangerous a box cutter is then Adam putting his hand right next to his cuts as he goes back in forth in directions made me shudder.

[@171QA]

Cool.

[@DunqaunMcQuan]

I wonder if you could use a dilute solution of acetone and let it trickle down the 'rock' naturally to simulate erosion?

[@organicsludgeqt7037]

I just wish they could use something more sustainable than foam but this was so cool!

[@saikawanderer9166]

One of those stanley knives gave me a notable scar on my neck, snapped on a rough cut and came back to say hello. I no longer use them XD

[@uncriticalthinkerNZ]

I work with a utility knife all day. It’s an art and a science.

[@antipodeanadventures6409]

Great to watch and always good to see you learning something new. After 40 years Richard still sounds like a hick :)

[@killemtoenjoythesilence]

Pro tips: 1) If you're looking for a local or brick/mortar store to buy nichrome wire look for a vape store near you. Nine times out of ten they will have what you're looking for. 2) If you are looking to make a simple hot wire I strongly suggest you DO NOT use a lithium battery of any kind. If you're not using protection circuitry or sure of the proper resistance these batteries can become extremely dangerous. Do yourself a huge favor and use a lead acid battery or every day alkaline batteries. These will get hot but generally won't explode. And for God sakes don't plug it into the wall. You only need a few volts to heat the wire. (This is all considering that you're going DIY and are just directly connecting the wire to the battery).

[@JohnSmith-gm4fj]

use a model train transformer, they are adjustable and you can tune them to your needs without the wire getting too hot.

[@killemtoenjoythesilence]

@@JohnSmith-gm4fj definitely. A power supply is best. I was just trying to cover the battery types and what novice makers should stay away from. I just had visions of people burning thier house down. Even myself who knows the dangers of lithium batteries is not exempt. I had a situation where the battery door on a vape went bad and I didn't notice it. It shorted 2 of the 3 18650 cells. Let me tell you. Those things are like holding onto a couple of Estes rocket motors burning in your hand. I was severely burned and had to replace the carpet in my bedroom. Not something you want to deal with. If I was someone that didn't know exactly how to react and how to handle a lithium fire it could have been so much worse.

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

Gorilla Glue can also be used to attach slabs of foam like this together and is easier to get a hold of than the expanding insulation.

[@generrosity]

Foam is a lot cheaper, and can be used to fill holes for later carving, glue is hard to carve

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

@@generrosity Gorilla Glue isn't all that hard, but I see your point. I could see using it with layers of the foam to replicate stone that has hard and soft layers then.

[@AdamMann3D]

Richard Taylor makes me think of Stan Winston

[@murcusfenix2717]

Ive been to their workshop in wellington i live in new Zealand

[@alls0p69]

17:35 "Ahhh, well there's your problem."

[@mayamanign]

I've done this exact thing building dioramas. Noice.

[@roryoutdoors5431]

Ooooh it's a mask not a shoulder pauldron... silly me? :p

[@MrTonypace]

Chum is available in every hardware store in the two continents I am familiar with - and this is filmed in continents 3-4. Europeans? Do you also have chum? If not, you should.

[@mrstude]

A propane torch can also be very useful.

[@moosx]

I'm going to need to buy some foam now lol

[@jl.7739]

9:15 min Adam: yeah, this is comes out great. Richard: what the hell is he doing?

[@SyntheticFuture]

Alternate title: two grown man mutilate a block of Styrofoam

[@paulclancy4221]

People get paid to do this!!!.I'd do it for free. Love the hot knife. Adam, you were having too much fun with the chainsaw.

[@damronorama]

does anyone know what brand the blue button-up shirt is that Richard is wearing?

[@ThatGuy_33]

Is this a permanent exhibit? I couldn’t find any information on how long it will be on display.

[@frederikgoogel5611]

I get the most uncomfortable goosebumps hearing them put the sticks in and when i thought it couldnt get any worse they do it again.

[@jrbp33]

Does anyone know where/how to buy the foam in those big blocks? (In the usa) ive only ever been able to find the sheets they sell at hardware stores.

[@deadaccount6135]

Adam really is like a child, and I mean that in the best kind of way. He gets so excited and goes ham on things lol. Only part scared me was him using the knife, saw him almost grab it by the blade twice.😮😁👍👍

[@graememckay9972]

Today we visit weta to find out how they turn a block of polystyrene into fake snow. Adam gets his hands on the chainsaw.

[@cogginsnuff]

the work flow of people who can afford medical care/live in a country that doesn't just let poor people die, is something else