Worldbuilding a "Bigature" for Wētā Workshop Unleashed!

Wētā Workshop famously built detailed miniatures for the Lord of the Rings films so massive they were called "bigatures". They've brought this expertise to bear in their exhibition Wētā Workshop Unleashed, which features a jaw-dropping bigature for a fictional fantasy film dreamed up by their incredible storytellers. Adam visits Wētā's fabrication shop where this immersive landscape is being constructed to learn how worldbuilding happens in miniature scale.
Wētā Workshop Unleashed: tours.wetawork...
See photos from the exhibition at / wetaworkshopunleashed
The Production Design of Wētā Workshop Unleashed: • Adam Savage Behind the...
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 Stay tuned for more videos from Adam's visit behind the scenes of Wētā Workshop Unleashed!

[@lasarith2]

For a split second, I’d have mistaken Richard Taylor for Christopher Reeve.

[@phoenixcross6481]

THIS WAS SUCH AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE. it was so cool to see these "Film" Concept and I'd wish they were real films

[@cholmalj7194]

At the beginning of the video, Richard says that the location they're in is "[name]'s pad" and he also mentions her name a couple other times, but I could never quite understand what the name is. So, I checked the Closed Captioning and found that she is alternately called "mourner" and "Moana" in the CC! Anyone know the actual name? "Mauna" or something like that?

[@lasarith2]

@@cholmalj7194 I took it as Monna .

[@cholmalj7194]

@@lasarith2 Two videos later, when she was teaching Adam "flocking", they put her name on screen. It's "Mona". I should've just waited! :D

[@filmdesigner800]

I worked at Weta for Richard 22 years ago on LOTR. One of the most magical times in my life and career and Richard is an incredible talent and inspiration to all who have had the pleasure of working with him. Im beyond thrilled to see Weta workshop and Richard enjoy so much success . He is one of the kindest and most talented people i have ever known.

[@Devour_]

Lmao my primary school class was probably shown some of your props when we went there years ago.

[@josef2012]

Awesome credit on the resume!

[@itsbayside6802]

awesome

[@sebastianwlodarczyk]

It's amazing to see creative professionals presenting their work, and Adam is the perfect person to interview them- he looks genuinely taken in, asks the right questions and is able to add just the right amount of flattery to make people open up, and get into the details of their craft!

[@annbrookens945]

Adam's wholehearted enjoyment of and appreciation for makers and their works makes him the perfect host for interviews and tours like this!

Good lord, the attention to detail in their world concepts and execution is incredible. It is unnecessarily brilliant. Weta, please do this world justice and produce some kind of film about it yourselves. The concept alone could inspire a suuuuper unique kind of story with dinosaur characters in a fantasy set in the real world.

[@leggo0]

Listening to passionate people talk about what they love and are working on will never get old.

[@RubenWoodcraft]

my biggest regret in my maker life is I didn't get to visit weta workshop, when I was in New Zealand in 2010. This must be such an amazing project to work on.

[@Babasaurusrex]

I remember seeing a younger richard appear quite a bit in the behind the scenes featurettes of the LOTR movies. Mans accomplished alot, happy to see him still working on cool projects!

[@AstrumG2V]

Still looking great too! The stress of running a workshop hasn't gotten to him at all :o

[@lucilaria]

i went to this exibit a little while ago (i live in auckland), and my friend is getting a job there as a tour guide so its super cool to see the "behind the scenes" of the "behind the scenes". And yes, the bigature is sooo cool irl.

[@0oogabooga]

As someone that grew up on Mythbusters and LOTR behind the scenes, seeing Richard Taylor and Adam Savage working together is the best crossover since Batman met Scooby-Doo. ❤❤❤

[@Corbald]

I'd kill to work at Weta! That place is where dreams are made... I could sink years of my life into a single project with them. That stepped rice paddy area had my mouth watering. Much envy for those who get to do that for a living!

[@SaltyHeathenNZ]

Went and visited Weta Workshop Unleashed last year. An amazing adventure and really enjoyed discovering your bust inside the attraction. Took me a second to realize it was you.

[@flyingardilla143]

This geologist loves the idea of molding real rock outcrop for miniature design.

[@11Bbq]

Weta should actually make shorts in this universe. It’s a really great concept.

[@davidsutherland3466]

I'm lucky. I live in New Zealand and plan to go see it as soon as I can get time of work

[@NorbuckNZ]

The Weta Workshop Unleashed tour actually has 3 exhibits, The other 2 are based on a horror movie and a sci-fi adventure. I hope Adam gives us a peek into those as well.

[@Jerico64]

I've been to the Auckland exhibition and it is indeed amazing, even the transition pathways between the 3 exhibits are awesome!

[@skinny_chris]

This needs to go viral so they actually make this a movie!!

[@THEHARMONIKZ]

The best videos on KZbin ever! Thankyou.

[@peterkelley6344]

Trying to wrap my brain around this idea. Let me get this straight. These 'tures are for a walk-through experience of a movie that will never be filmed; but will still be a presented as a story to experience.

[@AstrumG2V]

Basically, it's a "this is how we make and do stuff to make it look good on screen", and they're using some fake movies as a jump-off point!

[@cjbralph]

Check out the links in the pinned comment. The website etc explains it a bit more

[@ryan_j_peck]

I loved Adams little smile when he heard "bigature" for the first time.

[@Trindal]

I wish I had learned about this sort of work as a kid. When I think about trying to come up with ideas like this, my mind races and face goes blank like I’ve checked out of reality…. Except a smile. Always a smile, which almost feels weird to me because I don’t smile like that in regular day to day life. I may have to go pick up some clay and foam….

[@Devour_]

Visited Weta Workshop during a primary school trip to wellington, didn't get anywhere near as much access as Mr. Savage, but we still got to see a bunch of amazing screen used props.

[@simonjohansson248]

Richard: "And then the children could.." Me, a 28-year old: "Why is he referring to me as a child?"

[@nz540im3]

Just went through the exhibit yesterday in Auckland. It’s amazing and worth every cent. Also there might be some type of cameo of Adam in the exhibit too.

[@mothmansuperfan7513]

I took a few classes in product design model making and basic computer modeling in Maya with some Weta staff when I studied abroad. High caliber teachers with a passion for their craft. Highly recommend if you get the chance

[@DinosaurBytes]

If only Hollywood could stop trying to remake all of the classics and instead focus on something original like this....

[@itsbayside6802]

i love these videos and weta, hope you can make more of these.

[@oxide9679]

I think Richard Taylor uses Weta Workshop magic to stop his aging process. He doesn't look any older than he did with LOTR

[@wonderwend]

I am loving seeing this! Thanks Adam

[@schmeat2717]

Woah Mona Peters.... I'm in love 🥰

[@Nobody-hc2bo]

“We’re not actually making this movie” That’s honestly a real shame. Dinosaur wizard fantasy would be a pretty fun film

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

LOL. Just seeing the title of this video, I 'heard' the word "Bigature" in Richard Taylor's accent in my head. 🤣

[@bzqp2]

Subsurface scattering will be recognized in 50 years as this weird "20s aesthetic"

[@DugTheDog]

Wait! I actually want to see that movie! Or better yet, a high budget series. Sounds amazing!

[@cycoholic]

Reminds me of Harry Harrison's West of Eden series. No magic wielding wizards, instead the dino's had progressed far beyond where we are with biological gene editing. Great series, must read it again.

[@hiltonwhen4365]

This is so cool, it's going on my bucket list.

[@daveelrod7229]

I want to see this idea made into a movie. I like this story.

[@johnwhitton9977]

Hope to see this next time I'm over the pond

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice and beautiful design photo's thanks for sharing.

[@BryanNWright]

I hope they make a movie out of this concept, soo soo coooool!!!!!

[@simrock_]

I would love to watch the movie this would result in if someone decided to pick it up as such. The fantasy and framing blurb Johnny Fraser-Allen introduced is so appealing and with her trying to explore the "new world" with the inevitable herbivore vs carnivore conflict feels deeply appealing.

[@stephanie.stanton]

I was at a speleology convention with a bunch of geochemists and one of them told me about Metagraywacke. My response? “You’re making that up. Not a word.”

[@Nayphun]

This is the most amazing thing ever

[@captain_coleton]

Yet another reason I want to go back to New Zealand

[@kimopuppy]

WOW that was GREAT hope you do a follow up

[@jaidankuester6410]

it's amazing how much people can change over just 2 years Adam looks a lot younger in this video.

[@thomasgibbs995]

I felt so bad as that guy explains the movie idea to Adam because I could literally see Adam thinking you are explaining planet of the apes to me but you swapped out apes for dinosaurs. The dude was so excited I don't think I could tell him either ;P

[@AwareOCE]

Wow! The idea of a stone that has no original visual scale is fascinating!

[@xTechDecayx]

I would absolutely watch that movie.

[@josh3205]

I've been to see it and it's awesome

[@PotentialLegend]

I'm sad that it's not in Wellington where Weta Workshop is based! Gotta travel far to go see it.

[@ManFromTheFizz]

Literally had a dream about seeing Richard Taylor after watching this video at a urinal of all places. Didn't wash his hands which was abit disconcerting.

[@axelusul]

I wonder what Tolkien would make of the work of Peter Jackson and his Kiwi mates making home horror movies to becoming a Director. Then achieving the impossible of filming the LotR "trilogy" in one go, creating Weta with friends and Kiwi talent and then pulling in New Zealand to become "Middle Earth" and the star of the show. The whole project has created not just expertise but a world reputation for excellence which has had massive economic and creative positive implications for the country. Unbelievable

[@calessel3139]

This is so cool!

[@wonderboy2402]

Can you imagine weta doing dinotopia?

[@innocuousknock]

the designer is Jamie Beswarick if anyone wondering who designed the dinosaurs

[@RothianFairmoon]

this is very fascinating, and I think somoene needs to make a tabletop adventure game set in this world. ankylosaur paladins, deinonychus ranger, etc please?!

[@FieryFlamingFajitas]

This would be cool as an animated (2d or 3d) series tbh. I'd love to see the dinosaur cultures and architecture brought to life

[@mamorutoriyama]

WHOA~!! I need to get to New Zealand now @_@

[@terryeasterday580]

Planet of the apes in reverse, with a major left turn. Sounds amazing!

[@Aikano9]

Sounds like a fun movie

[@squidge903]

Woah. Mona. My heart.

[@martinscerri6218]

dammit - @3.15 brought mini series Dinotopia (2002) to mind, now i'm compelled to watch it again. not complaining though :-))

[@coraxcox9242]

I'm deffo not the only one that wants to play warhammer or lord of the rings fantasy battles on this ??

[@TetsuyaMcCuddin]

"Hey Adam, can you build us a fully realized bigature world?" _checks watch_ "Gimme five minutes" -how I thought this was going to go

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

Holy shit this is inspiring. Thank you!

[@Arrow14100]

Love the Banshee Tshirt ^^

[@anotherwesley7661]

I'm glad they made this, it'll be great practice for when they make a Dinotopia movie, right? ...Right? Please??

[@j-roll2264]

I'm interested in what lead to the design choice of the carnivorous (couldn't quite catch what they called the meat eater side) side of the world to be barren. Because when I think of dinosaurs you have mainly herbivores and carnivores with very few omnivores, so I would've imagines something different like the herbivore side having less vegetation but more farmland to grow food as its 65million years in the later and they would've learned farming (so kind of what it's already like in the video). And the carnivore side having an abundance of vegetation like forests or jungles where prey thrives and the carnivores hunt, rather than a barren wasteland as the carnivores have no interest in eating the vegetation.

[@NorbuckNZ]

Could be the that this carnivore faction are relegated to barren land due to their warlike tendencies. I hope the exhibit goes into more depth about the complex society they have brought to life

[@glockparaastra]

They are halfway to a great new movie! Call Peter!

[@grantadamson3478]

He's just up the road.

[@lucasjones3338]

The only problem with making this into a movie is that most producers don't think non-human characters will sell in a realistic non-kid's movie.

[@angel102ify]

this alone looks worth the time and money of flying to New Zealand.

[@Meloncov]

Sounds like it'll be touring around the world.

[@Eremon1]

I'm really curious what happened to the original Gandalf the White's Staff prop from the movie. Does Weta have it in their collection? Does Ian McKellen have it? Maybe Peter Jackson kept it?

[@stanf3531]

Me watching this while driving right past weta Unleashed

[@fontie512]

I want to see that movie.

[@andrewhamell2274]

"It's a BIGature!"

[@richardlionheart3935]

If only I could go back in time 25 years I would pack up and move to New Zealand and make friends with Peter Jackson and ensure myself a job a weta.. I would be as happy as a pig in dooda for life. :)

[@Xtafa]

BUT I NEED TO SEE THIS WORLD.

[@7of9]

Love the real sculpts.. But we could make it in Unreal Engine with virtual production!!

[@stephen300o6]

Ah, Naboo and the Various Gungans.

[@steverino6954]

As soon as he said "That is Jaime", I went right to Jaime Hynaman. (Sp)

[@peterkelley6344]

Same here, everytime.

[@davidhogue100]

Gmta?

[@MrTheSmoon]

That castle looks so much like the painted world from dark souls

[@josef2012]

What a dream job! Stay in school,kids.

[@JustRoy11]

The story is a grandfather paradox. she gets a time machine goes back and changes time. Then the people who invented the machine would never have existed, which means she’d never have gotten the time machine to go back in time.

[@josef2012]

Good thing it's fictional, huh?

[@jerrybeilgard5824]

It sounds very much like the Xendi of Star Trek. They have 5 species developing at the same time. With one then extinct.

[@noahschuh9221]

i want this movie

[@Animaniac-vd5st]

Funny how one can still hear the slight German accent from Mona. As a German i also find it very hard to get rid of some hardness when pronouncing certain variations of R and K.

[@josef2012]

What's wrong with an accent?

[@Animaniac-vd5st]

@@josef2012 Who said anything was "wrong" ?

[@robadams1645]

I find Mona's accent intriguing. It's like a German or Dutch accent that is migrating to a NZ accent.

[@Your_Paramour]

Her linkedin says she studied in Germany, so I'm guessing she's German with 10 years of Kiwi English.

[@shaggycan]

she seems to be the total package!

[@terriblej6107]

When I heard her voice I thought “maybe German” it’s really cool thinking of different accents mixed with other accents/languages, how they blend and compliment or completely don’t mix

[@julianzacher161]

I want this not-movie beeing made so hard!

[@ronsimpson143]

The only problem with the premise of the story is that it would require multiple dinosaur species to evolve in parallel into sentient tool using species. That would be completely unlikely as those species would be competing against each other for resources. To use an old phrase, "There can be only one."

[@josef2012]

It's called make-believe there,champ.

[@ronsimpson143]

@@josef2012 No, really? But the first thing you have to do as an author, is get someone to suspend their disbelief. Anything that jars with that, is something to be avoided. Parallel evolution is real, but would not happen in an environment where the two species are competing. Especially where one is prey and one is predator.

[@steakbbq]

@@ronsimpson143 I also thought about this immediately. However 99.9% of people will never have that thought. Also its a much larger creative space having multiple species. Then the final point is its not even a real movie, its just a tool for education and making believe. So I would argue that ultimately it doesn't matter, and you are being pedantic and a real party pooper.

[@ronsimpson143]

@@steakbbq No. I am just stating how I feel based on my knowledge of science. One thing I have found, is that sci-fi and fantasy fans come in two main types. The first just floats along and enjoys everything, no matter what. Then you have the hard core Star Trek and Star Wars fans who pick apart everything. They find inconsistencies in one story to another. They look for flaws as much as they do easter eggs. They have thousands of discussion threads, social media groups and pages. Out of the two, guess who spends the most money? Who is the most engaged? It is the nitpickers who seem to have a nerdgasm when they find an error nobody else has found. And to be honest, I would rather have that kind of engagement because it is passionate.

[@aserta]

It's incredible how people who are supposed to be the problem solvers of a movie department can actually make a movie script, scene, setting, and more better than actual movie writers, makers. It's almost as if the actual creation is not in the people who are supposed to be creative, and it's found entirely in the people are solely supposed to solve (and this is said not as a slight to Weta and their group, but as an appreciation of the notion that each cog should have its place in an overall task, and how some cogs have overstepped and forgotten what they're supposed to do... and why we get truly mediocre movies every year).

[@cmdraftbrn]

damn. now i wish there was an actual movie. /cry

[@cwaldrip]

Make this movie, please!

[@RichardGQue]

flipping the roles of dinosaurs and humans... Voyager did that

[@Tstormer]

So when's this movie coming out cause sign me up as a dinosaur please

[@captainshazun7859]

Hey, i usualy never react to your videos (that i love) because of my poor english skills as a French... But i have some questions and precisions to ask about this project. I can comprehend that my single viewer opinion would not matter in any way but if you're interested for a further interview about this project in particular, i would love to be able to explain my interrogations with anyone on the team. Just tell me what to do and how to do it so it wouldn't bother you... Best regards

[@timthompson8235]

Its Planet of the Apes with dinosaurs. DONE! give this man a hundred million dollars now!

[@zarinloosli5338]

Is Mona's shirt available for sale?

[@josef2012]

Pretty sure that's crew only.

[@RR_1138]

World building according to Hasbro Star Wars toys are 1/18 plates and cups that action figures can’t even hold. Movie is Star Wars , not Star Parties, “Wars”