Heading to the Hollywood Collector's Show

I'll be heading out to the Hollywood Collector's Show on October 8 and 9.  I'll be there selling and signing my book, "Lost in Space Design: No Place To Hide."  If you'd like to meet me this is place to be. If you'd like to meet celebrities you couldn't find a better place to be.  There will be a cast reunion from "Batman," "The Waltons" and more.  Check out the Hollywood Collector's Show website for all of the latest information.

The illustration shown here is not actually of me traveling to the show.  This is a SketchUp rendering used in my book.  The Gemini 12 was created in SketchUp, based upon the 12 inch miniature used for filming long shot flying sequences.  I've placed the model in front of a backdrop (actually a screen grab from the Lost in Space series) of Earth.  At this point the spaceship would be hitting maximum dynamic pressure.  If you want to know how I know this come see me at the show.

Lost in Space Design:Excerpt

Here's a sneak peek at my new book Lost in Space Design: No Place To Hide.  The book explores the design of classic sci-fi/fantasy television show by looking at both the production and the science behind the fiction.  

This page illustrates that point with a look at one of the production ideas that did not make the final cut for the unaired pilot.  In this case a meteor hole was supposed to be seen near the back of the Gemini 12 spaceship.  Not only do I illustrate some of the proposed camera angles, I also point out that destruction of this sort would have meant the end of the Space Family Robinson.

The book contains more than 100 images and illustrations.  I created most of them were created in SketchUp.  If you're interested in learning more about the design of the original Lost in Space pilot please use the link to find the book on Amazon.com.

Oh, and by the way, notice the post date of this blog entry: June 12.  That's Irwin Allen's birthday.  That's where the name of the pilot spaceship comes from too.  "Gemini" is Irwin's zodiac sign and 12 is the day of his birth.  At that time in the mid 60s there was already a NASA space program called "Gemini" and the final rocket launches were already planned (they would not continue up to 12).  It was felt that there would be some confusion with the science-fiction family's space program and the real thing, so the spaceship's name became the Jupiter 2 for the series.

But Irwin wasn't done plugging his birthday.  In Land of the Giants that is the date that the little people found themselves sidetracked on a routine trip to London.  He makes it hard for his fans to forget his birthday.

Lost in Space Design

It's here.  I've written a book on Lost in Space Design, hopefully the first in a series.  The book focuses on the designs for the unaired Lost in Space pilot episode "No Place To Hide."  This is what Lost in Space was like before there was a Dr. Smith or a robot.  The book looks at the design of the pilot from a production and scientific point-of-view.  

The 80-page softbound book is fully illustrated with over 100 images.  I created all of the original art for the book using SketchUp.  Thanks to this wonderful 3-D modeling tool readers will be able to look at the spaceship and other sets from angles that vintage photos have never shown.

Publisher, Jack Hagerty, has helped to add some very interesting scientific depth to the book with an analysis of the realities of space travel.  Hagerty actually is a rocket scientist with a number of interesting books on the subject.  If you enjoy space travel be sure to look into his other works too.

Lost in Space Design: No Place To Hide is currently available on Amazon.com and from the Publisher.  Click on the links to order yours today. 

Yes, We're Open

Yes, We're Open!  I'm sorry that it has been so long since I've posted anything new.  But many thanks to the thousands (yes, it has been thousands) of visitors that have come to see what I have to offer.  

My blog has helped to lead me to a new theme park project.  Like all theme park projects it is top secret and I can't report on it until there are official public announcements, or the park opens to the public, whichever comes first.  The project is keeping me unusually busy so my postings will not be daily, but I will make them as often as I can.

My last posting was a SketchUp drawing of a shop from the film, "Pleasantville."  Well this is the same shop now open for business.  And what a wonderful business this is -- it's filled with my most popular work.  Leading the way by a long shot is the map from Neverland that I created for the Paris Disneyland version of the Peter Pan attraction.  "The Munsters" house is another popular favorite, along with a plastic house of a very different sort -- the Monsanto House of the Future.  And for some reason the Tomorrowland signpost seems to attract a lot of attention.  

Please keep checking back, there will be more to see.

Gone Fishing

Vacations are a time to take a break from the routine for some new, diverting, enjoyment.  Well it's that time for me.  Of course, for me enjoyment is my work.  I'm starting a new project and for a time I won't be able to make my usual postings.  As soon as I'm back online I'll have more to share.  (No, I won't be able to share anything from my new project.  They are always secret until they open.)

In the meantime, please don't be shy.  Take a look around the blog.  There are 139 postings here and I'll bet that you haven't seen them all.  Choose a topic that you like from the labels on the right.  Or, better yet, head down (on the lower right) to the Blog Archive.  Start at the bottom and check out an entry a day.  I'll be back before you know it.

The attached image is from my Pleasantville model.  Like so much of my work this SketchUp model allows me to explore it from any angle.  I've chosen a storefront and added a sign in the window.  Then I did have to add some blinds to make sure that the place looks closed.  But the sign certainly indicates the promise of return -- probably with big fish and big fish stories.

The Munsters - Bat's-Eye-View

Well, here is my last post for The Munsters house before Halloween.  It's a bat's-eye-view of the house, flying high above.  The lot is a recreation of the original Colonial Street location.  The Los Angeles River was actually directly behind the house, separating the property from the nearby golf course adjoining Universal Studios. This large property was over 100 feet wide and around 50 feet to the front door.  That's a lot of crabgrass.

The roof may look a little unfinished from this view.  That's because the house is based upon the backlot facade.  There was no reason to finish anything that would not be seen by the camera.

This Halloween, if you happen to be flying past The Munsters house, don't forget to swoop in and say Trick-or-Treat.

Munsters Details - Screened Porch

Here is a hidden detail not often seen on The Munsters house.  It is the screened porch on the far right side. In the Universal Studio feature file So Goes My Love the local fire department thinks that inventor Maxim's house is burning down.  Don Ameche (as Maxim) comes out of the screened porch to explain that it's just one of his inventions smoking.  Of course the irritated fire department ends up turning the hose on the inventor.

In The Munster there is tag at the end of an episode (forgive me for not looking it up) where Herman and Eddie are playing baseball on the side yard.  Lily comes out of the screened porch to remind Herman that he will be late for work.  One pitch from Eddie and Herman hits the ball that ricochets off the wall knocking Herman out cold.  Lily's not worried the car pool from the parlor will be by to pick him up soon.