VK machine possible group project

[joberg]

This project is not forgotten...just have a nasty cold lately Apart from that, I finalized the blue-print of the main machine. Now I have to make sure the arm fits in (specially the eye part).
I sent Gary (Gee Dubb) a PM about the details of the V.K. (he had mentioned that he knew a person who could provide us with such details...Mancini if I'm not mistaken).
Haven't received any answer yet...

[panaflex]

A speedy recovery to you sir!
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Hollywood is the only industry, even taking in soup companies, which does not have laboratories for the purpose of experimentation.
Orson Welles

[joberg]

Thanks, I need it (I'm not sick often, heck, in 8 years working for the same outfit, I only took 5 sick days off work...). It's getting better as we speak and I expect full recovery in a week.

No word from Gary (Gee Dubb) yet on the details.

[GKvfx]

I was able to chat with Mike Fink the other week, and somehow (as it always does), this pesky prop crept into the conversation. The latest tid-bit is that the case was an off the shelf item, though heavily modified. They added some features and made it deeper.

But they didn't make it deep enough.

You know why we don't see Deckard unlatching the case and opening the lid? Simple - the VK prop wouldn't fit. It was just TOO tall for the lid to close. D'oh!

There's always a simple answer......

Gene

[joberg]

Thanks Gene (and M.Fink) for the info. I wouldn't have suspected that the case was a found item, albeit heavily modified.
What is more surprising is that the V.K. used at Tyrell's interrogation of Rachael is the original built by Mike Fink, not the one fitted with the special U.K. screens...(the inserts in that scene are showing the U.K. machine, I'll agree to that ).
I have, I think, a few idea for that case...then again, it seems there was 2 different ones: one for Tyrell's and one when we see Deckard getting out of his car (his apt place).

[jameth]

[joberg]

If you look at the case at Tyrell's you'll see a few details that are missing on the car one.
1) there's a "thooted"border on the Tyrell one (absent on the car one).
2) there's a bigger half and a smaller half that makes the entire case at Tyrell's (in the car's case, those half have the same thickness/width).
3) There are 2 raised rectangular "boxes" on Tyrell's (absent on the car one).
4) I'm not sure, but the handle on Tyrell's is customized while the car one looks like a regular Halliburton handle).

The recessed box at the upper right-hand side is on both suitcases...that's were the similarities stop...I'll look at the pics we have on the board to make sure I didn't miss anything

[GKvfx]

[joberg]

I thought it was the issue of "Krotch"...but I heard it was purely malicious gossip

[Noeland]

Something I would like to see is a VK machine kit with a vacformed main body and baffles, with some resin cast pieces, maybe even some metal parts, that comes with glossy print out for the screens as well.

This would allow a builder the option to create something static and light for display that does not move at all once completed, but also allows people with electronics/small motor skills a base to create something that functions.

I've thought about it a lot. I'm not ever going to be the guy who sells these kits though.
_________________
I don't have enough blasters!

[joberg]

Noeland, you've read my mind.
Here how it goes: first option: "static V.K." will be a complete machine, the only "moving" parts (by hand) will be the baffles, the arm and the eye piece. No lighting, no electronics. I'll make it so that, if at a later time, someone decide to put in cervo and lights it'll be easy to take apart and put back together (a screwdriver will do ).

Second option: a kit...that's right, I'll send you the whole thing and you'll be the one putting it together. It's not going to take super-human skills to do it; again a screwdriver and some glue will do .

These plans are taking a lot more time than anticipated, but I want to make sure that I'll cover as many options as possible with those type of builds.

Thank you for your patience.

[Mr Webber]

[joberg]

Aaalriiight folks, here's the buck for the vacu-forming experiment(life stuff, lately, have kept me from that V.K. project)...hopefully, I won't have any problems in terms of webbing (plastic gathering at strange place and ruining the vacu-form) or orange peel type of finish

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Don't mind the holes and cracks at the bottom of the buck, all that will be cut and trimmed for the finished product.

[kaiburr]

Looking really good, Joberg!

Best,
Nathan

[joberg]

Thanks, crossing my fingers for the first pulls and hopefully not too many bad ones (I'll have to pay for the plastic sheets even if it's bad )
Oh well, the life of the artist: full of dangers

[Mr Webber]

Best of luck with those J, my head is still spinning at the thought of all this, if it works out that i can get one, it will be the last peice added to my collection.
Im waiting on what will be the most accurate and professional replica of the Kurtz Dossier ever produced, in fact the only one and when put with this,
will see all my prop dreams covered.
_________________
Formerly offworld66

[joberg]

Thanks Tim...I'm waiting for the opportune moment to get a pull and if successfull getting the rest of the machine. If unsuccessfull, then there's plan B: mold and fiberglass, but that's the last option (to messy, smelly, etc). I'm going to build the baffles (4 + a static one); since they have to fit inside each other, it means 4 different bucks lots of work in the future.

[joberg]

Well, good news and bad news about the V.K. project.

Good news: I'm having difficulties securing various people(and technologies)to produce parts of the V.K. for me whithin an aformentioned budget.
I did a lot of phone calls and leg work to ask specialists with CNC/laser cutting/3-D printing facilities if they could make certain parts of that prop.
Ex: the eye piece or the small boxes (for screens and such) vacuforming the bellows, etc...

Bad news: some of the pulls I got from one of the vacuform facilities are downright sloppy and frankly, I wouldn't expect anyone to pay for those pulls. The problem resides with the type of plastic (their fault) and the buck I built (my fault). At this point in time, I'm a little dissapointed with the various refusal of some shop not wanting to try (my money) to produce some samples of their work.

I'll have to build a better buck and experiment with other plastics (I wanted ABS initially, but now, I'm trying to have the same result with PETG...we'll see).

I might have chewed more than I could with this particular project; only the future will tell, I'll make sure to be more forthcoming with the infos as they come to me...sorry for the long radio silence concerning this project.

[amfx74]

Keep a stiff upper lip Joberg, it's not vital medical equipment. Sounds like you need another shop to vacform the pieces, or get one of your own.

[Bendzhamin1967]

Joberg.... i totally understand your frustration. I just ripped apart my entire apartment set. NOT HAPPY. But hey, we are our own worst critics, and this group is fantastic in giving support to each other. You will get it done, no worries!!!
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I've had people walk out on me before, but never when i was being so charming