Normally, a movie or TV prop that's supposed to appear white onscreen is painted a darker, off-white color to make it photograph less "hot," but I started wondering if this practice holds true for underwater photography.

According to Greg Jein and Richard Edlund, it does. But whadda they know. :)

I confess I was surprised to read Dave Merriman's comment re: having scraped away layers of finish on the underside of the large Seaview filming miniature to find (gasp!) white paint. This directly contradicts the info I was provided by Paul Lubliner (an authoritative source Dave himself has sworn by in the past), and in any case it flies in the face of the aforementioned "no white" rule where FX miniatures are concerned. Not that any of this matters in the grand scheme of things, but I love a mystery.

Also, and for the record, I'm a firm subscriber to the belief that a model maker should paint his model however he damn well sees fit. On the other hand (as with the TOS Enterprise, for example) I like to be able to factor in the original studio paint scheme when formulating my own finishing battle plan.

Later today I'll shoot emails to Dave and Paul (both of whom have been kind enough to help me with geeky model related trivia in the past), and will, with their permission, post any replies I receive.

We'll get to the bottom (or underside) of this issue yet.

Dave, you don't have to justify anything to some of the anal compulsive geeks around here. You've done a service to us loyal fans and most of us owe you a debt of gratitude.

Thanks Dave for the insight. I personally think the size is about as big as it could be - To large - Not many would probally buy it (At 52 in inchess - Where would you put it?); as well as the much extra cost, too.

Gerry-Lynn

Looking forward to the Seaview; as well as the other projects!

I don't think my statement warranted an 'Aaargh'.
It was a vaid question.

Not your post per se, but your not the first person to ask the question on several bboards. How about we just be happy we're finally getting a Seaview model at all?

Excuse me please, I'm the guy who mostly decided what size this thing is going to be.


Thanks for the details. Interesting reading. Any in progress pics of your buildup?

Okay, so the bottom WAS white after all? :freak:

This is more fun than slamming my head in a car door. almost.

What kind of car John ?

I was, I meant the 17 1/2 footer i saw at "cars of the stars/planes of fame in Buena Park, CA. where i also saw Robby the Robot and the Talking apple tree from wizard of oz. They also had a submarine filming set that tilted back and forth for inside shots for sub. movies. This was back in 1972 and the camera i had messed up and would not advance the film.

I have two things to say, first, I am happy to have a large model of the Seaview coming, and two, I will be happier when I am opening the box, to get to the model pieces out. Nuff Said!

You and me both ! I am very happy about the seaview and other Irwin Allen releases, The space pod and chariot look great. I hope the F/Sub gets made in a large scale since the original released kit has warping problems with the top and the lid won't stay on.

Since the Seaview is a Sci-Fi ship,it doesn't have to be at scale with other sea vessels.Although I can see the attraction toward those matching scales by certain modelers,the scale chosen for the Seaview by Moebius seems about as ideal as possible.Now if they could only get a good licencing deal to produce the NAUTILUS,it would be fantastic.By the way,which scale would Moebius consider the ideal scale for the Nautilus production,and this would mean what size in inches.

This is the model that Modelmaker is talking about.Saw it in 1980s when i first moved to L.A.Alexander

Not your post per se, but your not the first person to ask the question on several bboards. How about we just be happy we're finally getting a Seaview model at all?
It should be "Not your post per se, but you're not the first..."

Ha, Mr. Grammar & Spelling Nazi! :p


Sorry, I now return you to your previously on-topic posts about the color of both the Seaview and boogers.

This is the model that Modelmaker is talking about.Saw it in 1980s when i first moved to L.A.Alexander
Thanks Falcondesigns for those pictures, here are a couple more i found.
Bert

here is one more

Now that I think about it, when the Seaview was first constructed for the feature film in 1959-1960, the prop builders probably DID paint the underside white.

Not your post per se, but your not the first person to ask the question on several bboards. How about we just be happy we're finally getting a Seaview model at all?

Apparently, I don't have the time you do to visit every board out there.
This is my primary board so don't take it out on me if a chunk of info about something appeared on someone elses board. And I just didn't happen to have seen it on this one if it appeared before.

I am happy that someone is doing a Seaview. I just read Daves reply about the scale (reason for this edit) and I'll give that it does accomodate what he was concerned about. I will say this still frustrates me personally as that reasoning wouldn't fly if this was an airplane or armor kit. How would aircraft modelers react if an airplane was done to say 1/40th instead of 1/48 to accomidate some aspect of detail.

Boogers and Models.....one bad the other GOOD!

This model is probably one of the biggest groundbreaking kits to hit us since the PL C-57D and yes folks....its ok to paint it the way you want to!

I say paint it the way it looks on reg color TV....if you paint going by STUDIO standards...you may not be very happy with the way it looks.

Lets not quibble over kibbles, turn into Trek builders and suck the fun right out of the Hobby :p

Amen Fluke !!

No, Troy, It has to be muddybrownishgray. But the bottom is not white.;)

Lets not quibble over kibbles, turn into Trek builders and suck the fun right out of the Hobby :p

Shouldn't that read, "quibble over tribbles"? :P

Regarding scale!
What we actually have here, is a model of a larger model.
Think about it!
This is a 39 inch version of a 17'3" shooting miniature! I'd guess that would really make the kit about 1/5th scale!
This is a model of a vessel that only exists in an old TV series.
This is a model of a vessel, about which even the "experts" disagree as to the size of the fictional "real Seaview"
I happen to be an aircraft modeler and I fully understand the concepts of consistent scale as applied to REAL airplanes or REAL cars or REAL ships! Seaview never was a real practical operating submarine at a 1 to1 scale!
Sorry to dwell on this, as it is becoming an increasingly wasteful distraction.

I hope that everybody who buys a Seaview kit enjoys building and painting it to whatever standard makes them happy!

Dave

still waiting for some in progress pics!

Dave, the work you've done on this kit is appreciated by THIS kit-assembler! :hat: LOL!! I'm glad you've been able to continue to apply your skills for a model that has been so dearly wanted in a large size and affordable medium.

You've probably noticed that we're a loud, noisy and disruptive bunch. I'm just glad we're getting a Seaview!

its ok to paint it the way you want to!

So far as I can tell no one has suggested otherwise. At least not on this thread.

Correct me if I'm off base here, but I see nothing wrong with making an effort to determine what color(s) the original FX miniatures were painted. Whether one chooses to use or ignore the information is frankly not that important to me, but in any case I fail to see why the search itself should be in any way threatening, controversial or joy sucking.

I agree with Dave as this vessel is FICTIONAL and a TRUE size can never be determined- various souces are conflicting and a real size was never established on the show- heck many of the sets and props NEVER matched each other fropm episode to episode! I understand why scale-buffs want a consistant 1/144 or whatever scale to match other REAL sea vessels but that point has been taken.
Just ALL agree to talk about colors and paint schemes which is cool but I can't agree with those complaining at all about it not being in 1/144 scale! I will build mine and be THANKFUL and happy a kit like this exists. Can you still believe we are getting a 39 inch whopper like this??????????????????????WOW! :woohoo:

So far as I can tell no one has suggested otherwise. At least not on this thread.

Correct me if I'm off base here, but I see nothing wrong with making an effort to determine what color(s) the original FX miniatures were painted. Whether one chooses to use or ignore the information is frankly not that important to me, but in any case I fail to see why the search itself should be in any way threatening, controversial or joy sucking.

It's not the color discussion that's getting irksome, but the "OMG why didn't you make it THIS scale!!!11" scale discussion.

If somebody wants it to be a 1/144 scale 468-footer instead of a 1/128 scale 416-footer, then what the heck. :shrug: The length is only an educated guess at a figure that even the producer didn't care about.

So why was the Monsters in Motion kit Pink? Did they know something we didn't?

ROTFLMAO!
I wuz just about to post my plan to paint one PINK! Just because I can!!

Of course one could paint a Gato Pink and claim it's from the movie "Operation Petticoat"
But then I digress - not exactly unheard of with this group is it!

So why was the Monsters in Motion kit Pink? Did they know something we didn't?

Mine was powder blue from MIM!

Mine was pink. One of my gay friends offered me $200 for it!

Im thinking about Crazy Plum Purple with flames!!! And dual chrome curb feelers :woohoo:

Quick - somebody start a new thread on whether it should be gloss or flat.

Satin

Mine was pink. One of my gay friends offered me $200 for it!

You have friends? You mean you get out of the house?

Of course one could paint a Gato Pink and claim it's from the movie "Operation Petticoat"
But then I digress - not exactly unheard of with this group is it!
[IMG-LEFT]http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/9832/cast6qp.jpg[/IMG-LEFT]


"We sunk a TRUCK!"

Satin

Hey now, we're not supposed to be talking religion here and you go and bring the Devil into this.

I'm confused John....is he or she happy or does he or she prefer people of the same sex? :p

Quibble over Tribbles! LOL!!! :roll:

Regarding scale!
What we actually have here, is a model of a larger model.
Think about it!
This is a 39 inch version of a 17'3" shooting miniature! I'd guess that would really make the kit about 1/5th scale!
This is a model of a vessel that only exists in an old TV series.
This is a model of a vessel, about which even the "experts" disagree as to the size of the fictional "real Seaview"
I happen to be an aircraft modeler and I fully understand the concepts of consistent scale as applied to REAL airplanes or REAL cars or REAL ships! Seaview never was a real practical operating submarine at a 1 to1 scale!
Sorry to dwell on this, as it is becoming an increasingly wasteful distraction.

I hope that everybody who buys a Seaview kit enjoys building and painting it to whatever standard makes them happy!

Dave

I guess its ok to obsessed about the color of the Seaview, but not the scale.

Obviously the Seaview is a fictional sub and there is tremendous debate about the actual size of the sub.

But in the research and planing of this kit, there must have been attempts at justifying the interior sets to the exterior dimensions.
Thus, including an interior of the kit with people, ties it to a real world scale.

Regardless of whos length is 'correct', the interior of the kit is scaled to 1/128 which also affects the diving bell, flying sub etc.

Its easy to paint the kit any color one wants, its harder to rebuild the interior.

For the sake of the color obsession discussion :rolleyes: I'll try to get over the scale thing.

^Well, ya can paint the sub any color you want, but there's nothing you can DO about the size of the kit. Unless you're trying to talk Moebius into scrapping everything they've done up to this point, eating the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent, and starting over.

^Well, ya can paint the sub any color you want, but there's nothing you can DO about the size of the kit. Unless you're trying to talk Moebius into scrapping everything they've done up to this point, eating the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent, and starting over.

And your point?


I'm just thankful it's coming out, even if I have to add on to the house to accomodate it!!

Wayne

And your point?


Pretty obvious, I thought - there's no point in all the whining about the sizes Moebius chose for their kits that are already about 5 minutes from going into production.

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/medium/P1010012.JPG
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/medium/P1010010.JPG
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/medium/P1010001.JPG

Here you go the build up of the first test shot......not award winning photography, but you can get an idea of how the finished model will look.

Happy New Year

Dave

wow...I tuned in at the right time today. I think this is the first time I have seen this kit ASSEMBLED.

I watched a couple of episodes of my Voyage season 2 DVD last night. Sure, the surface shot shows a clearly grayish brown Seaview (being wet darkens the color) but when it's submerged, you know, the stock footage, 3/4 beauty shot just off of the ocean floor? THAT's what I will be aiming for. That's what I fell in love with as a kid and that's why I'm gonna paint it blue. It's just a beautiful sub and I'm happy to have the chance to do it.

Lovely! Thank you, Metz! Happy New Year to you, too! :hat:

yay! thanks for posting those!

WOW! Simply outstanding. What color and brand of paint did you use?

looks like he forgot to paint the bottom... -ow- what!?

Makes me wish I had watched the show, as a youngster.

Wow, this project keeps looking better and better. I too would like to know what colour(s) the filming miniatures were. Likely I will go with what seems right to me (a very subjective experience) but I would like to know just the same.

I think I will go with a darker muddy grey, and perhaps the colour shown in the buildup for the underside. Is it me or do the front windows look tinted ?

Regardless, this kit is going to seriously mess up my working on another big project. Of course, since it has been seven years in the making what's a few more months delay.

Can't wait...how many more sleeps ?