InsIder’s PoInt of VIew: dV fIlmmakIng
ThaT’s no Moon;
iT’s a sTyrofoaM
Lunch conTainer
were able to cut more corners because of
Omega 35
our darker visual tones.
We meticulously studied sets in films
like Alien and Blade Runner, separating
elements into basic shapes and analysing
the tricks that filled out minimalist sets.
We determined that we needed to hide as
much of the sets as possible, which led us to
adopt the battle cry of “Fog and Darkness!”
Most of Omega 35 (which can be down-
loaded at www.omega35.dastolidigital.com)
takes place on a spaceship. Due to production
limitations, we decided that we would
build the interior sets of the spaceship, but
It is a common thing in this Internet-
savvy world to see young filmmakers
start off their careers by making a
F
or many, this translates into the would have to rely on bluescreen and CG
world of Star Wars fan films, as most backgrounds for the rest of the movie
of the film school-aged amateurs grew (about a third). While the walls would be
up on sci-fi action films of the 1980s. based on flat cardboard panels, the larger
collection of movies that do little more
But what happens when, years after elements required real 3D objects in the
than copy childhood favourites.
mastering the art of lightsaber in a forest, form of PVC pipe.
said filmmakers can’t shake the impulse to We saved everything from plastic cookie
By James & Robert Dastoli fulfil their boyhood (or girlhood) dreams of packaging to tubs of pretzels. Everything
making an original 1980s-style sci-fi action with a chamfered edge (such as Styrofoam
film? A cigar-chomping producer would lunch trays) or an interesting pattern was
have a price for that query: “$400 million!” commandeered and stored in our garage.
Well, that tears it; I guess Little Billy (now Collections of four water jugs were
Medium to Big-Sized Billy) won’t get to attached and put upside down to make
make his movie. But wait… what’s that cargo crates. The smallest detail was best
you say? There must be a better, cheaper achieved with the use of severed floppy
way to do it? I thought you’d never ask. discs and torn apart keyboards.
Welcome to the world of Dastoli Digital’s Occasionally we would make a bigger
CLICK
Omega 35, an original sci-fi film that was purchase that had a specific use. Grated
HERE TO
made for 750 dollars! shelving from Home Depot provided the
perfect pattern for both walls and floors,
SUBSCRIBE STEP 1 and was also made useful for lighting
STEAL LOTS OF MONEY (JUST KIDDING) effects. Coils of conduit were acquired for
Now first of all, let me clarify that although the realism of the spaceship’s operation.
we made our film as 1980s-style sci-fi, A standard system of painting was applied.
these same techniques and principles apply The first coat was matte black. Then we
to one’s ability to make any sci-fi or action added dabs of greys and browns for various
movie. In early pre-production, the look of types of damage. When applying this coat,
the film was very clearly set down, and we we would use a sponge to smear in a vertical
62 By fIlmmakers. for fIlmmakers.
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