Wellington: there and back again

I visited the Weta Workshop in Wellington.  Weta did all the props, prosthetics, and digital FX for the Lord of the Rings films.  Peter Jackson was one of the initial founders of the company.  Though Lord of the Rings is what Weta is known for, they have contributed their skills to over 200 blockbusters.  Some Weta films include: X-Men, Avengers, Chronicles of Narnia, District 9, Avatar, Fast and Furious, Hunger Games and many more!!  

What did I learn from the tour?  SO MUCH!  It was basically Disneyland for a movie buff/digital art student.  But they took our cameras, so here are the stories and facts I can remember.

I can confirm that James Cameron is living in Wellington.  He wants to be more hands on with the production of his 2 Avatar sequels and 1 prequel!  (Really? Yes, really.) 

They showed us the step by step production of the weapons they created for District 9.  The initial 3D mock-up was made using Maya Autodesk!  I used that software for my 3D printing projects in school.  I didn't get anywhere close to designing guns for creepy lobster aliens, but it's cool to know I'm somewhat capable.

There was a 3D printer printing out a tentacle looking object, but our tour guide was not allowed to tell us what film it was for (ugh).

There were a ton of life size sculptures!  My favorite was the 9ft tall Naavi alien from Avatar.  But there was also Sauron and a District 9 alien.

They have a bunch of celebrity heads on file so they can fit prosthetics to match their faces without flying them all the way to Wellington.  We got to hold Elijah Wood's head... it was weird.

We also got to play with props.  There was a LOTR sword, a bow from Narnia, the gun from District 9, and the patented Weta chain mail.

The pictures below are from the display in front of the Weta Workshop.

Bilbo's feet from the Hobbit

Fun fact:  a weta is a HUGE bug that is native to New Zealand.  It's basically a combination of a cricket and a cockroach.  They named the company after the weta because it is an ugly thing that can still be beautiful (much like all the artwork involved to make the orcs gross and terrifying).

After visiting Weta I decided my true fandom needed some re-enforcing.  I hadn't had the time, money, or motivation to fix my Harry Potter tattoo until now.  After 5 years of having a half finished tattoo, my foot finally says Expecto Patronum again!!  Shout out to Andre from Kakapo Ink for his amazing skills!!!

I also treated myself to a new tattoo.  The cloud symbolizes Aotearoa (the Maori word for New Zealand).  Aotearoa means "land of the long white cloud".  I also happen to be obsessed with clouds, so this tattoo could not mean more to me.  It was a perfect way to celebrate my 11 months in NZ.

Peter Jackson also sponsored a exhibit at Te Papa about the battle of Gallipoli.  It was a devastating defeat for the ANZAC troops against the Turkish army in World War 1.  Because the exhibit was founded by Peter Jackson, Weta also got involved and made these amazing statues of some of the brave men that fought in that battle.  These sculptures are about 10ft tall and incredibly realistic.  It really brought the home the concept of the loss of life.